Emap Considers Offloading Health Magazines

Emap is considering the future of its Slimming and Health Plus titles, with the consumer health magazines expected to hear their fate tomorrow, after a brief consultation period.

Both publications have suffered a down turn in circulation over the past years, with Slimming suffering a year on year drop of 47.2% in the latest set of ABCs, bring its circulation down to 42,245. Health Plus fell by 20% to 64,135.

Commenting in a statement, Emap, said: “The health and diet sector have become increasingly challenging markets to operate in. Despite the best efforts of the teams working on Slimmimg and Health Plus, last week we entered into a period of consultation with staff with the view to closing the two magazines.”

The closure would see Slimming shut after 37 years and Heath Plus after four. The latest ABC’s saw all women’s health, diet and fitness publications suffer declines.

Emap recently announced plans to sell off its French operations and return the cash generated to shareholders.

According to the publisher, the decision follows a review of the group’s strategic investment priorities, with the sale expected to be completed during the first half of 2006-2007.

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