Tablets boosting back issue magazine sales

The recent rise of the tablet computer has breathed new life into the publishing industry and is opening new channels of revenue to those involved.

Tablet computers have benefited magazine publishers especially, who, according to a report from marketing news provider Adweek, have been able to sell more back issues of their publications. Though back issues account for only a small portion of magazine sales, they can inject a bit of extra revenue into an industry that desperately needs it.

Adweek cites the case of Hearst Magazines, which publishes Esquire, Cosmopolitan, Popular Mechanics and other titles. According to the news provider, 30 percent of Hearst's single-issue sales on the tablet are back issues. Magazines that have a long shelf life especially are good for back issues, as they can be reread time and time again.

The news provider notes that digital back issue sales will never be the main source of revenue for publishers, and steps need to be taken to encourage tablet owners to purchase new issues and subscriptions. Research firm Gartner predicts more than 100 million tablets will sell in 2012, meaning the market may be advantageous for the publishing industry.