So, it was ABC time this week with the latest magazine circulation figures being published, and it brought mixed fortunes for the music press.
Future Publishing's Metal Hammer saw a considerable increase - 6% over the first half of the year - though this only made up for a decline at the end of last year, and year on year they were down 1.2%. Likewise, Development Hell's Word was up 1.7% for the quarter, but down 3% year on year.
The big titles were all, in the main, down, with Kerrang! seeing its readership decline 21.6% over the first half of the year, 27.9% down year on year. It's main rival, NME, was also down, 12.1% over the half year and 17.4% year on year. On the monthly front, Uncut was down 4.5% over the first half of the year and 1.2% down year on year, while Q, although still the biggest seller, was down 13.8% in the six months up to June.
So, did anyone see an increase in readership year on year? Well, Mojo enjoyed a very slight increase, while free mag The Fly saw its readership rise 2.1% over the quarter and 11.1% year on year. Hurrah.