Last week a press release went out about Penthouse magazine going digital. But what they didn’t say was they are also saying goodbye to the print version. That really surprised me. They are going digital only for the March issue. This means you won’t be seeing the Penthouse Magazine on newsstands anymore as of February 1st – which is their March issue.
Here is the press release …
General Media Communications, Inc., a subsidiary of FriendFinder Networks Inc., announced today that Penthouse Magazine will be released in digital format and that future issues of the magazine will be available electronically through subscription on its www.penthousemagazine.com website.
Penthouse Magazine is the flagship of the 50-year-old renowned brand synonymous with classic style and entertainment. This will be a new way for its readers to experience the world’s best adult magazine. Re-imagined for the preferred consumption of content today by consumers, the digital version of Penthouse Magazine will combine and convert everything readers know and love about the print magazine experience to the power of a digital experience—giving people an open-ended reading experience, available anytime, anywhere.
Jonathan Buckheit, Chief Executive Officer of FriendFinder Networks, stated, “As FriendFinder Networks is one of the innovators of on-line social media, it is only appropriate that our valuable Penthouse flagship magazine now join our other web offerings, available through FFN’s established worldwide network. This move will keep Penthouse competitive in the future and will seamlessly combine our unmatched pictorial features and editorial content with our video and broadcast offerings.”
The magazine division which operated out of New York City, will now operate out of the Company’s Los Angeles based office. Current magazine subscribers will receive notice in the mail providing information on how to add the online version, free of charge, to continue to enjoy all that the Penthouse brand and the magazine has to offer.
My question is what kind?
Years ago I bought a digital magazine – they gave me a link to webpage that was their virtual issue. Never did that again.
What I want to know is – will this digital version be a PDF version of the magazine? Something I can download, not something I have to view, THROUGH them.
It sounds like you’ll have to view it through them, or their website at least. That’s what I get from talking to a few people at Penthouse. It will be a digital, interactive magazine now.
Sad panda face.
Just an update – the current CEO of Penthouse said to clear up any confusion, they will continue to make printed issues, despite closing down their NYC print offices for the magazine. They moved all that over to the LA office and at least for now they will continue to have the printed version, but I’m not clear if it will only be to those who subscribe to the magazine or to everyone because she did also say it will no longer be on newsstands.