Model Kate Upton poses with copies of the 2017 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue at a launch event for the Swimsuit Issue in New York City, U.S., February 16, 2017. (Reuters)
Time Inc. is mulling a move to cut the frequency of Sports Illustrated again — from its current 38 issues a year.
At the same time, the company is looking to diversify its base and recently announced plans to introduce a line of bathing suits — clearly trading on its most profitable franchise, the SI Swimsuit edition. It has teamed up with RAJ Swim in the premium apparel space. Models in the next swimsuit edition, come February, are expected to showcase some of the swimsuits.
Meanwhile, the regular issues of SI have been looking mighty slender of late from lack of ad page heft.
How many editions will be cut next year is an open question. The Big Lead, which broke the news of the potential cuts, said that cuts could result in just 24 issues a year.
Media Ink sources confirmed that Time is indeed mulling an SI frequency reduction, but said the total annual output would be closer to 30 issues.
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