Emap Closes Kingsize

Emap Performance has closed its rock, rap and lifestyle magazine, Kingsize, after just four issues.

The magazine, aimed at the youth market, was launched in March to fill the gap left by the closure of indie music magazine Select, which closed in January after sales dropped (see Launches And Closures: Press).

Kingsize, which had a cover price of £3, focused on US metal bands and hip-hop artists and featured articles on extreme sports such as snowboarding and skate boarding. The magazine was edited by former Q journalist Ben Mitchell and its first issue had a print run of 60,000 in the UK and 20,000 overseas with a projected circulation of around 35,000.

A spokesperson for the company said: “Kingsize was only ever launched as a trial and after looking at sales we decided that the market wasn’t right. We have decided to suspend the title, leaving the door open for it to return if the time is right.”

The closure of Kingsize comes just a week after Emap Elan postponed the launch of Project Floyd (see Newsline), a new men’s title due to be the big launch of the Autumn.

A spokesperson for Emap Elan said: “Emap is only interested in launching the right project at the right time and at the moment other projects have priority.”

Emap: 01733 568 900 www.emap.co.uk

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