Future plc
Chris Anderson opened Future Publishing in Somerton, Somerset, England, during 1985. The company launched with a single magazine called Amstrad Action. An early innovation involved placing free software on the covers of these magazines. This strategy helped attract readers to the new publication. Anderson acquired GP Publications and established what would become Future US in 1994.
Anderson sold the company to Pearson plc for £52.7 million in 1994. He bought it back four years later for £142 million in 1998. The company was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1999. Anderson left the company in 2001. In 2004, the company faced accusations of corruption regarding video game reviews.
Future published official magazines for Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony consoles until November 2012. PlayStation: The Official Magazine ceased publishing that month. Official Nintendo Magazine stopped production in October 2014. The chief executive and finance director both resigned at short notice after a profit warning in October 2011. Future announced it would cut 55 jobs from its UK operation as part of a restructuring. The company closed all U.S.-based print publications in March 2014.
Future made major acquisitions in 2018 including What Hi-Fi? and FourFourTwo brands from Haymarket. It acquired NewBay Media which published numerous broadcast trade titles. The company bought the Purch Group for $132 million by September 2018. Mobile Nations including Android Central came to Future for $115 million in February 2019. SmartBrief joined the portfolio for an initial sum of $45 million in July 2019. Dennis Publishing and its 12 magazines were purchased for £300 million in August 2021.
The company faced criticism in February 2022 over Zillah Byng-Thorne's remuneration package. She could receive £40 million if the company performed well. Byng-Thorne resigned with effect from the 3rd of April 2023. Jon Steinberg replaced her as chief executive. Kevin Li Ying took over the position of CEO on the 31st of March 2025. In April 2023, the company sold shooting magazines including Shooting Times to Fieldsports Press.
Future Studios serves as the video division built upon the acquisition of Barcroft Media in 2019. Marketforce operates as a sales and distribution company acquired in 2019. The portfolio includes TechRadar, PC Gamer, and Tom's Guide among other brands. American trade papers Broadcasting & Cable closed after more than 90 years in August 2024. Total Film ceased publication after 27 years in October 2024. Consumer titles like Play and All About Space also ended that month.
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Common questions
When did Chris Anderson open Future plc?
Chris Anderson opened Future Publishing in Somerton, Somerset, England during 1985. The company launched with a single magazine called Amstrad Action.
What happened to Future plc in 2004 regarding video game reviews?
Future faced accusations of corruption regarding video game reviews in 2004. This incident occurred after the company had been floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1999 and before it published official magazines for major console makers until November 2012.
Which brands did Future acquire in 2018 and 2019?
Future made major acquisitions in 2018 including What Hi-Fi? and FourFourTwo brands from Haymarket. It acquired NewBay Media and bought the Purch Group for $132 million by September 2018. Mobile Nations including Android Central came to Future for $115 million in February 2019.
Who became chief executive of Future plc after Zillah Byng-Thorne resigned?
Jon Steinberg replaced Zillah Byng-Thorne as chief executive after she resigned with effect from the 3rd of April 2023. Kevin Li Ying took over the position of CEO on the 31st of March 2025.
When did Future close its U.S.-based print publications?
The company closed all U.S.-based print publications in March 2014. This closure followed a profit warning in October 2011 that led to the resignation of the chief executive and finance director at short notice.