Billboard is a weekly music magazine aimed at readers between ages 25-54, most of whom are college graduates. It features charts tracking the most popular songs and albums. The front covers typically feature a prominent male or female artist, and the magazine layout remains consistent with only the images and contents changing between issues. Billboard was founded in 1894 and originally covered bill posting but expanded to music in the 1930s when it began publishing music charts. It is now an international publication focused on the global music industry.

1. Magazine analysis

2. Front Covers
All of the front covers consist of the
Billboard masthead, and a main
image of a single dominant male or
female. The colour and styling
changes through each magazine
edition.

3. key statistics
Billboard is a chart magazine with a varying
target audience and genre, depending on
what is in the charts at that time.
Overall it is aimed towards both genders,
usually depending on the cover star – and
the age range for the target audience is Editor Danyel Smith
around 25-54 years old. Frequency Weekly
Circulation 16,327
First Issue 1894
Company Prometheus Global
Media
Billboard readers: Language English
• 71% are between the ages of 25-54
• 82% are college graduates
• 27.5% post degree graduates
• 65% director level or above
• 37% keep the annual double year end
issue for over a year

4. Contents
Pages
The contents pages of Billboard all
carry the same layout and house style
throughout every edition, with only the
contents and imaging different.

5. The history of
Billboard was founded on November 1, 1894, by William h. Donaldson and James Hennegan.
Originally titled Billboard Advertising, it was a trade paper for the bill posting industry, hence the
magazine's name. Eventually Billboard became the paper of record for carnivals, amusement
parks, fairs and other live entertainment. The magazine began coverage of motion pictures in
1909 and of radio in the 1920s.
With the development of the jukebox industry during the 1930s, The Billboard began publishing
music charts. In the 1950s it introduced a section covering the television industry, including
ratings charts for programs.
At the start of 1961, The Billboard was renamed Billboard Music Week. The publication was now
devoted almost entirely to the music industry, with some coverage of coin-operated vending and
entertainment machines on its jukebox pages. The title was changed to simply Billboard at the
start of 1963. In 2005, the magazine and its web sites were repositioned to provide coverage of
all forms of digital and mobile entertainment.
On January 4, 1936 The Billboard published its first music hit parade, and on July 20, 1940 the
first Music Popularity Chart was calculated. Since August 4, 1958, the Hot 100 has been
published, combining single sales and radio airplay.
Billboard currently puts out over 100 charts each week, the most popular ones being Hot 100,
Billboard 200, and Hot 100 Airplay.

6. double page spreads
The double page spreads in Billboard are all of the current popular artists and news at that time.
The genre and styling of each artists is different however.

7. today
Billboard is an international weekly news magazine, especially devoted to music and its
industry. It is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world.
Billboard follows the worldwide recognized music charts, tracking the most popular songs
and albums in various categories, on a weekly basis. The two most notable charts being the
Billboard Hot 100 – which ranks the top 100 songs regardless of genre; and the Billboard 200
– following the corresponding album sales chart.
Billboard is intended for music professionals, such as record label executives, artists,
music retailers, and radio DJs. Although it is generally considered a business-to-business
magazine, it can be found at many consumer bookstores and magazine stands, particularly
in cities with a large music industry presence such as New York, Los Angeles, Nashville,
and Miami. Editorial coverage and broader strategy are guided by its editorial director, Bill
Werde.