Limelight Magazine in Danger of Closing Down in Australia

Haymarket Media Group is seemingly divesting itself of all its classical music properties. First to go was Classic FM magazine, published under license with the U.K.'s Classic FM radio.

Then, Gramophone was sold to Mark Allen Publishing.

Now comes news from Australia that the media group is to stop its publishing operations in Australia, among which publications is the music and arts magazine Limelight. Published under license with the ABC since 2006, this could mean the magazine has to close.

The magazine's own website doesn't mince its words: "Limelight Magazine under threat of closure" is the headline to news writer Clive Paget's report.

It is a surprise as the title was doing especially well recently, having won Consumer Magazine of the Year 2013 in its circulation category and, previously, the 2012 Relaunch of the Year awards at the Publishers Australia Excellence Awards.

Readers are clearly reeling in shock. Among the tweets and messages coming in are, "This is incredibly sad news" from one reader and, from another, "No No No, this is the best arts and culture magazine in the world, not just Australia."

Haymarket, which says that its Australia move makes sense with its decision to focus on its operations in Singapore, is looking for a buyer. The Haymarket Australia offices are only open until December 13, so interested parties had better hurry up.

Although it seems likely that even after those offices close potential licensors could try ABC Publishing, itself.