Time Inc., whose stock has struggled over the past year, was hit with layoffs in January. Last month, Yahoo folded several of its digital magazines including Yahoo Tech, Yahoo Food, Yahoo Auto, Yahoo Real Estate, and Yahoo Health. Despite the pivot, Playboy’s numbers are still down-the magazine currently has around 800,000 subscribers, according to the Journal, a fraction of its peak circulation of 5.6 million in 1975.īut it’s not just Playboy-recent months haven’t been kind to the media industry as a whole, which is seeing consolidation left and right. And so it’s just passé at this juncture.” Playboy also has recently been playing up its licensing business, and has found success abroad. “You’re now one click away from every sex act imaginable for free.
Scott Flanders told The New York Times at the time. “That battle has been fought and won,” Playboy C.E.O. In October, Playboy changed its image and began to focus more on its digital presence, and in February published its last issue featuring fully nude pictures of women. Does the news of a potential sale affect perceived value of these risqu publications Time will tell. I came across an article published last year that summarized the 10 most valuable Playboy magazine editions of all time. Five years ago, Playboy went private in a deal valuing the company at $207 million. As for the magazines, like anything, the more rare the edition is, the greater the value. Last year, Playboy generated $38 million in revenue from media, and another $55 million from licensing its brand, according to the Journal. Eighty-nine-year-old Hefner, the magazine’s founder and editor-in-chief, owns a third of the company. is considering a sale for as much as $500 million, The Wall Street Journal reports. Hugh Hefner’s media empire Playboy Enterprises Inc.