On sale April 6, SFX has undergone a complete revamp, and is now published in a wider size and printed on better quality paper. New features in the magazine include retro TV celebration ‘20 Things We Love About…’, a monthly peek into readers’ sci-fi memorabilia collections and new columnists like horror industry insider “Penny Dreadful”.
Editor-in-Chief David Bradley says: "SFX has been the market leader for so long by continuing to evolve with the times. The massive popularity of sci-fi and fantasy at the moment means the time is right for the mag to cement its place in fans' hearts with a brand new look.
“All the favourite features are there, but readers will also find new regulars like a monthly quiz, interviews with debut authors and iPhone app reviews. At the same time we're investing in the production values of the magazine, and in brand extensions like the website and our event the SFX Weekender."
The overhaul of the magazine marks a period of sustained investment from Future, as part of a move to encourage further engagement with the SFX brand across a number of different platforms.
2011 has seen the SFX brand further cementing its position as market leader, says Future. As well as increased circulation and subscriptions for the print magazine, there has been a “huge rise” in website traffic, with unique users up 100% year-on-year (Sitestat, March 11), and a 31% increase in visitors to the SFX Weekender.
A larger venue for the 2012 SFX Weekender has been confirmed due to “phenomenal demand”. Now at Pontin’s in Prestatyn, Wales, the annual festival attracts thousands of revellers and big names like Sir Terry Pratchett, John Barrowman and Ashes to Ashes star Keely Hawes.
A full refresh of SFX.co.uk will follow shortly along with the release of a brand-new iPhone app. Blastermind, priced at just 59p, is a fun-packed quiz app which allows readers to test their sci-fi knowledge and share their high scores.
Clair Porteous, Group Publisher for Future’s Film Portfolio, said: “I’m thrilled with the magazine’s new look and excited about the revamped site and app. The multi-platform approach allows SFX’s committed fan-base to interact with each other and celebrate the genre in all its formats.
“The popularity of the Blastermind quiz has shown that sci-fi fans are really proud of their knowledge, so producing an app seemed like a natural next step for the brand. 2011 is already proving to be an exciting year for SFX and the improvements we’re making will ensure that SFX remains at the top of its game.”
Issue 208 of SFX is on sale 6th April priced at £4.50.
