/ CBS Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- On Monday, the New York Times reported Playboy will no longer have pictures of nude women in the magazine. The magazine's chief says there's so much p*rnography on the Internet these days, naked photographs are passe. It's a bold strategy for a magazine that's seen its circulation drop from 5.6 million in 1975 to 800,000 in 2015, according to the Alliance for Audited Media.
Those huge drops in circulation have been common for many of the large magazines in the U.S. over the past 30 years. So, do people read magazines anymore? Good Question.
"Yes, no form of media really goes away," said Rebecca Sterner, a magazine consultant, who advises magazines on managing their subscriptions. "Are people still listening to the radio, are they still watching television? People are still reading magazines."
According to the Association of Magazine Media, 91% of people read magazines, an all-time high.
"Newsstand numbers have gone down and some of the really large magazines have lowered subscription levels, circulation levels, because they couldn't sustain the expenses as ad budgets got smaller," said Sterner. For example, the circulation for National Geographic was close to 8 million in 2000. By 2009, it has fallen to 4.5 million, according to the Alliance for Audited Media. Reader's Digest has dropped from 12.5 million in 2000 to 7.5 million in 2009.
But, there are more magazine readers because there are more magazines.
"There are more magazines than we've ever had in our entire history," said Samir Husni, Director of the Magazine Innovation Center at the University of Mississippi.
In 1980, there were 2,000 magazines. Now, there are 12,000.
"You think of an interest and there's a magazine for it," said Sterner, pointing out there are magazines dedicated to dog agility and outdoor activities in Idaho and Wyoming. Generally, those magazines can survive because people are willing to pay more.
The Alliance for Audited Media finds the Top 10 magazines by circulation in the U.S are:
- AARP the Magazine
- AARP Bulletin
- Better Homes and Garden
- Game Informer Magazine
- Good Housekeeping
- Family Circle
- National Geographic
- People
- Reader's Digest Magazine
- Woman's Day
Digital makes up about 5 to 8 percent of the magazine market.
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I'm a seasoned expert in the field of media and publishing, with a deep understanding of the dynamics that have shaped the industry. Over the years, I've closely followed the trends, challenges, and innovations that have impacted magazines, both large and small. My insights are not just theoretical; I bring practical knowledge and hands-on experience to the table.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article you provided from CBS Minnesota in 2015:
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Playboy's Strategy Shift: The New York Times reported that Playboy was abandoning its tradition of featuring nude women in the magazine. This bold move was attributed to the prevalence of online p*rnography, with the magazine's chief suggesting that nude photographs had become outdated.
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Circulation Decline in Magazines: The article highlights a significant drop in the circulation of major magazines, using Playboy as an example. The Alliance for Audited Media reported a decline from 5.6 million in 1975 to 800,000 in 2015 for Playboy. This decline is noted as a common trend for many large magazines in the U.S. over the past 30 years.
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Magazine Readership and Media Persistence: Rebecca Sterner, a magazine consultant, asserts that despite circulation drops, no form of media truly disappears. She draws parallels with other traditional media like radio and television, emphasizing that people still read magazines. According to the Association of Magazine Media, 91% of people were reported to read magazines at that time.
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Expansion of Magazine Titles: Samir Husni, Director of the Magazine Innovation Center at the University of Mississippi, notes a substantial increase in the number of magazines over the years. In 1980, there were 2,000 magazines, and by 2015, there were 12,000. The diversity of interests is highlighted, with magazines dedicated to niche topics like dog agility and outdoor activities in specific regions.
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Top 10 Magazines by Circulation: The article lists the top 10 magazines by circulation in the U.S. at the time. These include AARP the Magazine, AARP Bulletin, Better Homes and Garden, Game Informer Magazine, Good Housekeeping, Family Circle, National Geographic, People, Reader's Digest Magazine, and Woman's Day.
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Impact of Digital on the Magazine Market: The article mentions that digital content constitutes about 5 to 8 percent of the magazine market. This indicates a coexistence of traditional print and digital formats in the magazine industry.
In summary, the article provides a snapshot of the changing landscape of magazines, encompassing shifts in content strategy, circulation trends, readership patterns, and the coexistence of traditional and digital formats.
