525 Magazines Shut Down in 2008

March 6th, 2009 by Nubby


RADAR closed in 2008 and Domino did in 2009.

According to Mediafinder, 525 U.S. magazines shut down in 2008. So far in 2009, 40 more have ceased publication. Regional and travel titles were hit the hardest, followed by the home and automotive categories.

While some well-known titles like Domino and Country Home have shut down completely this year, many more including Playgirl and PC Magazine have switched to publishing online-only versions.

Part of these magazines’ demise can be blamed on the rise in popularity of online content including blogs. Since news and everything else can be published online almost instantaneously, a monthly magazine just doesn’t have the same pull that it once did.

Compounding the decline in magazine titles is the economy. Since much of the content that Americans seek online is free, paying upwards of $5.00 for a magazine just doesn’t seem appealing. And, who can blame the consumer? Whereas magazines once felt like a necessity, they are starting to feel like an unnecessary luxury.

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One Response to “525 Magazines Shut Down in 2008”

  1. Mark Lewman Says:
    March 7th, 2009 at 10:25 am

    Of interest: Circulation overall was not down “much” across the industry compared to ad revenues. Actually Domino saw a 54% increase in readership:

    http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/10/business/media/10mag.html?_r=3&ref=media

    But, the fragmented media landscape meant ad dollars (lifeblood of publishing industry) were down. True across much of the media landscape, though, right?

    I would be interested to see numbers on how many magazines launched last year, and how many launched/failed in the last ten years. And how many magazines are changing as brands, exploring new ways to get their POV to their consumers.

    As for the advantages of online publishing (accessibility, mutlimedia, better for environment, etc. etc.) I think there’s still a place for that tactile experience a well-crafted magazine offers; meaty articles, exceptional graphic design, innovative printing/binding, great photography. These traits feel like a rarity, but, there are periodicals with passion out there…finding them for $5 is even harder to do though.

    Feels like traditional publishing will become more like vinyl is to music fans. Smaller runs, emphasis on niche audiences and quality experience.

    My go-to spot for inspiring and strange printed matter comes from a toy store: Missing Link on Hawthorne here in PDX.

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