Roy Morgan: Food & Gardening Titles Defy Trends As Magazine Readership Continues To Fall
Recent Roy Morgan data has revealed Aussies still love their food and gardening magazines as other titles, like mass women’s publications, continue to fall.
In total, readership of print magazines is down 2.5 per cent from a year ago with 13.3 million Australians aged 14 and older reading them.
Coles Magazine & Fresh most widely read while Bunnings Magazine read by almost 1.1 million
Australia’s two most widely read free magazines are continuing to perform well. Coles Magazine readership was up 3.1 per cent to 4,762,000 and Fresh readership increased by 1.7 per cent to 4,194,000.
Bunnings Magazine is the third most widely read free magazine and now read by 1,096,000 making the hardware retailer’s magazine one of only six read by more than 1 million Australians.
Other leading magazines to perform strongly just outside the top 15 include Reader’s Digest (+3.6 per cent to 428,000) and Vogue Australia (+13.5 per cent to 420,000). New titles such as That’s Life Mega Monthly read by 403,000 and Women’s Weekly Food read by 340,000 have also had a strong start.
Better Homes & Gardens and Women’s Weekly are most widely read paid magazines
Five of Australia’s yop 10 magazines grew their print readership in the year to September 2019. Better Homes & Gardens is Australia’s most widely read paid magazine with print readership up 3.1 per cent to 1,673,000 ahead of the Women’s Weekly with a readership of 1,434,000.
In addition, National Geographic marginally grew its print readership by 0.9 per cent to 1,286,000 while Australian Geographic was up an impressive 17.2 per cent to 675,000.
Super Food Ideas had the largest readership increase of the top magazines, up 39.5 per cent to 590,000.
The five most read categories of magazines
- Food & entertainment (6,792,000 Australians, 32.7 per cent of the population);
- General interest (4,615,000 Australians, 22.2 per cent of the population);
- Mass women’s (3,181,000 Australians, 15.3 per cent of the population);
- Home & garden (3,129,000 Australians, 15.1 per cent of the population);
- Business, financial & airline (1,508,000 Australians, 7.3 per cent of the population).
Mass women’s magazines set to be dominated by merged Bauer & Pacific Magazines
Mass women’s magazines are now read by 3,181,000 Australians equal to 15.3 per cent of the population. Bauer’s recent purchase of Pacific Magazines brings together Bauer’s leading titles including Women’s Weekly, Woman’s Day and Take 5 with Pacific titles New Idea and That’s Life.
Women’s Weekly leads the category with a readership 1,434,000, although down 6.8 per cent from the royal wedding boosted high of a year ago ahead of Woman’s Day with 921,000 readers.
A larger readership via print than digital
A majority of Australia’s leading magazines (six out of the top ten magazines ranked by cross-platform audiences) have a larger readership via their print editions than their digital platforms.
The exceptions are Taste.com.au, Take 5 Bumper Monthly, TV Week Close Up and Good Health via the Now to Love online hub.
Bauer Media’s Now to Love online hub allows magazine publishers to reach their audience in new ways with innovative online offerings. Many of Bauer Media’s magazine brands (including Women’s Weekly, Woman’s Day, Good Health, TV Week and Take 5 consolidated their online presence in the Now to Love hub which reaches well over 1.2 million people.
Top 10 Magazines – Total Cross-Platform Audience
Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine said: “The latest results from the Roy Morgan readership survey shows Australians are still in love with their magazines with over 15.2 million Australians now reading magazines, whether in print or online, up by 88,000 on a year ago and equivalent to nearly three-quarters of the population.
“Print magazines remain the favoured channel for Australians to indulge their favoured magazine content with nearly 13.3 million Australians now reading print magazines and remain far more widely read than their digital alternatives.
“Bauer’s recent decision to purchase rival Pacific Magazines for $40 million from Seven West Media consolidates Bauer’s leadership in several key categories including mass women’s magazines, home & garden magazines, health & family magazines, TV magazines and women’s lifestyle magazines in which either Bauer or Pacific are the leading publishers.
“The enlarged Bauer Media has some tough decisions to make about whether to continue publishing several popular existing titles or whether to consolidate further in the period ahead. Key to understanding which magazines have a future is to analyse in detail the audiences of similar magazines to determine whether they’re read by the same people or diverse audiences.
“An impressive new magazine to be launched in the last year is the Bunnings Magazine for the popular garden and hardware retailer. The Bunnings Magazine has already attracted an audience of 1.1 million Australians making it one of only six magazines in Australia with a seven-figure readership.”
Latest News
Enjoy A Hahn Solo… And May The Fourth Be With You
This May the fourth Hahn will celebrate alongside Star Wars fans rewarding their passion via a giant Hahn travelling solo through the sky. It’s the one day of the year when all sci-fi fans rejoice and giggle to themselves and Hahn in partnership with Thinkerbell, UM and Affinity is celebrating with an out of this […]
DMARGE Founder Unveils Creator-Led Social Media Agency Feedstar
New creator-led social media agency Feedstar to be aimed directly at Gen Zs. Well, they'd hardly want print, would they?
TV Ratings (02/05/2024): A total of 1,753,000 Aussies Witness Port Adelaide’s Defeat
Seven's AFL numbers almost double that of the NRL last night. The NRL still easily winning for ruptured ACLs.
Hotglue Cashes In With La Trobe Financial Digital Media Account
Hotglue staffers learning their cashflows from their collaterals today after nabbing La Trobe Financial's digital media.
M&C Saatchi’s Sydney Creative Lead Exits
B&T's stopping short of calling it a revolving door at M&C at the present, but there's definitely heat on the hinges.
Taylor Swift’s Music Re-Enters TikTok As Universal Pens Landmark Deal
Yes, B&T may have spent 152 hours failing to get Taylor Swift tickets, but, as you'll read here, it's all behind us now.
HAVAS Red launches inaugural Influencer White Paper
Havas Red has debuted its first influencer white paper. Unless you print it out in colour, of course.
Two Sides Global Campaign Reports Increasing Greenwashing As Organisations Focus On Sustainability
New report confirms greenwashing's on the rise. Apparently Mars' 'work, rest & play' claims also under investigation.
Aruga Launches New HQ & Changed Ownership Structure
PR agency Aruga proves Brisbane is 'so hot right now'. So hot in fact, Adelaide's had to go on anti-anxiety meds.
Delicious & American Express Partner To Launch Month Out 2024 In Sydney
Cost of living got you eating noodles prepared in the two-minute style? Why not live vicariously through this.
Aussie Ad Market Continues Decline In March
The belt-tightening in adland shows signs of a turnaround soon. Bar the belt-loosening at the all-you-can-eat buffet.
VMA Focuses On Skills And Training For Members
If there was a post-COVID hangover (bar the anti-vax ranters) it was the rise in skills shortages. Here's another one.
Nearly 90% Of Consumers Want Transparency About AI Images, Finds Getty Images Report
Study finds consumers want transparency around AI images. Couldn't care less about photoshopped magazine covers.
The National Breast Cancer Foundation Partners With VML To Boost Funds
Anyone else feel we've exhausted the office morning tea for cancer? B&T proposes the office moonshine still instead.
Perry ‘Pez’ Lazaris Named New National Hit Network Announcer
Why is it mandatory for the media to only publish the nicknames of people in radio & underworld crime figures?
Before Adland: Garry Dawson’s Journey From Teacher To Marketer
Here, the Hopeful Monsters marketer talks his shift from the classroom to the room wherever marketers congregate.
Scott Cam Urges Tradies To Prioritise Sun Protection
The Block host promoting sun protection to tradies. Also, don't try getting into the RSL after 6pm wearing high viz.
PubMatic Study: Advertising On Retail Media Is 50% More Effective Than Social Media
New study finds retail media 50% more effective than social. B&T says two-for-one Tim Tams trumps the lot.
From MOWING to life GROWING: Jim Penman launches ‘Life Coaching’ services
Can't decide on getting the hedges trimmed or finding a deeper meaning to life? You're in luck with this new venture.
Budweiser Brazil Turns Songs That Name Drop The Iconic Brand Into Spotify Ads
It's strange that Budweiser never found a market among beer-swilling Aussies. Then again, neither did the fluffy duck.
Effie Worldwide Strengthens Board With 6 New Members
B&T hopes everyone's wearing their Maseur sandals at the Effies, as it's standing room only at the next board meeting.
Special Enlist A Penguin Named Nigel In Latest Energy Campaign For Contact
Special unveils Nigel the penguin in work for energy provider Contact. Apparently Percy the peacock was booked.
Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth & George Miller Ignite Sydney For Epic Mad Max Launch
The Mad Max film franchise is Australia's cinematic gift to the world. That & Chris Hemsworth's near perfect cheekbones.
IAS Launches First-To-Market Integration With Roblox To Provide 3D Immersive Measurement
Always thought you could do with better 3D immersive measurement? Happy days are ahead here.
Fast And Furious: Top Gear Australia Launch Thrilled Motorheads, Car Entusiasts And Guests
B&T is still no closer to knowing who the new Stig is, except that she is a woman and a ridiculously fast.
TV Ratings (02/05/2024): Seven’s The 1% Club Wins The Night
The 1% club did not live up to its name when it comes to TV ratings last night.
TRA Welcomes Raft Of New Hires; Bolstering Expertise Across Markets
Insights and research agency TRA announces slew of new hires. Still no news on the return of marble wash denim, however.
CX Lavender Hires Boston Consulting Group’s Kim Verbrugghe as Chief Strategy Officer
CX Lavender announces new strategy hire and channels 'acoustic folk act at local RSL' for the publicity pic.
Opinion: Community standards, will they be the death of us?
This columnist is talking community standards. Sadly not those people who put dogs in trolleys in supermarkets.
Tegel gets heads bobbing with new free-range chicken platform
Sure, there's a lot of moral considerations when buying a chook. Yet, not as baffling as buying eggs or canned tuna.
Study: 66% of Aussie men believe masculinity is under attack
Two-thirds of Aussie blokes say masculinity's under attack. That said, sales of Solo lemon drink appear robust.
‘Equal Writes’: Canyon reveals new campaign and refreshed brand for women and non-binary writers
As this brand redesign again proves, nothing beats black on white. Well, white on black in this instance.
Icon Agency bolsters consumer and integrated offer with major hires
Icon Agency unveils new recruits. As press photo confirms office moustache competition now a lay-down misère.
Clemenger launches agricultural graduate program
Has Farmer Wants A Wife triggered an interest in dagging & hay balers? This grads program may resonate.
Levi’s Appoint UM As Global Media Agency For $217m Account
Levi's are the jeans for rockstars, models & the cool kids. Although that's not stopped dads from ruining their image.
QMS Nabs Sean Rigby From oOh!media
Things set to get spicy at the next Outdoor Media Association dinner and dance as a rival gets poached.