January ABCs: First figures for i show daily circulation of 133,472

The Independent's new daily compact newspaper i recorded an average daily circulation of 133,472 copies in January, according to new figures from the Audit Bureau of Circulations.

The figures are the first official audit statistics to be released for the title, which launched in October last year.

The Independent increased its circulation by 5.73 per cent on the previous month, taking it to 185,035. This means a combined circulation for both titles of 318,507.

Andrew Mullins, managing director of i and the Independent, said: "Quality newspapers provide a highly valuable audience for advertisers and i’s first ABC figures prove that our belief in quality print media has not been misplaced.

"The fact that we have been able to grow the print category without cannibalising the Independent also clearly demonstrates that there is a significant untapped market for time-poor consumers who want to read a concise, quality newspaper – and huge opportunities for advertisers to engage with them."

Most audited titles within the report experienced an increase in circulation in January. The highest month-on-month increases were recorded by Scotland on Sunday, with 16.04 per cent, and the Sun, which went above the three million mark with a 10.48 per cent increase.

The Financial Times was one of two titles in the report to record a decrease in circulations month-on-month, with a drop of 1.81 per cent, taking it below the 390,000 mark.

Figures were not available for the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday at the time of writing, due to statistics not having been submitted in time for inclusion. ABC says once the data has been received the report will be updated and re-issued.

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