[Closed] Future Publishing has sold all its cycling mags to another publisher

Given their financial position and the way they've started talking about their plans for their 'content' I can't see this as being anything other than a good thing.

That's why bike magic is off the air then.

That's why bike magic is off the air then.

Although CyclingNews isn't.

Bikemagic isn't a Future website. It's a Factory Media website.

Future calling the top of the "cycling is the new golf" bubble?

"I can't see this as being anything other than a good thing."

"The disposal of the portfolio of Sport and Craft titles to Immediate Media for up to £24m is a key step in the new strategy to transform Future into a more simplified business, focussing on core verticals with an emphasis on the consumer technology market"

the Board has determined that the Group's strategy is to focus on core verticals, with an emphasis on consumer technology and the on-going transformation of the Group will be best served through the disposal of the Portfolio

that's why I thought it was a good thing.

Future are changing direction and the cycling magazines didn't fit their new strategy.

Selling them to someone who they represent a growth and target area for is a good thing isn't it?

Companys in trouble can only raise cash by selling their best assets.

Magazines are vehicle for advertising revenue.

its a good way of getting rid of staff as well as a loss making magazine.

focussing on core verticals

WTF is a "core vertical"?

WTF is a "core vertical"?

A long dark lift shaft.

focussing on core verticals
WTF is a "core vertical"?

A vertical is a sector of industry, Banking or Retail for example

Could they nae just say core sectors then? 😆

WTF is a "core vertical"?

It's where you ring-fence a Unicorn.

I used to buy MBR and WMTB regularly as a source of info about new products, ride ideas and new bikes.
These days I just come on here. I stopped buying any mags about 4/5 years ago (except Singletrack of course)

I trust the advice on here as being more honest/unbiased

I suspect they're selling because like a lot of print media, their advertising-led business model is bust and readership is going to the web for info instead

All seems very desperate. The sports & crafts magazines would seem to have much better prospects (hence the sale price) than consumer tech, which is better served by hundreds of websites. Who really buys mags like T3?

brooess - Member
...I stopped buying any mags about 4/5 years ago (except Singletrack of course)...

That's probably pretty general now.

I got fed up of the level of Doddy style advertorial in those mags (yeah, I know he's not in all of them, but he's iconic 🙂 )

I stopped buying MBR when it became obvious they were antagonistic to singlespeeds. "Eff you, too" thought I, and stopped buying.

[i]WTF is a "core vertical"?[/i]

Its like a core horizontal except it goes up/down rather than left right? You're not going to tell me you don't know what a core horizontal is are you?

[i]I suspect they're selling because like a lot of print media, their advertising-led business model is bust and readership is going to the web for info instead[/i]

Do you think the business that bought this doesn't know that, they just thought 'yeh everyone still buys mags and I'll snap this core vertical up for £24m'.

Maybe the crafts bit was the sweetener for them to buy the not so profitable sports bit. No one's going to be reading Needlecraft Weekly or iStitch on an iPad.

Mark - Resident Grumpy

Bikemagic isn't a Future website. It's a Factory Media website.

Posted 3 hours ago #Report-Post

The ones who own factory media have bought the future publications and web site bike radar.

. WTF is a "core vertical"

Its the new 29er from Genisis.

Obviously.

Am I the only one who won't buy a sealed magazine? Got caught out by content-lite once too often.

Am I the only one who won't buy a sealed magazine? Got caught out by content-lite once too often.

I just can't reach all the way up there.

The ones who own factory media have bought the future publications and web site bike radar.

Nope. Different companies.
Immediate media bought Magicalia who created Bikemagic. However, Magicalia sold Bikemagic to Factory media before they were bought themselves.

Immediate Media currently own Golfmagic and outdoorsmagic but not bikemagic.

I just can't reach all the way up there.

Me and my brother loved going to France on holiday when we were teenagers and all that stuff was on the bottom shelf 🙂

Crell - Member
"Am I the only one who won't buy a sealed magazine? Got caught out by content-lite once too often."
I just can't reach all the way up there.

Why would they put the cycling mags out of reach?

(OK, you got me there 🙂 )

Does this mean specialized bikes won't get rave reviews any more...

Depends on whether they are 'core' and/or 'vertical'.

mmediate media bought Magicalia who created Bikemagic. However, Magicalia sold Bikemagic to Factory media before they were bought themselves.

Immediate Media currently own Golfmagic and outdoorsmagic but not bikemagic.

But who owns Magicmagic the magazine for magicians?

I like how Mark just passes through this thread every so often and corrects things, like a rightness comet.

Real question is whether the new owners will tolerate the BikeRadar forums 😆

Just reading that article, I'm curious to know what happened to what mountain bike magazine. I thought that was part of the same stable? Or doesn't it exist anymore?

Hmm. I guess this is as good as any time to announce I plan on buying SingleTrackWorld for a pack of crisps* and a reach-around.

*Something classy like Seabrooks.

I'll see your offer and raise you, a family size packet of Nik Naks* and some heavy petting in the shallow end.
*real cheese flavour

I thought the same about What Mountian Bike too..

bigtimebones - Member
focussing on core verticals
WTF is a "core vertical"?
A vertical is a sector of industry, Banking or Retail for example

Was that supposed to be enlightening?

I don't know whether to be embarrassed or not at my lack of understanding of how this applies to a magazine portfolio. Surely cycling would be a "core vertical" if that's a huge part of what you did?

I'm just amused by the made up name of the CEO.

Good luck to all the employees facing the chop.

I'll see your offer and raise you, a family size packet of Nik Naks* and some heavy petting in the shallow end.

I'll raise you heavy petty in the deep end.

[img] [/img]

Haha! Business!

Future share price is currently 8p. In the late 90's it was about £7.00.

DODDY!!

[img] [/img]

actually an alright chap contrary to his "image" in the MBUK mag, hope the staff find good jobs

WMB included in the sale:

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/may/29/future-publishing-cut-jobs-magazines

"Future also said that it is to sell its portfolio of sport and craft titles – which include Procycling, What Mountain Bike and The Knitter – to Radio Times and Top Gear publisher Immediate Media in a £24m deal."

Great to see that Doddy has already sorted out a new career:

http://www.travellingrubberchicken.com/

This is the wrath of the Gods of cycling.

See what happens when one abandons the ONE TRUE WHEELSIZE?

There will be wailing and a grinding of gears and none shall climb Jacob's Ladder until people stop worshipping false wheelsizes.

It is written.

I met Doddy a few years back, seemed a nice feller. "I just rode a great 29er! Bit awkward, I need to go back to the office and tell them we're all idiots"

does this mean Cycling Weekly aren't going to continue their live online coverage of the Giro?!?!?!