Oprah, Martha Lead Newsstand Decline
The Business Side 02.08.12
Despite continued high hopes for the post-recession period, the magazine industry limped through the second half of 2011. ABC's second-half 2011 reports total paid circulation stayed basically flat from second half 2010 to second half 2011, down about one percent from 305.5 million to 302.45 million. Subscription numbers fared slightly better, up less than one percent from second half 2010's 260.59 million to second half 2011's 262.47 million total paid subs.
The magazines of iconic media moguls Martha Stewart and Oprah Winfrey both saw a substantial drop in newsstand sales: Martha Stewart Living numbers fell 17.1 percent, while those of O, The Oprah Magazine plunged by 32 percent.