Sign of the Times

[mwph]

Generally, magazines don't make any money from the cover price or subscriptions. They make their money on selling ads, and their advertising rates are based on distribution. So it's worth it to them to send you the magazine for free and count you as a "subscriber", so they can maintin whatever advertising revenue they are still holding on to.

Correct. Keith wins the grand prize!

Time magazine (no I don't pay for it), is down to 56 total pages this week AND a very cost saving downgrade in paper quality.

TV and radio especially are also bombarding us with self promotion. You can watch the History channel for an hour & know whats going to be on for the next 2 weeks.

I still contend that these "signs of the times" are all good if we desire any chance at sustained recovery or, in spite of the Radical Clintonistas, long term groth. I know Im in the minority. Fire away if you must. Its just my opinion.

 

[rondds]

I get about 15 subscriptions in my office that I don't pay for and don't ask for, and they are constantly changing. I subscribe to maybe 5 magazines through a professional subscription service and then all these other ones come. Some are real odd-balls - Handyman, Blender, This Old House, Working Mother, Skiing, Automobile. Last month I got SI but only the swim suit issue (??) I've gotten FHM in the past and Cosmo (can't put those out).

I figure that they sell advertising based on how many "eyeballs" see their mag, and/or how many professional waiting areas they're in. They probably don't bother to tell their advertisers how many "free" subscriptions they dole out. It's great for me b/c you'll never see a stale magazine in my place. You won't see a Car and Driver with a review of the new DMC-12!

 

[fc3]

I get about 15 subscriptions in my office that I don't pay for and don't ask for, and they are constantly changing. I subscribe to maybe 5 magazines through a professional subscription service and then all these other ones come. Some are real odd-balls - Handyman, Blender, This Old House, Working Mother, Skiing, Automobile. Last month I got SI but only the swim suit issue (??) I've gotten FHM in the past and Cosmo (can't put those out).

Yeah, you probably want to keep the FHM and Cosmo for yourself.

I figure that they sell advertising based on how many "eyeballs" see their mag, and/or how many professional waiting areas they're in. They probably don't bother to tell their advertisers how many "free" subscriptions they dole out. It's great for me b/c you'll never see a stale magazine in my place. You won't see a Car and Driver with a review of the new DMC-12!

I can't be bothered to subscribe to all of those car magazines. I really can't get too excited about the latest in econoboxes, minivans, and mommy cars. And I'll not be buying a Ferrari, Aston Martin DBS, or Porsche GT3 really soon so no interest there. I get caught up on those magazines on my regular trips to the barber shop.

Best regards,
Frank