ABC figures for the period July to December 2000 show a generally lacklustre picture. Titles in a number of the key sectors across the market have had poor sales which, Comag's ABC report says, could have been made worse by the petrol crisis in autumn, widespread flooding and disruption on the railways throughout the UK. Magazines purchased by women have, on the whole, seen a strong performance, while the magazine sectors traditionally perceived as a male purchase have suffered. There are, however, a number of success stories amid the general market gloom. Again TV listings magazines dominate the market, featuring strongly in the Top 20 news stand ABC titles, representing four out of the top five titles. What's on TV is an illustration of real brand strength. With an ABC of 1,701,064, it has been Britain's biggest-selling magazine for more than five years. Currently outselling TV Choice by almost one million copies a week, it also outsells its nearest rival, Radio Times, by some 400,000 copies a week at the news stand. But, the latest round of results show a rise in sales for the Radio Times, with its ABC up 1.1% at 1,264,315 period on period, although year on year it has dropped 5.4%. The BBC says its strong Christmas 2000 issue, with Harry Potter as its cover star, outsold all its rivals and held its volume share of the festive listings market year on year (30%) and was the best selling issue of any magazine in Britain in 2000. That one magazine was worth more to retailers than the Christmas issues of TV Times and What's on TV combined ­ £4.2m retail sales value. The successful What's on TV spin-off Soaplife is now a brand in its own right and has recorded its second ABC of 131,100, up 5.6% period on period. With a new ABC of 689,137, TV Times is 2.3% down period on period. This marginal downturn marks an improved trend and the title has not only continued to outperform TV Quick, but also TV Choice. Despite the low price of Bauer's TV Choice, that title has recorded a drop of 6.7%, down to 732,259 period on period. {{CTN }}