{{Short description|British publishing company}} {{redirect|MusicRadar|the online search service|Doreso}} {{Use British English|date=April 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|cs1-dates=ll|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox company | name = Future plc | logo = Future plc logo (with tagline).svg | type = Public | traded_as = {{lse|FUTR}} | predecessor = TI Media | founder = Chris Anderson | key_people = {{ubl|Richard Huntingford (non-executive chairman)| Kevin Li Ying (CEO)}} | industry = magazine and internet publishing | products = | revenue = {{decrease}} £739.2 million (2025)<ref name="results">{{cite web |url= https://futureplc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Annual-Report-and-Accounts-FY-2025-incl-Notice-of-AGM.pdf |title=Annual Report 2025 |publisher=Future plc |access-date=28 January 2026}}</ref> | operating_income = {{decrease}} £121.9 million (2025)<ref name="results" /> | net_income = {{decrease}} £66.3 million (2025)<ref name="results" /> | num_employees = 3,047 (2025)<ref name="results" /> | parent = | subsid = {{ubl|Future Australia|Future Publishing|Future US|Purch Technologies France}} | footnotes = | foundation = {{start date and age|1985}} | location = {{nowrap|Bath, Somerset, England}} | homepage = {{Official URL}} }}
thumb|Chris Anderson in 2007 [[File:Future office Bath.jpg|thumb|Company office in Bath]] '''Future plc''' is a British publishing company founded in 1985 by Chris Anderson. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
==History==
=== 1985–2012 === The company was founded by Chris Anderson as Future Publishing in Somerton, Somerset, England, with the sole magazine ''Amstrad Action'' in 1985.<ref name="nicholas1999">{{cite news |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/profile-chris-anderson-media-with-passion-1105628.html |title=Profile: Chris Anderson: Media with passion |last=Nicholas |first=Ruth |date=11 July 1999 |work=The Independent |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130114033426/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/profile-chris-anderson-media-with-passion-1105628.html |archive-date=14 January 2013 |location=London |url-status=live}}</ref> An early innovation was the inclusion of free software on magazine covers.<ref name="nicholas1999" /> It acquired GP Publications and established what would become Future US in 1994.<ref>{{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=fKzSAgAAQBAJ&q=GP+Publications+1993+future+plc&pg=PA220 |title=Revolutions from Grub Street: A History of Magazine Publishing in Britain |first1=Howard |last1=Cox |first2=Simon |last2=Mowatt |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2014 |isbn=978-0199601639 |page=220 |access-date=11 November 2020 |archive-date=16 August 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230816114504/https://books.google.com/books?id=fKzSAgAAQBAJ&q=GP+Publications+1993+future+plc&pg=PA220 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Anderson sold the company to Pearson plc for £52.7m in 1994, but bought it back in 1998, for £142 million.<ref name="nicholas1999" /> The company was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1999.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://flashesandflames.com/2014/04/06/can-new-future-ceo-save-magazine-group/ |title=Can new Future CEO end 15 years of boom & bust? |date=6 April 2014 |publisher=Flashes and Flames |access-date=17 June 2019 |archive-date=15 March 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230315104431/https://flashesandflames.com/2014/04/06/can-new-future-ceo-save-magazine-group/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Anderson left the company in 2001.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_09/b4168068827012.htm |title=TED's Not Dead, But It Is Aging: The annual conference tries to reach out to a new generation, awkwardly |last=Walters |first=Helen |date=18 February 2010 |work=Business Week |access-date=16 March 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100221081506/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_09/b4168068827012.htm |archive-date=21 February 2010}}</ref>
In 2004, the company was accused of corruption when it published positive reviews for the video game ''Driver 3'' in two of its owned magazines, ''Xbox World'' and ''PSM2''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lui |first=Spandas |title=A history of gaming's biggest scandals |work=PC World |date=30 March 2010 |url= http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/341103/history_gaming_biggest_scandals/?pp=2 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160630205613/http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/341103/history_gaming_biggest_scandals/?pp=2 |access-date=4 May 2023 |archive-date=30 June 2016}}</ref>
=== 2012–2015 === Future published the official magazines for the consoles of all three major games console manufacturers (Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony); however ''PlayStation: The Official Magazine'' ceased publishing in November 2012, and ''Official Nintendo Magazine'' ceased publishing in October 2014.<ref name="Pub cancelation cite 1">{{cite web |url= https://www.engadget.com/2012/11/07/playstation-the-official-magazine-closes/ |title=PlayStation: The Official Magazine being shuttered, will say farewell with holiday issue |last=Santos |first=Alexis |date=7 November 2012 |publisher=Engadget (Joystiq) |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130122051959/http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/07/playstation-the-official-magazine-closes/ |archive-date=22 January 2013 |url-status=live |access-date=6 December 2012}}</ref><ref name="gamerlimit1">{{cite web |last=Simberg |first=Nick |url= http://gamerlimit.com/2009/11/another-blow-to-print-journalism-future-publishing-profits-fall-61/ |title=Another blow to print journalism: Future Publishing profits fall 61% |publisher=Gamer Limit |date=28 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100205145953/http://gamerlimit.com/2009/11/another-blow-to-print-journalism-future-publishing-profits-fall-61/ |archive-date=5 February 2010}}</ref>
The chief executive and finance director both resigned at short notice after a profit warning in October 2011. It was noted that a re-structuring would be necessary as the company moved to a digital model.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/oukin-uk-future-idUKTRE79Q1BV20111027 |title=Future CEO and FD resign, names replacements |date=27 October 2011 |publisher=Reuters |access-date=23 March 2023 |archive-date=23 March 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230323005553/https://www.reuters.com/article/oukin-uk-future-idUKTRE79Q1BV20111027 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Future announced it would cut 55 jobs from its UK operation as part of a restructuring to adapt "more effectively to the company's rapid transition to a primarily digital business model."<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/sep/03/future-publishing-cut-55-jobs |title=Future Publishing to cut 55 jobs |last=Sweney |first=Mark |work=The Guardian |date=3 September 2013 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20181209075717/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/sep/03/future-publishing-cut-55-jobs |archive-date=9 December 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=9 December 2018}}</ref> The company announced in March 2014 that it would close all of its U.S.-based print publications and shift U.S. print support functions such as consumer marketing, production and editorial leadership for Future's international print brands to the UK.<ref name="hsprod.investis.com">[http://hsprod.investis.com/ir/futr/ir.jsp?page=news-item&item=1725689942245376 Future US streamlined to focus on digital] {{Webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140408213648/http://hsprod.investis.com/ir/futr/ir.jsp?page=news-item&item=1725689942245376 |date=8 April 2014}}, RNS Number : 3903D, Future PLC, 28 March 2014</ref> Later in 2014, Future sold its sport and craft titles to Immediate Media, and its auto titles to Kelsey Media.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/nov/21/future-publishing-cuts-400-jobs |title=Future Publishing cuts more than 400 jobs as part of restructure |last=Sweney |first=Mark |date=21 November 2014 |work=The Guardian |archive-url= https://archive.today/20181209075507/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/nov/21/future-publishing-cuts-400-jobs |archive-date=9 December 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=21 December 2014}}</ref>
In April 2014, Zillah Byng-Thorne (then finance director) was appointed chief executive to replace Mark Wood, who had been in the position since 2011.<ref name="hsprod.investis.com" />
=== 2016–2021 === In 2018, Future made further major acquisitions. It bought the ''What Hi-Fi?'', ''FourFourTwo,'' ''Practical Caravan'', and ''Practical Motorhome'' brands from Haymarket; and it acquired NewBay Media, publisher of numerous broadcast, professional-video, and systems-integration trade titles, as well as several consumer music magazines.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/future-publishing-acquires-us-content-business-newbay-media |title=Future Publishing Acquires US Content Business NewBay Media |last=Butts |first=Tom |date=4 April 2018 |work=TV Technology |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181209081250/https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/future-publishing-acquires-tv-technology-parent-newbay-media |archive-date=9 December 2018 |access-date=4 April 2018}}</ref> This acquisition returned most of the U.S. consumer music magazines to Future, with the exception of ''Revolver'' which had been sold to Project M Group in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://blabbermouth.net/news/revolver-magazine-sold-to-digital-media-company-project-m-group-brand-relaunch-planned-for-this-fall |title=''Revolver'' Magazine Sold to Digital Media Company Project M Group; Brand Relaunch Planned for This Fall |date=1 May 2017 |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=10 September 2024 |archive-date=7 March 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240307022323/https://blabbermouth.net/news/revolver-magazine-sold-to-digital-media-company-project-m-group-brand-relaunch-planned-for-this-fall |url-status=live}}</ref>
It bought the Purch Group for $132m by September 2018,<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.thedrum.com/news/2018/07/18/purch-sells-b2c-imprints-global-specialist-media-publisher-future-132m-deal |title=Purch sells B2C imprints to global specialist media publisher Future in $132m deal |work=The Drum |access-date=29 July 2018 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20181209073247/https://www.thedrum.com/news/2018/07/18/purch-sells-b2c-imprints-global-specialist-media-publisher-future-132m-deal |archive-date=9 December 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url= https://digiday.com/media/future-buys-purch-boost-us-revenue/ |title=Future buys Purch to boost US revenue |date=18 July 2018 |work=Digiday |access-date=29 July 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181209080736/https://digiday.com/media/future-buys-purch-boost-us-revenue/ |archive-date=9 December 2018}}</ref> and in February 2019 bought Mobile Nations including the titles ''Android Central'', ''iMore'', ''Windows Central'' and ''Thrifter'' for $115 million.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/FUTURE-PLC-33684370/news/Future-Acquisition-of-Mobile-Nations-28091511/ |title=Future : Acquisition of Mobile Nations |website=MarketScreener |date=1 March 2019 |access-date=10 September 2024 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201108022449/https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/FUTURE-PLC-33684370/news/Future-Acquisition-of-Mobile-Nations-28091511/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url= http://otp.investis.com/clients/uk/future_plc/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=967&newsid=1335959 |title=Accelerates Mobile Nations earnout payment |website=otp.investis.com |access-date=20 October 2019 |archive-date=11 July 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230711103834/http://otp.investis.com/clients/uk/future_plc/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=967&newsid=1335959 |url-status=live}}</ref> Future also acquired ''Procycling'' and Cyclingnews.com from Immediate Media.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Back to Future: Immediate sells CyclingNews and Procycling to Future plc, their previous owner |work=Bicycle Retailer and Industry News |access-date=16 November 2019 |url= https://www.bicycleretailer.com/international/2019/02/14/back-future-immediate-media-sells-cyclingnews-and-procycling-back-future |archive-date=21 March 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230321210746/https://www.bicycleretailer.com/international/2019/02/14/back-future-immediate-media-sells-cyclingnews-and-procycling-back-future |url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2019 the company bought SmartBrief, a digital media publisher, for an initial sum of $45 million.<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://otp.investis.com/clients/uk/future_plc/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=967&newsid=1317394 |title=Acquisition of SmartBrief |website=otp.investis.com |access-date=20 October 2019 |archive-date=11 July 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230711103933/http://otp.investis.com/clients/uk/future_plc/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=967&newsid=1317394 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In November 2019, the company bought Barcroft Studios for £23.5 million in a combination of cash and shares.<ref name=barcroft>{{cite web |title=Barcroft Studios bought by Future plc for £23.5m |url= https://www.televisual.com/news/barcroft-studios-bought-by-future-plc-for-23-5m_nid-8340/ |date=15 November 2019 |website=Televisual |access-date=10 September 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220629094812/https://www.televisual.com/news/barcroft-studios-bought-by-future-plc-for-23-5m_nid-8340/ |archive-date=29 June 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> It renamed it Future Studios and announced the launch of "Future Originals", an anthology gaming series, a "factual" series focusing on the paranormal, and a new true-crime show, in partnership with ''Marie Claire''.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://variety.com/2022/digital/global/fmarie-claire-future-studios-true-crime-series-1235208393/ |title=True Crime Series 'On the Record with Marie Claire' at Future Studios |publisher=Variety |access-date=22 March 2023 |archive-date=26 June 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230626023549/https://variety.com/2022/digital/global/fmarie-claire-future-studios-true-crime-series-1235208393/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
In April 2020, it acquired TI Media with 41 brands for £140 million.<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://otp.investis.com/clients/uk/future_plc/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=967&newsid=1341444 |title=Proposed Acquisition of TI Media for £140 million |date=30 October 2019 |website=otp.investis.com |access-date=31 October 2019 |archive-date=11 July 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230711103951/http://otp.investis.com/clients/uk/future_plc/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=967&newsid=1341444 |url-status=live}}</ref> In November, it agreed to a £594m takeover of GoCo plc, known for its Gocompare.com price-comparison website.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sweney |first=Mark |date=25 November 2020 |title=Country Life publisher Future to buy GoCompare for £594m |work=The Guardian |url= https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/nov/25/country-life-publisher-future-to-buy-gocompare-for-594m |access-date=9 January 2021 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=3 June 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230603102745/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/nov/25/country-life-publisher-future-to-buy-gocompare-for-594m |url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2021, it acquired Dennis Publishing and its 12 magazines, for £300 million.<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/aug/16/country-life-owner-buys-dennis-publishing-in-300m-deal |title=Country Life owner buys Dennis Publishing in £300m deal |date=16 August 2021 |website=The Guardian |access-date=16 September 2021 |archive-date=16 September 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210916004017/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/aug/16/country-life-owner-buys-dennis-publishing-in-300m-deal |url-status=live}}</ref>
=== 2022–present===
The company was criticised in February 2022 for the size of the remuneration package being offered to Zillah Byng-Thorne, the chief executive. It was noted that she could receive £40 million if the company performed well.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/feb/03/country-life-publisher-future-shareholder-revolt-executive-pay-investors-shares |title=Country Life publisher reeling after shareholder revolt over executive pay |first=Mark |last=Sweney |newspaper=The Guardian |date=3 February 2022 |access-date=23 March 2023 |archive-date=3 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603102729/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/feb/03/country-life-publisher-future-shareholder-revolt-executive-pay-investors-shares |url-status=live}}</ref>
Byng-Thorne resigned with effect from 3 April 2023 and was replaced as chief executive by Jon Steinberg.<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=22 February 2023 |title=Jon Steinberg, Former BuzzFeed and Cheddar Exec, Tapped as CEO of U.K. Publisher Future |magazine=Variety |url= https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/jon-steinberg-ceo-future-plc-1235531789/ |access-date=12 March 2023 |archive-date=21 March 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230321204546/https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/jon-steinberg-ceo-future-plc-1235531789/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
In April 2023, the company sold its shooting magazines including ''Shooting Times'' and ''Sporting Gun'' to Fieldsports Press.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tobitt |first=Charlotte |date=13 April 2023 |title=Fieldsports Press acquires Future's shooting brands |url= https://pressgazette.co.uk/the-wire/media-mergers-news-tracker/fieldsports-press-acquires-future-shooting-magazine-brands/ |access-date=8 November 2024 |website=Press Gazette}}</ref>
In August 2024, the company announced that its American trade papers ''Broadcasting & Cable'' and ''Multichannel News''<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.videoageinternational.net/2024/08/22/watercooler/a-wave-of-trade-magazine-closures/ |title=A Wave of Trade Magazine Closures |work=VideoAge International |access-date=14 October 2024}}</ref> would be closing after more than 90 years, with the main title ''Broadcasting'' having been first published in 1931 and the merged title ''Multichannel News'' dating from 1980.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tobitt |first=Charlotte |date=7 August 2024 |title=Future closes two US TV trade publications |url= https://pressgazette.co.uk/news/future-closes-two-us-tv-trade-publications/ |website=Press Gazette}}</ref> In October 2024, the company closed a number of consumer titles in the United Kingdom, including ''Play'', ''All About Space'', ''Total 911'', and ''3D World'', with the monthly movie magazine ''Total Film''<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.gamesradar.com/total-film-latest-issue/ |title=Enter the arena with the Gladiator II issue of Total Film – on sale now! |first=Matt |last=Maytum |date=22 May 2023 |website=gamesradar}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/digital-journalism/future-closes-titles-and-events-deemed-low-to-no-growth-assets/ |title=Future closes titles and events deemed 'low to no growth assets' |date=3 October 2024 |newspaper=Press Gazette |access-date=14 October 2024}}</ref> ceasing publication after 27 years.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://filmstories.co.uk/news/total-film-and-more-future-publishing-statement-on-closing-magazines/ |title=Total Film and more | Future Publishing statement on closing magazines |first=Simon |last=Brew |date=4 October 2024 |website=Film Stories}}</ref>
Kevin Li Ying took over the position of CEO on 31 March 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kevin Li Ying Appointed Future CEO - Future |url=https://futureplc.com/blog/kevin-li-ying-appointed-future-ceo/ |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=futureplc.com}}</ref>
==Organisation== In addition to media and magazines, the company has two other businesses:
* Future Studios is its video division, built upon the acquisition of Barcroft Media in 2019.<ref name=barcroft/> * Marketforce is its sales, marketing, and distribution company, acquired as part of a 2019 deal with TI Media.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 November 2019 |title=Why Future is buying TI Media |url= https://flashesandflames.com/2019/11/01/why-future-is-buying-ti-media/ |access-date=22 March 2023 |website=Flashes & Flames |archive-date=22 March 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230322202138/https://flashesandflames.com/2019/11/01/why-future-is-buying-ti-media/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
==Brands== {{See also|Future US#Magazines and websites}} Future's portfolio of brands includes ''TechRadar'', ''PC Gamer'', ''Tom's Guide'', ''Tom's Hardware'', ''Marie Claire'', ''GamesRadar+'', ''MusicRadar'', ''How it Works'', ''Digital Camera World'', ''Creative Bloq'', ''CinemaBlend'', ''Android Central'', ''IT Pro'', ''BikePerfect'', ''Truly'', ''Windows Central'', ''Chat'', and the website ''GoodToKnow.co.uk''.<ref>{{Cite press release |date=23 September 2022 |title=Future Celebrates Market Leading Position As Largest Tech News Publisher |url= https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2022/09/23/2521870/0/en/Future-Celebrates-Market-Leading-Position-As-Largest-Tech-News-Publisher.html |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221112003551/https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2022/09/23/2521870/0/en/Future-Celebrates-Market-Leading-Position-As-Largest-Tech-News-Publisher.html |archive-date=12 November 2022 |access-date=5 December 2022 |website=GlobeNewswire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Partis |first=Danielle |date=15 September 2022 |title=Future makes editorial layoffs despite 'high' revenue projections |website=GamesIndustry |url= https://www.gamesindustry.biz/future-makes-editorial-layoffs-despite-high-revenue-projections |url-status=live |access-date=5 December 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220915101954/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/future-makes-editorial-layoffs-despite-high-revenue-projections |archive-date=15 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=16 August 2021 |title=UK's Future Plc to buy ''The Week'' publisher for $415 mln |work=Reuters |url= https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/uks-future-plc-buy-the-week-publisher-415-mln-2021-08-16/ |url-status=live |access-date=10 September 2024 |archive-date=10 February 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230210211033/https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/uks-future-plc-buy-the-week-publisher-415-mln-2021-08-16/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://go.future-advertising.com/MusicRadar-Media-Kit.html | publisher=MusicRadar|title=The website built by musicians, for musicians|access-date=14 May 2025}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons category}} * {{Official website}}
{{Future Publishing magazines}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Future Plc}} Category:Future plc Category:Computer magazine publishing companies Category:Magazine publishing companies of the United Kingdom Category:Companies based in Bath, Somerset Category:British companies established in 1985 Category:Publishing companies established in 1985 Category:1985 establishments in England Category:Companies listed on the London Stock Exchange Category:1999 initial public offerings