IPC Launches Compact TV Listings Weekly
Consumer magazine publisher, IPC Media, has announced the launch of Britain’s very first compact paid for TV Listings weekly, TV easy.
TV easy will be backed by a £10 million marketing investment, and launched with a huge sampling exercise, reinvigorating and growing the TV listings sector.
Over 1.5 million copies of the compact size magazine will be given away with IPC titles, Woman, Now, and Pick Me Up from next Tuesday, April 26.
Commenting on the new magazine, Sylvia Auton said: “I made a promise that IPC Media would launch category defining and innovative magazines, and with TV easy we’ve done it again! This is the third launch from IPC in 16 months, and reflects Time Warner’s ongoing commitment to growing its magazine business in the UK.”
Auton continued: “TV easy is the most comprehensively tested launch IPC has ever undertaken, and the responses have also been the highest we’ve ever recorded.”
Colin Tough will take on the role of editor-in-chief for both TV easy and What’s on TV, while Richard Clark, who is currently editor of IPC’s leading internet magazine, Web User, will be editor on TV easy.
Mike Soutar added: “Colin Tough is not just editor of the biggest TV Listings magazine in the UK, he’s also editor of the UK’s leading internet magazine. He is peerless in his understanding of the TV Listings market, as well as the needs of its readers.”
£10 million has been committed to marketing TV easy through its first two years. a heavyweight national TV campaign will support the launch, coupled with the full weight of the IPC portfolio. TV easy will also be the broadcast sponsor of this year’s British Soap Awards.
IPC tx managing director, Philippa Brown said: “The TV listings sector is one of the biggest in magazine publishing, and the tx portfolio is simply unparalleled. With TV easy we are delivering real innovation that will enable tx to grow this important sector. Its compact size, unique planning tools, clear modern design and quick-flick navigation will make it an instant favourite in households across the land.”
Yesterday, the Radio Times announced a new deal with Rupert Murdoch’s company Gemstar to produce a Radio Times electronic version of the TV listings guide, giving users access to seven-day listings, programme recommendations and a database of 24,000 film reviews (see Radio Times Offers Electronic Version).
The TV listings sector has seen competition intensify in recent months, with publishing giants, IPC Media and H Bauer starting what could become a full-blown cover price war. H Bauer cut 10p off the price of TV Choice in January, taking the title to 30p in order to compete with rival IPC’s What’s on TV (see Cuts Spark Fear Of TV Mag Price War).