The UK magazine industry is highly consolidated, with the top 10 publishers owning over 50% of the market. Hearst Magazines UK owns 21 magazine titles representing 4% of the market but 13% of total circulation. Hearst has expanded beyond magazines into other media industries, owning over 20 websites, 30 newspapers, and radio and TV stations. Foreign ownership of UK magazine publishers is common, and large international companies like Hearst can leverage their brands and resources across multiple countries.

1. Magazine publishing in the UK
WHO OWNS THE UK MAGAZINE
INDUSTRY?

2. Who owns British magazines?

3. Who owns British magazines?

4. Who owns British magazines?

5. Does it matter? Titles
0 10 20 30 40 50

6. Does it matter? Titles
2%
10%
4%
150 other
10%
publishers
51%
4%
8%
2%
8%
1%

7. Does it matter? Circulation
0 1000000 2000000 3000000 4000000 5000000 6000000 70000

8. Does it matter? Circulation
1% titles 150 other
5% circ publishers
51% titles
11% circ 10% titles
22% circ
8% titles
12% circ
2% titles
5% circ
2% titles/circ
8% titles 4% titles
4% circ 13% circ
10% titles
4% titles
23% circ
3% circ

9. Does it matter? Circulation
• 21 titles: 4% of UK market
• Titles include Cosmo, Men’s Health, Company,
Elle
• 13% of the circulation
• Around 20 major
websites including
Sugarscape.co.uk
• 30 newspapers,
2 radio stations,
30 TV Channels, 3 online channels

10. Does it matter? Competition
Tried to buy EMAP (Empire, Kerrang!) in 2009 for
£700m; Bauer paid £1.1bn
Bought Hachette Filippachi in March 2010
Closed two of its own titles: She and
Cosmopolitan Bride.

11. Does it matter? Competition

12. How works
 Created 30 years ago.
 Distributes to over 80 countries worldwide.
 Heart and Condé Nast avoid paying outside
company to distribute their magazines.
 Also carries out market research
 Developed EDP technologies (Electronic Data
Processing), allowing analysis (through barcodes
and credit cards) of
 what people buy with their magazines (chocolate etc.)
 where they buy
 who is buying

13. Does foreign control matter?

14. Does it matter: local content

15. Does it matter: local content

16. Does it matter: local content

17. Does it matter: local content

18. Does it matter: local content

19. Does it matter: local content

20. Does it matter: local content

21. Does it matter: Synergy

22. Does it matter: Synergy

23. Does it matter: Synergy

24. Does it matter: Synergy

25. Does it matter: Synergy

26. Does it matter: Synergy

27. Does it matter: Synergy

28. Does it matter: Synergy

29. Does it matter: Synergy

30. Does it matter: Synergy

31. Does it matter: Convergence

32. Does it matter: Convergence

33. Does it matter: Convergence

34. Does it matter: Convergence

35. Does it matter: Convergence

36. Does it matter: Convergence

37. Does it matter: Audience
ABC1, “fashionable, fun,
confident with key
interests in shopping,
beauty, and relationships.
18-35, core 20-25.” (Hearst UK)
USED to be biggest selling
UK women’s monthly
(450,000 sales per month).
Now 375,000 - behind
Good Housekeeping,
Glamour etc.

38. Does it matter: Audience
£375,000 sales
>£1m per issue
Ad costs £18,000 to
£25,000 per page.
>£1m per issue as well

39. Does it matter: Audience