News International Could Launch Weekly News Mag

News International could be set to launch a weekly magazine offering news, comment and analysis which draws on the editorial content of the Times.

News International’s magazine division, News Magazines, is understood to be researching the project at the moment through focus groups.

The magazine title Spectrum was registered with the Patent Office in October, with news anlaysis understood to be the area most likely to be covered.

According to reports in the trade press, it is unlikely that the title will be launched before the Sky customer magazine – expected to be launched this summer – which News Magazines won from John Brown in November (see News International Company Scoops Sky Mag Contract).

It was reported last week that News Magazines had shelved plans to launch a new women’s weekly title, codenamed Project Danni, (see News Magazines Shelves Project Danni).

If the new title does see the light of day, it will most likely be positioned against The Spectator and The Economist, which in the last ABCs recorded circulation figures of 70,090 and 162,112 respectively.

News International: 020 7782 3922 www.newscorp.co.uk