Canadian Magazine Industry News
11 November 2013, TORONTO
Rogers digital editions removed from libraries
Rogers Media has backed away from an agreement with digital delivery app developer Zinio, effectively removing its digital magazine editions from Canadian libraries.
The Globe and Mail reported that Rogers ended its relationship with Zinio's digital replica service at the suggestion of Magazines Canada, a national trade organization that counts Rogers among its membership. "Magazines Canada raised the concerns with its members about unfettered free access to magazine content caused by technical problems [with Zinio software]," said Mark Jamison, Magazines Canada chief executive officer, in an email to Masthead.
A tutorial on Zinio for libraries
"We will review this particular issue in the course of time. The focus among members through our many advisory committees is to look at new and constantly evolving digital distribution opportunities that, first and foremost, sell magazines," wrote Jamison.
Zinio could not be reached for comment.
The Toronto Public Library lists the following magazines, all Rogers titles, as having been removed from its digital collection: Maclean's, Canadian Business, Chatelaine, Flare, Flare Trend Report, L'actualité, Loulou, Maclean's University Guide, MoneySense and Today's Parent.
"We were disappointed to learn about Rogers Publishing Group's decision, and regret that we cannot offer access to these Canadian digital publications," said Vickery Bowles, the Toronto library's director of collections management and city-wide services. "However, we still have a wide variety of e-magazines and will continue to work to provide access to quality content for all Toronto Public Library customers."
As noted by the Canadian Magazines blog, the news comes as Rogers prepares to launch next month a digital paid subscription service, Next Issue Canada, and Magazines Canada readies for the January roll-out of its Canadian Magazine Store, an online shop for print and digital editions of its member magazines.
"Magazines Canada's relationship with digital circulation suppliers is changing, including our Zinio-based program, which pioneered awareness of and sales for our membership's digital editions around the world," reads the Magazines Canada website.
The Globe and Mail reported that Rogers ended its relationship with Zinio's digital replica service at the suggestion of Magazines Canada, a national trade organization that counts Rogers among its membership. "Magazines Canada raised the concerns with its members about unfettered free access to magazine content caused by technical problems [with Zinio software]," said Mark Jamison, Magazines Canada chief executive officer, in an email to Masthead.
A tutorial on Zinio for libraries
"We will review this particular issue in the course of time. The focus among members through our many advisory committees is to look at new and constantly evolving digital distribution opportunities that, first and foremost, sell magazines," wrote Jamison.
Zinio could not be reached for comment.
The Toronto Public Library lists the following magazines, all Rogers titles, as having been removed from its digital collection: Maclean's, Canadian Business, Chatelaine, Flare, Flare Trend Report, L'actualité, Loulou, Maclean's University Guide, MoneySense and Today's Parent.
"We were disappointed to learn about Rogers Publishing Group's decision, and regret that we cannot offer access to these Canadian digital publications," said Vickery Bowles, the Toronto library's director of collections management and city-wide services. "However, we still have a wide variety of e-magazines and will continue to work to provide access to quality content for all Toronto Public Library customers."
As noted by the Canadian Magazines blog, the news comes as Rogers prepares to launch next month a digital paid subscription service, Next Issue Canada, and Magazines Canada readies for the January roll-out of its Canadian Magazine Store, an online shop for print and digital editions of its member magazines.
"Magazines Canada's relationship with digital circulation suppliers is changing, including our Zinio-based program, which pioneered awareness of and sales for our membership's digital editions around the world," reads the Magazines Canada website.
Most Recent News Comment
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| Jaded says: | |
Wow, Torstar really seems to be on a mission to bankrupt one magazine after another.... |
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Most Recent Blog Comment
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| Lorene Shyba says: | |
Full of terrific information, Thanks!... |
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We're following up on a few other Canadian titles that were also recently removed. Might be a coincidence though. We'll run an update if it's confirmed they backed away from Zinio for the same reason as Rogers.