History of a music magazine

From my research of Top of The Pops I have learnt that not much has changed since when the magazine first started running in February 1995. The magazine began much like the Q magazine, then changed its editorial policy to directly compete with popular teen celebrity magazines such as Smash Hits and Big.

Top of the pops format has gradually changed, with less music content and is now targeted to young girls. The magazine is still in publication even though the TV show was canceled. The magazine has always stuck to having a main popstar/group on the front cover that was popular in the charts at the time. The magazine is the UK’s biggest-selling teen title.

The major change of the magazine is the title. The name of the magazine has gradually changed throughout the years. It started in big bold writing then went to a style that is funky and brand new. The 'S' on the title is curly which shows the girly side of the magazine. The title has had several editors over the years, including Peter Lorraine, Corinna Schaffer and Rosalie Snaith, and contributing editors including Adam Tanswell. Its current editor is Peter Hart.

The use of bright colours has remained throughout the years. This gives the magazine a lively eye-catching look. Each magazine has a catchy headline to adress the audience.

 It is aimed at younger teenage girls from the age of 11-15. 85% Girls and 15% Boys read this magazine. The main focus of the magazine is pop music. It provides celebrity gossip about the featured artists in the magazine, fashion tips, boys and beauty advice, quizzes, song lyrics and posters.

You can now buy the Top of the magazine online whereas you used to have to buy it in a shop. This has allowed the magazine to get far more buyers than before.

In my magazine I would use the technique of using different feature stories around the main image. I would also use different shapes on the cover e.g- stars and hearts to make it targeted to girls. I will also pick out some of the hottest bargains, where you can buy them, and include their price.