Oprah Winfrey’s magazine, O, The Oprah Magazine, will stop its print production after 20 years, telling its staff on Friday that the December 2020 issue will be the final printed publication.
What We Know:
- A representative for Hearst Magazines, the magazine’s parent firm, emphasized that the brand is not going away but working to become “more digitally centric”. “As the brand celebrates twenty years of O, The Oprah Magazine, we’re thinking about what’s next,” the rep said in a statement. “This is a natural next step for the brand, which has grown to an online audience of 8 million, extending its voice and vision with video and social content. We will continue to invest in this platform as the brand grows and evolves into one that is more digitally centric.”
- The magazine has an average circulation of 2.2 million copies and an audience of about 10 million. O also has a large Black subscriber base compared to most publications, with Black subscribers representing over 35% of O’s readers. The magazine is also known for having a diverse female audience, coming in second behind Essence Magazine. While the publication is successful, it is not considered in competition with the country’s top magazines.
- In a statement, Winfrey said, “I’m proud of this team and what we have delivered to our readers over the past 20 years. I look forward to the next step in our evolution.”
- The news follows the controversial resignation of the president of Hearst Communications, Troy Young, 52, who resigned last Thursday. Last week, The New York Times reported that Young had faced complaints for his “lewd, sexist remarks at work”. Magazine employees claimed he created a toxic environment by saying sexually offensive things, including suggestive remarks about sex toys and emailing pornography to a senior editor. Despite calling the allegations “either untrue, greatly exaggerated or taken out of context,” Young resigned from his position.
- Staff of the magazine have shared their support and excitement for the magazine. “Twenty years ago, O, The Oprah Magazine launched as a personal growth guide to help women live their best lives,” said Lucy Kaylin, editor in chief of O, The Oprah Magazine. “As we embark on this next chapter, we will lean into moments that are central to the brand’s DNA and deepen the connection with our loyal readers.” Kristen O’Hara, chief business officer of Hearst Magazines, added that the company is “honored to be working with Oprah and her team to reimagine the future”.
O, The Oprah Magazine’s last print publication will be the December 2020 issue and as of now, it is unclear how the magazine plans to become more digitally centric.
