The Guardian has reported that Murdoch's News International is to do away with its "bulk" distribution- or rather copies sold at a low price and then handed out at hotels, on flights etc. thus significantly reducing the ABC monthly circulation figures for publications using this method of distribution. Both the Times and the Sunday Times are likely to suffer, as will the Financial Times, the Mail and Independent titles.

Circulation figures for tabloids the Sun or the News of the World will not be effected, as they do not distribute bulks. Similarly, Guardian News & Media stripped Guardian and Observer bulks from their circulation figures in August, so will also remain unaffected.

In September's ABC figures, bulks accounted for 47,878 or 8.4% of the Times's overall sale of 571,506; and 16,543 or 1.4% of the 1,207,141 copies of the Sunday Times sold.

Commenting on the decision, a spokesperson for the company said: "News International is committed to producing the best journalism and believes in charging a fair price for that journalism," adding: "We have taken this decision to reflect the value we believe our newspapers offer."

News International said it had served notice on partners and wholesalers with which it has supply agreements for bulks. Because of contract notice periods, the change will begin to take effect in the ABC's January figures, the company said.

Source: Guardian