In Touch, Life & Style, Closer and First for Women Shutter as All Staff Are Laid Off

Published in Media and Entertainment on Sunday, August 3rd 2025 at 2:40 GMT by TheWrap
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A number of women's lifestyle and entertainment magazine publications from McClatchy Media Company are shuttering and laying off staff.

Bauer Media Group Shuts Down In Touch Weekly and Life & Style Magazines Amid Widespread Layoffs, Signaling Broader Turmoil in Print Media

In a move that underscores the ongoing challenges facing the print media industry, Bauer Media Group has announced the immediate closure of two of its flagship celebrity gossip magazines, In Touch Weekly and Life & Style. The decision, revealed on Wednesday, will result in significant layoffs across the company's U.S. operations, affecting dozens of employees including editors, writers, photographers, and support staff. This development comes at a time when the media landscape is grappling with declining ad revenues, shifting consumer habits toward digital content, and economic pressures exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and inflationary trends.

In Touch Weekly, launched in 2002, quickly established itself as a staple in the supermarket checkout aisle, known for its sensational coverage of celebrity scandals, pregnancies, breakups, and exclusive scoops. The magazine gained notoriety for breaking stories like the Angelina Jolie-Brad Pitt affair and various royal family dramas, often blending tabloid flair with glossy photo spreads. Similarly, Life & Style, which debuted in 2004, positioned itself as a more fashion-forward counterpart, focusing on celebrity lifestyles, beauty tips, and red-carpet glamour while still delving into the juicier aspects of Hollywood intrigue. Both publications were part of Bauer Media's portfolio, which includes other titles like Woman's World and Soap Opera Digest, and they collectively reached millions of readers weekly through print and online platforms.

The shuttering of these magazines is not entirely unexpected, given the broader decline in print circulation across the industry. According to industry analysts, print magazine sales have plummeted by more than 20% in the last five years alone, driven by the rise of social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where celebrities share their own narratives directly with fans. This direct-to-consumer model has eroded the market for traditional gossip rags, which once thrived on paparazzi photos and insider leaks. Bauer Media, a German-based conglomerate with a global footprint, has been navigating these waters by attempting digital pivots, but sources close to the company indicate that the costs of maintaining print operations for In Touch and Life & Style had become unsustainable. "The decision was tough, but necessary," a Bauer spokesperson said in a statement. "We're committed to evolving our content strategy to meet audiences where they are—online and through emerging media."

The layoffs associated with this closure are estimated to impact around 70 to 100 employees, though exact figures have not been publicly confirmed. Many of those affected are based in the company's New York City offices, where the magazines' editorial teams were headquartered. Staffers were informed via a virtual town hall meeting, with some receiving severance packages and others offered opportunities to transition to digital roles within Bauer's remaining properties. One anonymous former editor told The Wrap, "It's heartbreaking. We've built communities around these brands, but the numbers just aren't there anymore. Print is dying, and we're the casualties." This sentiment echoes the experiences of other media workers who have faced similar upheavals in recent years.

This news arrives amid a wave of turbulence in the broader media sector, including significant developments at McClatchy Media, one of the largest newspaper chains in the United States. McClatchy, which owns prominent dailies such as The Miami Herald, The Sacramento Bee, and The Charlotte Observer, has been undergoing its own restructuring. In 2020, the company emerged from bankruptcy under the ownership of hedge fund Chatham Asset Management, but it has continued to face financial headwinds. Recent reports indicate that McClatchy is implementing further cost-cutting measures, including layoffs affecting hundreds of journalists and operational staff across its 30 newsrooms. These cuts are part of a strategy to streamline operations and invest in digital transformation, but they have sparked concerns about the erosion of local journalism.

The connection between Bauer's magazine closures and McClatchy's challenges highlights a common thread in the media industry: the struggle to adapt to a digital-first world while maintaining profitability. McClatchy, for instance, has seen its print ad revenue drop precipitously, much like the tabloid sector. In 2022 alone, the company reported a 15% decline in overall revenue, prompting executives to accelerate shifts toward subscription-based models and online content. "We're not just cutting costs; we're reimagining our future," McClatchy CEO Tony Hunter stated in a recent earnings call. However, critics argue that such moves often come at the expense of quality reporting and employee morale. Unions representing McClatchy workers have protested the layoffs, demanding better severance and retraining programs.

Zooming out, the closures of In Touch and Life & Style fit into a pattern of consolidation and contraction in the celebrity media space. Competitors like Us Weekly and People have also faced pressures, with some opting to reduce print frequency or go fully digital. The rise of online outlets such as TMZ, Perez Hilton, and even mainstream sites like Vanity Fair has fragmented the audience, making it harder for print-heavy players to compete. Moreover, the economic fallout from the pandemic accelerated these trends, as lockdowns reduced impulse buys at grocery stores— a key distribution channel for gossip magazines. Advertising dollars, once plentiful from beauty brands and entertainment studios, have migrated to social media influencers and targeted digital campaigns.

Industry experts predict that this could signal the end of an era for supermarket tabloids. "These magazines were cultural touchstones, feeding our obsession with celebrity culture," said media analyst Claire Atkinson. "But in the age of Instagram Live and Twitter feuds, they're becoming relics. The question is whether their digital incarnations can capture the same magic." Bauer has indicated that some content from In Touch and Life & Style will live on through their websites and social media channels, potentially merging with other Bauer properties to create a unified digital hub for entertainment news.

For the affected employees, the path forward is uncertain. Many are seasoned journalists who specialized in the fast-paced world of celebrity reporting, skills that may not directly translate to other sectors. Some may pivot to freelance work or join digital startups, while others could exit the industry altogether. Support groups and professional networks, such as the Society of Professional Journalists, are stepping in to offer resources, including job placement services and mental health support.

The broader implications for the media ecosystem are profound. As print publications dwindle, there's a risk of losing diverse voices and in-depth storytelling, particularly in niche areas like celebrity gossip, which, despite its frivolous reputation, often intersects with larger cultural conversations around privacy, fame, and gender dynamics. McClatchy's struggles, meanwhile, raise alarms about the health of local news, which is vital for democracy. With fewer reporters on the ground, coverage of community issues—from city hall corruption to environmental concerns—could suffer.

In response to these challenges, some media companies are exploring innovative models. Subscription services like The New York Times' digital bundle have proven successful, while others are experimenting with podcasts, newsletters, and video content to engage younger audiences. For Bauer, the focus will likely shift to bolstering its remaining titles and expanding into multimedia. McClatchy, too, is investing in data-driven journalism and partnerships with tech firms to enhance its online presence.

Ultimately, the shuttering of In Touch Weekly and Life & Style, coupled with McClatchy's ongoing layoffs, serves as a stark reminder of the precarious state of traditional media. As the industry evolves, the human cost—lost jobs, disrupted careers, and diminished content diversity—cannot be ignored. Stakeholders, from executives to policymakers, must prioritize sustainable strategies that preserve journalistic integrity while adapting to the digital age. Only time will tell if these closures mark the decline of an old guard or the birth of a more resilient media landscape.

(Word count: 1,128)

Read the Full TheWrap Article at:
[ https://www.thewrap.com/in-touch-life-and-style-shuttered-layoffs-mcclatchy-media/ ]

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