£220m Daily Mirror contract for Smiths News
Reach, which publishes the Daily Mirror and Daily Express, has renewed its distribution contract with Smiths News, in a deal worth £220 million a year.
The new contract runs from October 2019 through to September 2024.
Jos Opdeweegh, chief executive of the Connect Group, the parent of Smiths News, said: “I am delighted that we have agreed a new contract with Reach. The accelerated renewal of Smiths News’ contracts is a strategic priority and we have now secured approximately 54 per cent of our sales, including our largest newspaper and magazine partners. We are confident our remaining contracts can also be agreed, underpinning our plans for a sustainable recovery in the performance of the group.”
Reach’s newspaper portfolio includes the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror, People, Daily Express, Daily Star, Sunday Express and Daily Star Sunday. The contract also covers Reach’s regional press business and OK! magazine. In total, Reach accounts for approximately 25 per cent of Smiths News’ newspaper sales.