- Within magazine publishing, the total estimated revenue of US magazine companies was $26.01 billion as of 2021.
- Subscriptions and sales make up 37.41% of revenue ($9.73 billion) for US magazine companies.
- Advertising space makes up 33.06% of revenue ($8.60 billion).
- Printing services make up 6.54% of revenue ($1.70 billion).
- However, estimated revenues have dropped by 2.69% since 2017.
- The total estimated expenses for US magazine companies was $19.66 billion as of 2021.
- Estimated expenses have dropped by 11.16% since 2017, which could be linked to increasing demands for digital publications alongside decreasing demands for print.
- The total estimated profit for US magazine companies was $6.35 billion as of 2021.
- 2021 produced the highest profits for magazine companies of the 5-year period starting 2017.
- As of 2022, Hearst Communications (Cosmopolitan, Country Living, Men’s Health) expects total group revenues to reach just under $12 billion for the year.
Revenue for US magazine companies
- As of 2021, the total estimated revenue for US magazine companies was $26.01 billion.
- This was an increase of 8.24% from 2020’s $24.03 billion.
- Over the given period, estimated revenues were at their highest during 2017 ($26.73 billion).
- Since 2017, estimated revenues have dropped by 2.69%.
- Estimated revenues for magazine companies dropped by an average of 0.67% per year during the period.
| Year | Estimated revenue | Change | Inflation-adjusted |
| 2021 | $26.01 billion | + 8.24% | $23.43 billion |
| 2020 | $24.03 billion | – 9.01% | $22.67 billion |
| 2019 | $26.41 billion | + 2.36% | $25.39 billion |
| 2018 | $25.80 billion | – 3.48% | $25.29 billion |
| 2017 | $26.73 billion | $26.73 billion |
A graph is given below to show the estimated revenue for US magazine companies:
Sources of revenue for US magazine companies
- As of 2021, subscriptions and sales make up 37.41% of revenue for US magazine companies.
- Advertising space makes up 33.06% of revenue for US magazine companies.
- Printing services make up 6.54% of revenue for US magazine companies.
- Licensing of content rights make up 1.50% of revenue for US magazine companies.
- Other revenue sources were responsible for the remaining 21.49%.
| Year | Subscriptions and sales | Advertising space | Printing services | Licensing of content rights | Other revenue |
| 2021 | $9.73 billion | $8.60 billion | $1.70 billion | $0.39 billion | $5.59 billion |
| 2020 | $9.17 billion | $8.97 billion | $1.06 billion | $0.39 billion | $4.44 billion |
| 2019 | $9.77 billion | $9.95 billion | $1.24 billion | $0.52 billion | $4.93 billion |
| 2018 | $8.51 billion | $11.03 billion | $1.45 billion | $0.52 billion | $4.28 billion |
| 2017 | $9.19 billion | $12.79 billion | $1.83 billion | $0.46 billion | $2.46 billion |
A graph is given below to show the estimated sources of revenue for US magazine companies between 2019 – 2021:
Expenses for US magazine companies
- As of 2021, the total estimated expenses for US magazine companies was $19.66 billion.
- This was an increase of 4.02% from 2020’s $18.90 billion.
- Over the given period, estimated expenses were at their highest during 2017 ($22.13 billion).
- Since 2017, estimated expenses have dropped by 11.16%.
- Estimated expenses for magazine companies dropped by an average of 2.79% per year during the period.
| Year | Estimated expenses | Change | Inflation-adjusted |
| 2021 | $19.66 billion | + 4.02% | $17.71 billion |
| 2020 | $18.90 billion | – 11.81% | $17.83 billion |
| 2019 | $21.43 billion | + 6.56% | $20.61 billion |
| 2018 | $20.11 billion | – 9.13% | $19.72 billion |
| 2017 | $22.13 billion | $22.13 billion |
A graph is given below to show the estimated expenses for US magazine companies:
Profit for US magazine companies
- As of 2021, the total estimated profit for US magazine companies was $6.35 billion.
- Over the given period, estimated profits were at their highest level during the year.
- It was also an increase of 23.78% over 2020’s $5.13 billion.
- Since 2017, estimated profits have increased by 38.04%.
- Estimated profits for US magazine companies increased by an average of 9.51% per year during the period.
| Year | Estimated profit | Change | Inflation-adjusted |
| 2021 | $6.35 billion | + 23.78% | $5.72 billion |
| 2020 | $5.13 billion | + 3.01% | $4.84 billion |
| 2019 | $4.98 billion | – 12.48% | $4.79 billion |
| 2018 | $5.69 billion | + 23.70% | $5.58 billion |
| 2017 | $4.60 billion | $4.60 billion |
A graph is given below to show the estimated profit for US magazine companies:
Mass media company revenues
- Mass media company revenues can include revenues generated through magazines, newspapers and television channels alongside other business.
- As of 2022, mass media company Hearst Communications expects revenues to reach approximately $12 billion for the year.
- Condé Nast expects its revenues to exceed $2 billion for the year.
- Dotdash Meridith’s revenue was estimated to be $1.93 billion for the year.