ABSTRACT
This chapter is a broad review of UK magazine publishing in 2020. Downturn in traditional revenues, particularly advertisement, have created an environment where magazine publishers have had to innovate to survive. This study reviews traditional consumer magazine taxonomy and business models and discusses the innovation of subscription bundle sales. Six major UK publishers are summarised along with the role of private equity. Factors involving magazines in print, digital or pure play are discussed. The countertrends from the general consumer market and content marketing and independent magazines are noted. Examples will demonstrate the remaining importance of the magazine format within content marketing but note the changes on the horizon. Social, business and technological factors underpinning the independent magazine market are reviewed. A new magazine distribution ‘all you can read’ model is reviewed. Methodology is a review of existing data, trade press, literature and interviews.
