Executive Summary

The UK consumer magazines sector is a very strong one, with significant increases occurring in total circulation and in consumer spending since 1991. Key Note estimates that by the end of 1996, there were 2,250 consumer magazine titles and that the consumer magazine industry's net income in 1996 was £1.36bn.

The majority of titles come from the traditional magazine publishers, with the remainder coming from contract publishers who publish titles for organisations such as the AA and Sainsbury. This report focuses on the traditional consumer magazine, while recognising that the contract publishing sector is clearly a growth market.

The most important sectors by value are women's interests, television, sport, computers and general interest. According to Key Note estimates, around 56% of consumer magazine spending goes on weekly titles. However, research by Gallup shows that monthly titles are seen as better value.

The leading publishers are: IPC Magazines, EMAP, H. Bauer, BBC, National Magazine Company, Readers Digest, DC Thomson, Gruner & Jahr, BEAP, John Brown Publishing, Future Publishing, Nexus Media, Haymarket and Conde Nast. Four of these publishers -- IPC, EMAP, H. Bauer and the BBC -- account for approximately two-thirds of the circulation of the top 105 titles.

Figures for the first half of 1996 show that total sales rose by 6.3%. Most of this growth came from newer titles. Some sectors such as football, computer games and teenage magazines struggled. Others that had been suffering, such as the general sport/outdoors sector, staged a modest revival.

For 1997, Key Note is forecasting revenue growth of 7.9%. Key Note estimates that the number of titles will rise to 2,320 in 1997. Motoring, food and drink, women's monthlies and sports/outdoor interests are expected to be particularly strong sectors in 1997.

Towards the end of 1997 and more especially in 1998, the industry is likely to expand into other media, namely electronic publishing and cable television. The first magazine-led cable television programmes are expected to be broadcast by late 1997.

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