Exploration of possible future landscapes

Figure 7: NME magazine

The magazine industry has dramatically changed in the last twenty years. The twentieth century was focused on print publications, however changes to the technological formations in publishing firms in the eighties led to a revolutionary shift and publishers started to focus on online publications as well (Cox and Mowatt, 2003).  

Now, the present magazine industry is focused on both types of publications. Magazines such as NME have closed their print publications to put revenue streams towards online versions due to increasing production costs (Guardian, 2019). 

The future of Print publications looks bleak as more magazines close their print editions. It is more sustainable to move to online publications, as well as magazines being able to cut distribution costs and increase their audience reach by doing so. Magazines will use more short form articles and slowly diminish the use of long form as viewers are less likely to stay engaged in long form articles online. 

Cox,h., Mowatt, S. (2003) Technology, Organisation and Innovation: The Historical Development of the UK Magazine Industry Howard Cox and Simon Mowatt. Auckland: Auckland University of Technology. 

Sweeney, M. (2018) NME to close print edition after 66 years. The Guardian [Online], 7 March. Available from: <https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/mar/07/nme-ceases-print-edition-weekly-music-magazine> [Accessed 29 April].  

Figure 7: Screenshot from NME website, taken by Paris Thomas. 

NME (n.d)  NME Magazine Digital Covers [Online] NME. Available from: <https://www.nme.com/magazine> [Accessed 29 April]. 

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