‘Digest’ readership literally dying off

By on August 24th, 2009 In Media

Reader’s Digest filed for bankruptcy protection today, saying it has “seen its U.S. circulation drop from a peek of more than 17 million in the 1970s to just above 8 million last year.”

Perhaps Americans don’t even have time for shortened versions of news articles, or maybe the Internet has reared its ugly head again. But I have another theory — the magazine’s readers are literally dying. Seriously, do you know anyone under 70 who subscribes to Reader’s Digest?

Or maybe it’s just these scintillating articles from the magazine’s Web site:

Four Ways of Looking at a Chair

A Better Way to Sharpen Tools

Hero Pets (sponsored by IAMS)

Comments

John Tucker Says:
August 24th, 2009 at 9:54 am

Could this mean the death of “Reader’s Digest” Christmas/Holiday decorations? My family was the proud owner of a Santa Claus centerpiece made entirely of precisely folded copies of “Reader’s Digest.”

Say it ain’t so.

Jim Veihdeffer Says:
August 24th, 2009 at 10:44 am

Or maybe there’s just not that much Humor In Uniform any more.

Kathleen OBrien Thompson Says:
August 24th, 2009 at 12:00 pm

Okay, Okay, I admit it, I have a subscription, and have for years…and I LOVE IT! I was first introduced to them years ago when I was teaching ESL and Adult Ed. RD proved invaluable when looking to improve reading comprehension and vocabulary (word power!). At the time, the Digest provided teachers with resource materials that were outstanding. After I left teaching, I signed up for my own subscription. Even though the ads reinforce the fact that the demographic does skew older, I often tweet some of their best helpful tidbits. A favorite feature, very easy to take and read while traveling!

Marketing Sociologist Says:
August 24th, 2009 at 2:12 pm

That headline is sooo true it’s funny. When will the people that still pay for long distance, still use telephones – wireless or landline – going to die off for those of us utilizing video chats and Twitter? I was at Borders yesterday and people were actually BUYING newspapers and magazines! Books too (have they not heard of libraries?)! Here’s a blog about all this, http://marketingsociologist.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-google-is-taking-over-world-why-are.html

Tressa Robbins Says:
August 24th, 2009 at 2:30 pm

I have to admit, I do still subscribe to (gasp) the print version of Reader’s Digest and have for years. No, I’m not on social security – I’m actually UNDER 45 ;-) . RD could use some editorial help but it’s still a good, quick read.

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