Magazine makes its final print journey

Travel and lifestyle magazine U Magazine will cease publication from next month, but all digital platforms will continue operation.

The HK$15 weekly magazine said that the company will stop publishing the print version of the magazine from September. The final issue will be published on August 31.

The magazine, founded in December 2005, said it was a difficult decision to make, but the move was necessary to adapt to market developments and achieve the group's digitalization strategy.

The company also said it will contact online subscribers of the magazine soon to arrange refunds.

While the print version will not be issued anymore, the editorial team will continue posting content and information on their social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, LINE and Weibo.

The magazine thanked readers for their support throughout the years.

"In the future, we will continue to work hard and provide high-quality content to our readers. We would like to thank our readers for their love and support," the magazine said.

Many web users said they will miss the magazine, as they deem it to be a collective memory to them.

"This is another end of an era. I can still remember myself searching for the magazine for the free gifts it offers!" one said on Facebook.

While most online users recalled their memories with the magazine, some commented that the end of its publication is an "inevitable fate of all printed media."

"There are not many magazines whose content suits Hongkongers' taste.

"Coupled with the high price, it is believed that they could not survive for a very long time," another web user said on Facebook.

Clement So York-kee, associate dean at Faculty of Social Science of Chinese University, said people will opt for online reading materials instead of offline versions as receiving information on the internet has become more convenient.

"Complete digitalization of media would be the biggest trend, and print magazines and newspapers could become less popular," So said.

U Magazine has won over 30 awards in Hong Kong and Asia since it first published.

They include the Overall Gold Award at the Hong Kong Association of Interactive Marketing's Media Convergence Awards in 2014 and The Best Media Brand Award at the Spark Awards in 2015. It has also been awarded the top travel magazine by Marketing Magazine from 2011 to 2015.