Future plc#2016–2021

The company was founded by Chris Anderson as Future Publishing in Somerton, Somerset, England, with the sole magazine Amstrad Action in 1985.{{cite news |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/profile-chris-anderson-media-with-passion-1105628.html |title=Profile: Chris Anderson: Media with passion |last=Nicholas |first=Ruth |date=11 July 1999 |work=The Independent |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130114033426/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/profile-chris-anderson-media-with-passion-1105628.html |archive-date=14 January 2013 |location=London |url-status=live}} An early innovation was the inclusion of free software on magazine covers. It acquired GP Publications and established what would become Future US in 1994.{{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=fKzSAgAAQBAJ&q=GP+Publications+1993+future+plc&pg=PA220 |title=Revolutions from Grub Street: A History of Magazine Publishing in Britain |first1=Howard |last1=Cox |first2=Simon |last2=Mowatt |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2014 |isbn=978-0199601639 |page=220 |access-date=11 November 2020 |archive-date=16 August 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230816114504/https://books.google.com/books?id=fKzSAgAAQBAJ&q=GP+Publications+1993+future+plc&pg=PA220 |url-status=live}}

Anderson sold the company to Pearson plc for £52.7m in 1994, but bought it back in 1998, for £142 million. The company was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1999.{{cite web |url= https://flashesandflames.com/2014/04/06/can-new-future-ceo-save-magazine-group/ |title=Can new Future CEO end 15 years of boom & bust? |date=6 April 2014 |publisher=Flashes and Flames |access-date=17 June 2019 |archive-date=15 March 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230315104431/https://flashesandflames.com/2014/04/06/can-new-future-ceo-save-magazine-group/ |url-status=live}} Anderson left the company in 2001.{{cite news |url= http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_09/b4168068827012.htm |title=TED's Not Dead, But It Is Aging: The annual conference tries to reach out to a new generation, awkwardly |last=Walters |first=Helen |date=18 February 2010 |work=Business Week |access-date=16 March 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100221081506/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_09/b4168068827012.htm |archive-date=21 February 2010}}

In 2004, the company was accused of corruption when it published positive reviews for the video game Driver 3 in two of its owned magazines, Xbox World and PSM2.{{cite web |last=Lui |first=Spandas |title=A history of gaming's biggest scandals |work=PC World |date=30 March 2010 |url= http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/341103/history_gaming_biggest_scandals/?pp=2 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160630205613/http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/341103/history_gaming_biggest_scandals/?pp=2 |access-date=4 May 2023 |archive-date=30 June 2016}}

Future published the official magazines for the consoles of all three major games console manufacturers (Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony); however PlayStation: The Official Magazine ceased publishing in November 2012, and Official Nintendo Magazine ceased publishing in October 2014.{{cite web |url= https://www.engadget.com/2012/11/07/playstation-the-official-magazine-closes/ |title=PlayStation: The Official Magazine being shuttered, will say farewell with holiday issue |last=Santos |first=Alexis |date=7 November 2012 |publisher=Engadget (Joystiq) |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130122051959/http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/07/playstation-the-official-magazine-closes/ |archive-date=22 January 2013 |url-status=live |access-date=6 December 2012}}{{cite web |last=Simberg |first=Nick |url= http://gamerlimit.com/2009/11/another-blow-to-print-journalism-future-publishing-profits-fall-61/ |title=Another blow to print journalism: Future Publishing profits fall 61% |publisher=Gamer Limit |date=28 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100205145953/http://gamerlimit.com/2009/11/another-blow-to-print-journalism-future-publishing-profits-fall-61/ |archive-date=5 February 2010}}

The chief executive and finance director both resigned at short notice after a profit warning in October 2011. It was noted that a re-structuring would be necessary as the company moved to a digital model.{{cite news |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/oukin-uk-future-idUKTRE79Q1BV20111027 |title=Future CEO and FD resign, names replacements |date=27 October 2011 |publisher=Reuters |access-date=23 March 2023 |archive-date=23 March 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230323005553/https://www.reuters.com/article/oukin-uk-future-idUKTRE79Q1BV20111027 |url-status=live}}

Future announced it would cut 55 jobs from its UK operation as part of a restructuring to adapt "more effectively to the company's rapid transition to a primarily digital business model."{{cite web |url= https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/sep/03/future-publishing-cut-55-jobs |title=Future Publishing to cut 55 jobs |last=Sweney |first=Mark |work=The Guardian |date=3 September 2013 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20181209075717/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/sep/03/future-publishing-cut-55-jobs |archive-date=9 December 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=9 December 2018}} The company announced in March 2014 that it would close all of its U.S.-based print publications and shift U.S. print support functions such as consumer marketing, production and editorial leadership for Future's international print brands to the UK.[http://hsprod.investis.com/ir/futr/ir.jsp?page=news-item&item=1725689942245376 Future US streamlined to focus on digital] {{Webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140408213648/http://hsprod.investis.com/ir/futr/ir.jsp?page=news-item&item=1725689942245376 |date=8 April 2014}}, RNS Number : 3903D, Future PLC, 28 March 2014 Later in 2014, Future sold its sport and craft titles to Immediate Media, and its auto titles to Kelsey Media.{{Cite web |url= https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/nov/21/future-publishing-cuts-400-jobs |title=Future Publishing cuts more than 400 jobs as part of restructure |last=Sweney |first=Mark |date=21 November 2014 |work=The Guardian |archive-url= https://archive.today/20181209075507/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/nov/21/future-publishing-cuts-400-jobs |archive-date=9 December 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=21 December 2014}}

In April 2014, Zillah Byng-Thorne (then finance director) was appointed chief executive to replace Mark Wood, who had been in the position since 2011.

In 2018, Future made further major acquisitions. It bought the What Hi-Fi?, FourFourTwo, Practical Caravan, and Practical Motorhome brands from Haymarket; and it acquired NewBay Media, publisher of numerous broadcast, professional-video, and systems-integration trade titles, as well as several consumer music magazines.{{cite web |url= https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/future-publishing-acquires-us-content-business-newbay-media |title=Future Publishing Acquires US Content Business NewBay Media |last=Butts |first=Tom |date=4 April 2018 |work=TV Technology |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181209081250/https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/future-publishing-acquires-tv-technology-parent-newbay-media |archive-date=9 December 2018 |access-date=4 April 2018}} This acquisition returned most of the U.S. consumer music magazines to Future, with the exception of Revolver which had been sold to Project M Group in 2017.{{cite web |url= https://blabbermouth.net/news/revolver-magazine-sold-to-digital-media-company-project-m-group-brand-relaunch-planned-for-this-fall |title=Revolver Magazine Sold to Digital Media Company Project M Group; Brand Relaunch Planned for This Fall |date=1 May 2017 |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=10 September 2024 |archive-date=7 March 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240307022323/https://blabbermouth.net/news/revolver-magazine-sold-to-digital-media-company-project-m-group-brand-relaunch-planned-for-this-fall |url-status=live}}

It bought the Purch Group for $132m by September 2018,{{Cite news |url= https://www.thedrum.com/news/2018/07/18/purch-sells-b2c-imprints-global-specialist-media-publisher-future-132m-deal |title=Purch sells B2C imprints to global specialist media publisher Future in $132m deal |work=The Drum |access-date=29 July 2018 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20181209073247/https://www.thedrum.com/news/2018/07/18/purch-sells-b2c-imprints-global-specialist-media-publisher-future-132m-deal |archive-date=9 December 2018 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |url= https://digiday.com/media/future-buys-purch-boost-us-revenue/ |title=Future buys Purch to boost US revenue |date=18 July 2018 |work=Digiday |access-date=29 July 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181209080736/https://digiday.com/media/future-buys-purch-boost-us-revenue/ |archive-date=9 December 2018}} and in February 2019 bought Mobile Nations including the titles Android Central, iMore, Windows Central and Thrifter for $115 million.{{cite web |url= https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/FUTURE-PLC-33684370/news/Future-Acquisition-of-Mobile-Nations-28091511/ |title=Future : Acquisition of Mobile Nations |website=MarketScreener |date=1 March 2019 |access-date=10 September 2024 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201108022449/https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/FUTURE-PLC-33684370/news/Future-Acquisition-of-Mobile-Nations-28091511/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url= http://otp.investis.com/clients/uk/future_plc/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=967&newsid=1335959 |title=Accelerates Mobile Nations earnout payment |website=otp.investis.com |access-date=20 October 2019 |archive-date=11 July 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230711103834/http://otp.investis.com/clients/uk/future_plc/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=967&newsid=1335959 |url-status=live}} Future also acquired Procycling and Cyclingnews.com from Immediate Media.{{Cite web |title=Back to Future: Immediate sells CyclingNews and Procycling to Future plc, their previous owner |work=Bicycle Retailer and Industry News |access-date=16 November 2019 |url= https://www.bicycleretailer.com/international/2019/02/14/back-future-immediate-media-sells-cyclingnews-and-procycling-back-future |archive-date=21 March 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230321210746/https://www.bicycleretailer.com/international/2019/02/14/back-future-immediate-media-sells-cyclingnews-and-procycling-back-future |url-status=live}} In July 2019 the company bought SmartBrief, a digital media publisher, for an initial sum of $45 million.{{Cite web |url= http://otp.investis.com/clients/uk/future_plc/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=967&newsid=1317394 |title=Acquisition of SmartBrief |website=otp.investis.com |access-date=20 October 2019 |archive-date=11 July 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230711103933/http://otp.investis.com/clients/uk/future_plc/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=967&newsid=1317394 |url-status=live}}

In November 2019, the company bought Barcroft Studios for £23.5 million in a combination of cash and shares.{{cite web |title=Barcroft Studios bought by Future plc for £23.5m |url= https://www.televisual.com/news/barcroft-studios-bought-by-future-plc-for-23-5m_nid-8340/ |date=15 November 2019 |website=Televisual |access-date=10 September 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220629094812/https://www.televisual.com/news/barcroft-studios-bought-by-future-plc-for-23-5m_nid-8340/ |archive-date=29 June 2022 |url-status=live}} It renamed it Future Studios and announced the launch of "Future Originals", an anthology gaming series, a "factual" series focusing on the paranormal, and a new true-crime show, in partnership with Marie Claire.{{cite news |url= https://variety.com/2022/digital/global/fmarie-claire-future-studios-true-crime-series-1235208393/ |title=True Crime Series 'On the Record with Marie Claire' at Future Studios |publisher=Variety |access-date=22 March 2023 |archive-date=26 June 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230626023549/https://variety.com/2022/digital/global/fmarie-claire-future-studios-true-crime-series-1235208393/ |url-status=live}}

In April 2020, it acquired TI Media with 41 brands for £140 million.{{Cite web |url= http://otp.investis.com/clients/uk/future_plc/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=967&newsid=1341444 |title=Proposed Acquisition of TI Media for £140 million |date=30 October 2019 |website=otp.investis.com |access-date=31 October 2019 |archive-date=11 July 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230711103951/http://otp.investis.com/clients/uk/future_plc/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=967&newsid=1341444 |url-status=live}} In November, it agreed to a £594m takeover of GoCo plc, known for its Gocompare.com price-comparison website.{{Cite news |last=Sweney |first=Mark |date=25 November 2020 |title=Country Life publisher Future to buy GoCompare for £594m |work=The Guardian |url= https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/nov/25/country-life-publisher-future-to-buy-gocompare-for-594m |access-date=9 January 2021 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=3 June 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230603102745/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/nov/25/country-life-publisher-future-to-buy-gocompare-for-594m |url-status=live}} In August 2021, it acquired Dennis Publishing and its 12 magazines, for £300 million.{{Cite web |url= http://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/aug/16/country-life-owner-buys-dennis-publishing-in-300m-deal |title=Country Life owner buys Dennis Publishing in £300m deal |date=16 August 2021 |website=The Guardian |access-date=16 September 2021 |archive-date=16 September 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210916004017/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/aug/16/country-life-owner-buys-dennis-publishing-in-300m-deal |url-status=live}}

The company was criticised in February 2022 for the size of the remuneration package being offered to Zillah Byng-Thorne, the chief executive. It was noted that she could receive £40 million if the company performed well.{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/feb/03/country-life-publisher-future-shareholder-revolt-executive-pay-investors-shares |title=Country Life publisher reeling after shareholder revolt over executive pay |first=Mark |last=Sweney |newspaper=The Guardian |date=3 February 2022 |access-date=23 March 2023 |archive-date=3 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603102729/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/feb/03/country-life-publisher-future-shareholder-revolt-executive-pay-investors-shares |url-status=live}}

Byng-Thorne resigned with effect from 3 April 2023 and was replaced as chief executive by Jon Steinberg.{{Cite magazine |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=22 February 2023 |title=Jon Steinberg, Former BuzzFeed and Cheddar Exec, Tapped as CEO of U.K. Publisher Future |magazine=Variety |url= https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/jon-steinberg-ceo-future-plc-1235531789/ |access-date=12 March 2023 |archive-date=21 March 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230321204546/https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/jon-steinberg-ceo-future-plc-1235531789/ |url-status=live}}

In April 2023, the company sold its shooting magazines including Shooting Times and Sporting Gun to Fieldsports Press.{{Cite web |last=Tobitt |first=Charlotte |date=13 April 2023 |title=Fieldsports Press acquires Future's shooting brands |url= https://pressgazette.co.uk/the-wire/media-mergers-news-tracker/fieldsports-press-acquires-future-shooting-magazine-brands/ |access-date=8 November 2024 |website=Press Gazette}}

In August 2024, the company announced that its American trade papers Broadcasting & Cable and Multichannel News{{Cite web |url= https://www.videoageinternational.net/2024/08/22/watercooler/a-wave-of-trade-magazine-closures/ |title=A Wave of Trade Magazine Closures |work=VideoAge International |access-date=14 October 2024}} would be closing after more than 90 years, with the main title Broadcasting having been first published in 1931 and the merged title Multichannel News dating from 1980.{{Cite web |last=Tobitt |first=Charlotte |date=7 August 2024 |title=Future closes two US TV trade publications |url= https://pressgazette.co.uk/news/future-closes-two-us-tv-trade-publications/ |website=Press Gazette}} In October 2024, the company closed a number of consumer titles in the United Kingdom, including Play, All About Space, Total 911, and 3D World, with the monthly movie magazine Total Film{{Cite web |url= https://www.gamesradar.com/total-film-latest-issue/ |title=Enter the arena with the Gladiator II issue of Total Film – on sale now! |first=Matt |last=Maytum |date=22 May 2023 |website=gamesradar}}{{cite web |url= https://pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/digital-journalism/future-closes-titles-and-events-deemed-low-to-no-growth-assets/ |title=Future closes titles and events deemed 'low to no growth assets' |date=3 October 2024 |newspaper=Press Gazette |access-date=14 October 2024}} ceasing publication after 27 years.{{Cite web |url= https://filmstories.co.uk/news/total-film-and-more-future-publishing-statement-on-closing-magazines/ |title=Total Film and more | Future Publishing statement on closing magazines |first=Simon |last=Brew |date=4 October 2024 |website=Film Stories}}

Kevin Li Ying took over the position of CEO on 31 March 2025.{{Cite web |title=Kevin Li Ying Appointed Future CEO - Future |url=https://futureplc.com/blog/kevin-li-ying-appointed-future-ceo/ |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=futureplc.com}}

In addition to media and magazines, the company has two other businesses:

• Future Studios is its video division, built upon the acquisition of Barcroft Media in 2019.{{cite web |date=15 November 2019 |title=Barcroft Studios bought by Future plc for £23.5m |url= https://www.televisual.com/news/barcroft-studios-bought-by-future-plc-for-23-5m_nid-8340/ |access-date=10 September 2024 |website=Televisual |archive-date=22 March 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230322202135/https://www.televisual.com/news/barcroft-studios-bought-by-future-plc-for-23-5m_nid-8340/ |url-status=live}}
• Marketforce is its sales, marketing, and distribution company, acquired as part of a 2019 deal with TI Media.{{Cite web |date=1 November 2019 |title=Why Future is buying TI Media |url= https://flashesandflames.com/2019/11/01/why-future-is-buying-ti-media/ |access-date=22 March 2023 |website=Flashes & Flames |archive-date=22 March 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230322202138/https://flashesandflames.com/2019/11/01/why-future-is-buying-ti-media/ |url-status=live}}

Future's portfolio of brands includes TechRadar, PC Gamer, Tom's Guide, Tom's Hardware, Marie Claire, GamesRadar+, MusicRadar, How it Works, Digital Camera World, Creative Bloq, CinemaBlend, Android Central, IT Pro, BikePerfect, Truly, Windows Central, Chat, and the website GoodToKnow.co.uk.{{Cite press release |date=23 September 2022 |title=Future Celebrates Market Leading Position As Largest Tech News Publisher |url= https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2022/09/23/2521870/0/en/Future-Celebrates-Market-Leading-Position-As-Largest-Tech-News-Publisher.html |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221112003551/https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2022/09/23/2521870/0/en/Future-Celebrates-Market-Leading-Position-As-Largest-Tech-News-Publisher.html |archive-date=12 November 2022 |access-date=5 December 2022 |website=GlobeNewswire}}{{Cite web |last=Partis |first=Danielle |date=15 September 2022 |title=Future makes editorial layoffs despite 'high' revenue projections |website=GamesIndustry |url= https://www.gamesindustry.biz/future-makes-editorial-layoffs-despite-high-revenue-projections |url-status=live |access-date=5 December 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220915101954/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/future-makes-editorial-layoffs-despite-high-revenue-projections |archive-date=15 September 2022}}{{Cite news |date=16 August 2021 |title=UK's Future Plc to buy The Week publisher for $415 mln |work=Reuters |url= https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/uks-future-plc-buy-the-week-publisher-415-mln-2021-08-16/ |url-status=live |access-date=10 September 2024 |archive-date=10 February 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230210211033/https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/uks-future-plc-buy-the-week-publisher-415-mln-2021-08-16/}}{{cite web|url=https://go.future-advertising.com/MusicRadar-Media-Kit.html | publisher=MusicRadar|title=The website built by musicians, for musicians|access-date=14 May 2025}}

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Category:Future plc

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