Average monthly circulation of Bauer's rock monthly Q dropped below 100,000 in the second half of last year as many entertainment titles suffered a decline in sales.
According to figures released today by the Audit Bureau of Circulations, the last six months of 2009 saw Q's average sale fall eight per cent year-on-year to 94,811, allowing stablemate Mojo to take the top paid-for music mag spot with 98,484.
Overall, both were behind free music magzine, The Fly, which grew its average distribution by 7.5 per cent over the period.
Rock titles averaged an overall seven per cent decline year-on-year with IPC Media's NME one of the worst affected: the weekly lost 20.6 per cent of its sale compared to 12 months ago, leaving it with an average sale of 38,486.
Kerrang and Word magazine also recorded year-on-year declines of more than 20 per cent. No mass market music titles – except controlled circulation The Fly and padi-for title Classic Rock recorded a circulation increase.
The decline was mirrored by falls among film titles, although Bauer's Empire magazine managed a 2.4 per cent rise to an average of 194,239.
Music magazines (percentages represent year-on-year change)
The Fly – Channelfly Enterprises Ltd – 108,906 (7.5%)
Mojo – Bauer Consumer Media – 98,484 (-2.0%)
Q – Bauer Consumer Media – 94,811 (-8.0%)
Uncut – IPC Media Ltd – 75,518 (-13.3%)
Classic Rock – Future Publishing Ltd – 71,242 (1.5%)
Metal Hammer – Future Publishing Ltd – 41,777 (-16.9%)
Kerrang! – Bauer Consumer Media – 41,125 (-21.3%)
New Musical Express – IPC Media Ltd – 38,486 (-20.6%)
Word Magazine – Development Hell LTD – 26,555 (-22.5%)
mixmag – Development Hell LTD – 26,116 (-13.4%)
BBC Music Magazine – BBC Worldwide – 42,810 (-5.2%)
Classic FM – The Magazine – Haymarket Consumer Media – 32,534 (-9.0%)
Gramophone – Haymarket Consumer Media – 32,313 (-6.7%)
Terrorizer – Dark Arts Ltd – 11,641 (-15.6%)
Rhythm – Future Publishing Ltd – 8,700 (-8.2%)
Film magazines – (percentages represent year-on-year change)
Odeon Magazine – Future Plus – 205,380 (n/a)
Empire – Bauer Consumer Media – 194,239 (2.4%)
Total Film – Future Publishing Ltd – 81,029 (-5.8%)
Sight and Sound – British Film Institute – 19,842 (0.6%)
DVD & Blu-Ray Review – Future Publishing Ltd – 12,869 (-23.3%)
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