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History of TV Guide Magazine

The weekly magazine TV Guide has been one of the most popular magazines in the United States for more than 50 years. It became a national publication after Triangle Publications, headed by Walter Annenberg, purchased several regional television listings periodicals. TV Guide is prominently displayed at many grocery store checkout counters. Until the early 1980s, weekly television commercials promoted the magazine's latest issue.

  1. Features

    • TV Guide includes not only program listings by channel, but also television-related news, reviews, celebrity interviews, and crossword puzzles.

    History

    • TV Guide was first published as a national magazine in 1953. The first issue featured the infant child of Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball.

    Size

    • By 1980, TV Guide had a circulation of about 20 million. However, the advent of cable television posed challenges for the magazine. By 2007, its circulation had fallen to about 3 million.

    Changes

    • In 2005, the magazine changed its look, going from the digest-sized format to a full-sized magazine that featured more articles and fewer program listings.

    Famous Ties

    • Actress Lucille Ball has appeared on the cover of TV Guide more than any other celebrity, appearing on nearly 40 covers.

    Fun Fact

    • In 2008, OpenGate Capital, a private equity firm, acquired TV Guide for the sale price of one dollar, according to The New York Times.

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