ARENA HALTS PUBLISHING, BUT THAI EDITION EXPECTED TO CONTINUE

Arena magazine is to cease publishing this month in the United Kingdom after 22 years.
At its peak in 1996 it was selling more than 90,000 copies per month, but a decline in paid-for sales to less than 17,200 copies together with a collapse in advertising has forced publishers Bauer Media to call a halt to publication.
Arena has licensed local language editions in Ukraine, Turkey, Denmark, Korea, Singapore and also here in Thailand where the magazine is published by Inspire Entertainment. But despite the death of the parent English edition it does seem as though these editions will continue. A statement from Bauer said: "We will be working with our partners to ensure the continued success of Arena’s international editions."
The Thai edition claims a circulation of 100,000 copies per month and was launched in September 2006. Inspire was also hit with news last month about the demise of another of its overseas licensed editions, Cawaii, from Japan. That magazine will cease printing in May and the fate of the Thai edition remains unclear.
Why I feel that Arena in Thailand can survive is because it doesn't rely too heavily on overseas content. The past few editions seem to have around 30 per cent from overseas, and while the loss of that content will relegate this magazine to 'just another Thai magazine' I think it can survive - although the impact of this news on advertisers will be crucial.
Late last year PC Magazine ceased its print edition in the U.S. and moved entirely online. That magazine also boasts a Thai licensed edition and the publishers, ARIP, have continued to produce their magazine.
There are currently around 50 licensed magazines from overseas in the Thai market.