Future Publishing’s Music Title Makes Final Bang

Future Publishing has confirmed that it is folding its recently launched monthly music title, Bang, after just ten issues.

The January issue of Bang will be the last ever edition of the title, which aimed to create a niche for itself in the competitive music market by harnessing the success of guitar bands such as The Strokes and The White Stripes.

Commenting on the decision, a spokeswoman for Future Publishing, said: “We have tried hard to find a market for the magazine and build on the editorial content. However, copy sales for the magazine have continued to disappoint so we will have to shut the magazine for commercial reasons.”

The magazine employed eight full-time editorial staff, four of whom have already been offered positions elsewhere within Future’s portfolio. It is understood that the remaining staff are still in discussions with the group.

Bang faced tough competition in the notoriously fickle music magazine market in the form of X-Ray, the alternative music magazine launched by Swinstead Publishing, and IPC’s increasingly popular NME.

The latest ABC circulation figures for the six months ending June 2003 brought mixed news for rock-focused titles, which appear to be running out of steam following a recent surge. Future Publishing’s Metal Hammer saw circulation drop by 18.6% year on year to 35,876, but Emap’s Kerrang! improved 16.2% during the same period to 70,361 (see ABC Jan-Jun 2003: Emap’s Q Turns It Up In Music Sector).

Future Publishing: 01225 442 244 www.futurenet.com

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