The Sunday World this week became South Africa’s second-biggest newspaper on Sundays – second only to the Sunday Times.
According to the Audit Bureau of Circulation of South Africa’s (ABC) fourth quarter 2019 report released this week, the Sunday World sales increased by 1 000 copies a week compared with the previous reporting period (Q3 2019).
The paper now sells 38 120 copies a week.
This represents a 3% rise quarter on quarter. Compared with the same quarter the previous year, the Sunday World almost held on to its circulation – with a 2% decline at a time when other newspapers lost as much as 20%.
Editor Makhudu Sefara said Sunday World had changed the pecking order of Sunday news and was now selling more than City Press and Sunday Sun.
“Our ability to grow and maintain our circulation at a time of turbulence in the newspaper market is a testament of the correctness of our change in editorial strategy and direction effected in the last six months. It is an incredible feat to be able to grow where others are in decline. At the heart of it all is teamwork.”
He said newspaper owner David Mabilu’s vision to fuse the serious political, business and thought leadership with cutting-edge celebrity news was beginning to pay dividends.
“Our writers break exclusive celebrity news consistently and our content mix, reviewed weekly, is finding resonance with our readers. Our focus on quality, putting the reader first while also juggling many balls at the same time has given us the edge.
“As a paper, we are greatly indebted to our readers for trusting us to deliver credible and relevant news each week,” said Sefara.
By Staff Reporter
Sunday World topples rivals
