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Ask ABC: What additional information about consumer magazine combination sales are reported in the explanatory paragraph of ABC reports?
Combination sales occur when two or more magazines are sold together and the amount paid by the purchaser is less than the amount the purchaser would pay if the magazines were purchased separately. Combination sales require additional explanatory reporting in Paragraph 9 of ABC reports.
Subscriptions Sold in Combination
Publishers selling subscriptions in combination may report the details as either “subscriptions sold during the period” or “copies served during the period.” Either way, the publisher must clearly note if the data is based on “sales” or copies “served” and meet the reporting requirements for each description.
When combination sales are reported as subscriptions sold during the period, the circulation is included in Paragraph 8 “Analysis of Total New and Renewal Subscriptions.” Additional details must be reported in Paragraph 9 “Explanatory,” including:
- Identification of the publications sold in combination
- Number of subscriptions sold with the specific combination
- Subscription term of publications sold in combination
- Total price charged for the combination
- Total publisher’s suggested price for the combination
Example:
Combination Publication(s) If more than two publications are sold in combination, all titles must be listed in this column. |
Subscriptions Sold Total number of gross subscriptions sold in the six-month period from the combination with that title. |
Subscription Term Terms for each publication sold in the combination. If terms are different, the term for each publication must be noted. |
Price of Combination The total amount charged for the combination of the publications. If the combination was sold at various prices, a range may be provided. |
Publisher's Suggested Price The total of the publisher's suggested price—based on the term—for all publications sold in combination.
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| Inside Magazine | 14,000 | 1 year each | $42.00 | $65.00 |
| Y Magazine | 6,000 | 6 months of Y Magazine; 1 year of Prototype Magazine | $35.00 | $54.00 |
When combination sales are reported as copies served, the circulation is included in Paragraph 6 “Supplemental Analysis of Average Paid and Verified Circulation.” Additional details must be reported in Paragraph 9 “Explanatory,” including:
- Identification of the publications involved in the combination sale
- Average number of copies served in the period for the specific combination
- Subscription term of copies served in combination during the six-month period
- Total publisher’s suggested price for the publications in the combination
Example:
Combination Publication(s) If more than two publications are sold in combination, all titles must be listed in this column. |
Subscriptions Sold Average number of copies served in combination during the reporting period with the combination title. |
Subscription Term Terms for each publication sold in the combination. If terms are different, the term for each publication must be noted. |
Price of Combination The total amount charged for the combination of the publications. If the combination was sold at various prices, a range may be provided. |
Publisher's Suggested Price The total of the publisher's suggested price—based on the term—for all publications sold in combination.
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| Inside Magazine | 22,000 | 1 year each | $42.00 | $65.00 |
| Y Magazine | 8,000 | 6 months of Y Magazine; 1 year of Prototype Magazine | $35.00 | $54.00 |
Single Copies Sold in Combination
Single copies sold in combination are reported in Paragraph 6 “Additional Analysis of Average Paid and Verified Circulation” with additional details reported in Paragraph 9 “Explanatory,” including:
- Identification of the publications involved in the combination sale
- Issue sold in combination
- Total copies sold for that issue and the specific combination
- Total price charged for that combination
Example:
Combination Publication(s) If more than two publications are sold in combination, all titles must be listed in this column. |
Number of Single-Copy Combinations Sold Total number of single copies sold for the specific issues in the specific combination. |
Issue Date Cover date of the issue sold in that combination. |
Price of Combination The total amount charged for the combination of the publications. If the combination was sold at various prices, a range may be provided. |
| Inside Magazine | 2,000 | May 2008 | $5.50 |
| Y Magazine | 4,000 | June 2008 | $5.00 |
| Inside Magazine | 1,000 | June 2008 | $5.50 |
For More Information
ABC members with questions about reporting combination sales are encouraged to contact their Publisher Relations manager.
Related Links:
Consumer Magazine Publisher’s Statement Prototype (PDF)
Consumer Magazine Reporting of Explanatory Information for Combination Sales
Promotion Guide: Combination Sales
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