Contemporary context

MAGAZINE INDUSTRY

As society has broadened and become more open-minded to new trends and concepts, there are a larger amount of interests and topics that are becoming more popular. Due to this, magazines have also had to broaden to include more niche and mainstream structure and content to reach viewers with various demographic and psychometric groups that may have not existed or been as popular previously. This fills gaps in the market and also satisfies readers with all different interests. Within the industry there are more dominant conglomerates such as Hearst- companies like this own a large majority of successful publications.

However, due to advancements in technology in recent years many individuals, especially the younger generation, are beginning to consume their content on online platforms. Social media such as Instagram and Twitter are becoming increasingly more popular and a place where people can follow these magazines. Subscriptions on websites are also now becoming easier to access for a lot of people and more convenient, showing that there is becoming a decline in print magazines, as not as many people have the time to go out and purchase one. Although, some people are more traditional and prefer enjoying the experience of a print copy.

FINANCE

Magazine companies finance magazines through:

• Sponsorships and sponsored content
• Print subscriptions
• Online subscriptions 
• Print advertising 
• Digital advertising
• Events and conferences 
• Live streaming
• Videos and podcasts

In 2020, magazine advertising spending in the United kingdom fell to £461 million, but is still where magazines make most revenue from.

DISTRIBUTION 

Magazines are distributed through:

• Print copies sold in shops
• Subscriptions on websites
• Social media
• Blogs

UK magazine circulation figures fell by an average of 6% year-on-year in 2020, according to the latest ABC figures.