When H Bauer launched TV Choice in August 1999, IPC counter-attacked with heavy support for its market-leading What's On TV. The investment has paid off and the IPC title has managed to hold a reasonably stable position, dropping just 0.4% since the last ABCs.
Its 1,701,064 weekly circulation is over 400,000 higher than its nearest rival, Radio Times.
This sector has become highly polarised between the upmarket Radio Times and more mainstream soap titles, such as IPC Media's What's On TV spin-off Soap Life. But they are chasing a diminishing readership - TV & Satellite Week was the only magazine growing year on year, adding 22.4%.
Among satellite TV listings guides, Sky's customer magazine - previously known as Skyview Digital - has seen exceptional growth, in line with its growing subscriber base. Zap, which is sent to subscribers of Telewest's digital services, reported a debut circulation of 209,878.
NO. TOP 5 RADIO AND TV GUIDES
Magazine Dec 2000 Dec 1999 % change
1 What''s On TV 1,701,064 1,741,157 -2.3
2 Radio Times 1,264,315 1,337,036 -5.4
3 TV Choice 732,259 - -
4 TV Times 689,137 790,999 -12.9
5 TV Quick 553,148 638,855 -13.4
NO. TOP 2 SATELLITE AND CABLE GUIDES
Magazine Dec 2000 Dec 1999 % change
1 Sky Customer Mag 3,873,637 1,240,114 212.4
2 Zap 209,978 - -
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