Entertainment Weekly will switch to a monthly print publication this summer, new owner Meredith Corporation announced on Thursday, and JD Heyman will replace Henry Goldblatt as the top editor.
Heyman joins the publication from People Magazine, where he has been deputy editor since 2014.
The magazine, which Time Inc. launched in 1990 and quickly established itself as an influential voice in pop culture, will publish its first monthly issue in August to coincide with Comic-Con. The last weekly edition will be the July 5 issue, which is on sale June 25, the company said. The brand will retain its name despite no longer publishing weekly.
The magazine revealed that it would make new investments in “digital, social, video and experiential platforms” and that its SiriusXM radio channel would discontinue on Friday. As part of the transition, at least a dozen staffers were laid off, including film critic Chris Nashawaty and longtime movie writer Anthony Breznican.
“Entertainment Weekly remains one of the most trusted brands in the entertainment industry, and we plan to deepen our connection with our loyal fans,” said Bruce Gersh, president of the Meredith Entertainment Group, which completed its $1.6 billion purchase of Time Inc. last year. “With the vision and experience to produce premium entertainment content, JD Heyman is the perfect choice as we reimagine the EW brand for accelerated growth and success.”
“Entertainment Weekly is the holy grail for entertainment enthusiasts,” Heyman said. “With the transition to a new monthly frequency, readers can expect more of what they love: more access, more memorable features, more in-depth conversation about Hollywood and its brightest talent.”