ABC Jul-Dec 2002: Music Sector Hit By Decline Of Dance

The figures listed in NewsLine’s ABC reports are those reported by the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) as at Thursday 13 February 2003. Late submissions and changes may be made after this date, and will thereafter be amended in MediaTel’s Press database. For full notes on how NewsLine’s reports are compiled please see Important Notes: ABC July – December 2002

ABC results for the six month period ending December 2002 reflect a turbulent period in the fickle world of music publishing, with the sector seeing a notable year on year decline in overall circulation.

Emap Performance’s specialist dance-title, Mixmag, saw the sector’s most significant downward movement. The magazine’s decline is being seen as a sign of the diminishing popularity of dance and house music reflected by the recent closure of the Ministry Of Sound’s flagship dance title, Ministry.

There was also less than impressive news for IPC’s dance title, Muzik, which saw circulation drop year on year to below 37,000.

Elsewhere, the popularity of nu-metal and indie rock, highlighted by the success of bands such as Turin Brakes and Coldplay, continued to support increasing circulation success at Emap’s niche-market favourite, Kerrang. The title saw circulation increase 9.5% year on year.

However, Emap’s marketing leading Q fared less favourably, with circulation declining below the key 200,000 mark. Emap continues to invest heavily in the the brand, which also extends to digital TV.

Over at IPC Ignite, stalwart title and long time music-lover’s bible NME saw circulation increase by 4.1%. The magazine’s strength has been attributed to backlash against the increasing proliferation of manufactured pop stars, embodied by ITV’s Pop Stars: The Rivals.

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