The Quiet Demiseof In Touch A Lookat Magazine Shutdownsand Media Industry Struggles

Published in Media and Entertainment on Tuesday, August 19th 2025 at 21:24 GMT by TheWrap
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The Quiet Demise of "In Touch": A Look at Magazine Shutdowns and Media Industry Struggles

The media landscape is littered with casualties, and recently, another name has been added to the list: In Touch Weekly. The celebrity news magazine, a staple on supermarket shelves for nearly two decades, abruptly shuttered its doors in late May 2024, leaving dozens of employees jobless and signaling a deeper malaise within the publishing industry. While the closure might seem like just one more story in a long line of media downturns, it represents a confluence of factors – declining advertising revenue, changing consumer habits, and corporate restructuring – that are reshaping how we consume entertainment news.

For those unfamiliar, In Touch carved out a niche for itself by focusing on celebrity gossip, fashion, and lifestyle content. It was part of a wave of “tabloid” magazines that rose to prominence in the early 2000s alongside publications like Us Weekly and Star. These magazines thrived on offering readers an intimate (and often speculative) glimpse into the lives of Hollywood’s elite, fueled by paparazzi photos and insider scoops. For years, they were a lucrative business, generating significant advertising revenue from retailers and brands eager to reach their largely female readership.

However, the landscape shifted dramatically with the rise of digital media. The internet, and particularly social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, democratized celebrity news. Fans now have direct access to celebrities’ lives through their own accounts, bypassing traditional media outlets altogether. This immediacy has eroded the perceived value proposition of glossy magazines that often lagged behind real-time events. Why wait for a weekly magazine when you can see a celebrity's outfit or hear about a rumored relationship instantly online?

The closure of In Touch is directly linked to its parent company, McClatchy Media, which filed for bankruptcy in 2020 and again in early 2024. McClatchy, once a major newspaper chain, has been struggling with declining advertising revenue and mounting debt for years. The company’s restructuring efforts have involved significant cost-cutting measures, including layoffs and the closure of underperforming assets – In Touch being one of them.

The decision to shutter In Touch wasn't entirely unexpected. In recent years, other celebrity magazines have faced similar fates. Star Magazine was sold in 2018, and while it continues to publish, its reach has diminished considerably. Even the more resilient Us Weekly has undergone significant changes, reducing print frequency and shifting focus towards digital content.

The layoffs associated with In Touch’s closure – reportedly affecting around 75 employees – highlight the human cost of these industry-wide challenges. These are not just nameless numbers; they are writers, editors, photographers, designers, and sales staff who have lost their jobs in a rapidly changing market. The article from TheWrap details the shock and disappointment felt by many of those affected, emphasizing the suddenness with which the magazine ceased operations.

Beyond the immediate impact on employees, In Touch’s demise also raises questions about the future of celebrity magazines as a whole. While there will likely always be demand for entertainment news, the format and delivery methods are evolving. Digital platforms offer greater flexibility and immediacy, while podcasts and video content provide alternative avenues for engaging with celebrity culture.

McClatchy's decision to sell off In Touch underscores a broader trend within the media industry: the divestiture of assets that no longer fit into core business strategies or generate sufficient returns. The company is attempting to focus on its newspaper holdings, recognizing that local news remains a vital (and potentially more sustainable) source of revenue.

The story of In Touch Weekly serves as a cautionary tale for the entire media industry. It’s a stark reminder that even seemingly enduring institutions are vulnerable to disruption and economic pressures. While the magazine may be gone, its legacy – and the challenges it faced – will continue to shape the future of celebrity news and the broader publishing landscape. The rise of digital platforms has fundamentally altered how we consume information, forcing media companies to adapt or risk becoming another casualty in this ongoing evolution. The question now is: what will replace In Touch in the crowded marketplace of entertainment news? And can any publication truly recapture the magic – and profitability – of the golden age of celebrity magazines?

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The Quiet Demiseof In Touch A Lookat Magazine Shutdownsand Media Industry Struggles

The Quiet Demise of "In Touch": A Look at Magazine Shutdowns and Media Industry Struggles

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