Overall sales in the year to 28 December 2024 were up 9% at £96m with digital revenues up 7% at £19.6m.

Events grew by 37% and now makes up 5% of revenues.

Operating profits jumped by 65% to £4.2m.

Chairman David Montgomery said that acquisitions and new launches were “driving a new sustainable model for national publishing”.

“These good 2024 results have been achieved despite the combined headwinds of macro-economic challenge and non-trading distractions. I would like to pay tribute to all National World staff for their efforts over the period,” he said.

The publishers of the Yorkshire Post and The Scotsman among other titles distributed 27.6m paid-for newspaper copies, 7.3m free copies and 600,000 magazines (2023: 27.9m paid, 4.6m frees, 400,000 magazines).

National World also said that in 2025 it would begin to measure its overall audience reach in terms of the time spent with its brands. 

“Over time this will replace channel-specific measures such as page views in terms of group wide reporting.”

In 2024 it had over 134m average monthly page views, down 3% year-on-year but with the trend improving to flat in Q4.

The group acquired Athletics Weekly, Serious About Rugby League, and Insider Media publisher The Business Magazine Group.

It also made a £1m gain on the sale of Press Computer Systems.

The takeover of National World by Media Concierge's Neo Media Publishing has been delayed due to the competition clearance timeline in the Republic of Ireland.

It is now expected to become effective at the end of April, pending any further investigation.