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August 12, 2016

First News records fifth year of circulation growth

By Freddy Mayhew

First News, the news magazine for children, has reported another year of circulation growth.

It’s the fifth year the publication has seen its average total circulation boosted with ABC figures showing it was up by 30,000 copies over the five years to the end of June, reaching 83,254 copies (up from 79,431 copies in the second half of last year).

The title relies on a subscription model with 39,831 multiple copy subscription sales and 36,800 single copy subscription sales making up the total circulation figure. An issue costs £1.80.

A spokesperson said: “When we launched First News 10 years ago, we were told that our print edition wouldn’t survive so what’s really encouraging to see is that, every year, we are bucking this trend as our figures continue to increase.

“We get regular feedback from our readers (and their parents) who tell us that they often read First News together as it unites the family and encourages lively conversation and debate about the news.’

First News celebrated its tenth anniversary in May with a tribute from the Duchess of Cambridge and a photo of Prime Minister David Cameron clutching a copy on the front.

It published its 500th edition in January. First News editor Nicky Cox MBE told Press Gazette at the time that “the next generation will grow up reading print thanks to First News”.

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In the past twelve months, the publication has launched its first international edition and undertaken a survey of more than 2,000 British children about their well-being.

During the EU Referendum more than 6,000 readers voted in the title’s Children’s Referendum on Europe, with 71 per cent voting to remain in the EU.

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