Words: Ashley Rigg
Published: 8th September 2009
Homes Overseas Magazine ceases production
Globespan Media owners of Homes Overseas magazine have decided to publish the magazine “online only” following a strategic review. The company will cease printing the magazine but will continue to publish an online version on
www.homesoverseasmagazine.co.uk.
Globespan retained the rights to publish Homes Overseas magazine after selling their eponymous portal, homesoverseas.co.uk to Trinity Mirror last month. The company is currently working on international distribution deals for the online only magazine.
Personally I think the jury is out on whether people actually read online magazines. Online, people are looking for solutions for problems and tend to want information in bite-sized chunks. When you read a magazine you have more time to concentrate and read the editorial. I read OPP magazine at home the first weekend it’s published. I never read the online version. When the email comes to my inbox, I’m too busy and stressed to do anything but glance at the headlines.
User Comments
Hi John,
It's a good read. I don't doubt the quality of the product and I get on well with the guys at Globespan. I was out for drinks with Rupert (who had a go at me in OPP) the other week. My issue is with the format. I just don't think in the modern media-saturated world people have the time or inclination to print off and read digital content unless that content is totally unique which Homes Overseas is not.
Online editorial is news driven and where there is room for deeper analysis and comment, that needs to be presented in a format that is scanable and easy to read.
I would be interested to see any research though if you have it.
Best
Ashley
Ashley Rigg,
Global edge
So, what's the verdict now you've seen it? A couple of points from your article and responses so far: one, there's always the option of printing out the pages you're interested in if you want to peruse something at leisure, notwithstanding there are plenty of people these days who take a laptop/e-book to bed in preference to a printed book or mag. You read OPP in bed - are you saying that their online offering is a waste of time?
Secondly, aren't you in favour on principle of company's producing unique, quality content to drive traffic? Are you now contradicting yourself? Surely you should be applauding this renewed effort to present a bit of competition to APITS in the consumer market!
Is it possible that your previous association with the magazine may be impairing your objectivity when writing about them?
John Ford Coley,
Freelance writer
Yes, I still read the newspaper, but that doesn't mean they are dying. I don't use 8 track tapes any more either. There is nothing we can do but change with the times and the media.
George Harvey,
Telluride Properties
I read magazines in bed, to wind down after the day before going to sleep, sometimes in the middle of one! I can't do that with an online magazine. I can't see it working.
Peter Ellis,
Croatia Property Services
You are absolutely right, Ashley. First of all it's very inconvenient to read a long time from a monitor, so I never do. Second any website can be called a magazine if it has a lot of content on the subject.
I think this is a surrender note from homesoverseas.
Sal Antsipenka,
IBR
