Playboy is dropping nudity from its magazine (it did so earlier from its web page). The rationale is completely logical — "gentlemen's magazines" are doing much better than it is because they can be displayed fully on the rack, and people wanting to see pictures of nekkid women have an entire Internet to do so for free.
Playboy actually has, like Esquire, a history of major authors and interesting interviews in its portfolio. In a very real sense, the nude shots have become more of a distraction than a real draw for the audience they want to attract.
It makes sense. But it's still … a major change to an icon.
Originally shared by +Les Jenkins:
Initially I was surprised by this, but the more I think about it the more sense it makes. They're basically turning themselves into MAXIM magazine which will allow them to come out from behind the counter and increase their potential market. In 1975 they had a circulation of 5.6 million and today it numbers about 800,000. It's the same logic behind some film sequels going PG13 when their original movie was rated R. Doesn't always work, but it's worth a try.
Playboy to Drop Nudity as Internet Fills Demand
With the Internet a cornucopia of pornography, Playboy’s raison d’être has vanished.
The nostalgic part of me that hates change is like, 'Oh my god, No!!!' but it's probably a decision that should've been made before, and it will actually open them up to a wider audience; those people who would never dream of glancing at the magazines on the top shelf that's tucked at the back of the store.
Also, although I'm sure they won't brag about this, they can now become a fixture in prisons. I worked as a CO for a while. Mags like Maxim and FHM are allowed but Playboy and similar titles were not because they showed actual nudity.
Well that makes three magazines I'm dropping.maxim,gq&playboy.
In British prisons prisoners can have porn, as long as it’s soft. I use to minute meetings, and somewhere there is an official Government document into which I typed XXX hardcore porn. The discussion was about gay mags, and it was decided the rules are the same – no penetration. I think that was the same meeting where the provision of makeup to trans-sexuals was discussed.
I do wonder occasionally who is buying paper porn still.
There goes Playboy. Who reads magazines nowadays?
+Yolanda Ramirez Apparently enough people to keep the magazine stands at the grocery store fully stocked.
Lol! I guess so.
Once upon a time, Playboy was the highest-paying market for short fiction. By far.