According to the NY Post, TV Guide’s Editor-in-Chief Ian Birch was canned and will be succeeded by Debra Birnbaum, who recently had been editor of Life & Style.
This Just In:
Late yesterday, CoverAwards told you that TV Guide was allegedly making layoffs, including editor-in-chief Ian Birch, executive editor Steve Sonsky and managing editor Lois Draegin.
We now have an official update that TV Guide has indeed laid off an “undisclosed number of staffers,” according to a TV Guide spokesperson. Who has been let go? That is still not certain.
The other big question is whether or not Marcovision will find a buyer for TV Guide.
(If someone buys TV Guide, I’m selling the Brooklyn Bridge!)
Stay tuned!
BREAKING NEWS
In the “I’m not surprised at all” department, Gawker is hearing that there has been a massive set of firings at TV Guide including editor-in-chief Ian Birch, executive editor Steve Sonsky and managing editor Lois Draegin. This comes less than 24 hours after the TV Guide purchase by Macrovision received approval.
Patrick Dempsey
Jennifer Love Hewitt
Pasetsky’s Cover Critique
Breaking News: This is a “Special Issue” for TV Guide!
With People magazine coming out with it’s Most Beautiful People issue, TV Guide will be clobbered on the newsstand.
Not so special!
I kind of agree with the Patrick Dempsey selection as sexiest man – but Jennifer Love Hewitt as sexiest woman?
Bottom Line: BORING!
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?
CoverAwards Can Make A Difference!
When I started CoverAwards, I hoped that I could make a difference in the world of “bad magazine covers.”
And this dream is starting to come true. (I’m also hoping for a stronger ecomony and peace in the world - fyi.)
Ian Birch’s TV Guide is the perfect example of a magazine that MUST read CoverAwards.
After weeks of scathing critiques, they have stepped up their game as best as possible - considering the fact that the magazine has no relevance in today’s society with electronic TV listings readily available online and on your TV.
Finally, a gay-themed issue from TV Guide.
Oh, relax I’m just kidding!
In all seriousness, it really looks like TV Guide is trying much harder to develop stronger covers.
TV Guide follows its stronger than usual Britney Spears cover with its “Look Who’s Back!” cover!
Who isn’t excited about all their favorite shows coming back to TV? I mean I’ve had a lot of extra time on my hands, but I admit I’m excited (about the season)!
I like the photo shoot of today’s biggest TV stars and I would say the main cover line is better than the typical TV Guide label line.
I’m really starting to believe that TV Guide is reading CoverAwards!
One question. Is this really a “double issue”? It’s dated through April 13th. If TV Guide is taking the week off just as the TV season is returning that would be the dumbest move I’ve ever seen!
Bottom Line: TV Guide continues to improve. I thought I’d never say that!
Don’t worry, I did. You didn’t miss much!
Last week, I admitted that I was impressed that TV Guides’ cover was stronger than usual but the lines fell flat.
I’ve now had time to digest the story and it’s one of the lamest stories I’ve ever read!
On the main cover TV Guide tries to put on its tabloid shoes and writes “What really happened on set of How I Met Your Mother.”
What really happened?
Mark Newman blogs on Folio about how he finally cancelled his long-time subscription to TV Guide. I’m not surprised at all and can imagine that many consumers feel the same way about this now irrelevant magazine.
