Sky & Telescope Magazine for sale

[Apollo XX]

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/26/scie ... U6PhVVVPqk

[Pete]

I've advertised in Sky & Telescope since 2001. Back then it didn't run Viagra ads. They had a technical staff and were proud of their output. Before internet sales took over I got a lot of business out of those S&T ads, and had a close working relationship with those folks up in Cambridge.

They were acquired by a large publishing house, staff was cut, and printing was outsourced to the Midwest. That was about 5 years back, and it just wasn't the same anymore.

Magazine sales have fallen dramatically over the years and my sales generated through S&T and Astronomy Magazine ads dropped from 100% to around 5%. Everything is done online. And even that's shifting from computers to mobile devices.

I discontinued all magazine advertising last year. And so did most other advertisers. Since ads compromise most of a magazine's income they are indeed in deep doo doo.

Sad to see this go. I don't do magazines on my Kindle.

Pete

[Bruce D]

I agree Pete, S&T is my favorite astronomy magazine. I hate to think of what a subscription would cost if all advertising ended and subscribers had to cover the full cost of production and mailing. I had hoped that online magazines and books would greatly reduce the cost to consumers since the production and shipping costs are eliminated. Unfortunately, for the most part, when available it seems buying books and magazines online offers only a small discount. Go figure

[NGC7000]

Along with the NYT article from last week, I received an email yesterday from S&T stating they were filing for Chapter 11. I had already gone without a renewal last year, and thought it was entirely my fault that they were folding. Thank you, Pete, for removing the guilt.


And Pete,

Glad to hear you still don't need Viagra. You are my hero.


Tom

[mrgizmo65]

Sorry to hear of another source of information has fallen by the wayside. It makes me wonder what would be next.As for what can be found on the internet,how do you know it's the right thing or not. I can't see all the information out there is free for the taking I'm hoping warmer weather is on the way so We can get out and enjoy the night sky.As for myself I'm ready but first I have surgery coming up in late April, followed by4 to 6 weeks of rehab. Clear skies everybody!! Not to ruin anyone's plans, but I 'm passing along what I saw on tv last Friday. The area where NEAF is being held there has been an outbreak of measles. Please be aware of you do go . Jerry

[Paul D]

The writing was on the wall last year when they started taking on non-astronomy advertisers. I don't blame the internet as much as I do the content. I also buy a magazine called Sky at Night and its a British publication that is far beyond what Sky and Tel offers. Also any scientific articles are dumbed down as to make the magazine accessible to all to understand. I also find that the magazine is more vibrant and there are many articles geared to the hobbyist.

Over the years two magazines that I do/did subscribe to have gone 100% digital and to be honest I have not read them. One is Astro Tech and the other is the Reflector. I cant stand reading from a tablet not to mention what the blue light is doing to my eyes. Give me paper any day.

[Apollo XX]

Paul, the Reflector can still be had in the paper version. Call them and get your preference changed. I just talked with them about it as the March issue was slow in coming through the mail, and I got worried that somehow I got put on the 'electronic only' list. Not so, fortunately. It came last week.

[Pete]

Astronomy Technology Today went digital 3 years ago and supposedly I have a lifetime subscription. But I sit at a computer most of the day and I'm damn sure not going to read it there. And the screen is to small and the device to awkward for reading on my Kindle or on my cell. Haven't read ATT for a couple of years now.

Pete