DVD Monthly

DVD Monthly was a British home-entertainment magazine focused on DVDs, films, and the rapidly developing market for consumer video hardware. It was founded in April 1999 in Exeter, Devon, by Dave Perry as the first magazine published through his Predator Publishing business. The title entered the market during a period when DVD was becoming the preferred successor to VHS for home viewing, creating demand for practical buying advice, technical information, reviews, and coverage of forthcoming releases. The magazine combined mainstream and specialist film coverage. Its regular editorial mix included news about upcoming and classic DVDs, reviews, interviews with film personalities, competitions, hardware coverage, and opinion or commentary. Although it covered the commercial side of the DVD market, its tone was generally conversational rather than highly technical or academic. The publication appeared every four weeks, giving it a frequent schedule suited to a release-driven entertainment category in which new discs, catalog reissues, and equipment announcements were continually appearing. Predator Publishing initially financed and operated the magazine. After its launch, Goodfellas Publishing provided funding for its continued operation and later became the majority shareholder in Predator Publishing. Dave Perry was the initial editor, but Jon Bruford took over the editorial role in early 2003. Tim Isaac edited the title from September 2004 through 2009, covering both its ownership transition and its final period. A significant corporate change occurred in August 2006, when Chester-based Jazz Publishing purchased DVD Monthly after Goodfellas decided to close most of its publishing ventures. Jazz brought advertising and sales operations into its own offices in Chester, while the magazine's editorial and design work continued to be carried out in Exeter. This arrangement preserved the publication's Devon-based production identity while centralizing its commercial functions under the new owner. DVD Monthly competed in the UK with other specialist home-video magazines, notably DVD Review and HD Review. As high-definition formats began to compete for consumer attention, the magazine broadened its coverage. In May 2008 it introduced HD Monthly, a 32-page supplement included with each issue. The supplement covered high-definition entertainment and Blu-ray developments in the United Kingdom and internationally, using a format and editorial approach similar to the parent magazine. The title closed in 2009. Its lifespan therefore followed the major transition from the early DVD adoption era toward a more diversified home-entertainment market in which Blu-ray and high-definition equipment were becoming increasingly important. No continuing publication, corporate website, or active successor brand is identified in the available reference material.

DVD Monthly emerged in Exeter, Devon, in April 1999, when Dave Perry established it as the first magazine associated with Predator Publishing. Its launch coincided with the expansion of DVD as a consumer format and with growing interest in disc extras, picture and sound quality, catalog titles, and the equipment required for home playback. The magazine was designed as a recurring guide to that market rather than as a general film publication. Early editorial coverage included news, reviews, features on forthcoming and classic DVD releases, interviews, competitions, hardware reviews, and opinion. The magazine was issued every four weeks and adopted a relatively conversational style. This allowed it to address both mainstream film audiences and readers interested in specialist releases or technical aspects of home entertainment. Its UK competitors included DVD Review and HD Review. Perry initially served as editor. Jon Bruford assumed that role in early 2003, followed by Tim Isaac from September 2004. The publication's financing and ownership structure also developed after launch. Goodfellas Publishing supported the magazine's continued operation and subsequently became the majority shareholder of Predator Publishing. When Goodfellas chose to shut down most of its publishing ventures, DVD Monthly was sold to Jazz Publishing in August 2006. Jazz Publishing was based in Chester, but the acquisition did not move all production activity away from Devon. Advertising and sales were handled from Jazz's Chester offices, while editorial and design remained in Exeter. This created a split operating model in which commercial functions were centralized under the new owner while the magazine's established production base continued. The market changed materially during the magazine's final years. High-definition television, Blu-ray, and related playback equipment began to supplement or challenge standard DVD as the focus of home-entertainment consumers. In response, DVD Monthly launched HD Monthly in May 2008. The 32-page supplement was included with each issue and covered high-definition and Blu-ray developments in Britain and internationally, while broadly matching the parent title's accessible editorial style. DVD Monthly ceased publication in 2009. The available reference material does not identify a separate successor title, continuing website, or later revival. Its documented history reflects the rise of specialist DVD journalism during the format's expansion, the consolidation of small publishing operations, and the industry's movement toward high-definition physical media before the magazine closed.

• 2009

  Publication ended

  [1]DVD Monthlyen.wikipedia.org

  DVD Monthly closed in 2009.

• 2008

  HD Monthly introduced

  [1]DVD Monthlyen.wikipedia.org

  A 32-page high-definition and Blu-ray supplement began appearing with DVD Monthly issues in May 2008.

• 2006

  Acquisition by Jazz Publishing

  [1]DVD Monthlyen.wikipedia.org

  Jazz Publishing acquired the magazine in August 2006, moving advertising and sales to Chester while retaining editorial and design production in Exeter.

• 2004

  Tim Isaac became editor

  [1]DVD Monthlyen.wikipedia.org

  Tim Isaac took over editorial leadership in September 2004 and remained editor through the magazine's final period.

• 2003

  Editorial succession

  [1]DVD Monthlyen.wikipedia.org

  Jon Bruford replaced founder Dave Perry as editor in early 2003.

• 1999

  Launch in Exeter

  [1]DVD Monthlyen.wikipedia.org

  DVD Monthly was founded in April 1999 by Dave Perry as the first magazine of Predator Publishing.

A conversational UK specialist magazine for DVD buyers, film enthusiasts, and home-entertainment consumers, combining release coverage with reviews, interviews, competitions, commentary, and hardware advice.

• Film and home-entertainment magazine · 1999

  DVD Monthly

  The core print title was published every four weeks in the United Kingdom. It covered upcoming and catalog DVD releases, film and disc reviews, entertainment news, interviews, competitions, hardware, and editorial commentary. Its editorial voice was accessible and conversational, serving both general film consumers and readers seeking more specialist information about DVD editions and home viewing.

• High-definition and Blu-ray supplement · 2008

  HD Monthly

  HD Monthly was a 32-page supplement introduced in May 2008 and distributed with DVD Monthly. It extended the publication's coverage into high-definition entertainment, including Blu-ray and related developments in the UK and internationally. The supplement followed the parent magazine's general editorial approach while addressing the emerging transition beyond standard DVD.

• 2008

  Launch of HD MonthlyProduct launch

  Background

  High-definition television and Blu-ray were becoming increasingly important in home entertainment as alternatives and complements to standard DVD.

  Action taken

  DVD Monthly added a 32-page HD Monthly supplement to each issue, covering high-definition and Blu-ray developments in the UK and worldwide.

  Aftermath

  The supplement represented the title's expansion into the next generation of physical home-entertainment formats before the magazine ended in 2009.

  Source

• 2006

  Sale to Jazz PublishingM&A

  Background

  Goodfellas Publishing decided to close most of its publishing ventures, creating the circumstances for DVD Monthly to change ownership.

  Action taken

  Jazz Publishing acquired DVD Monthly in August 2006. Advertising and sales were moved to Jazz's Chester offices, while editorial and design continued in Exeter.

  Aftermath

  The magazine continued operating under Jazz Publishing until it closed in 2009.

  Source

1. 1DVD Monthlyen.wikipedia.org