Mikey C has been running Amiga Yellow Pages, a web site devoted entirely to the Amiga from Developers to Games Publishers and Shops, he has become a notable figure in the Amiga Community. This article outlines his insight on the closure of CU Amiga and offers reassurance that the majority of Amiga Companies will stay with the Amiga.
Before you read this I would like to state that the information
contained within this posting is as accurately truthful as possible and
I consider my sources to be honest and true.
In short, unless later stated different the information that follows is
100% accurate.
Whilst the news of the closure of CU-Amiga has hit us all very badly,
all is not as it seems and the news is actually very positive.
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Whilst CU-Amiga was actually the biggest selling Amiga
magazine, (60% market share) it wasn't the most profitable. (more on that soon)
Basically in the recent months CU-Amiga dipped slightly below
profitability twice and EMAP publishing decided to pull the plug rather
than to try to see if it could turn it's fortunes around. CU-Amiga mainly went under due to the
Fact that their advertising rates were 1/3 cheaper than Formats - they
waren't making enough money to survive.
Bear in mind that Emap is mainly a women's magazine publisher it only
has three computing titles, CU-Amiga, playstation and an Internet magazine.
It may be also said that with only three computing titles they are
looking to get out of the computing market altogether and that CU-Amiga
may be the first of the 'casualties' - although this is mere speculation
on my part.
The CU-Amiga staff, are now sadly without employment
(no where in Emap for them to go.)
I hope someone else picks them up - They are amigans through and
through.
Also bear in mind that Emap is in business like any other publisher and
may have decided that they have to show the shareholders that they were
determined to not waste any of their money on a floundering title.
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AMIGA FORMAT the second biggest selling Amiga title of the two with
only 40% of the market. Published by Future Publishing whom publish 16
other computer magazines.
Amiga Format is Trading in PROFIT!!!
Of the 16 computing titles that Future publish Amiga Format is well
above Several of them in profitability.
The Management of Amiga Format have assured Amiga Format that they have
got the go ahead for another year of publishing. They are also quite
confident that they will be able to extend this.
Hopefully to see in the New Amiga and beyond.
As a result of CU-Amigas closure, there has been an increase of
Advertising revenue at Amiga Format and this will lead to the INCREASE
of pages in the magazine.
(From about 108 now, to 124 or 130 pages)
These will be made up from a mixture of extra advertising and extra
features/articles.
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I have also taken the liberty this afternoon of speaking to the
key Amiga Players in the UK from developers, publishers and
retailers here's what they said.
(Note it makes very positive reading)
Active Technologies
"Yes, we are continuing on the Amiga and are also developing new
software to be unveiled at Colgne'98
Alive Mediasoft
"We are staying. Alive mediasoft is EXPANDING we are taking people
on and we will be the LAST People standing on the Amiga if
Necessary. We are committed to the Amiga 100%"
Blittersoft
"Business as usual - we will carry on supporting the Amiga"
Chroma
"Yes, we will continue supporting the Amiga for the time being"
Epic Marketing
"We are staying with the Amiga Platform, We are increasing our
Advertising in Amiga Format and will be producing more advertising
flyers."
Eyetech
"Absolutely continuing to support the Amiga - No question."
Fore-Matt Home computing
"We will continue supporting the Amiga and very much so. We are
increasing our advertising revenue on the Amiga and we are committed to
it the Amiga 100%"
Power Computing
"We will continue to support the Amiga, it remains the most profitable
platform in our product range making up 70% of our income. We have also
recently increased our advertising budget as well"
White Knight Technologies
"No change for us we remain committed to the Amiga Platform but we
will be increasing our direct mailings to our customers and also
increase our DTV business"
Weird Science
"Debating" (but I think they will stay)
Wizard Developments.
"No change - business as usual"
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There you have it, take this and publish it anywhere were you think
it will be useful.
Tell people the Amiga is not dead, all the people I have spoken were
very positive about the Amiga's future.
While a lot of people may point their finger and say that
"But yes they would say that wouldn't they"
let me say that I have gotten to know some of them over the years, and
I didn't tell all of them I was doing this article - they all appeared
very genuine in their replies.
- Remember most of these people are Amigans and they are going to
stick with the Amiga through thick and thin.
An Excellent Magazine has gone but it's not the Amiga's Fault, After
all if Amiga Format (with less circulation can be profitable) then you
have to look at the way CU-Amiga was being distributed.
Perhaps, if the magazine was as easy to find in the shops as Amiga Format, they
may not have had to go..
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This article by Mikey C has brought up many interesting results and with Amiga Format being the last flagship Amiga Magazine in the UK, we must therefore give it our full and total support by buying every issue and taking out Subscriptions. I have and I hope you will join me.
ONLY use the following e-mail address if you want or are inquiring about a Subscription to Amiga Format:-
subs futurenet.co.uk
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You can find out more about Subscriptions to Amiga Format by visiting their web site:-
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amigaflame.co.uk