TV Listings Magazine Market

In March the current television listings duopoly, held by the Radio Times and TVTimes, will end and publishers will be able to pay the BBC and Independent Television Publications for the right to publish programme information. At present much confusion exists over the number of television listings magazines that will be on the market when deregulation takes place. Part of this confusion arises because possible launches are shrouded in secrecy and publishers are very reluctant to release details until much closer to the launch dates. Obviously the TVTimes and Radio Times will remain major players in the market although both are expecting a large dip in circulation and have reduced their ad rates to compensate for this. (Refer to table at end of report). The Radio Times is to begin carrying television listings for both the BBC and ITV from February 26. The TVTimes is yet to announce when it will begin comprehens- ive coverage but it is expected to be the same week as the Radio Times. There are two new weekly listings magazines that are due to launch at the end of February, Hamfield’s TV Plus and ITP’s What’s on TV. TV Plus replaces Plus, the magazine that was inserted free into regional newspapers, and launches on February 25. (News 15/10) It is expected to have a print run of around 1.5m and Hamfield are guarantee- ing a circulation of 1m for the first two months. Ad rates will be significantly lower than for the two existing titles, with a mono page cost- ing £7000 and a colour page £9500. ITP has released few details regarding the launch of What’s on TV other than to say it will launch on February 26. (Newsline 15/1) Full information, including ad rates and print run, will not be available until the middle of February. There are also a number of other titles rumoured to be launching. ITP originally announced it would be launching two new titles to run alongside the TVTimes but has since delayed one launch until the autumn. Bauer has confirmed it is considering the launch of a TV listings magazine. (Newsline 24/1) It is suggested this may be A5 size and called ‘TV At A Glance’, it has also been suggested that Bauer may be planning two titles rather than one. The BBC has confirmed that it has produced a dummy copy of a possible sister title to the Radio Times and will decide whether or not to go ahead with the launch once the duopoly ends and the other titles appear on the market. The confusion surrounding the television listings magazine market should decrease as deregulation approaches and publishers release more detailed information. It is likely that further launches will continue well after the duopoly ends and the position of the market becomes clearer.

Hamfield Publications: 071-490 3131 ITP: 071-323 3222 Bauer: 071-284 0909 BBC Magazines: 071-580 5577

RADIO TIMES/TVTIMES/TV PLUS

RADIO TIMES V TVTIMES