News

Hearst to Buy Rodale’s Content Business

It’s been a slow news week, so I’m glad to have something concrete: Hearst announced yesterday it is buying the content business of Rodale, publisher of health and wellness books and magazines. Rodale had announced in June that is was seeking a buyer. The announcement carefully describes the sale as covering the Rodale’s “content business”, so it’s possible that Rodale is retaining its licensing and “branded experience” operations (races, bike tours, that sort of thing). Either way, it’s an end to 70 years of family-owned independent publishing. Maybe I’m not glad to have this news after all.