BREAKING NEWS & VIEWS

No Wonder: Disney's Wondertime to Fold
Thursday, January 22, 2009

The magazine targeted at parents of young children, Wondertime, will cease publication with the April issue, publisher Disney Worldwide announced today. At the end of the magazine's run this spring, the Wondertime.com site content also will move to the network of Disney family sites, Family.com, FamilyFun.com and iParenting.com.

Disney cited the rough economy for the decision. A spokesperson for Disney could not comment on any planned staff cuts as a result of the shuttering. The company's U.S. Consumer Magazine unit will focus efforts on the remaining family brands, including Family Fun Magazine, which still enjoys a rate base of 2.1 million.

The Wondertime closing is especially unfortunate given its strong 2008 performance according to min's own boxscores. January-December ad pages for the book were up 23.91% over 2007, min reported here.

If you have breaking news to share please contact Steve Smith at ssmith@accessintel.com


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COMMENTS
1.
No! This is really the only parenting magazine that is worth reading... The only family magazine that is truly unique in it's purpose and format. I just ordered subscriptions for two friends and they agree... why?! This is horrible news. I truly hope you'll reconsider.
Posted by Roisin Herrera on Friday, January 23, 2009 @ 01:07 AM
2.
Sadly, big media companies need to make money. The real question is why management couldn't make it work with 400K paid circ and $20 million in ad sales. Big staff, fancy paper, shoots with models and stylists perhaps? They acted like they were Vanity Fair, but it was champagne taste on a beer pocket.
Posted by mary schwartz on Friday, January 23, 2009 @ 09:51 AM
3.
This is the only magazine I read from cover to cover every month; I can't wait to get it. Such sad news.
Posted by Candace S on Friday, January 23, 2009 @ 12:28 PM
4.
I don't think Disney gave Wondertime a chance to reach it's potential. It pulled the plug too soon. I bet it is because it wasn't making enough profit, but you can't expect much more than that from a start up in 3 years! I am very sad by this, all those other parenting magazines like Cookie are garbage. I will look forward to my last Wondertime to come in the mail with open (but sad) arms.
Posted by Emily B on Saturday, January 24, 2009 @ 02:17 PM
5.
I agree with "No!" I've only recently become aware of this magazine, and this is the first magazine I've raved about to my friends. Fabulous articles. Pertinent information. A joy to read. What a loss. I'm not much of a cook & can barely heat water, but I've used their recipes & my family loves them. This is the magazine that should replace the others!
Posted by Kymaya W on Saturday, January 24, 2009 @ 11:22 PM
6.
I agree with Mary regarding the greed and oblivion that Disney is entrenched in. They also fly through staff like tampons - no WONDER they are not faring well these days!
Posted by Ava Grace on Monday, January 26, 2009 @ 08:20 PM

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