Magazine & Periodical Publishing in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
New York, United States
Last Updated: February 2024
NAICS 51112Revenue
$40.1bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$X.Xbn
Employees
87,691
Businesses
4,878
Wages
$X.Xbn
Magazine & Periodical Publishing in the US industry analysis
Magazine and periodical publishers sell print and digitized versions, but plummeting print advertising and low product popularity have led to a steady drop in revenue. Advertisers and consumers have devoted more time, energy and dollars to online publications and digital channels, forcing companies to bolster their online presence and shrink their print business. Revenue is estimated to fall an annualized 1.5% to $40.1 billion in 2024, including a 4.3% dip in 2024 alone as profit slides to 7.3%.
Trends and Insights
- Profit has held steady thanks to staff layoffs and cutbacks on printing and ink. Digital companies still contend with the costs of managing websites and earn less advertising and subscriber revenue per reader than print-focused publishers.
- Entertainment magazines dominate the print market, while scientific and professional periodicals have transitioned well to online platforms. Tabloids struggle to compete with celebrity-focused social media and television content.
- New York has many fashion magazines vying to keep up with current trends. Nearby universities and corporations keep periodical sales consistent with bulk subscriptions for students and employees.
- Magazine and periodical publishers have merged with software and multimedia companies. Large magazine and journal companies now include television and educational software in their product suites.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 1.5 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $40.1bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Print's hold on the magazine and periodical business has given way to other media types
- Print magazine and periodical subscriptions and sales have fallen behind digital media platforms. Magazines still sell in grocery stores and pharmacies, but online sales now account for almost half of publishing revenue.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Digital will surpass print's share of the total magazine and periodical publishing revenue
- Digital magazine and periodical publishing's share of total revenue will likely surpass its print counterpart, possibly by a wide margin. The whole economy has shifted online, forcing print to follow in the footsteps of news media and record companies.
Biggest companies in the Magazine & Periodical Publishing in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Meredith Corporation | 1,887.3 | 35.8 | 1.9 | |
Bonnier Group Aktiebolag | 983.8 | 67.9 | 6.9 | |
American Media Inc. | 531.7 | 36.7 | 6.9 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 10 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Entertainment magazines, Academic and professional and Home and living magazines. Entertainment magazines is the largest segment of the Magazine & Periodical Publishing in the US.
Trends and Insights
Entertainment tabloids form the backbone of magazine publishing but struggle to compete with television and social media
- Entertainment magazines include arts, culture, fashion, and leisure titles. Entertainment titles tend to be balanced in advertising and subscription revenue and have historically benefited from broad retail distribution and placement near points of sale, encouraging impulse purchases and providing advertisers with a wide reach.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Radio Broadcasting in the US
- Television Broadcasting in the US
Complementors
- Newspaper Publishing in the US
- Book Publishing in the US
- Database & Directory Publishing in the US
International industries
- Magazine & Periodical Publishing in Canada
- Magazine and Directory Publishing in Australia
- Magazine and Book Publishing in New Zealand
- Magazine Publishers in the UK
- Magazine and Periodical Publishing in China
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry produces and distributes magazines and periodicals in print and online. However, publishers that exclusively sell online magazines or periodicals are excluded from this industry.
What's included in this industry?
Operators in this industry edit articlesOperators in this industry research topicsOperators in this industry design graphicsOperators in this industry design advertisementsOperators in this industry design pages for print and online publicationOperators in this industry sell magazines and periodicalsOperators in this industry distribute magazines and periodicalsCompanies
Meredith CorporationBonnier Group AktiebolagAmerican Media Inc.Purchase this report to view all 10 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
CIRCULATIONCONSUMER MAGAZINEREADERSHIPIndustry Code
NAICS 51112 - Magazine & Periodical Publishing in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Profit has held steady thanks to staff layoffs and cutbacks on printing and ink. Digital companies still contend with the costs of managing websites and earn less advertising...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Entertainment magazines dominate the print market, while scientific and professional periodicals have transitioned well to online platforms. Tabloids struggle to compete with...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
New York has many fashion magazines vying to keep up with current trends. Nearby universities and corporations keep periodical sales consistent with bulk subscriptions for st...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Magazine and periodical publishers have merged with software and multimedia companies. Large magazine and journal companies now include television and educational software in...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Meredith Corporation suffered a series of blows, including ceasing the print of six magazines and selling off its magazine and television divisions. Dotdash acquired Meredith...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Meredith Corporation's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Bonnier Group Aktiebolag's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of American Media Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 7 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Meredith Corporation, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Bonnier Group Aktiebolag, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for American Media Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 7 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Magazine publishing organizations advocate for first amendment protection and oppose laws that negatively impact magazines' reaching subscribers. Advocates will focus on prot...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Publishers cut costs by reducing dependence on paper and ink purchases but earn less revenue per reader on digital platforms. Digital-focused publishers still incur website m...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
- Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
- Income Statement (2017-2022)
- Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Magazine & Periodical Publishing in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the Magazine & Periodical Publishing in the US industry in United States is $40.1bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Magazine & Periodical Publishing in the US industry in 2024?
There are 4,878 businesses in the Magazine & Periodical Publishing in the US industry in United States, which has declined at a CAGR of 2.3 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Magazine & Periodical Publishing in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Magazine & Periodical Publishing in the US industry in United States has been declining at a CAGR of 1.5 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Magazine & Periodical Publishing in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Magazine & Periodical Publishing in the US industry in United States is expected to decline.
What are the biggest companies in the Magazine & Periodical Publishing in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Magazine & Periodical Publishing market in United States are Meredith Corporation, Bonnier Group Aktiebolag and American Media Inc.
What does the Magazine & Periodical Publishing in the US in United States include?
Operators in this industry edit articles and Operators in this industry research topics are part of the Magazine & Periodical Publishing in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Magazine & Periodical Publishing in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is Meredith Corporation.
How competitive is the Magazine & Periodical Publishing in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Magazine & Periodical Publishing in the US industry in United States.
