NewsLifeMedia announced the November edition of MasterChef Magazine (out 22 October) will be the last in the current monthly format. As widely reported, including by noodlies, Sydney food blog, the magazine has been suffering consecutive double digit sales drops, losing more than a third of readers in the space of 12 months.
According to Nicole Sheffield, Managing Director of NewsLifeMedia there will be special issues to align with the TV series, but the monthly edition will cease.
The announcement from NewsLifeMedia was reported first in mUmBRELLA online:
NewsLifeMedia today announced that MasterChef Magazine will move to a new publishing model moving forward. A bumper November magazine will be the final issue of the monthly title which goes on sale on October 22, 2012.
“We are looking to align the schedule of MasterChef Magazine with the television series with special themed issues when the series returns next year,” said Nicole Sheffield, Managing Director of NewsLifeMedia. “The magazine has been a very successful title for us and we have always seen increases in circulation when the program is on-air.”
“This was not an easy decision however this flexible model allows us to evolve the brand. The MasterChef Magazine editorial and advertising teams have delivered a strong food title over the last two years in an extremely competitive and fragmented environment. I would like to thank them for a great product and our readers and advertisers for their support.”
“We are the home of the best food publishing talent in this country and through perpetual evolution we are able to deliver powerful and market leading products and platforms.”
Inspired by the Australian television series, MasterChef Magazine was launched by NewsLifeMedia in 2010 and quickly became one of the most read food magazines in the country. The title enjoys impressive readership with a consistent spike in sales when the television show is on-air.
NewsLifeMedia continues to hold four out of the top five highest circulating* food magazines in the country –Super Food Ideas, ABC Delicious, Woolworths Australian Good Taste and donna hay magazine. Working hand in hand with the food magazines is digital platform, Taste.com.au, Australia’s number one food and lifestyle brand, which was recently redeveloped to further establish its leadership position.
NewsLifeMedia is endeavouring to redeploy the majority of staff.
Matt Moran judges it’s time to quit MasterChef, The Sunday Telegraph (14 October 2012)
MATT Moran has pulled the plug on MasterChef, walking out on the top-rating TV series that helped make him a household name.
The multi award-winning chef said he wanted to spend more time opening eateries and pursuing his own cooking show opportunities.
Moran, 42, also admitted that although the move to Melbourne from Sydney for filming wasn’t a major factor, it would make it increasingly difficult to juggle the TV commitment for the show with his other business ventures.
“I’ve come to the conclusion of three years of doing MasterChef I’ve decided I don’t want to do it anymore,” he exclusively told The Sunday Telegraph.
“I am not going to renew a contract with Ten. I haven’t actually spoken to them. I’ve loved it, absolutely loved it, but it’s time to move on.”
