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    Magazines ABC Q1 2022: Finding the magic mix between print and digital distribution

    With a steep increase from 4,510 to 125,912, the hero of the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) of South Africa Q1 2022 is digital magazines.
    The hero of the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) of South Africa Q1 2022 is digital magazines
    The hero of the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) of South Africa Q1 2022 is digital magazines

    Contributing to the jump in digital magazine distribution are a number of titles that have changed sectors, including The Fire Protection, Supermarket & Retailer, SA Real Estate Investor, Civil Engineering, Rooi Vleis / Redmeat, and Wool Farmer / Wolboer, all of which changed sector from Business Print & Digital to Business Digital only.

    Accountancy SA changed from Custom Print & Digital to Custom Digital only, and Spotong changed from Business Digital only to Business Print & Digital.

    Magazines ABC Q1 2022: Finding the magic mix between print and digital distribution

    In the rest of the categories, Free magazines are stable with a slight increase of 907 copies from Q4 2021, while Consumer, Custom and Business-to-Business magazines also remained relatively stable compared to Q1 2021.

    “Whether this category can match 2021 like for like, quarter to quarter, increase numbers or stay stable remains to be seen,” says the ABC on the release of the figures.

    “As publications find their magic mix between print and digital distribution, we might be in for some excitement and, who knows, maybe new ways of engaging consumers altogether,” says the ABC.

    Consumer magazines

    This quarter Consumer magazines could have been a carbon copy of Q4 2021. With scatterings of good news between a plethora of reporting changes and changed frequencies, the odd changed sector and ceased publication, Q1 2022 showed a marginal decrease of 1.7%, compared to Q4 2021.

    The highlights for the quarter are Jewish Life, LIG, and Veeplaas, all of which boast double-figure increases on the previous quarter.

    Magazines ABC Q1 2022: Finding the magic mix between print and digital distribution

    The best-performing magazine group is Male with its only two publications, GQ, and Popular Mechanics - both with double figure increases on the previous quarter.

    The Woman’s General group had three - Fair Lady, Glamour and True Love - out of its eight publications show increases on the previous quarter. Rooi Rose and Women & Home Magazine are new members in this group.

    In the business and news group Finweek ceased publication.

    Arts, Culture and Heritage
    PublicationPeriodFrequencyFree circulationTotal circulation% change quarter% change year
    Jewish LifeJan -MarMtly8,9708,97010.5%12.3%
    Val de Vie MagazineJan -Mar2xA8,9009,348No SubmissionReporting Change
    Business and News
    Business BriefJan -MarAltM0No IssuesReporting Change
    Financial MailJan -MarWkly, Fr2,44112,9071.2%-0.8%
    FinweekJan -MarF0Ceased PublishingCeased Publishing
    Forbes AfricaJan -MarAltM3,6329,567-7.2%Reporting Change
    SA Real Estate Investor MagazineJan -MarMtly0Changed Sector
    The Big Issue MagazineJan -MarMtly2666,662-6.6%Reporting Change
    Conservation and Wildlife
    African BirdlifeJan -MarAltM0No IssueReporting Change
    Entertainment
    Eat OutJan -DecAnn0Reporting Change
    TV Plus (Afrikaans)Jan -MarF013,3171.1%-8.9%
    TV Plus (English)Jan -MarF03,6817.0%-25.5%
    Family Interest
    HuisgenootJan -MarWkly, Th5,525126,659-2.4%-9.7%
    LIGJan -Mar11xA65019,77312.7%-11.1%
    Plus 50 Jan -Mar6xA7695,559-3.9%Reporting Change
    The CrestJan -Mar7xA12,41012,410-2.8%Reporting Change
    The RidgeJan -Mar8xA15,43015,430-4.3%Reporting Change
    YouJan -MarWkly, Th4,11767,392-2.2%-7.4%
    Farming
    Farmer's WeeklyJan -MarWkly, Fr06,680-3.4%-16.8%
    Grond tot MondJan -MarQ0No IssueReporting Change
    LandbouweekbladJan -MarWkly, Th012,6881.0%-30.5%
    Marktoe!Jan -MarMtly9,9009,900-7.4%0.0%
    VeeplaasJan -Mar11xA2,3687,83330.6%-8.8%
    Health & Wellbeing
    Grow to EatJan -Mar3xA0No IssueReporting Change
    Odyssey MagazineJan -MarQ1,4522,699-31.0%Reporting Change
    Home
    Conde Nast House & GardenJan -MarMtly2,80111,693-1.9%Only 1 Issue
    Easy DIYJan -MarQ2,9665,390-13.5%Reporting Change
    Idees/IdeasJul -DecAltM0Reporting Change
    Lose It,Jan -MarQ010,9950.0%Reporting Change
    SA Home OwnerJan -Mar11xA2,10020,822-7.6%-9.6%
    Sarie Kos / FoodJan -MarQ0No IssueReporting Change
    The Gardener / Die TuinierJan -MarMtly4,11821,163-5.6%-21.7%
    Tuis HomeJan -Mar8xA60473,8741.1%Changed Frequency
    VisiJan -Mar6xA011,966-0.6%Reporting Change
    Leisure
    Let’s Braai / Kom ons Braai (former The Ultimate Braai)Jul -JunAnn1107,6710.0%-45.2%
    Silver Digest Jan -Mar4xA0No IssueReporting Change
    Male
    GQJan -Mar5xA2,1915,45210.9%Reporting Change
    Popular MechanicsJan -MarMtly1,95914,59220.2%No Submission
    Very Interesting (former Braintainment)Jan -MarAltM0ResignedReporting Change
    Motoring
    Bike SAJan -MarMtly2,58315,097-9.3%24.8%
    CarJan -MarMtly13,10443,0870.0%-9.0%
    Driven MagazineJan -MarMtly6,8156,815-51.7%No Submission
    Parenting
    Baba & KleuterJan -MarQ07,265-36.1%Reporting Change
    Baby's and BeyondJan -MarQ0No IssueReporting Change
    Your Pregnancy and BabyJan -MarAltM6295,503-21.8%Reporting Change
    Pets
    AnimaltalkJan -MarMtly0Resigned
    Dog DirectoryJul -JunAnn0Resigned
    Sport and Hobby
    Compleat GolferJan -MarMtly1,9775,951-5.0%6.2%
    Kick OffJan -MarMtly010,352-17.7%-33.8%
    MagnumJan -Mar8xA010,459-6.8%No Submission
    SA RugbyJan -MarMtly2,43512,462-6.0%-22.0%
    Wildland MagazineJan -MarMtly2,27366,0963.2%12.6%
    Travel, Tourism & Hospitality
    Cape EtcJan -Mar3xA3,2016,806-3.4%Reporting Change
    GetawayJan -MarMtly3,15416,111-0.9%-15.8%
    go! Drive & Camp and Weg! Ry & SleepJan -MarAltM27930,656-0.7%Changed Frequency
    TravelIdeasJul -DecAltM0Reporting Change
    Weg/Go PlattelandJan -MarQ021,6326.5%Reporting Change
    Weg/GoJan -MarAltM37150,2081.7%Changed frequency
    Woman's General
    FairladyJan -MarAltM2,12338,6987.7%Reporting Change
    Garden & Home MagazineJan -MarMtly2,21315,117-2.5%Reporting Change
    Glamour,Jan -MarQ4,49112,8784.3%Reporting Change
    KuierJan -MarF065,307-5.7%-12.5%
    Rooi Rose MagazineJan -MarAltM2,49025,964New Member
    SarieJan -MarAltM66962,348-5.1%Changed Frequency
    True LoveJan -MarAltM7517,5874.2%Changed Frequency
    Women & Home MagazineJan -MarMtly4,93828,167-0.2%New Member
    Woman's Special
    Wedding GuideJul -JunAnn0Changed Cycle
    Youth
    Barbie MagazineJul -Dec6Wk0Reporting Change
    Careers MagazineJan -MarMtly0No Submission
    Very Interesting JuniorJan -MarMtly0Resigned

    B2B magazines

    Generally, in the past, this grouping has performed well, but this quarter was a different story. Following the pattern set by Consumer magazines, B2B has a sprinkling of highlights with many changed frequencies, changed sectors and no issue.

    The Architecture titles had two decreases on the previous quarter, two no issues, two no submissions and one resignation. And this could be said of many of the other sectors.

    Even the Agricultural titles, which had three of its five titles show an increase over the previous quarter, had increased under 5%. Engineering – Other is a mixed bag with half of the eight titles showing an increase over the previous quarter and the rest showing declines. The best of this group is MechChem Africa with just over 10% increase over the previous quarter.

    MIMS under Health and Wellbeing had the best showing with a 79.2% increase over the previous quarter.

    Other stand outs in the B2B group include Resources, Lighting in Design, Construction World, Earthbroker, SA Business Integrator, and African Decisions.

    Agricultural
    PublicationPeriodFrequencyFree circulationTotal circulation% change quarter% change year
    OVK Nuus/NewsJan -Mar4xA4,955-3.3%Reporting Change
    SA Graan / GrainJan -MarMtly21,2023.2%34.0%
    SABI MagazineJan -MarAltM8522.5%Reporting Change
    StockfarmJan -MarMtly7,1474.2%-2.1%
    WinelandJan -MarMtly3,2280.0%-0.5%
    Architecture
    earthworksJan -MarQNo IssueReporting Change
    Floors in AfricaJan -Mar7xANo SubmissionReporting Change
    Leading Architect & DesignJan -MarAltM7,052-2.1%Reporting Change
    SA Building ReviewJan -MarAnn9,228-4.0%Reporting Change
    Timber IQJan -MarAltMResignedReporting Change
    To BuildJan -Mar3xANo IssueReporting Change
    Walls & Roofs in AfricaJan -Mar7xANo SubmissionReporting Change
    Automotive
    Road Ahead, TheJan -DecQReporting Change
    Taxi GuardianJan -MarMtly465New Member
    Civil Construction
    Civil EngineeringJan -Mar11xAChanged Sector
    Concrete TrendsJan -DecQReporting Change
    Construction ReviewJul -DecAltMReporting Change
    Construction WorldJan -MarMtly14,7396.6%23.0%
    IMIESAJan -Mar11xA11,396-3.3%-12.7%
    Spec HandbooksJan -MarAnnNo IssueReporting Change
    Communications
    Nex MediaJul -Jun4xA57,0250.0%33.4%
    SA ProfileJan -MarAnnNo IssueReporting Change
    ServiceJan -MarQ4,9520.1%New Member
    The Gapp MagazineJan -MarAltM10,753Reporting Change
    Electrical Engineering
    Electricity & ControlJan -MarMtly12,2327.9%28.0%
    ESI AfricaJul -JunQ2,5910.0%No Submission
    Sparks Electrical NewsJan -MarMtly12,9717.4%27.8%
    Engineering - Other
    Capital Equipment NewsJan -MarMtly11,6948.8%28.1%
    DataweekJan -MarMtly2,791-1.0%5.2%
    MechChem AfricaJan -MarAltM8,88110.4%Reporting Change
    Motion ControlJan -MarQ2,0100.1%Reporting Change
    Plumbing AfricaJan -MarMtly9,7411.2%16.4%
    Refrigeration and AirconditioningJan -MarMtly6,720-3.9%-22.3%
    SA Instrumentation & ControlJan -MarMtly4,079-0.7%3.7%
    Water & Sanitation AfricaJan -MarAltM6,857-1.0%Reporting Change
    Health and Wellbeing
    Fire ProtectionJan -MarQChanged SectorReporting Change
    Hi-Tech Security SolutionsJan -Mar8xA4,055-1.5%11.2%
    International Dentistry Africa EditionJul -DecAltMReporting Change
    MDR Medical Desk ReferenceJan -DecAnnReporting Change
    Medical ChronicleJan -Mar11xA23,901-2.5%74.0%
    MIMSJan -MarMtly3,66679.2%-3.0%
    Modern Medicine MagazineJan -MarAltM3,707-10.1%Reporting Change
    SHEQ ManagementJul -DecAltMReporting Change
    South African Pharmaceutical & Cosmetic ReviewJan -Mar11xA2,913-4.4%-3.3%
    The Specialist Forum JournalJan -Mar11xA20,023-7.3%40.3%
    Hospitality, Catering and Tourism
    Explore South AfricaJan -DecQReporting Change
    MeetingsJan -MarAltM4,850-3.0%Reporting Change
    The Meetings & Event Planner (former SA Conference Directory)Jan -MarAnnNo IssueReporting Change
    Industry
    Analytical ReporterJan -MarAltM5,422-4.3%Reporting Change
    Cold Link AfricaJan -MarAltM4,3212.6%Reporting Change
    Eastern Cape BusinessJul -JunAnn4,9420.0%-48.5%
    Free State Business, Jan -MarAnnNo IssueReporting Change
    Gauteng CompaniesJul -JunAnn9,9430.0%1.1%
    Industrial BuyerJan -MarAltMResignedReporting Change
    Jewellers' Network Directory Jan -MarAnnNo IssueReporting Change
    KwaZulu Natal BusinessJul -JunAnn9,9410.0%1.8%
    Lighting in DesignJan -MarQ6,31313.1%Reporting Change
    Limpopo Business.,Jan -MarAnnNo IssueReporting Change
    LINKED by Jewellers NetworkJul -JunQ2,9260.0%No Submission
    Mpumalanga Business.,Jan -MarAnnNo IssueReporting Change
    North West BusinessJul -JunAnn9,9440.0%No Submission
    Northern Cape BusinessJul -JunAnn4,9430.0%-48.6%
    Opportunity (Exploring Business Prospects in SA)Jan -MarQ4,931No Submission
    ResourceJan -MarQ5,92110.4%Reporting Change
    SA Affordable HousingJan -MarAltMResignedReporting Change
    Smart Energy InternationalJan -MarAltMNo IssueReporting Change
    South African BusinessJan -Mar2xANo IssueReporting Change
    South African Food ReviewJan -Mar11xA4,487-3.3%-14.4%
    The Responsible & Sustainable Tourism HandbookJan -MarAnnNo IssueReporting Change
    Western Cape Business,Jan -MarAnnNo IssueReporting Change
    Information and Computer Technology
    BrainstormJan -Mar11xA8,8324.4%-0.3%
    The MarginJan -MarQMergedReporting Change
    Management
    African DecisionsJan -MarQ12,56419.5%Reporting Change
    Black Business QuarterlyJan -MarQ45,050-56.5%Reporting Change
    Blue Chip,Jan -MarQ7,417Reporting Change
    FA NewsJan -MarAltM2,9251.2%Reporting Change
    KZN InvestJan -MarQ5,439-3.9%Reporting Change
    LeadershipJan -MarMtly45,632-6.8%Reporting Change
    Money MarketingJan -MarMtly7,778-3.7%-10.5%
    South African Business IntergratorJan -Mar2xA9,81911.2%Reporting Change
    Top Women in Business & GovernmentJan -MarAnnNo IssueReporting Change
    Mining & Quarrying
    African Mines HandbookJan -MarAnnNo IssueReporting Change
    African Mining BriefJan -MarAltMResignedReporting Change
    African Mining Inc. Mining MirrorJan -Mar11xA23,6254.7%4.4%
    EarthbrokerJan -MarMtly8,07250.0%50.0%
    Engineering News & Mining WeeklyJan -MarWkly, Fr13,42812.9%50.7%
    Inside MiningJan -MarQ6,686No IssueReporting Change
    Inside MiningJul -Jun4xA6,1580.0%Reporting Change
    Mining Review AfricaJan -Mar11xAResignedNo Submission
    Modern MiningJan -MarMtly12,1507.5%32.5%
    Modern QuarryingJan -MarQ5,56814.0%Reporting Change
    Retail
    DIY And Industrial Trade NewsJan -MarMtly10,7867.4%14.6%
    Pharmacy Magazine (former Frontshop)Jan -MarMtly18,463-7.3%90.5%
    Spotong:Jan -MarAltM56,883Reporting Change
    Supermarket and RetailerJan -MarMtlyChanged Sector
    Transport and Logistics
    Freight News FeaturesJan -MarMtly5,8392.1%10.8%

    Custom magazines

    If the B2B grouping is bleak for Q1 2022 then the Custom magazines group can only be described as depressing. The 15 sectors represent 41 titles in total and of these only 10 titles showed an increase over the previous quarter.

    These increases ranged from 0.4% to 26.4%. However, most are below double figures, with many not even above the five per cent mark. Clubx with 10% and Fresh Living with 26.4% were lonely double figures in this grouping.

    Farming
    PublicationPeriodFrequencyFree circulationTotal circulation% change quarter% change year
    Dairy Mail, TheJan -MarMtly2,2112,216-1.6%-37.3%
    Rooi Vleis / Red Meat,Jul -DecAltMReporting ChangeReporting Change
    Wolboer / Wool FarmerJan -MarAltMChanged SectorReporting Change
    Health & Wellbeing
    FitlifeJan -MarMtly23,259-5.5%-12.9%
    Journal of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Diabetes SAJan -Mar3xA1,196-2.4%Reporting Change
    SA Pharmaceutical JournalJan -Mar10xA5,473-18.0%Reporting Change
    SA Pharmacist's Assistant (SAPA)Jan -MarQNo IssueReporting Change
    South African Medical JournalJan -MarMtly9,2970.2%-4.2%
    Southern African Journal of Anaesthesia &AnalgesiaJan -MarAltM2,1820.0%Reporting Change
    Home
    Fresh Living Jan -MarQ48,27226.4%Reporting Change
    Living SpaceJan -MarMtly32,755-6.0%-11.3%
    My KitchenJan -MarMtly64,747-3.9%-6.1%
    Industry Specific
    Forum TydskrifJan -MarQNo IssueReporting Change
    J S EJan -MarQ14,4710.4%Reporting Change
    Sea RescueJan -Mar3xANo IssueReporting Change
    ServamusJan -MarMtly8,576-4.9%-9.1%
    In-flight
    In Flight MagazineJan -MarMtly23,579-17.5%No Submission
    SkywaysJan -MarMtlyResigned
    Leisure
    Private EditionJan -MarQNo IssueReporting Change
    TasteJan -MarAltM33,1413.0%3.6%
    Male
    ManJan -MarMtly43,1662.3%9.7%
    TechJan -MarMtly30,998-4.1%-11.4%
    Medical and Allied Health
    Bounce (Formerly Bankmed)Jul -Jun3xAResignedResigned
    Medi - Clinic FamilyJul -JunQResignedResigned
    Motoring
    MotorJan -MarMtly14,665-9.3%-31.3%
    Professional
    Accountancy SAJan -Mar11xAChanged Sector
    De RebusJan -Mar11xA18,769-0.5%-1.3%
    The Journal Of The SAIMMJan -MarMtlyChanged SectorChanged SectorChanged Sector
    Retail
    Clicks Club CardJul -DecAltMReporting ChangeReporting Change
    Club MagazineJan -MarMtly257,3971.7%0.1%
    Jet ClubJan -Mar7xA282,0252.1%Reporting Change
    Sport and Hobby
    Game & Hunt/Wild & JagJan -MarMtly71,9835.0%22.2%
    SA Hunter/JagterJan -Mar8xA31,984-4.7%No Submission
    Soccer ClubJan -MarMtly43,199-0.1%-8.2%
    Sports ClubJan -MarMtly82,8492.6%-0.6%
    Travel, Tourism & Hospitality
    EscapesJan -MarMtly18,321-5.5%-18.2%
    PremierJan -MarMtly6,875-50.4%No Audit
    Rove SAJan -Mar2xANo IssueNew Member
    Woman's General
    Balanced LifeJan -MarMtly46,602-3.6%-3.7%
    Youth
    ClubXJan -MarMtly80,89910.0%27.3%
    Kids Super ClubJan -MarMtly63,037-3.8%-4.7%

    Free magazines

    While free might be king in the newspaper category, this is not true for the Free magazines grouping. There are only nine titles in this grouping, of which four saw an increase over the prior quarter, with the rest either showing no movement or a decline. The upside is that the grouping held steady.

    Magazines ABC Q1 2022: Finding the magic mix between print and digital distribution

    The best of the lot is Get It (Ballito to Umhlanga) by far with the other titles only managing increases under a per cent.

    PublicationPeriodFrequencyTotal circulation% change quarter% change year
    Botswana Advertiser.Jan -MarWkly, Fr98,2983.5%3.5%
    Get It (Ballito to Umhlanga)Jan -MarMtly10,9269.6%9.7%
    Get It (Bloemfontein)Jan -MarMtly6,8900.0%0.0%
    Get It (Highway)Jan -MarMtly9,800-0.3%-0.5%
    Get It (Jo'burg South)Jan -MarMtly14,7350.4%0.6%
    Get It (Jo'burg West)Jan -MarMtly14,740-0.5%0.6%
    Get It (Lowveld)Jan -MarMtly6,2000.0%0.0%
    Get It (Northern Suburbs Joburg)Jan -MarMtly14,825-0.2%0.0%
    Get It (Pretoria)Jan -MarMtly14,6680.1%0.7%

    About Danette Breitenbach

    Danette Breitenbach is a marketing & media editor at Bizcommunity.com. Previously she freelanced in the marketing and media sector, including for Bizcommunity. She was editor and publisher of AdVantage, the publication that served the marketing, media and advertising industry in southern Africa. She has worked extensively in print media, mainly B2B. She has a Masters in Financial Journalism from Wits.
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