REG - Reach PLC - Trading Update

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RNS Number : 1318D  Reach PLC  06 May 2026

 
 
 

 6 May 2026

 

Reach plc ("The Company") Q1 Trading update for the 3-month period to 31 March
2026

On track to deliver market expectations, despite digital headwinds

 
 

                                  Q1 YOY %
 Digital revenue(1)               (8.1)
 -      Direct revenue            (4.5)
 -      Indirect revenue          (10.5)
 Print revenue                    (6.6)
 -      Circulation revenue       (5.5)
 -      Advertising revenue       (12.8)
 Group revenue                    (6.9)

 

Trading in Q126 was affected by the ongoing disruption in search and referral
volumes, in a continuation of the trends we first reported on in July 2025.
On-platform referral volumes, mainly from Google, were materially lower and
reduced across the quarter, resulting in a 8.1% decline in digital revenue.

 

These ongoing headwinds reinforce the validity of our three priorities and we
continue to execute our strategy and diversify revenues. Actions include
growing off-platform audiences, expanding video content and successfully
launching premium subscriptions which are now live across 11 sites. Print
revenue decreased 6.6%, with circulation and advertising revenues remaining
reliable, supported by a cover price increase and strong promotional activity.

 

Outlook

While on-platform audiences are showing signs of stabilisation, we continue to
be cautious on digital revenues. We remain confident in delivering the
reduction in operating costs, and are on track to deliver in line with market
expectations for the full year.(2)

 

Piers North, Chief Executive

 

"We are undoubtedly in the middle of yet another big shift in the media world
as the digital referral landscape continues to change, but we are navigating
this uncertainty appropriately. We have the benefit of our scale and a
portfolio of trusted brands, reaching 35m people every month and we continue
to develop new revenue streams, in particular with our growing subscriptions
business."

 

Notes:

(1  )Direct revenues: Advertising or commercial revenues that are generated
from direct engagement with the advertiser, agency or consumer. Indirect
revenues: Advertising or commercial revenues that are generated indirectly
such as revenue on social platforms (off-platform) or programmatically on
owned and operated websites (on-platform).

(2 ) Market expectations compiled by the Company are an average of analyst
published forecasts - consensus adjusted operating profit for FY26 £95.9m.

(3  )Reach plc half year results will be reported Wednesday 22 July 2026.

 

 

 

 

 Enquiries
 Reach                                               communications@reachplc.com
 Piers North, Chief Executive Officer
 Darren Fisher, Chief Financial Officer

 Lija Kresowaty, Director of Communications
 Jo Britten, Investor Relations                      +44 (0)7557 557447

 Teneo                                               reachplc@teneo.com
 Giles Kernick                                       +44 (0)207 353 4200

 

About Reach

We're Reach plc, the UK and Ireland's largest commercial news publisher. We
connect with people on and offline, sharing our trusted content through 120+
brands, from household names like the Mirror, Express, Daily Record and Daily
Star, to local titles like MyLondon, BelfastLive and the Manchester Evening
News, plus our growing US brands like the Irish Star. Every month we reach 69%
of the UK online population, 9% of the US population, and over 112m social
followers around the world.

 

LEI: 213800GNI5XF3XOATR61

 

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