Time called on Time Warner magazine business
Time Warner has decided to spin off its entire magazine group rather than go ahead with a proposed merge with the Meredith Corporation.
The company announced on Wednesday merger talks have collapsed.
Time Warner Inc considered the benefits from a spin-off were
greater than the merger with Meredith, the Wall Street Journal says
referring to a person familiar with the situation.
"After a thorough review of options, we believe that a
separation will better position both Time Warner and Time
Inc.," Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes said in a statement. "A
complete spin-off of Time Inc. provides strategic clarity for Time
Warner Inc., enabling us to focus entirely on our television
networks and film and TV production businesses, and improves our
growth profile.”
Meredith Chief Executive Stephen Lacy said "there are natural
synergies between our two portfolios; however, we respect Time
Warner's decision."
As the result of the spin-off Time Inc. will become a separate
public company, The Wall Street Journal reports. CEO Laura Lang
will oversee the transition and leave after her successor is
named.
Time Warner’s decision to get rid of the magazines business comes
as the printed magazine industry has been facing a sharp decline in
sales and hence a steady drop in advertisers’ interest in
magazines.
Leaving the magazine industry, Time Warner will be left with film
and television businesses to run. The media giant owns Warner Bros.
film studio, and several cable channels including HBO, CNN and TNT.
Over the past decade Time Warner also got rid of Warner Music and
Time Warner Cable among other assets.
A spokesman said Time Warner hasn't yet addressed the question of
whether it would drop Time from its corporate name.
