History of People (magazine) in Timeline
People is a weekly American magazine focusing on celebrity news and human-interest stories. Published by Dotdash Meredith, it once held the largest audience of any American magazine, reaching 46.6 million adults in 2009, though readership declined to 35.9 million by 2018. It generated substantial advertising revenue, topping $997 million in 2011. In 2006, circulation was 3.75 million with revenue expected to exceed $1.5 billion. Recognized for its excellence, People was named "Magazine of the Year" by Advertising Age in 2005 and consistently ranked high on advertising industry lists.
1963: Zapruder Film Acquisition
In 1963, Richard Stolley acquired the Zapruder film of the John F. Kennedy assassination for Time Inc.
February 25, 1974: People Magazine Debut
People magazine debuted on February 25, 1974, and was sold primarily on newsstands and in supermarkets.
March 4, 1974: Premiere Edition Cover
The premiere edition of People, for the week ending March 4, 1974, featured Mia Farrow, starring in "The Great Gatsby", on the cover.
1978: TV Version of People Magazine Aired on CBS
In the fall of 1978, a TV version of People Magazine, an entertainment news program hosted by Alan Hamel, Pat Mitchell and Phyllis George, with Peter Stone as an occasional substitute, aired on CBS. It was produced by Time-Life Television and lasted for a few months.
1990: Events Covered in Private Lives
The first People Magazine Yearbook, called "Private Lives" published in 1991, covered events from 1990.
1991: Inception
2014 became the only year not to be covered since its inception in 1991 because of the change to covering events of the same year.
1991: First People Magazine Yearbook
The first People Magazine Yearbook, called "Private Lives", was published in 1991 by The Time Inc. Magazine Company, covering events from 1990.
1992: Private Lives Volume II
In 1992, the sequel to Private Lives was published, called "Private Lives Volume II", subtitled "The Year in Review: 1991".
October 19, 1993: Sexiest Couple of the Year
On October 19, 1993, Cindy Crawford and Richard Gere were declared "Sexiest Couple of the Year" by People.
1993: Year Added to Cover
In 1993, the year was added to the cover of the annual issue, called "Private Lives 1993", with the subtitle "The Year in Review: 1992".
1994: Private Lives 1994
In 1994, People Books released Private Lives 1994, subtitled Year in Review: 1993.
1994: No Sexiest Man Alive selection
In 1994, there was no Sexiest Man Alive selection.
1995: Dual Cover Test
In 1995, an issue of People was distributed with two distinct covers, one featuring Selena and the other featuring the TV series Friends; the Selena cover sold out.
1995: People Yearbook 1995
In 1996, the magazine title was reworked to "People Yearbook 1995", dropping the "Private Lives" title for the first time.
1995: Year on the Cover
Since the People Yearbook 1995, the year (e.g., 1995) was written in bold on the front cover of the People Magazine Yearbook, though this changed in more recent editions.
1996: Launch of People en Español
In 1996, Time Inc. launched People en Español, a Spanish-language magazine.
1996: Title Reworked
In 1996, the magazine title was reworked to "People Yearbook 1995", dropping the "Private Lives" title for the first time.
1997: Events Covered in the 1998 Yearbook
People Magazine Yearbook 1998 covered the events of the Year 1997.
1997: Sexiest Man Alive Date Settled
Since 1997, the dates for the Sexiest Man Alive selection have settled between mid-November and early December.
1998: Launch of Teen People
In 1998, Time Inc. launched Teen People, a version of People magazine targeted at teens.
1998: Events Covered in the 1998 Yearbook
People Magazine Yearbook 1998 covered the events of the Year 1997.
2002: Introduction of People Stylewatch
In 2002, People introduced People Stylewatch, focusing on celebrity style, fashion, and beauty.
October 2005: Magazine of the Year
In October 2005, People was named "Magazine of the Year" by Advertising Age for excellence in editorial, circulation, and advertising.
July 2006: Celebrity Photo Costs
In a July 2006 Variety article, Janice Min, Us Weekly editor-in-chief, blamed People for the increase in cost to publishers of celebrity photos.
July 27, 2006: Shutdown of Teen People
On July 27, 2006, the company announced that it would shut down publication of Teen People immediately.
September 2006: Last Issue of Teen People
The last issue of Teen People was scheduled for release in September 2006.
October 2006: Advertising Age's A-list and Adweek's Brand Blazers
In October 2006, People ranked number 6 on Advertising Age's annual "A-list" and number 3 on Adweek's "Brand Blazers" list.
2006: 100 Most Beautiful People
Until 2006, People's 100 Most Beautiful People list was the 50 Most Beautiful People list.
April 2007: Teenpeople.com Merged into People.com
In April 2007, Teenpeople.com was merged into People.com, carrying teen-focused stories branded as TeenPeople.com.
2007: Increased Frequency of People Stylewatch
In 2007, the frequency of People Stylewatch was increased to 10 times per year due to its success.
2007: Events Covered in the 2008 Yearbook
People Magazine Yearbook 2008 covered events of 2007.
2008: Launch of Indian Edition
In 2008, the Indian edition of People began publication.
2008: Events Covered in the 2008 Yearbook
People Magazine Yearbook 2008 covered events of 2007.
2009: Largest Audience
In 2009, People magazine had the largest audience of any American magazine with a readership of 46.6 million adults.
2010: International Edition in Greece
Since 2010, the international edition of People has been published in Greece.
2010: People Magazine Yearbook
Since the People Yearbook 1995, the year (e.g., 2010) was written in bold on the front cover of the People Magazine Yearbook, though this changed in more recent editions.
2011: Advertising Revenue
In 2011, People magazine had $997 million in advertising revenue, the highest of any American magazine.
July 26, 2013: Closure of Indian Edition
On July 26, 2013, Outlook Group announced the closure of the Indian edition of People, which had begun publication in 2008.
2013: The last Year for 2013 events
2014 was the last year People Magazine Yearbook covered events from the previous year, 2013.
December 2014: First Sexiest Woman Alive
In December 2014, People selected its first and only Sexiest Woman Alive, Kate Upton.
2014: The last Year for 2013 events
2014 was the last year People Magazine Yearbook covered events from the previous year, 2013.
2015: Shift in Coverage
In 2015, the People Magazine Yearbook shifted to covering events of the same year, with the tagline "The Most Memorable Moments of 2015".
2015: Year appeared in inconspicuous style on the cover
Since 2015, the "year" appeared in a more inconspicuous way on the front cover of the People Magazine Yearbook until the 2019 issue.
September 2016: Launch of People/Entertainment Weekly Network
In September 2016, People, in collaboration with Entertainment Weekly, launched the People/Entertainment Weekly Network, a free, ad-supported online-video network.
December 2016: LaTavia Roberson Feud
In December 2016, LaTavia Roberson engaged in a feud with People after alleging they misquoted and misrepresented her interview online.
2016: People Magazine Investigates Debuts
In 2016, People Magazine Investigates, a true crime television series, debuted on Investigation Discovery.
2016: 2016 Yearbook as a flip cover issue
In 2016, the People Magazine Yearbook was a special "flip cover" issue dedicated to remembering people who died in 2016, including Prince, David Bowie, Nancy Reagan, Alan Rickman, Doris Roberts, and Muhammad Ali.
September 2017: Rebranding to PeopleTV
In September 2017, the People/Entertainment Weekly Network was rebranded as PeopleTV.
November 2017: Meredith Corporation to Acquire Time Inc.
In November 2017, Meredith Corporation announced its plan to acquire Time Inc. for $2.8 billion, which would later include People Magazine.
2017: Meredith Purchase
In 2017, Meredith purchased Time Inc., including People magazine.
2017: People Stylewatch Rebrand and End of Print
In spring 2017, People Stylewatch was rebranded as PeopleStyle and in late 2017, the print version was discontinued, making it a digital-only publication.
January 31, 2018: Meredith Corporation Completes Acquisition of Time Inc.
On January 31, 2018, Meredith Corporation finalized its acquisition of Time Inc. for $2.8 billion. As a result, Time Magazine, People Magazine and People Magazine Yearbook became published by Meredith Corporation.
2018: Readership Decline
In 2018, People magazine's readership significantly declined to 35.9 million, falling to second place among American magazines.
2019: Editor Change
In 2019, People editor Jess Cagle announced he was stepping down and was replaced by Dan Wakeford.
2019: First Cutest Baby Alive
In 2019, People selected its first Cutest Baby Alive, Andy Cohen's son Benjamin.
2019: Copyright belonging to Meredith Corporation in the 2019 Yearbook
In 2019, the copyright of the People Magazine Yearbook was described as belonging to Meredith Corporation, without any prominent tagline.
2019: Inconspicuous Year
Since 2015, the "year" appeared in a more inconspicuous way on the front cover of the People Magazine Yearbook until the 2019 issue.
2019: Year appeared in inconspicuous style on the cover
Since 2015, the "year" appeared in a more inconspicuous way on the front cover of the People Magazine Yearbook until the 2019 issue.
2020: Cutest Baby Alive
In 2020, Anderson Cooper's son, Wyatt Morgan, was named the Cutest Baby Alive by People.
2020: Multigenerational Cover Stars
In 2020, Goldie Hawn, Kate Hudson, and Hudson's daughter Rani became the first multigenerational cover stars of People's Beautiful Issue.
2020: "Our Extraordinary Year Together" Tagline in the 2020 Yearbook
In 2020, the People Magazine Yearbook featured the prominent bold writing of the "Year" on the front cover, along with the tagline "Our Extraordinary Year Together".
2020: Bold Style of Writing the Year
In the 2020 issue, the bold style of writing the "year" made a comeback in the People Magazine Yearbook.
October 6, 2021: Dotdash Agrees to Purchase Meredith
On October 6, 2021, Dotdash agreed to purchase Meredith, which owned People and other magazines, in a $2.7 billion deal.
December 1, 2021: Purchase Finalized
On December 1, 2021, the purchase of Meredith by Dotdash, including People magazine, was finalized.
2021: People Puzzler Debuts
In 2021, People Puzzler, a crossword puzzle-themed game show, debuted on Game Show Network.
2021: "When We All Got Together Again" Tagline in the 2021 Yearbook
In 2021, the People Magazine Yearbook continued the trend with a tagline saying, "When We All Got Together Again".
February 23, 2022: New Editor in Chief
On February 23, 2022, Liz Vaccariello was named the new Editor in Chief of People, replacing Dan Wakeford.
2022: Former Winners
As of 2022, former Sexiest Man Alive winners John F. Kennedy Jr., Sean Connery, and Patrick Swayze have since died.
2024: Initial cover price in today's value
In 1974, the initial cover price was 35 cents, equivalent to $2.23 in 2024.
2024: People Magazine Investigates: Surviving a Serial Killer Aired
In 2024, the six-episode series People Magazine Investigates: Surviving a Serial Killer aired on Investigation Discovery.
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