Abstract:

In the 17 West European countries - accounting for about 345 million persons, speaking 15 different languages - there are approximately 7,4 consumer magazines, with a total circulation of 260 million copies. Besides the Federal Republic of Germany, the largest and most interesting European magazine markets are Great Britain, Spain, France and Italy. The largest Press market in the West, the United States, is, however, of gigantic dimensions in comparison to Europe, with over 9,7 magazines, of which, though, only 1,600 can be regarded as of relative importance. The 56 circulation 'millionaires' among the U.S. magazines have over-all sales of 180 million copies, corresponding to around 70 % of the European magazine market. Alongside the U.S.A. and the European countries, Latin America is acquiring increasing importance. Owing to the language barrier, Japan can only be integrated with difficulty into any international magazine market.