TV GUIDE FOLLOWS MY ADVICE (ALMOST)

Pasetsky’s Cover Critique

Last week I suggested that TV Guide figure out a way to to create covers that are broader. 

I said the magazine ”should try packaging three shows with a dramatic line and see how that works.”

Looking at this week’s cover, it looks like they saw my advice but went too far.

Why?

There are too many insets.

Plus the design is atrocious.  It feels like Mark Harmon is trapped by the insets.

And why would you go with Mark Harmon as the main image?  I know NCIS is a big show, but Mark Harmon won’t sell magazines.

Finally, the picture selection is awful.  Almost each picture – except for the Vanessa Williams’ pic — looks like a boring headshot.

On a positive note, TV Guide is working much harder on the cover lines.  They are compelling and dramatic.

Bottom Line: TV Guide is improving but not there yet.