Subscriptions have also grown by 16.4%, and the total circulation of the daily now stands at 142 111.

Phylicia Oppelt, editor of The Times, sees the paper as a very accessible read, “Our journalism is of the finest quality, with incisive news reporting, designed to keep our readers well-informed on the issues of the day.”

More good news for Avusa is that core circulation for the Daily Dispatch (up 13.2 % to 29 866 since Q4 2011) and The Herald (up 6.2% to 22 205 since Q4 2011) also reflect positively. The Sunday World, with its current circulation of 150 518 being the highest achieved in the past six months, has also contributed to Avusa’s solid numbers. Sowetan’s average circulation dipped to 98 129 after it cut out bulk deliveries and free deliveries to schools. Sowetan does not sell copies below 50% of cover price either, and has a good relationship with advertisers because its focus on core sales ensures advertising content gets responses.

Avusa’s flagship paper, Sunday Times, remains the most bought weekly newspaper in the country, exceeding the copy and subscription sales of the Rapport (223 497) and City Press (163 705) combined. Total core circulation of the Sunday Times stands at 401 328.

With the recent launch of the Sunday Times Express, which extends the delivery of quality journalism and breaking news to rural areas, the Sunday Times is set to increase its dominance. “The team responsible for this product has done a remarkable job of refining its content and I am confident that the express edition is a great addition to the Sunday Times brand. We are very excited to welcome new readers on board,” says Ray Hartley, editor of the Sunday Times.