TV Listings Guides Set To Multiply

Time Out is to undergo a complete redesign and is expanding its Time In section with the launch of a TV listings pull-out. It is reported that the 22 page section will be converted into a free A4 magazine at the end of March. It will cover TV and radio listings and video and games reviews and will have up to 10 extra editorial pages. This move is likely to be an attempt to turn around Time Out’s falling circulation. The title has been hit by national newspaper listing guides and The Evening Standard’s Hot Tickets magazine.

Future Publishing is also considering moving in to the TV market. A spokesperson for the company told Newsline that the proposal was in its preliminary stages; it has not even be decided whether it will be a cult TV feature-led title or a listings guide.

Meanwhile Sky Sports magazine is one title that has sunk amidst the tide of TV coverage. The Haymarket publication has now closed and the current edition of Sky Sports will be the last.

These changes come at a time when the TV and entertainment listings sector is recording turbulent circulation changes. The following graph, of ABC figures, illustrates this. *Jul-Dec ’96 ABC Figures: TV Listings & Entertainment Magazine
Sector.

*Subscribers only