Future Plc announced the acquisition of two specialist consumer brands from Immediate Media Co. – CyclingNews.com and Procycling Magazine.
Cycling News is the leading cycling news website in the UK, while Procycling is the market-leading
magazine within the professional cycling arena.
Future is dedicated to building specialist brands and Cyclingnews and Procycling complement its leading consumer hobbies portfolio.
Zillah Byng-Thorne, CEO of Future, said, “The acquisition of these brands will expand our presence in the sport and outdoor leisure vertical and is a clear demonstration of our strategy to leverage enduring content on our technology platform to further diversify our revenue streams.
“Cycling News and Procycling are respected brands with leading market positions that will
complement our existing portfolio whilst extending our reach into new adjacent communities.
These brands are leading worldwide voices on professional cycling, offering analysis, insight,
gorgeous photography and exclusive interviews with the industry greats.
“We have a proven methodology and track record of integration and we are confident that this
deal will drive further growth in operating profitability and cash generation.
“You may remember that these brands were originally published by Future before we sold them
to Immediate in 2014. Buying them back is a special moment for us to honour a piece of our
heritage and a fantastic opportunity to expand our portfolio into the world of cycling.
“The employees working on these brands will transfer to Future. UK employees will be based in
our Bath office from March.”
Future’s Media division operates in a number of sectors including technology, games, music,
home interest, hobbies and B2B and its brands include TechRadar, PC Gamer, Tom’s Guide,
Homebuilding & Renovating Show, GamesRadar+, The Photography Show, Top Ten Reviews, Live Science, Guitar World, MusicRadar, Space.com and Tom’s Hardware.
The Magazine division focuses on publishing specialist content, with over 80 publications and over 520 bookazines published per year, totalling global circulation of 1.3 million. The Magazine portfolio spans technology, games and entertainment, music, creative and photography, hobbies, home interest and B2B. Its titles include Classic Rock, Guitar Player, FourFourTwo, Homebuilding & Renovating, Digital Camera, Guitarist, How It Works, Total Film, What Hi-Fi? and Music Week.
