The Spectator’s combined print and digital circulation rose by more than 5,000 to a record high of 76,750, driven by an almost 25% rise in digital sales over the six months leading up to the EU referendum.
Print sales also hit a record high, up more than 2% to 57,604, according to the latest Audit Bureau of Circulation figures published on Thursday.
Spectator editor Fraser Nelson attributed the rise to the “Brexit effect” as more people become interested in politics; the magazine backed leaving the EU.
“Brexit, with all of its stunning drama, has meant a whole new bunch of people who were never really interested in politics now is,” Nelson told Politico earlier this week. “It’s a seismic event that means people want to learn more.”
Meanwhile, Private Eye inched up its circulation by 0.1% to pass the 230,000 mark and hit a 30-year high.
However, the Economist saw its total international print and digital circulation dip back below 1.5m as it removed about 100,000 unprofitable bulk copies – those distributed for free or reduced rate - though some of that fall was offset by a rise in subscriptions. Circulation was down 25% in its continental Europe edition, but held relatively steady in the UK, down just 1% to 160,241.
Deputy editor Tom Standage said: “Our focus at the moment is on increasing the profitability of our subscriber base, as part of a plan to double the profits from circulation over five years. It’s going very well. Circulation profits grew by 31% year on year.
“Given the choice between higher circulation numbers boosted by bulks and higher profits, we’ll take the profits – and continue to recruit paying subscribers to make up for the decline caused by removing the bulks.”
