Rogers to cut magazine print editions, sell some publications

Rogers Media says it isoverhauling its magazine division by eliminating some print editions, shifting to more digital content and selling off some publications.

The company said Friday thatthe magazines Flare, Sportsnet, MoneySenseand Canadian Business will go exclusively digital starting in January. Their content will be availableon the web and through apps.

Four other titles will keep their print editions, but reduce their frequency.

Beginning in January,Maclean'swill go from a weekly publication to a monthly, with new content posted digitally each week. Chatelaine and Today's Parent will produce print editions six times per year, instead of adozen.

"We are going where our audiences are, and doublingdown on digital to grow our consumer magazine brands," said Rick Brace,president ofRogers Media, in a release.

Selling French magazines

Rogers Media also plans to sell off its business-to-business publications and several French titles, including Chtelaine, LOULOU and L'actualit.

The company did not disclose if there will be any job losses as a result of the magazine shifts.

Amid the growing shift in how readers get content,Rogers said digital consumer magazine revenue is exceeding its newsstand revenue by 50 per cent

The changes at the Rogers-owned magazines comejust a few days after the company said it would be shutting down its Shomi web-streaming service.

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