Music publication NME closes print operation after 66 years

In the ongoing change of the way we consume newspapers and magazines in the digital era, NME has become the latest to announce the closure of its print operation.

The weekly magazine, will print its final copy this Friday, before it moves entirely to online. NME became a free weekly publication in 2015. However, it doesn’t see the print edition any longer financially viable.

Time Inc UK, who owns the magazine said it was taking the magazine into a new direction with “several digital services”.

Paul Cheal, the group’s managing director said, “NME is one of the most iconic brands in British media and our move to free print has helped to propel the brand to its biggest ever audience on NME.com.

“The print reinvention has helped us to attract a range of cover stars that the previous paid-for magazine could only have dreamed of.

“At the same time, we have also faced increasing production costs and a very tough print advertising market.

“Unfortunately we have now reached a point where the free weekly magazine is no longer financially viable.”