The history of Kerrang! magazineBy Sophie Shaw

First Published June 6th 1981 with Geoff Barton as editor.

Kerrang! is also published in Spanish.

The magazine gives out occasional free gifts to satisfy the viewer such as calendars and CD's, however posters are included in every issue.

It overtook NME as the number 1 rock/music magazine in the UK.

The target audience is 16-25 year olds and specific towards rock music fans. However in recent years, the age of the audience has dropped and it is more 14-17 year olds who tend to buy and read it due to its featured bands being more poppy. (Elliot Minor, We Are The Ocean, 30 Seconds To Mars etc)

Introduction to Kerrang! magazine

Kerrang is also published weekly.

Kerrang! commenced publication on 7 June 1981 and was edited by Geoff Barton, initially as a one-time supplement in the sounds newspaper, which focuses on the genre New Wave of British Heavy Metal and the rise of other hard rock acts. AC/DC appeared on Kerrang!’s first cover. Original owner was United Newspapers who then sold it to EMAP in 1991.In 2008 EMAP sold its consumer magazine to current owner Bauer Media Group.

History of Kerrang! magazine

Emap launched Kerrang! Australia in the late 1990s. Unlike its weekly counterpart in the UK, the Australian edition was published monthly due to stiff competition from free local music publications. Kerrang! is also published in Spanish.

In 2000, Bauer Radio then Emap launched Kerrang! as a digital radio station, across the UK. The station bid on a number of new FM licences including Manchester & East Mudlands but lost out, the West Midlands licence was however successful. The station launched on June 10 2004 originally from Birmingham City Football Club and it then moved to a dedicated studio in Lionel Street, Birmingham near the BT Tower, and broadcast from the Sutton Coldfield transmitter. Karren Brady was made chairman in 2003.

The success of Kerrang! magazine

On 11 May 2009 Kerrang! 105.2 won the highly prestigious Gold Award for station with over 1 million listeners. Kerrang! Radio's In: Demand evening show presenter Henry Evans was also awarded the Sony DAB Rising Star award for 2009 whilst breakfast programme presenters Simon James and Hill got Silver at the awards in the Music Radio Personality of the year category.

Kerrang! has kept its position as the best-selling music weekly, posting a record average net circulation of 85,377.

Kerrang has a variety of ways to access its editions. TV channel, Radio station, Magazine, Web page and phone application.

Content of the magazineKerrang! has various articles: • Feedback• News• Live reviews • Features• Gig guide • The K! Quiz • Win.

The magazine places significance on the publics views.

Kerrang! gives equal importance on news, reviews and features.

Kerrang! promote discount on t-shirts and badges. They also give away free posters and stickers with the magazine.

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