If it weren’t inevitable anyway, the era of lads’ magazines has come to an end after the last remaining bastions – FHM UK and Zoo Weekly UK – officially decided it was “last drinks” today.
Publisher in the UK, Bauer Media, has decided to “suspend” both titles. What that exactly means is anyone’s guess, but it basically signals the end of the print products and, most probably, the websites too.
Admittedly, Zoo Weekly never really caught the imagination of either the British reader or the Aussie one for that matter. However, in its halycon days – circa mid-2000s – FHM was published in some 32 countries worldwide (including Australia) and, in Britain alone, sold over one million copies per month.
Bauer Media in the UK today released a statement on FHM’s demise that said: “Unfortunately it’s true and it has been announced today the intention to suspend publication of FHM. It’s been an absolute joy producing the magazine over the years. Thank you for all your support, we will keep you updated with developments over the coming weeks.”
A similar statement published on Zoo Weekly’s site said: “It is with regret we have to inform you of the intention to suspend publication of ZOO. We’ve loved every minute of the near 12 years and 600-plus issues we’ve shared with you and would like to thank each and every one of you who’ve been there with us along the way.”
Bauer publisher Gareth Cherriman said of the suspensions: “I greatly appreciate [editor-in-chief] Damien McSorley’s leadership and the dedication and effort from both teams. I would like to thank our advertisers and retailers who have supported the brands and I’m sure that everyone who has worked on FHM and ZOO over the years will be sorry to hear this news.”
More to come…
