People magazine is a weekly magazine that reports celebrity and human interest news. First published in 1974, People has become one of the most popular magazines in the United States with a circulation of over 3 million readers. The magazine is known for its extensive coverage of celebrity culture through news reports, interviews, profiles and photo spreads. In this article, we will take a closer look at what People magazine is all about.
History of People Magazine
People magazine was founded by Time Inc. in 1974, originally as a spin-off from the People section in Time magazine. The first issue of People was published on March 4, 1974 with actress Mia Farrow featured on the cover. From the start, People set itself apart from other celebrity and entertainment magazines by focusing on human interest stories about public figures as much as reporting gossip or celebrity news. The accessible writing style and heavy use of photography made it popular with mainstream American readers who were fascinated by celebrity culture.
| Year | Key Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1974 | People magazine first published |
| 1978 | Circulation reaches 1 million |
| 1991 | People.com website launched |
| 2000 | Spin-off Teen People magazine launched |
| 2006 | Circulation reaches 3.75 million |
| 2014 | Celebrates 40th anniversary |
Some key milestones in the history of People magazine include:
– Reaching a circulation of 1 million by 1978, just 4 years after first launching.
– Launching the People.com website in 1991, one of the first magazine websites.
– Spinning off Teen People magazine in 2000 to cater to younger readers.
– Hitting a peak circulation of 3.75 million in 2006, cementing its status as a leading magazine.
– Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2014.
Today, People remains one of the highest circulating and most recognizable American magazines both in print and online.
Content and Features of People
People magazine is known for its in-depth celebrity news and human interest stories. Each issue features extensive coverage of the latest celebrity gossip, news, scandals, weddings, births, deaths, relationship updates and more for Hollywood stars, musicians, reality TV personalities and other public figures. However, People sets itself apart by also telling the personal stories behind the celebrities. Profiles, interviews and longer form articles give insight into who the celebrities are beyond their public personas.
Other types of content and features found in People includes:
– Photo spreads and galleries of candid celebrity shots, often with exclusive access.
– Spotlights on fashion, beauty and style trends inspired by celebrities.
– Updates on celebrity couples, babies, families and homes.
– Stories of inspiring newsmakers and ordinary people.
– pop culture news and nostalgia.
– Celebrity social media highlights.
– Television news such as casting scoops or plot spoilers.
– Various regular columns and sections such as Milestones (major life events), Beauty Watch, Fan Forum (letters from readers), PEOPLE Picks (staff selections) and more.
A mix of longer form reporting and quick hits on the latest celebrity happenings has made People a go-to source for fun, engaging entertainment and human interest news for almost 50 years.
Significance and Impact of People
As one of the longest running and most widely read American magazines, People has had significant influence on both celebrity and pop culture since the 1970s. Here are some of the key impacts People magazine has had over the decades:
– Helped fuel the public’s growing obsession with celebrities by making stories accessible.
– Normalized the concept of reality stars and celetoids who became famous for no special talents.
– Greatly expanded the reach of gossip reporting and even influenced what traditional news covered.
– Provided exposure for celebrities and increased their influence. Cover stories became highly coveted.
– Shaped public perceptions of celebrities through profiles, interviews and its trusted voice.
– Set trends for candid celebrity photography that blurred public and private lives.
– Inspired numerous imitators and spawned the celebrity magazine genre.
– Launched the careers of many entertainment journalists and photographers.
– Expanded its brand into other platforms like web, video, books, events and more.
– Promoted American pop culture globally through international editions in places like Australia, South Africa and the UK.
While sometimes criticized for exploiting celebrity obsession, People’s accessible storytelling style and personable tone helped fuel the public’s insatiable interest in celebrities’ lives and made celebrity culture a core part of American life today. It remains one of the most recognizable magazine brands decades after first hitting newsstands.
People Magazine Today
While the magazine industry as a whole has declined in recent years due to competition from digital media, People has retained its popularity and managed to maintain strong circulation numbers. Some key facts about People magazine today:
– Has a total circulation over 3 million with over 35 million readers across all platforms.
– Ranks as the #2 magazine in the United States by circulation behind Better Homes & Gardens.
– Gets over 90 million monthly views on its website People.com.
– Has over 12 million followers on Facebook and 4 million on Instagram.
– Remains a top advertiser targeted magazine for its engaged readership and strong female demographic.
– Continues to break big celebrity stories through exclusive access and reporting.
– Expanded brand extensions like podcasts, YouTube channel, mobile apps and books.
– Increased focus on human interest stories beyond just celebrity news.
– Cover price is $5.99 in the United States. Annual subscriptions are around $100.
While adapting to the digital age, People continues using the successful formula of celebrity news mixed with compelling human interest stories across its print, online, video and social platforms to engage a broad American audience. It maintains its iconic status as the top American celebrity weekly.
Criticism of People Magazine
While hugely successful and influential, People magazine has also received criticism and backlash over the years for some of its content and effect on culture, including:
– Promoting superficial celebrity worship and obsession with the personal lives of public figures.
– Taking celebrity journalism to tabloidesque levels and sensationalizing gossip.
– Lacking depth and focusing too much on scandals, relationships and lifestyle fluff.
– Manufacturing celebrities out of reality TV stars, socialites and others without real talents.
– Intruding on celebrities’ private moments and relationships.
– Perpetuating negative stereotypes about women by showcasing extremes of beauty, wealth and fame.
– Detracting attention from more serious issues and news events.
– Enabling celebrities to control public image through friendly coverage.
While People maintains high journalistic standards for the most part, some argue it has contributed to an overinflated celebrity culture focused on wealth, beauty and scandal. However, as an entertainment publication, the magazine provides a sought-after lightheartened escape for many readers around the world.
Conclusion
For over 45 years, People has delivered entertainment and human interest stories about celebrities to mainstream American audiences. While originally conceived of as a spin-off of celebrity profiles from Time magazine, it has far surpassed its roots to become synonymous with celebrity culture. People’s accessible writing style, extensive visuals and expanded multimedia presence has allowed it to withstand the test of time even as the magazine industry has declined. Although sometimes criticized for glorifying celebrity and gossip, the weekly magazine remains beloved by millions of loyal readers around the world. With its finger on the pulse of pop culture, People continues exposing all facets of celebrities’ lives while spotlighting extraordinary ordinary people as well. It remains the top American print and digital destination for the latest celebrity news, gossip, photos and human interest stories.