MR Page Count

[CNJ831]

I've been following the wanderings of this thread for some time and have seen a lot of misinformation posted regarding the supposed longterm decline of MR. While I'll tend to agree that MR is currently in some trouble, there seem to be a number of factors at work here that can claim responsibility. But as a starting point, let me set the record straight on MR's publication history.

The magazine's sales were steadily on the rise from the mid 1960's until 1981, when they leveled off for a short time. In 1987 circulation began to rise sharply, peaking about 1993 at an average of 224,000 copies sold per month. Since 1995 there has been a long, slow slide in monthly sales, with the latest figures indicating the fall-off amounts to nearly 50,000 less copies being sold per month compared with a decade ago.

At the same time, page-count also peaked in the 1993 period, at around 220 pages for a typical January issue. But the last four January issues have had page counts of 212, 180, 172, and 164 - the last being the lowest in a quarter of a century. Like the decline in copies sold, this too is a most disturbing and dramatic trend.

There are undioubtedly a number of factors conspiring to result in the magazine's decline. I see 1) the aging of the loyal (longterm) readership, the average age being 55+ currently, 2) failure in recent years to provide the types of article the -average- MR reader truly wants, 3) an obvious decline in ads in the magazine and 4) the drastic turnover in personel at MR of late. There may well be other factors but I think these are key.

JB

[Anonymous]

Even though there have been way too many posts
on this matter already I just could not resist
commenting on this subject.
There are many factors involved in the numbers
game in our hobby. All the magazines are having a
much more difficult time of it these days. There
has been a marked change in where the hobby is
going. Ask your local hobby dealer about how many
RTR items he sells now as opposed to kits. Yes, we are aging as a group. The economy is a factor
as hobby stores, at best, work on a very close
margin. Where does that leave MR and the other
magazines? Less advertising revenue and declining subscription base. Those on fixed incomes get no
relief from the power co. or the other utilities. This is a HOBBY folks. I have been a model railroader for over 40 years and I now see more
change in this hobby than ever before, but I
believe it has a future. Yes, the base may continue to shrink.
Now what about MR and its content? The recent changes have created a number of bumps in the road. It appears that there are less scratch builders out there to contribute articles. They are less technically able staff writers than there were a few years ago. I have also noticed a lot more proof reading errors than in the past. Let's face the facts Jim Kelly is retired, Gordin Odegard is gone, but I am still interested in MR magazine. One of the things I look forward to are the articles that Andy Sperandeo is contributing to the magazine. To me they are the best articles in MR these days. Please give MR a break, hopefully they will learn and adjust.

[Anonymous]

MR still meets my needs, even with the occasional "blah" issue. I'd like more content, but I'm a read-a-holic anyway. If I knew more about model railroading, I'd try my hand at writing a few.

You know, I did enjoy Koestler's stuff before he began the third sub of the fourth division of prototype hell. I thought he often came up with some interesting and thought-provoking pieces about the hobby and people in general. Now, it seems to be all about Tony, his layout and his friends. Spare me. Please. Or, get back to what you were writing and thinking about before, Tony.

[Anonymous]

this subject has been beaten to death. however i must comment on some things mentioned earlier. everyone has touched on the valid points. the aging of subscribers. i have been getting MR for over 40 years, and for sure there have been many editorial changes advertiseing changes etc. those of us that have been around awhile can see that some changes have been good some bad. these forums have been established so that we all can discuss and in many cases advise the staff of MR of our feelings on any subject related to the hobby of model railroading. i am always impressed by depth and accuracy of comments made by the people who take the time to voice their opinion. i hope that these discussions continue. unfortunately we cannot solve all the problems that arise in this forum, but i do think we put a pretty good dent in them. i have always felt i had a mission to share this hobby with as many people as i could . this forum halps accompli***hat .

[Anonymous]

Whatever anyone else does, I will keep my subscription to MR, I've had too many good tips from it to leave now.