Life Magazine, Its Pages Dwindling, Will Cease Publication

[Zenlitened]

Source: Wall Street Journal

Life Magazine, Its Pages Dwindling, Will Cease Publication

By KATHARINE Q. SEELYE
Published: March 27, 2007

(snip)

Time Inc. announced yesterday that Life magazine would cease publication next month, the third time since Life’s founding in 1936 that its owner has pulled the plug.

This time, the magazine’s demise looks permanent, largely because Life is moving its huge archive of photographs onto the Web, where consumers will be able to download them free.

The magazine once featured the work of some of the world’s greatest photographers. In its current incarnation, it has dwindled to 20 pages of mostly celebrity interviews and homemaking tips. The last issue will be April 20.

Time Inc., part of Time Warner, has been in turmoil with layoffs and an overhaul of its flagship Time magazine as the company shifts its attention to the Internet. It blamed the newspaper business for the demise of Life, which has been carried as a newspaper insert since October 2004.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/27/business/media/27life.html?ref=business

[napi21]

1. All I can say is....AGAIN? Sometimes it's best just to let go. n/t

[pinto]

2. Inevitable I guess. I actually liked their recent attempt as a Sunday "insert".

Nowhere close to the original Life, at all, but not bad for fluff.

[MADem]

3. It would be nice if someone could buy that franchise.

And bring it back, maybe four times a year. Big photoessays, with short but insightful articles; the kind of thing that is just the ticket for a mid-length plane ride, a waiting room, a coffee table. Four times a year could give them an excuse to do "Big Idea" stories, rather than chasing the latest breaking news. Sorta like a NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC for the mostly American (though not limited to it) scene.

I grew up with LIFE and LOOK. We'd pore over them, page by page, then put them to the side and haul them out later, and look at the pics again. Incredible pictures.

Those were the days.

[Pab Sungenis]

6. If someone wants to revive a magazine franchise, bring back SPY!

That's a magazine that deserves a third lease on life.

[MADem]

8. No argument from me on that score! nt

[The Sushi Bandit]

4. Life cant go on forever!

so I guess... "That's Life"!!

[liberal N proud]

5. How many times must this rag die?

[Journeyman]

7. Great -- if it results in all the photos posted to the web for free. . .

though I've gotta admit, I thought Life expired decades ago.

[truthisfreedom]

9. Well that makes sense. They can collect web advertising money while people

look at the fascinating collection of photos. I grew up with Life... it told me what was happening in the world in the late 60's and 70's.

[Javaman]

10. Well, that's LIFE...

Sorry couldn't resist.

[Kolesar]

11. F* Time-Warner-AOL. I want to drop their local cable service ASAP

to punish them for Glen Beck on HNN. I just have to come up with the way to say it.