Research into current state of music magazines

Music publication sales figures have dropped significantly over the last 3 years, with top names such as NME reporting they have dropped under the 50,000 mark.  Other big names such as Kerrang have also suffered, losing 32.1 per cent of its circulation year on year, down from 76,937 to 52,272. Overall, it’s the music weeklies which suffer the most as the entire sector falls 12% (as of February 2009).

Music magazines (percentage changes are year on year)
Q - 103,017 (-21.6%)
Mojo - 100,507 (-5.4%)
Uncut - 87,069 (-4.3%)
Classic Rock - 70,188 (4.1%)
Kerrang! - 52,272 (-32.1%)
Metal Hammer - 50,269 (9.7%)
New Musical Express - 48,459 (-24.3%)
Rock Sound - 20,011 (-13.1%)
BBC Music Magazine - 45,144 (-4.2%)
Classic FM - The Magazine - 35,751 (-13.7%)
Gramophone - 34,628 (-5.9%)
RWD - 77,050 (131.6%)
mixmag - 30,159 (-15.8%)
Terrorizer - 13,786 (-7.8%)
Word Magazine - 34,280 (3.2%)
Rhythm - 9,472 (-4.5%)
Total Guitar - 42,171 (-13.4%)
Guitarist - 31,917 (8.5%)
Guitar Techniques - 22,387 (7.0%)
The Guitar Magazine - 11,994 (3.0%)
Future Music - 10,860 (11.0%)

-------------------------------------------------
Source: http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=43068
(As of February 2009)

There have been some rises in sales (for example Metal Hammer, with an average circulation of 50,269). But it’s the drop in numbers which attract the most attention, especially with such prestigious names falling so dramatically. There are many reasons for this, but one of the biggest factors is the internet, where music news and everything in these magazines is available within seconds, and more importantly, free. It’s much easier and with the rising prices of these publications it makes sense.