Industry Research

After studying music magazines in detail I aim to look at the music industry itself and the companies behind the music press. Untill recently EMAP publishing have been the industry leaders in providing access to the biggest number of music magazines and brand platforms, such as websites and radio stations. In the later half of the year EMAP were bought by one of the worlds biggest media empires overing over 230 magazines in 15 countries as well as online, TV and radio stations.


"Bauer Media is a multi-platform UK-based media Group consisting of many companies collected around two main divisions – Magazines and Radio - widely recognised and rewarded as being industry innovators. "




Bauer media make a point in recognising that their business is built on personal relationships that are formed with their audiences through their multi media brands. These relationships are built apon engaging readers and stimulating their needs as consumers. "Our strategy is to connect audiences with excellent content through our broad multi-touch point brand platforms, wherever and whenever and however they want"
Bauer media is the sister company to HBauer publishing that own the publishing rights to many other infamous magazines across the globe. Bauer is the largest privately owned publisher in Europe, publishing in Germany, France, Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom. Additionally, Bauer publishes in the United States and Mexico.

The Bauer Publishing Group was founded in Hamburg 1875 by Johann Bauer. Under the management of four generations of the Bauer family, The Bauer Publishing Group has grown from its humble beginnings as a printing house into a worldwide publishing empire comprising 238 magazines worldwide in 15 countries, as well as TV and radio stations.
Bauer entered the U.K. scene with Bella magazine in 1987. Introducing a new format that mixes previously unseen real life editorial and exciting service features, Bella made a significant impact on the women's market. The company gained attention again in 1990 with the launch of Take a Break magazine. Touching the lives of millions of women with its unique blend of upfront real life and competitions, the title quickly became market leader. Despite strong competition, Take a Break has maintained its no.1 status, currently selling over 1 million copies a week.

The 1990's saw H. Bauer further strengthen its portfolio with the launch of TVQuick in 1991, that's life! in 1995 and TVChoice in 1999. Together with sixteen successful puzzle titles within the stable, H. Bauer has always had a major presence in the UK magazine market with a considerable market share. At the beginning of 2008, Bauer expanded its portfolio further by acquiring Emap’s Radio and Consumer Magazine divisions and changed the name of these new UK businesses to Bauer Media.
With the recent addition of the former Emap Consumer Media titles, Bauer is now the largest consumer magazine publishing company in the UK, playing a primary role in the Women’s Weeklies, Women’s Interest, Women’s Lifestyle, TV Listings, Puzzles, Men’s Lifestyle, Music & Film and Specialist magazine markets