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Historical Advertising/Editorial Ratios, 2008

A Healthy Balance

Most magazines contain both editorial and advertising content. The editorial content keeps readers interested, while the advertising revenue enables magazines to keep subscription and newsstand costs affordable for average consumers. In 2008, the ratio for consumer magazines was 46.2% advertising, 53.8% editorial.

Advertising vs. Editorial pages, 2008

Year 

% Advertising

% Editorial

1970 46 54
1975 46.5 53.5
1980 53 47
1985 52.4 47.6
1990 50.7 49.3
1991 48.6 51.4
1992 48.4 51.6
1993 49.9 50.1
1994 48.1 51.9
1995 49.1 50.9
1996 50.8 49.2
1997 50.7 49.3
1998 48.3 51.7
1999 49.4 50.6
2000 50.3 49.7
2001 45.1 54.9
2002 46.6 53.4
2003 47.9 52.1
2004 48.1 51.9
2005 47.2 52.8
2006 47 53
2007 47.1 52.9
2008 46.2 53.8

                                                 Source: Hall's Magazine Reports, February 2009