Digital magazines from NYT and Triathlon lowering involvement with print; RBmedia makes its debut
Digital magazines continue their development while some print publications go out of fashion. Today we’re reporting on some new cases of print magazines being shuttered for more emphasis on digital magazines.
We begin with T Magazine, published by NYT, and it’s recent change. MediaPost reports, “T magazine, The New York Times’ style magazine, has reduced its publishing frequency — from 13 to 11 issues a year.”
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The article continues by discussing why the changes took place. “A New York Times spokesperson told Publishers Daily: “The shift in publication frequency is a reflection that content previously reserved for special-themed issues — such as beauty and entertaining — is increasingly being covered more holistically in each issue of T Magazine, as well as online.””
It’s clear that digital content is part of this frequency change.
Next, we move to Triathlon magazine, which is ending its print run of Lava magazine. Bicycle Retailer reports, “Lava magazine’s May 1 issue, now hitting newsstands, will be its last print edition. The magazine will continue to be available as a digital magazine, but will no longer be available as a large-format publication.”
“In an editorial in the May 1 issue explaining the move to digital, Murphy said, “The media world has been continuing to shift gears at a rapid pace, with one especially challenging consequence to the print magazine business: the vaporizing of newsstands and print advertising against the rise of the iPad and smartphone. A mistake we’ve made is being reluctant to leave print behind and adapt to the new (and always evolving) digital age.””
Editor TJ Murphy continued by discussing what the digital content will look like going forward. “Murphy said that the digital edition will be more comprehensive with a heavier focus on training methods and technology, gear reviews, nutrition, and will incorporate video. Lava will also step up its Serious Triathlon podcast and it will emphasize coverage of age-groupers, pros, coaches as well as expanding the coverage of the culture of triathlon.”
Another digital magazine hitting the web comes from AARP. Web Smart Boomer reports, “AARP The Magazine’s Special Edition Health & Wellness Issue offers inspirational advice and practical tips on fitness, eating and living a healthier life. This is currently the only digital health magazine for people ages 50-plus.”
“The Health & Wellness Issue offers exclusive advice and information from some of the nation’s top doctors and other experts like Denise Austin, AARP’s new wellness ambassador. Readers will enjoy an enhanced experience with interactive features and content.”
We wrap up our news on digital magazines with the launch of RBmedia. Tech Crunch reports, “A new digital media company is making its debut with a splashy acquisition: RBmedia, a new entity formed by combining eight brands focused on digital magazine and audio content, will acquire Audiobooks.com, the audiobook streaming and download service the offers access to over 100,000 books via apps for various devices and platforms.”
Stay tuned for more news reporting on the growth and evolution of digital magazines.
