My Time Media. Model Boats Magazine.

[The Long BuildParticipant @thelongbuild]

[The Long BuildParticipant @thelongbuild]

Ok Time Media, it has been a few days since the post which was then deleted, but the cat is out of the bag and can not be put back I and others think really you should be making an announcement about the future, if any !! For the magazine, as unlike other mags in the portfolio where it would seem production is carrying on albeit in a reduced or delayed production , with MB it does not seem that way.

I understand the Virus will create issues, certainly in advertising from traders but I think we as loyal readers of the magazine should be updated Fully on the situation.

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

I think the announcement was very clear, but was followed by such negative comments I was for one glad it was deleted, unless somebody has an accurate crystal ball at the moment how can anybody make an announcement about any thing.

Regards be positive Ray 😀

[The Long BuildParticipant @thelongbuild]

Yes but if the post had not originally been posted we currently would be none the wiser, yet they are still offering subscriptions, this should be stopped as it looks like the May mag will be the last for a while they can not really take a subscription and then say sorry not sure when we will send you the first issue.

[redpmgParticipant @redpmg]

Seems to be silly to have deleted it when the posting is getting full exposure on two other websites – its about time subscribers got an official version of whats going on – and it should be posted on this forum as well – that would stop all speculation about the future of the magazine..

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Sorry, guys, but if I were you I wouldn't start holding my breath for either an announcement from MTM or the return of MB magazine. You don't need to be an expert to read this particular set of runes.

Dave M

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

I have emailed the MD of MTM requesting information on the situation. I will post an update if or when I get a response.

In the meantime I would suggest it is pointless making further commnts until some answers are available.

Should it be the case that the forum is shut down along with the magazine then Model Boat Mayhem is the obvious alternative but I am hoping it won't come to that as this forum is very much valued in the model boating community.

Colin

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

I have received an immediate response from the Managing Director of MyTimeMedia.

Extract:

The suspension of magazines is, at the moment, to get us through this period of unknown length. We have done this with other of our magazines and other publishers have done the same. The closure of most WH Smith stores means copy sales through stores have all but stopped so there’s not enough volume to print copies.

The subscription team is writing to subscribers to explain the unprecedented situation. I don’t know the precise timing but it’s imminent.

I confirm that the website will continue through this period.

Best Wishes,

Owen Davies

I have been given a contact at MTM for further information re subscriptions and will post this when received.

Colin

[Charles OatesParticipant @charlesoates31738]

I don't see a problem with the announcement, after all, it's almost the same text as the editorial in May's model boat magazine.

I suspect the problem is any useless speculation, what if's, doom mongering etc in a very unpredictable time.

We'll just have to wait and see. The magazine exists to make money for the owners, so be can be sure that if they can do so again, they will.

Chas

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

I can understand the reasoning behind stopping the printed format of the magazine as this brings its own and very obvious savings, but why stop the digital version.

Paul

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Paul, finances are still very fragile for niche magazines and it is likely that the digital subscription income may be insufficient to pay the editor and designer plus their share of central expenses. If it was possible to make money simply by running a digital edition I'n sure that would have been done.

Most of the income still comes from newstrade and subscriber hard copy and it looks as if the losses on newstrade have hit the viability of the print run leaving just the digital subs to prop the editing process up. A sort of domino effect, plus it seems that advertising income is also down which is another significant blow.

Sometimes the sums just don't add up.

Colin

 

Edited By Colin Bishop on 04/04/2020 12:56:11

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

I only recently renewed my subscription for the magazine plus digital version. Fingers crossed!

I was wondering about the forum as well, particularly all the historic posts and threads on it.

Chris

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Colin

Thank you for the explanation.

Isn't it odd how these strange times can polarise our individual viewpoints, given the huge captive audience of an entire nation on lock down I would have thought that hobby companies would be increasing their advertising rather than cutting back.

I know that I am getting almost daily emails from companies like Sarik offering discounts or free postage.

Strange times indeed.

Paul

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Paul

For model boat traders and customers MB is now the only dedicated English-language printed hobby publication – if that goes then new products will have to be promoted by word-of-mouth, mail-shots to exisiting customers or on-line forums. As a highly specialised niche-hobby trader it's a big gamble to advertise your products in a 'non-niche' publication. I knew that every advert we placed in the modelling press would be read by modellers while a small ad in, say, a national daily would go largely unnoticed – except when the bill appeared on the bank statement! That said, the price of advertising in MB had increased alarmingly since we sold ACTion eight years ago, and I'm told that payment in advance was requested. I'm rather glad I'm no longer in that loop.

Incidentally I too have recently paid for a year's digital subscription, commencing with the first issue which now won't be published. At least my potential loss has been reduced from the price of an annual printed copy subscription.

It's all very sad.

DM

[Chris EParticipant @chrise]

The only possible ray of sunshine here is that when you renew your digital subscription next year it should be, at current prices, £24.99 rather than £29.99 as I believe the last budget removed VAT from digital subscriptions.

https://mb.secureorder.co.uk/MODBD/RENS/

Edited By Chris E 1 on 04/04/2020 14:41:27

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

O deepest joy! If only they'd put that in their manifesto then I wouldn't have voted for the MRL Party….not that it made a jot of difference. Our MP is the Chief Whip.

DM

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Dave

I thought that I was a cynic but you have me beaten every time.

I think that one of my problems with MBM is rose coloured glasses.

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

I thought that I was a cynic but you have me beaten every time.

It's Working for The Black Gas* for over 30 years that does that to you. It's a survival thing.

DM

*Check out Frankie goes to Hollywood's "Two Tribes" – but do play it LOUD!

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Dave.

Never heard the noble establishment described at The Black Gas, but then again I spent so much time avoiding your former colleagues that I never paid attention to nick names.

Someday I will tell you how I brought cash into the UK from Spain back in the 80s

Paul

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Subscriptions

I have been informed by MyTimeMedia that they are working on a communication to all subscribers which should be emailed by the end of this week.

I have asked for further clarification on what happens about taking out new subscriptions. If the magazine resumes publication then they would come into effect then, but at the moment there is no information should the suspension last indefinitely.

Colin

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

A bit like ordering and paying in advance for goods which are not in stock and for which a delivery date is unknown. It will be interesting to see the E-Mail.

DM

[Chris EParticipant @chrise]

Posted by Colin Bishop on 06/04/2020 10:09:35:

Subscriptions

…………………………..I have asked for further clarification on what happens about taking out new subscriptions. If the magazine resumes publication then they would come into effect then, but at the moment there is no information should the suspension last indefinitely.

Colin

 

 

At the very least they should not take the money from credit/ debit cards until they have a product to sell

Edited By Chris E 1 on 06/04/2020 11:55:34

[Barry GibsonParticipant @barrygibson15259]

No updates. No email. What's happening? It doesn't give you much confidence going forward.

[Jay Harris 1Participant @jayharris1]

After starting my first build, and getting a great response from the forum community, I was just about ready to drop the money on getting a physical and digital subscription… with this info, I suppose I will wait to see how things turn out. However, I hope this forum stays alive, or is at least easily transplanted so that the community can continue. I have found this place an invaluable resource. Thank you all

[The Long BuildParticipant @thelongbuild]

No, no email yet !!! not even had my Mag yet, although I suspect that is down to the posties walking out in the area due to unsafe condiions.

[Author]

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