NME DROPS PRINT

Here’s a sign o' the times: Famed U.K. music mag NME will no longer exist in print format after its publisher, Time Inc. U.K., was sold to private equity firm Epiris Fund II. The brand will continue online and new digital services are said to be in the works.

Founded in 1952 as the New Musical Express, NME was an integral part of U.K. music culture for decades. After struggling with declining circulation during the rise of digital, it launched as a free weekly title in September 2015, and with a more all-inclusive attitude.

The deal with Epiris was done at the end of February, and Editor Mike Williams swiftly stepped down. This week’s issue is the final free print edition. Paul Cheal, Time Inc. U.K. group MD of Music, said the decision is due to “increasing production costs and a very tough print-advertising market.” The digital space is where effort and investment will now be focused, which will include two new music channels on digital radio station NME Audio.