Around the Net

Revamped 'Newsweek' Gambles on New Focus

Chopping Newsweek's circulation in half, along with a redesign that debuts this week, may well determine whether the 76-year-old newsmagazine survives. The new focus means Newsweek will now concentrate reporting and argument -- while kissing off a recap of the week's news. Owned by The Washington Post Co., the magazine is accelerating the revamp after losing nearly $20 million in the first quarter.

Circulation will be cut from a high of 3.1 million to 1.5 million by the beginning of 2010, in part by discouraging renewals. The magazine will also nearly double its subscription price and charge a dollar more at the newsstand, at $5.95.

Editor Jon Meacham, an admirer of the Economist, is fashioning a serious magazine with a heavy emphasis on politics and public policy. Executives are gambling that advertisers will support the equivalent of shifting from beer to wine. The ideas that Newsweek is promoting appear to be mainly left-of-center. For instance, the cover story this week is a generally sympathetic interview with President Obama written by Meacham.

advertisement

advertisement

Read the whole story at The Washington Post »

Next story loading loading..