ABC Circulation Figures
August 14 2003 - 10:45AM
UK Regulatory
RNS Number:6868O
Future Network PLC
14 August 2003
14 August 2003
The Future Network plc
UK and US circulation update
The Future Network plc (LSE: FNET), the international specialist consumer
magazine publisher, today releases the latest ABC audited circulation figures
for 19 titles in its UK portfolio of 59 monthly magazines. These include 13 of
Future's UK computer games magazines. It is also releasing its circulation
figures for its US magazines.
UK highlights:
* Future's market share of the games segment remains level year on year
at 65% by volume and 70% by Retail Sales Value; overall UK games titles are down
3.8% year on year at 661,539 copies per month, reflecting a relatively quiet
period for new game launches.
* Official PlayStation2 Magazine reflects the overall trend, down 3.7%
year on year at 188,079 average monthly circulation - 123K ahead of its nearest
competitor. Future's share of the PlayStation magazine segment has increased to
just over 70%. Official Xbox Magazine at 80,179 is confirmed as the fastest
growing consumer magazine in the UK, with a 108% increase in circulation year on
year. Future has just over 75% share of the Xbox magazine segment.
* Strong performances from the magazines in Future's other divisions
(Digital and Entertainment) that reported six monthly ABCs. These include first
six-monthly figures for Digital Camera Magazine of 33,085, making it the UK's
second biggest-selling digital camera title, as well as strong year-on-year
performances from Microsoft Windows XP: The Official Magazine (up 47.1% at
61,163), Redline (up 22.3% at 71,071) and Classic Rock (up 12.9% at 43,545).
Total Film increased 5.5% year-on-year to 90,454, registering its 12th
successive circulation increase.
US highlights:
* First time Jan - June figures for Official Xbox Magazine of 344,731
and an 18% increase in Future's unofficial PlayStation magazine, PSM, to
403,617, drive Future's US games portfolio up 61% year on year to 1,048,619
copies per month. Future once more has the largest-selling PlayStation, Xbox and
PC games magazines.
* Computing magazines hold firm at 498,282, leading to an overall
circulation increase of 33% in Future's US magazine portfolio.
10th July pre-close trading update:
On 10 July 2003, Future issued a pre-close trading update which included that
(a) circulation revenues for the group as a whole were up 8% for the first five
months of 2003; (b) computer games sector revenues had shown a 13% year-on-year
increase; and (c) that group profitability to date was in line with internal
expectations.
Greg Ingham, Chief Executive of The Future Network, commented:
"Overall, these are satisfactory figures, particularly on Xbox in the US and UK
and despite the slight weakness in some UK circulations. The UK games market has
had a quiet few months, which has impacted copy sales. Elsewhere there have been
good results for our other audited titles in the UK.
"Our business is historically weighted to the second half - particularly the
fourth quarter - and we expect this trend to continue this year."
For further information:
The Future Network plc 01225 442244
Greg Ingham, Chief Executive
Hogarth Partnership 020 7357 9477
James Longfield/Georgina Briscoe
Notes to Editors:
A list of the ABC circulation figures for each audited UK title is attached.
These ABCs are the average audited circulation figures for the six-months
January to June 2003. Future currently publishes 59 monthly magazines in the UK,
out of a total of over 90 titles across the group.
The annual comparison includes continuing magazines and first time ABCs but
excludes closures and disposals.
The audited circulation figures for Future's US titles will be published by ABC
on Monday 18 August 2003 and will subsequently be available at http://
www.accessabc.com/.
As already announced Future will be announcing its interim financial results on
16 September 2003.
About The Future Network plc
The Future Network was founded in the UK in 1985. Today, it publishes over 90
specialist consumer magazines worldwide, is the world's leading publisher of
computer games magazines and is the fifth largest magazine publisher in the UK.
Future employs around 1,000 people in offices in the UK, US, France and Italy.
Over 80 international editions of Future's magazines are also published in 28
other countries across the world. The company is listed on the London Stock
Exchange (symbol FNET). Future Publishing Ltd, FXM International Ltd and Future
Network USA Inc are wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Future Network plc.
A breakdown of the ABC figures for The Future Network's
individual UK titles audited for the period for Jan - Jun 2003
Future Publishing - Games Division Jan - Jun 2003
Edge 27,315
GamesMaster 59,222
NGC 32,253
PC Gamer 65,573
Official PlayStation 2 Magazine 188,079
Official PlayStation Magazine 31,774
PS2 Gaming Max 23,596
PlayStation 2 Special Edition (bi-monthly) 25,117
PlayStation 2 Official Tips 19,235
PSM2 58,527
FXM International Jan - Jun 2003
Official Xbox Magazine 80,179
Official Xbox Special (quarterly) 15,959
Xbox Gamer 34,710
Future Publishing - Digital Division Jan - Jun 2003
Digital Camera Magazine 33,085*
Microsoft Windows XP: The Official Magazine 61,163
Future Publishing - Entertainment Division Jan - Jun 2003
Classic Rock 43,545
Metal Hammer 35,876
Redline 71,071
Total Film 90,454
*First six-monthly audit
Publishers' estimates of the ABC and BPA figures for The Future Network's
individual US titles for the period for Jan - Jun 2003
Jan - Jun 2003
PSM 403,617
PC Gamer 300,271
Official Xbox Magazine 344,731**
MaximumPC 315,739
MacAddict 182,543
**First Jan - Jun audit
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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