Daily Star TV Ad Redux

A few months ago I noted that the Daily Star was claiming to be “Britain’s most successful newspaper” in a TV ad. It was basing those findings on the then most recent ABC figures from January 2010, which then showed a small percentage increase in year on year sales results.
Those TV ads are running again according to a commentor.
Since then, proprietor Richard Desmond has cut the price of the paper further to just 10p. Remembering that both newsagent and distributors need to take a cut from that, I would assume that basically none of that cover price is being returned to Express Newspapers. The paper is effectively free.
The Sun remains discounted in some parts of the country, and the Mirror has remained at 45p. So put that in perspective when looking at these figures.
But when you do look at the most recent annual figures, the Daily Star has lost more sales than either of its two key rivals.
If you consider January to June 2010 changes, then the Daily Star has lost a smaller percentage of sales than either of its rivals. But if that’s the source they’re using then “Britain’s least bad over the last six months newspaper” might be more accurate, or as my commentor says, “Britain’s least unsuccessful newspaper.”
Let’s remind ourselves of where the Daily Star sits in the ecosystem. Have a look at the most up to date ABC figures:

Source: Guardian/ABC
It should also be noted that the Mirror does not include Daily Record sales from its sister publication in Scotland in this instance.
So can the Daily Star honestly claim to be “Britain’s most successful newspaper”?
As an aside, disturbing reports suggest that Star proprietor, and pornographic channel owner, Richard Desmond is in prime position to buy Five. So should we be looking forward to more TV ads with spurious claims, and perhaps a return to late-night Channel 5 fare of old? I know I shan’t be watching the channel should he get his hands on it.


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One response to “Daily Star TV Ad Redux”

  1. Paul avatar

    “So should we be looking forward to more TV ads with spurious claims, and perhaps a return to late-night Channel 5 fare of old? I know I shan’t be watching the channel should he get his hands on it.”
    Neither shall I – but then I can’t remember the last time I watched anything on Channel 5/’Five’ anyway.