Panini UK is thrilled to announce its highest ever ABC figure for Doctor Who Magazine for the July – December 2013 release period. Against a consumer magazine market which has recorded a year on year drop of 6.3% DWM posted a total ABC figure of 36,151 which is up close to 26% against the same period last year.

Doctor Who Magazine, which initially launched more than 34 years ago as children’s title Doctor Who Weekly in October 1979, has been running non-stop since then, even during the many years when new episodes of Doctor Who weren’t being produced by the BBC. The magazine became a monthly title in August 1980, evolving into a magazine for older fans, and the new ABC circulation figure for DWM sees the title at its highest level since that time.

Panini’s Circulation Manager, Katie Wilkinson says “It has been a fantastic year for Doctor Who. At a time when many magazines are struggling to maintain their circulation figures it is really exciting to be able to post great growth in sales both on the newsstand and in subscriptions.”

Tom Spilsbury, Editor of Doctor Who Magazine, says Doctor Who Magazine has been running non-stop for more than 34 years. With the general downturn in sales across the magazine industry it’s extraordinary to see that DWM has just recorded its highest circulation figures since 1980.  The 50th anniversary edition – DWM 467 – ended up selling more than 50,000 copies, and had to be reprinted to try to meet demand. The six-month average figure for the magazine is an incredible 36,151 copies, which is also the best average figure for more than 33 years. Thank you to all of our loyal readers who have stuck with us over the years, as well as to all the new readers who have joined us more recently. The next challenge will be to try to maintain these excellent numbers now that Doctor Who’s 50th anniversary celebrations are over! But with a new Doctor waiting in the wings, in the shape of the brilliant Peter Capaldi, I’m sure the future is going to be very bright for both the show itself, and its official magazine.”

Steven Moffat, Doctor Who showrunner, says “Huge congratulations to Panini and Doctor Who Magazine, this is a stunning achievement. It’s hard to remember now the dark days when Doctor Who was off the air, but DWM kept the fires burning through those long wilderness years. That makes it especially pleasing to see their loyalty, dedication and endless creativity rewarded. Hooray and onwards. Year 51, that’s the big one!”

DWM old issues montage