Metro Increases Circulation In Key Markets

Metro International S.A. (“Metro”), the international newspaper group, today announced that it has increased its circulation and expanded its operations in Sweden, Spain and the Czech Republic.

Metro has now become the largest daily newspaper in Sweden for the first time, with the latest independent Orvesto readership survey by Research International SIFO indicating that Metro’s daily Swedish editions now have more than 1.4 million daily readers. This represents a year on year increase in readership of over 20% and follows Metro’s successful national expansion into 56 additional cities since the start of the process in 2004. With effect from today, Metro’s distribution in Sweden will be increased to cover 67 cities in 19 of the 21 counties in the country. The circulation of the national edition has therefore increased by a further 50,000 daily copies, on top of the 130,000 copies previously distributed.

Similarly, Metro has been distributed nationally in Spain since October 2005, reaching 11 of the country’s major provinces. Metro has now been launched in an additional 15 cities across Spain, and now reaches 37 out of the country’s 48 provincial capitals. Eighty per cent of the urban population of Spain now has access to Metro, making it the largest newspaper by footprint. The additional papers will feature local and regional news and information, as well as national content. The expansion has been achieved without a substantial increase in circulation, as the majority of the copies being circulated in the new cities are being distributed from the pre-existing hubs.

Metro has also expanded in the Czech Republic since the beginning of the year, and has become the third largest newspaper in the country by circulation. Metro has expanded outside the capital city of Prague with the launch of two new editions to cover the Bohemia and Moravia regions, and now reaches the eleven largest cities in the country. Metro’s circulation has been increased by nearly 160,000 daily copies, and a total of nearly 370,000 copies are now distributed nationally across the Czech Republic.

Pelle Törnberg, President and CEO, commented: "Metro is currently distributed in 19 countries worldwide, including 14 countries across Europe. This unparalleled footprint enables us to offer a unique global and local reach to advertisers. We now publish 50 Metro editions in 69 major European cities and this increased penetration in three of our national markets is a key element of our strategy. This reflects the success of previous national expansions, as well as the desire from our key advertising clients for Metro to offer ever-enhanced reach with consistently strong demographics.

“There is a clear advantage in establishing Metro as the largest or one of the largest newspapers in each market, with national coverage, and we have either achieved this position or are on track to do so in a high proportion of the countries in which we operate. This enhancement of our European reach further reinforces Metro’s position as the world’s largest and fastest growing newspaper.”

ABOUT METRO INTERNATIONAL

Metro is the largest and fastest growing international newspaper in the world. 61 Metro editions are published in 88 major cities in 19 countries in 18 languages across Europe, North & South America and Asia. Metro has a unique global reach - attracting a young, active, well-educated Metropolitan audience of 18.5 million daily readers and more than 37 million weekly readers. Metro has an equal number of male and female readers and 70% are under the age of 45.

Contact Information

Rob Newman

Investor & Press Relations

Metro International S.A.

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