Are print magazines dying?
Discussion
I used to buy a lot of car mags to read (usually in bed as two young kids take most of my time up) - but latterly I spend most time (like now) on forums on the iPhone. PH is good because the majority of posters are intelligent and the English is of a decent standard - I couldn't trawl through reams of text speak cack!
Anyway - do others agree? I've not bought EVO in years and maybe just the odd copy of a 911 mag if I like a particular car in it.
Anyway - do others agree? I've not bought EVO in years and maybe just the odd copy of a 911 mag if I like a particular car in it.
I was a magazine printer for 20 years on B1 5 colour presses, and can say with authority that there is no printing industry any longer in this country.
Most printing apart from the newspapers is done abroad mainly in eastern Europe or China as the data can be sent via PDF file then made up in 30 minutes with computer to plate technology.
Every one of my work colleges over the years I know is either unemployed or has nothing to do with the industry anymore.
20 years ago you could take your pick on which firm you worked for but not now for some reason I notice that most printing factory's are now turned into fast fit tyre centres lol.
On a Thursday there was a printing jobs section in the Daily Mail but I haven't seen a job there for about a year, also on the print week website the only jobs in the printing profession seem to be in sales. .
Most printing apart from the newspapers is done abroad mainly in eastern Europe or China as the data can be sent via PDF file then made up in 30 minutes with computer to plate technology.
Every one of my work colleges over the years I know is either unemployed or has nothing to do with the industry anymore.
20 years ago you could take your pick on which firm you worked for but not now for some reason I notice that most printing factory's are now turned into fast fit tyre centres lol.
On a Thursday there was a printing jobs section in the Daily Mail but I haven't seen a job there for about a year, also on the print week website the only jobs in the printing profession seem to be in sales. .
I've just let one lapse. I started getting it before I left school so it was in my life before work, driving and sexual relations. I think I get more from reading through the old back issues. Articles on used buys with a list of specialist owners club websites is a bit lame too, it's like they don't think readers can use google (other search engines are available) or figure it out for themselves. Cynically, or being a late developer I've come to the conclusion that they're just advertising vehicles, advertorials.
Perhaps I'd have renewed the subscription if they'd been a bit more together with their website but it just doesn't appeal, or isn't as easy to use and possibly arrived late.
Perhaps I'd have renewed the subscription if they'd been a bit more together with their website but it just doesn't appeal, or isn't as easy to use and possibly arrived late.
I think it depends on the magazine.
It's nice to have a physical 'thing' with crisp glossy pages to flick through when you're reading a self-indulgent feature. Much of something like Car or Evo is pure escapism to be savoured with a pint of beer out in the garden sometime, and all the better for it.
When it's news, however, I think you just want the easiest, most digestible format, which tends to be online.
Perhaps future generations will disagree. Most people my age read their first words off a printed page, but it won't be long before we get kids who learnt to read on iPads showing an interest in car magazines. Plus, of course, we're only just starting to exploit the rich media potential of digital magazines (as opposed to reproducing a paper magazine in a web-friendly format).
It's nice to have a physical 'thing' with crisp glossy pages to flick through when you're reading a self-indulgent feature. Much of something like Car or Evo is pure escapism to be savoured with a pint of beer out in the garden sometime, and all the better for it.
When it's news, however, I think you just want the easiest, most digestible format, which tends to be online.
Perhaps future generations will disagree. Most people my age read their first words off a printed page, but it won't be long before we get kids who learnt to read on iPads showing an interest in car magazines. Plus, of course, we're only just starting to exploit the rich media potential of digital magazines (as opposed to reproducing a paper magazine in a web-friendly format).
I only get one magazine monthly now- Octane. Its 9 quid a go over here in Dubai.
Im most likely the minority, but I hate the digital versions of magazines- i would far rather read a paper copy- if nothing else its more convenient for the throne.
Better still is looking back through an old copy and finding an article that I havent read.
Small things and all that......
Im most likely the minority, but I hate the digital versions of magazines- i would far rather read a paper copy- if nothing else its more convenient for the throne.
Better still is looking back through an old copy and finding an article that I havent read.
Small things and all that......
Evo for the ipad seems to be growing in numbers, personally I like to have the magazine itself as well but thats just me. I don't think they are dying as I feel there is a very strong market for them still I just think more people are reading them on ipads etc and the magazines have become alot worse due to the number of ads being printed in every issue.
Dusty964 said:
Im most likely the minority, but I hate the digital versions of magazines- i would far rather read a paper copy- if nothing else its more convenient for the throne.
Same here. I keep magazines for quite a while and have a strict rotation policy for the ones I keep next to the throne.Having something you can touch, feel, hold, and keep forever is way better than something instant, flashed up on a screen.
I'm quite happy with PH-type stuff and spending maybe £10-£15 a month on car mags. OH maybe not so happy
Couldn't do without paper magazines.
And anyway - look what happened to Drivers Republic - no money in it.
I'm quite happy with PH-type stuff and spending maybe £10-£15 a month on car mags. OH maybe not so happy
Couldn't do without paper magazines.
And anyway - look what happened to Drivers Republic - no money in it.
andy43 said:
No money in it.
It's certainly harder to get ad-revenue from the web currently, but that will follow if/when the readers switch en masse. Again, it comes down to how you exploit it. You can target your ad market extremely precisely when you have more information on the reader. You could split your ad campaigns by age or location quite easily, and potentially even by things like what car the reader currently drives if you have additional information from a subscription form.
Maybe Drivers' Republic would do better now that so may people have tablets/smart phones?
The only subscription I have now is Practical Performance Car, but to be honest I have the last 6 or 7 issues sitting around part read or barely skimmed through. If I want something to read I reach for the netbook/phone and browse PH
I would hate to see the demise of the printed magazine though, as said it is great to have something in your hands.
The only subscription I have now is Practical Performance Car, but to be honest I have the last 6 or 7 issues sitting around part read or barely skimmed through. If I want something to read I reach for the netbook/phone and browse PH
I would hate to see the demise of the printed magazine though, as said it is great to have something in your hands.
Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Sunday 20th May 11:41
The ex-editor of the Mirror was interviewed on BBC Breakfast and siad that he sees the demises of the printed paper within eight years now, so fast is technology evolving. Also, no one want the old back editions of magazines - you only have to watch the Classics section here and people offer them for free or they go to the tip - and to the tip they go. I mean, what am I to do with over 25yrs worth of Autocar and Motor Sport, which were given me? When I'm ready to get rid, they'll be pulped. Sad it is.
I'm not surprised if they are dying...I used to be one of the biggest buyers of various magazines and used to have boxes full of back issues. I used to stockpile car magazines (and brochures) for when the cars themselves would be old enough for me to buy used, so I'd have the road tests, etc to hand to read up about my 'new' car. Thesedays all this information is available within a few seconds of clicking on Google: Thinking about a new car 'XXXX' and want to find out the common issues just type in 'XXXX problems' which unless you were a complete anorak reading every article printed, you wouldn't know or in my case remember, what cars had which issues.
These days I only tend to buy printed magazines to read on flights, which is only a few times a year if that, compared to buying 4-5 magazines a month. If I'm anything like typical, then I can only see printed magazines disappearing in the not too distant future.
These days I only tend to buy printed magazines to read on flights, which is only a few times a year if that, compared to buying 4-5 magazines a month. If I'm anything like typical, then I can only see printed magazines disappearing in the not too distant future.
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