ESPN The Mag Getting Overhaul

[Boom_70]

Interesting article in NYT today about the mag getting overhaul and falling closer in line to ESPN programing.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/20/business/media/20adco.html?_r=2&ref=espn

From the results so far the magazine has been turned into a giant TV guide for ESPN. Content has become a fair predictor of what the network will be showing.

I wonder when the complete overhaul if they realize that Stuart Scott still has a column - as unreadable as ever.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

I wonder what the circulation of that magazine would be if they didn't give it away to ESPN.com premium content subscribers.

 

[BYH]

I do love the idea of people being moved from NYC to Bristol.

Live in New Britain, folks, it's just like being in the big city!

 

[93Devil]

More charts and graphs!!!

 

[imjustagirl]

Live in New Britain, folks, it's just like being in the big city!

BACK OFF THE HARD HITTIN!

 

[CR19]

The next issue: "King James: The God, The Myth, The Legend."

 

[Boom_70]

I do love the idea of people being moved from NYC to Bristol.

Live in New Britain, folks, it's just like being in the big city!

The crack is cheaper.

 

[slappy4428]

Was reading the latest one today over lunch. Scoop has a bit in it... lost my appetite

 

[joe_schmoe]

Kevin Garnett and Stephon Marbury rejoice!

 

[Boom_70]

Was reading the latest one today over lunch. Scoop has a bit in it... lost my appetite

I read it too. Cover said it was Fantasy Football Issue. But found little related content.

Lost my appetite at Stewy column. I am convinced that editors do not realize he still has a column. Everything gets so buried.

 

[21]

Stewy notwithstanding, The Mag has some of the best writers in the business. Would be nice to see the magazine showcase the writing instead of the over-caffeinated graphics department.

 

[Boom_70]

Stewy notwithstanding, The Mag has some of the best writers in the business. Would be nice to see the magazine showcase the writing instead of the over-caffeinated graphics department.

The writers are going to be really lost now as it becomes more of a PR publication for the network.

 

[Pete Incaviglia]

The only reason I ever got The Mag was to read Buster's blog on the WWL's site. But, when I started pinching pennies I canceled.

 

[apeman33]

I'd thought about letting my subscription run out this year. But the one of the other magazines I subscribed to quit publishing and they switched the remaining term over to an extension of The Mag. There's been graphics packages with so much clutter, I had no idea what points they were trying to prove.

If it's just going to be a PR piece for the Net, I might just go ahead and cancel and see if I can get some money back. I'm not interested in that in any way shape or form.

 

[Boom_70]

This paragraph gave me pause:

"When they went to ESPN’s headquarters in Bristol, Conn., earlier this year to discuss the changes with ESPN executives, one thing came into focus. By producing topical editorial packages planned far in advance, the biweekly magazine could better coordinate its coverage with ESPN’s networks. "

 

[Piotr Rasputin]

There was a study a couple of years ago that asked whether ESPN the Magazine's coverage closely dovetailed with ESPN's holding of broadcast rights.

The (surprising) answer was, "No, not really."

I suspect that study might have a different result if repeated after these new changes take effect.

 

[SportsDude]

There was a study a couple of years ago that asked whether ESPN the Magazine's coverage closely dovetailed with ESPN's holding of broadcast rights.

The (surprising) answer was, "No, not really."

I suspect that study might have a different result if repeated after these new changes take effect.

Anecdotal, I know, but funny how 'NASCAR Tonight' reappeared once ESPN began broadcasting NASCAR again, and the NHL show disappeared when hockey went to Versus.

 

[Boom_70]

There was a study a couple of years ago that asked whether ESPN the Magazine's coverage closely dovetailed with ESPN's holding of broadcast rights.

The (surprising) answer was, "No, not really."

I suspect that study might have a different result if repeated after these new changes take effect.

Anecdotal, I know, but funny how 'NASCAR Tonight' reappeared once ESPN began broadcasting NASCAR again, and the NHL show disappeared when hockey went to Versus.

Or soccer scores miraculously showing up on Sports Center and articles on soccer appearing in the mag

 

[Steak Snabler]

I hope one of the changes will be shrinking it to 8 1/2 by 11 format. In tabloid format, it's so heavy and so tough to hold in one hand that I find myself rushing through it (some of the lengthy features, like the one in the current issue on Aaron Rodgers, are actually pretty good) just so I can put the damn thing down.

But yeah, if I didn't get it free as an ESPN Insider, I wouldn't bother reading it.

 

[Sam Mills 51]

Stewy notwithstanding, The Mag has some of the best writers in the business. Would be nice to see the magazine showcase the writing instead of the over-caffeinated graphics department.

The writing is well worth the subscription IMO. All but one writer, anyway ... she really needs to stick with the short takes and name-dropping. Otherwise, top-notch writing.

Let the graphics people do more stuff for SportsCenter and ESPNews. The attempt at style is hurting the substance.