Strong growth for The Times Literary Supplement in latest magazine ABCs

• Title has increased annual retail sales by 15.8%
• Total circulation up 27.6% to 32,166
• Annual print circulation increased 17.2% to 29,557
• Dedicated focus on digital growth and social engagement shows sharp growth

The TLS, the leading international weekly for literary culture, has created a marked increase in the six monthly magazine statistics from the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC), recording its highest sale for 6 years.

In the period, it has grown across all platforms, but its print growth is particularly notable, which can be attributed to an increased focus in cover stories and images, and improved retail distribution.  Digitally, it has grown website traffic by 500% in the last 6 months, by commissioning free digital-only material, while improving the experience for its paid-for content.  Social engagement has grown by 1000% in the same time.  The TLS now has a widely read newsletter, and a weekly podcast (hosted by Stig Abell and Thea Lenarduzzi), which has doubled its audience since September and has featured in the Guardian's top ten literary podcasts.

Editor Stig Abell commented:

In an era of clickbait, fake news and championed anti-expertise, the TLS is proud to be part of a new counter-culture that values breadth and depth, great writing and long-form journalism.  I strongly believe that more and more readers will turn to carefully-produced, challenging articles on a wide range of subjects, as something of an antidote to the prevailing madness that seems to surround us.  The TLS is part of a growth industry of intelligent, subscription-based magazines."