Food Network Magazine Announces Circulation Rate Base Increase To 900,000 With October 2009 Issue

April 20, 2009 - PRLog -- WILL REACH 1.1 MILLION BY AUGUST 2010

Official Launch Issue Hits Newsstands May 5

After just two test issues, Food Network Magazine, published by Hearst Magazines, in partnership with Food Network, will increase its circulation rate base from 400,000 to 900,000 copies, effective with the October 2009 issue, followed by a scheduled increase to 1.1 million in August 2010.  The announcement was made today by Vicki Wellington, publisher of Food Network Magazine.

The magazine was introduced with two newsstand-only test issues in October 2008 and January 2009.  The strength of the Food Network brand, coupled with a multi-platform marketing strategy, drove tremendous consumer demand and resulted in a 70% sell-through of the first test issue and 550,000+ paid subscriptions to date.

“The immediate, powerful response to Food Network Magazine, both from readers and marketers, has been astounding, and it has translated into our rapid growth,” said Wellington.  “We take a lively, accessible approach to food and lifestyle that really resonates with consumers and reflects what the Food Network brand is all about.”

Food Network Magazine’s initial rate base of 300,000 for the October 2008 test issue was achieved just three weeks after hitting newsstands. It increased to 400,000 with the June/July launch issue, which will deliver a 100 percent bonus.  Food Network Magazine will publish four more issues in 2009 with a $3.99 cover price.  

Every issue features various Food Network chefs and hosts throughout its pages, offering readers their personal tips, tricks and recipes, plus a look behind-the-scenes at some of the network’s most popular shows.  Recipes from Food Network Kitchens are divided into “weeknight” and “weekend” meals, and a recipe index divided by type (appetizers, poultry, desserts, etc.) follows the table of contents, with photos and page numbers for each dish.  Food Network Magazine also showcases the best kitchen tools, food products and new restaurants from around the country.  The June/July issue, on newsstands nationwide on May 5, focuses on grilling, and features ideas and recipes from Food Network stars including Bobby Flay, the Neelys, Ingrid Hoffmann and “Barefoot Contessa” Ina Garten.  The magazine’s signature pull-out booklet highlights 50 summer drink recipes.

About Food Network Magazine

Food Network Magazine is a joint venture of Hearst Magazines, a unit of Hearst Corporation (www.hearst.com), and the Food Network (www.foodnetwork.com), a unique lifestyle network distributed to more than 96 million U.S. households.  Hearst Magazines is one of the world’s largest publishers of monthly magazines (www.hearst.com) with nearly 200 editions around the world, including 15 U.S. titles and 20 magazines in the United Kingdom, published through its wholly owned subsidiary, The National Magazine Company Limited. Hearst reaches more adults than any other publisher of monthly magazines (70.6 million total adults, according to MRI, Fall 2008).