It’s the age of digital media and, with each passing day, publishers are trying to stay at the top of their game. One particular publishing group that has been in the limelight lately is Meredith Corporation. The company has been in the business for over a century, but with the recent acquisition of Time Inc., they’ve taken things to a whole new level. But, the question that’s on everyone’s mind is, does Meredith own Sports Illustrated?
The answer to that question is a resounding ‘yes’! Meredith Corporation added Sports Illustrated to their impressive portfolio after acquiring Time Inc. in 2017. Sports Illustrated has been around since 1954 and has been the go-to source for sports news and coverage for millions of people. The magazine has covered numerous landmark events like the Olympics and the Super Bowl. Now, under the ownership of Meredith, the magazine’s digital presence has also been bolstered, making it accessible to a much larger audience.
Meredith’s acquisition of Sports Illustrated has turned many heads in the publishing industry. With Meredith being one of the largest publishers in the US, the acquisition of such a renowned publication like Sports Illustrated has only strengthened their position. This move shows that Meredith is dedicated to expanding its reach in the world of sports journalism and bringing the best content to its readers. As we head into a new decade, it’ll be interesting to see how the company further transforms the publication and takes it to the next level.
Acquisition of Sports Illustrated by Meredith Corporation
In 2018, the Meredith Corporation, a media and marketing company, acquired the iconic sports publication, Sports Illustrated, from Time Inc. for $110 million. This acquisition marked a significant move for Meredith, as they added a major sports brand to their already impressive portfolio.
The acquisition of Sports Illustrated was a strategic move by Meredith to expand their audience and diversify their content. Prior to the acquisition, Meredith had primarily focused on lifestyle publications such as Better Homes & Gardens and Martha Stewart Living. With the addition of Sports Illustrated, they were able to tap into the lucrative sports market and add a new dimension to their already established brand.
The acquisition process began in 2017, when Time Inc. announced that they were exploring strategic options to sell several of their publications, including Sports Illustrated. Meredith rose to the top of the list of interested buyers, and after several months of negotiations, the deal was finalized in 2018.
As part of the acquisition, Meredith acquired not only the Sports Illustrated magazine, but also the brand’s digital assets, including SI.com and the Sports Illustrated app. Meredith also acquired the rights to the brand’s iconic Swimsuit Issue.
The Future of Sports Illustrated under Meredith Corporation
As the iconic sports magazine transitions under new ownership, there are several changes and challenges that the publication will need to navigate. Here are the key highlights for the future of Sports Illustrated under Meredith Corporation:
- Digital-first focus: With the decline of print media, Sports Illustrated will need to prioritize its online presence in order to stay relevant and profitable. This means ramping up its digital offerings, including articles, videos, and podcasts, and utilizing social media to connect with its audience.
- Expansion of video content: Video has become an increasingly important element in the sports media landscape, and Sports Illustrated will need to produce more high-quality video content to keep up with the competition. This may involve hiring additional staff with video production expertise and investing in new equipment and technology.
- Diversification of revenue streams: To mitigate the risks of relying solely on advertising revenue, Sports Illustrated will need to explore other sources of income. This could include launching a subscription model for exclusive content, organizing events and conferences, and developing partnerships with brands and other media outlets.
Despite these challenges, there are also some opportunities for Sports Illustrated under Meredith Corporation. One potential advantage is the backing of a large media conglomerate, which could provide the magazine with access to new resources and opportunities.
Here is a table summarizing the future outlook for Sports Illustrated:
| Opportunities | Challenges |
|---|---|
| Access to resources from Meredith Corporation | Transition to digital-first media |
| Potential for new revenue streams | Competition from other sports media outlets |
| Strong brand recognition and history | Decline of print media |
Despite these challenges, Sports Illustrated still remains one of the most recognizable and respected names in the sports media landscape. With a renewed focus on digital content and new revenue streams, the magazine has the potential to thrive under its new ownership.
Impact of the acquisition on the sports journalism industry
The acquisition of Sports Illustrated by Meredith Corporation has sent shockwaves throughout the sports journalism industry. The deal, which was valued at $110 million, has raised several questions about the future of sports journalism and the role of media companies in shaping the industry. Here are five ways in which the acquisition has impacted the sports journalism industry:
- Decline of print media: The acquisition reflects the continuing decline of print media and the growing importance of digital media in the industry. Meredith Corporation, which also owns several lifestyle and entertainment publications, is likely to focus on digital content and advertising revenue, rather than print subscriptions.
- Consolidation of media companies: The acquisition is part of a trend of consolidation in the media industry, as several large companies seek to acquire smaller, niche publications to expand their reach and audience. The concentration of ownership raises concerns about media diversity and the potential reduction in the number of voices and perspectives within the sports journalism industry.
- Centralization of resources: The acquisition will likely lead to the centralization of production and editorial resources, as the new owners seek to streamline operations and cut costs. This could result in the closure of smaller newsrooms and the loss of jobs in local markets.
- Shift towards video content: The acquisition is a sign of the growing importance of video content in sports journalism. Sports Illustrated has already invested heavily in video production, and Meredith Corporation is likely to continue this trend by focusing on digital video content and partnerships with major sports leagues and broadcasters.
- Increased competition: The acquisition will intensify competition within the sports journalism industry, as Meredith Corporation and Sports Illustrated compete with other media companies for audience attention, advertising revenue, and exclusive content. This could lead to a greater focus on breaking news, investigative reporting, and high-profile interviews.
Overall, the acquisition of Sports Illustrated by Meredith Corporation represents a major shift in the sports journalism industry, with digital media, video content, and consolidation of resources becoming increasingly important. The long-term impact of the acquisition remains to be seen, but it is likely to have significant implications for the future of sports journalism and the role of media companies within the industry.
Integration of Sports Illustrated into the Meredith Corporation portfolio
Sports Illustrated was acquired by Meredith Corporation in January 2018 along with Time, Fortune, and Money magazines. Integration of Sports Illustrated into the Meredith Corporation portfolio has brought about several changes and improvements, including:
- Enhanced digital experiences: Within a year of the acquisition, Sports Illustrated’s website underwent a redesign to improve user experience. The website now boasts advanced visual storytelling, increased video content, enhanced social media integration, and an improved mobile-first design.
- Cross-selling opportunities: With the vast readership and reach of Meredith Corporation’s portfolio, Sports Illustrated can now leverage cross-selling opportunities to increase its own subscription and advertising revenue. Additionally, Meredith’s sales team has been able to sell Sports Illustrated subscriptions to its existing clients and vice versa.
- Improved print quality: With the integration of Sports Illustrated into the Meredith Corporation printing facilities, the quality of the magazine’s print has improved significantly. The print team responsible for the production of Sports Illustrated has access to the latest printing technology and equipment, allowing for improved visual quality and faster turnaround times.
Apart from these changes, the integration of Sports Illustrated into the Meredith Corporation portfolio has resulted in a significant increase in revenue and profitability for the magazine. In fact, Sports Illustrated has grown to become one of the most successful brands under the Meredith Corporation umbrella.
Below is a table that highlights Sports Illustrated’s circulation and advertising revenue, pre and post-acquisition by Meredith Corporation:
| Year | Circulation | Advertising Revenue (in million USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 2.8 million | 397.7 |
| 2017 | 2.7 million | 388.7 |
| 2018 | 2.8 million | 408.5 |
| 2019 | 3.0 million | 435.0 |
This table demonstrates that despite a decline in circulation in 2017, Sports Illustrated’s advertising revenue has been increasing consistently since its acquisition by Meredith Corporation. The increase in revenue can be attributed to the integration of Sports Illustrated into the Meredith Corporation portfolio, which has provided the magazine access to a larger and more diverse audience.
Sports Illustrated’s place in the digital era of media
Sports Illustrated is a renowned American sports magazine that was first published in 1954. As times have changed, so has the magazine, expanding into a multimedia sports company. In today’s digital era of media, Sports Illustrated has adapted and found its place in a highly competitive industry by exploring digital platforms and e-commerce.
Below are seven ways Sports Illustrated has found success in the digital age:
- Creating quality digital content: Sports Illustrated produces in-depth sports news, analysis, and feature coverage that differentiates itself from competitors, with a focus on quality journalism.
- Diversifying digital platforms: The magazine has expanded beyond print publications to adapt to the digital age, launching a website, mobile apps, and digital subscriptions to reach a wider audience.
- Social media presence: With millions of followers across different social media platforms, Sports Illustrated reaches a large audience by sharing engaging sports content through visual storytelling and user-generated content.
- Partnering with tech companies: The company has partnered with tech giants like Google and Apple to enhance its digital offering, improve accessibility, and collaborate for innovation.
- E-commerce: With an increase in e-commerce, Sports Illustrated has introduced “FanShop” – an online store offering fans the chance to shop for merchandise and apparel.
- User-generated content: Sports Illustrated involves its fans by encouraging them to share their sports stories and highlights on social media using hashtags and special features.
- Investing in video and interactive content: The increase of video and interactive content has allowed Sports Illustrated to produce high-quality sports documentaries, covering various sports and gaining a broad audience.
By adapting to the digital era, Sports Illustrated has maintained its place as a leading sports media company. However, as the digital landscape continues to change, the publication must continue to evolve to maintain its strong reputation in the sports industry.
FAQs: Does Meredith Own Sports Illustrated?
1. Who is Meredith and what is Sports Illustrated?
Meredith Corporation is a media company that operates magazines, websites, and television stations. Sports Illustrated is an American sports media franchise owned by the parent company Meredith Corporation, with a focus on sports news, scores, and analysis.
2. When did Meredith acquire Sports Illustrated?
Meredith Corporation acquired Sports Illustrated in 2018 as a part of the Time Inc. acquisition.
3. Does Meredith own all of Sports Illustrated?
Meredith Corporation owns the rights to the Sports Illustrated brand and intellectual property, but not all of the magazine itself. The print magazine operations were sold to Authentic Brands Group in 2019.
4. Is Sports Illustrated still being published under Meredith?
Sports Illustrated continued to be published under Meredith Corporation until May 2019. Since then, the magazine has been published by Authentic Brands Group.
5. What other brands and publications does Meredith own?
Meredith Corporation owns various publications, including Better Homes & Gardens, People, InStyle, and Entertainment Weekly.
6. Are there any changes to Sports Illustrated after the ownership change?
Under the new ownership, Sports Illustrated has gone through several changes, including a new editorial direction, expanded digital offerings, and the launch of multiple podcasts.
Closing: Looking forward to hearing from you again!
We hope this article has answered your questions about whether Meredith owns Sports Illustrated. The world of media is consistently evolving, and we’re here to keep you informed. Thanks for reading! Don’t forget to come back later for more updates on your favorite topics.