EQUESTRIAN MAGAZINE UNDER THREAT

1332

Title “not expected to be sustainable” after coronavirus, says publisher.

Your Horse magazine is one of ten print publications singled out by owner Bauer Media to be closed, merged or sold.

The publisher is reviewing its UK operation in response to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It’s also considering “potential options” for associated events and digital properties. Your Horse Live runs annually over three days at Stoneleigh in November.

Titles impacted by Bauer Media’s review are Mother & Baby, Golf World, Practical Photography, Sea Angler, Planet Rock, Q, Car Mechanics, Modern Classics, Simply You and Your Horse.  

The publisher says it’s considering moving these brands to digital only format, merging with sister titles, sale or closure.  

“The pandemic and lockdown has further accelerated the trends already affecting the publishing industry,” said Chris Duncan, CEO UK Publishing.  

“Bauer publishes nearly 100 magazines in the UK, and some titles that were already challenged, unfortunately, are not expected to be sustainable after the crisis.  

“We must protect the long-term health of our business and ability to invest in future growth by re-shaping our portfolio.”

Employees affected by the proposed changes to all the ten magazine brands will now enter a 30-day period of consultation with Bauer Media.

Your Horse magazine, which is published in print every four weeks, was launched in 1983 by publisher Emap. In the 1990s, its circulation was above 70,000. The most recent independently audited ABC figure for Your Horse was 17,522 in 2015. 

Image by rawpixel.com

- ADVERTISEMENT -