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Ask ABC: How do I eliminate days from my newspaper circulation average?
ABC’s Publisher Relations department fields many questions from members on the requirements for omitting days. To simplify the process, the Publisher Relations department listed the most frequently asked questions about omitted days.
1. What are the requirements for omitting days?
ABC allows newspapers to omit certain days from their average circulation when those days differ from the previous corresponding day by at least five percent.
2. Are there a maximum number of days I can omit per year?
Yes, you may omit a maximum of 10 omitted days per audit year.
3. What forms do I need to fill out for requested days?
To request ABC approval of an omitted date(s), complete the Omitted Day Request Form. All requested information must be completed.
4. Where do I submit the form?
All completed forms need to be submitted to ABC’s Technical Review Report Processing department:
- Via e-mail
- Save the form and complete it in Word
- Send completed file as an attachment to either
or
- Via Fax
- Print out and complete the form
- Fax to (847) 605-0483; Attn: Phyllis Heide or Kelly Murphy
Example of Two Omitted Days
| Name of Newspaper: | Anytown Daily Press |
| Address: | 900 N. Meacham Rd |
| City/State/ZIP: | Schaumburg, IL 60173 |
| ABC Member #: | 100001 |
| Contact Person: | Jane Smith |
| Title: | Circulation Manager |
| E-Mail Address: | jsmith@anytowndp.com |
| Phone Number: | 847-605-0909 |
Omitted Day #1
| Omitted Date | 12/25/2007 | | Previous Corresponding Date | 12/18/2007 |
| Draw | 72755 | | Draw | 75823 |
| Returns | 7174 | | Returns | 4653 |
| Net Paid Circulation | 65581 | | Net Paid Circulation | 71170 |
COPY DIFFERENCE:
(Net Pay for Omitted Day LESS Net Paid for Previous Corresponding Day) | 5589 |
VARIANCE (Percentage):
(Copy difference divided by Net Paid Circulation for Previous Corresponding Day) | 7.85% |
Omitted Day #2
| Omitted Date | 02/29/2008 | | Previous Corresponding Date | 02/22/2008 |
| Draw | 68925 | | Draw | 76001 |
| Returns | 5698 | | Returns | 3928 |
| Net Paid Circulation | 63227 | | Net Paid Circulation | 72073 |
COPY DIFFERENCE:
(Net Pay for Omitted Day LESS Net Paid for Previous Corresponding Day) | 8846 |
VARIANCE (Percentage):
(Copy difference divided by Net Paid Circulation for Previous Corresponding Day) | 12.27% |
5. What are the deadlines for submitting my omitted days?
Newspapers must notify ABC of their intent to omit a day no later than 15 calendar days after the requested omitted day. Total net paid circulation figures must be provided within 30 calendar days of the requested omitted day.
6. What are some of the most common reasons for omitting days?
Holidays (particularly Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day)
Printer problems
Poor weather (mudslides, blizzards, tornadoes, etc.)
Employee issues (strikes)
7. How will omitted days change with the new U.S. newspaper rules?
At the March meeting the ABC board voted to eliminate the reciprocity element of Rule C 2.7 Days Omitted from Averages. Beginning April 1, 2009, same-city newspapers or newspapers in overlapping markets will no longer have the option of eliminating a day solely because another newspaper in their market eliminated that day. Newspapers are still allowed a maximum of 10 omitted days in a 12-month period. After April 1, 2009, you will no longer be required to fill out the omitted day request form.
Related Links:
Rule C 2.7 Days Omitted From Averages
Omitted Day Request Form
March Board Actions
Newspaper Guidelines and Policies
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