While Time Inc. has not yet finalized its print plan for next year, the total number of SI issues "will likely shrink again, potentially to as few as 24, turning the magazine into a bi-weekly," according to sources cited by Daniel Roberts of YAHOO FINANCE. As Time has "shifted its focus to video, print issue counts have shrunk." As recently as '15, SI "put out 51 issues." That "went to 45 issues" last year, and this year, SI will "put out just 38 issues" (FINANCE.YAHOO.com, 7/13). The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Jeffrey Trachtenberg notes Time will try to "lure paying subscribers" for the upcoming SI video service it "expects to launch" in Q4. Time Head of Programming Ian Orefice "believes passionate sports fans will be willing to pay for the service, even though it won’t have live sports programming at launch." Instead, subscribers will "get a blend of expert commentary, documentaries and swimsuit features." Orefice said that Time is "still working on price points and distribution partners." The publisher is "learning how to program for a digital audience." Traditionally, Time would have "treated its search for a new model" for the next SI swimsuit issue as a "closely guarded secret." Instead, Orefice noted that this year, the publisher "live-streamed a three-day open casting call on Instagram." The company "came up with the concept too late to sell advertising against the event." Meanwhile, publishing conglomerate Condé Nast also is "building up its long-form video." Its digital unit "sold a behind-the-scenes sports series, 'Last Chance U,' to Netflix" in '15 (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 7/17).
