End of an Era? JET Magazine Goes Digital Only

JET magazine will issue its final print edition June 9. But JET isn’t going away completely. From now on the magazine will become an online only publication. The Chicago Tribune reports a JET app will launch June 30.

The final edition will include a montage some of its most popular covers and a retrospective look at its years of service to the African American community.

In a news release JET says:

“Inside, readers will find a retrospective of the news covered in the magazine dating from 1951 to the present. Coverage includes:

·         A letter from President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama

·         A tribute to the late Maya Angelou

·         Recognition of some the biggest celebrities on the pages of JET, such as Harry Belafonte, Sidney Poitier, Bill Cosby, Whitney Houston, Spike Lee, Diana Ross, Halle Berry, Beyoncé, Tyler Perry and more

·         A montage of the best JET beauties and the best of the “Week’s Best Photo”

·         The top music albums from the 1950s to the present

·         Fashion and style influences over the years

·         Coverage of African-American history, from the civil rights movement to a special investigative report on missing Black children

“This issue serves as the final bow to everything JET has done over the years,” stated Mitzi Miller, the former editor-in-chief of JET magazine, now editor-in-chief of EBONY.  “From politics to entertainment, JET magazine has had a tremendous impact on society and shaping conversations within the African-American community,” she added.  “I’m very proud of the work I’ve accomplished over the past three years, and excited to see JET now continue this tradition in a digital platform.”

“I am very proud of this last issue of JET magazine,” said Linda Johnson Rice, the chairman of Johnson Publishing Company (JPC). “It epitomizes the historical influence this magazine has made in this country,” she continued. “For those who grew up with the magazine, they will find this issue a collection of treasured memories, and a younger audience will see it as the guide that reveals the cultural influences of today.”

Founded in 1951 by the late John H. Johnson, the newsweekly says it has more than 7 million readers. Last year it changed format, reduced the number of issues published and redesigned its website. But that wasn’t enough to save the print edition.

At the height of its popularity, JET adopted the slogan:  “If it wasn't in JET, it didn't happen.”

Changes in the information and media industries have seen many print publications forced to downsize. Advance Publications, which owns the Oregonian, took the former daily The Times Picayune in New Orleans, for example to a three times a week publication. And Newsweek magazine went out of business last year.