Motor Trend Group Explained

Motor Trend Group, LLC
Type:Subsidiary
Founders:-->
Industry:Mass media
Location City:El Segundo, California
Location Country:United States
Owner:Warner Bros. Discovery
Parent:TNT Sports

Motor Trend Group, LLC, formerly known as Source Interlink Media and TEN: The Enthusiast Network, is a media company that specializes in enthusiast brands, such as Motor Trend, Hot Rod, and Roadkill. Headquartered in El Segundo, California, it is a subsidiary of the TNT Sports division of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD).[1]

Media and events

The company's network of brands includes more than 60 publications, 100 websites, Motor Trend's Video on Demand channel, branded and licensed products, live events and competitions, as well as TV and radio programs. TEN's total audience is 158 million.[2]

In 2013, the company signed a deal with the Bonnier Corporation, where they sold Dirt Rider, Motorcyclist, Sport Rider, Motorcycle Cruiser, Hot Bike, Baggers, Super Streetbike, Street Chopper, and ATV Rider, and they bought Sound + Vision and the TransWorld franchise.

In 2015, NBC Sports shuttered its action sports division, and sold the Dew Tour to TEN.[3] On August 17 of that same year, TEN launched its subscription video on demand service Motor Trend OnDemand, which was the first SVOD service aimed at automotive enthusiasts.[4] TEN CEO Scott Dickey described this community as "underserved and starved for premium video content" while positioning the SVOD service as "The Netflix for Gearheads."[5]

On August 3, 2017, Discovery Communications announced it would acquire a majority stake in TEN, and contribute its automotive-oriented cable network Velocity into the company. The venture's goals is to create a larger, multi-platform presence for the company's brands, with a particular emphasis on direct-to-consumer streaming products. On April 10, 2018, it was announced that the company had been renamed Motor Trend Group effective immediately, and that Velocity would be rebranded under the Motor Trend name later in the year.[6] [7] [8] [9]

In 2017, TEN sold the AMA EnduroCross Championship to the Bonnier Motorcycle Group.[10] TEN also sold Baseball America and Slam.[11]

In March 2018, TEN sold Sound & Vision and Stereophile, along with related magazines and websites, to AVTech Media Ltd.[12] In February 2019, TEN sold its adventure sports portfolio to American Media.[13]

In December 2019, the company announced that 19 of the 22 magazines published by the company would be discontinued that month, including Automobile.[14]

History

Source Interlink

Source Interlink was an American magazine publishing and logistics company. It owned Source Interlink Distribution and Motor Trend Group. It maintained a strong position in automotive and action sports media, publishing a variety of magazines including Motor Trend, Hot Rod, and the Transworld titles.[15] [16]

In September 2012, it was announced that Source Interlink Media (SIM) made a strategic investment in San Francisco technology company CoverHound to power its insurance searches.[17]

Through its GrindMedia action sports division, SIM signed a deal with the Bonnier Corporation in May 2013, where they sold Dirt Rider, Motorcyclist, Sport Rider, Motorcycle Cruiser, Hot Bike, Baggers, Super Streetbike, Street Chopper and ATV Rider, whereas they bought Sound + Vision and the suite of TransWorld brands.[18]

On August 19, 2013, GrindMedia announced that production of Skateboarder will cease on October 15, 2013.[19] The Skateboarder announcement was followed by the closure of other publications, such as Modified, Mini Truckin', Bound By Ink, GEEK, and Law of Attraction, in January 2014.[20] [21] Former Skateboarder editor-in-chief Jamie Owens was announced as the new editor-in-chief of TransWorld SKATEboarding in October 2013.[22]

On May 29, 2014, Source Interlink CEO Michael L. Sullivan announced that its distribution arm would soon cease operations. Time, Inc. had withdrawn its business over the inability of Source Interlink Distribution to pay $19 million in revenues owed for second quarter 2014 sales and $7 million for sales booked in previous quarters.[23] The publishing arm would be rebranded under the umbrella of TEN: The Enthusiast Network after shuttering several Source Interlink Media titles, including Popular Hot Rodding, Rod & Custom, High Performance Pontiac, Custom Classic Trucks, 4 Wheel Drive & Sport Utility, Mud Life, 5.0 Mustangs and Super Fords, Modified Mustangs & Fords, Camaro Performers, GM High-Tech Performance, Import Tuner, and Honda Tuning.

In addition to editorial staff, there were further layoffs in art and production staff that was later explained by VPs and executives as needed cuts to keep TEN on a sustainable path since losing the large distribution arm of its core business to reach the claimed audience in its dwindling circulation and online presence.[24] [25]

Titles

Publications and digital assets

Video on demand & broadcasting

Former titles

Earlier discontinuations

December 2019 discontinuations

2020 discontinuations

Merchandise

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: MotorTrend Privacy Policy. We are Motor Trend Group, LLC., registered in the United States of America with company number 6453648 whose registered office is at 8403 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910, United States of America (“MTG”). MTG is a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.. 2023-03-02.
  2. Web site: TEN: The Enthusiast Network . TEN: The Enthusiast Network . en-US . 2016-05-09.
  3. Web site: New ownership gives Dew Tour some pop. Sports Business Journal . en . 2018-04-20.
  4. Web site: TEN Officially Launches Groundbreaking Motor Trend OnDemand SVOD Service . www.motortrendgroup.com.
  5. Web site: TEN Officially Launches Groundbreaking Motor Trend OnDemand SVOD Service - Motor Trend Group . www.motortrendgroup.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180710010337/https://www.motortrendgroup.com/ten-officially-launches-groundbreaking-motor-trend-ondemand-svod-service/ . 2018-07-10.
  6. News: Discovery Communications Partners With TEN Network For Auto Portfolio. Evans. Greg. August 3, 2017. Deadline. September 18, 2017. en-US.
  7. News: Discovery Rebrands Velocity As Motor Trend Network. Petski. Denise. 2018-04-10. Deadline. 2018-04-20. en-US.
  8. News: Discovery Rebrands Velocity as Motor Trend Network (EXCLUSIVE). Littleton. Cynthia. 2018-04-10. Variety. 2018-04-20. en-US.
  9. News: Discovery Launches 'Motor Trend On Demand' in UK on Amazon Channels. Multichannel. 2018-04-20. en-us.
  10. Web site: Bonnier Motorcycle Group To Take Over Ownership of EnduroCross Series. 2020-09-09. Cycle World. en.
  11. Web site: Baseball America Sold SGB Online. 14 February 2017. 2019-03-14.
  12. Web site: AVTech Media Ltd (UK) Acquires Home Tech Network From Ten Publishing Media. Stereophile.com. 2018-07-08. 2018-03-22.
  13. Web site: American Media Acquires TEN's Adventure Sports Magazines. Folio. 2019-03-14. 2019-02-05.
  14. Web site: MotorTrend publisher TEN Publishing discontinuing 19 automotive magazines . 9 December 2019.
  15. Web site: Source Interlink Media Rebrands As TEN: The Enthusiast Network. Transworld Business. GrindTV. 28 January 2017. 29 May 2014.
  16. News: Motor Trend Publisher Source Interlink Media Folds 12 Magazines, Lays Off Nearly 100. Ad Age. 2018-04-20. en.
  17. News: CoverHound Announces Strategic Partnership with Source Interlink Media. 2012-09-12. 2012-09-12.
  18. Web site: Grind Media Buys TransWorld. SBCBusiness.com. SBC Business Magazine. 14 August 2013. Mike P. 21 May 2013.
  19. Web site: GRINDMEDIA TO DISCONTINUE PUBLISHING SKATEBOARDER MAGAZINE. TransWorld Business. GrindMedia. 21 August 2013. Kailee Bradstreet. 19 August 2013.
  20. Web site: Modified Magazine Killed As Source Interlink Rumored To Lay Off Dozens. Jalopnik. Gawker. 23 February 2014. Matt Hardigree. 31 January 2014.
  21. Web site: Source Interlink Reportedly Folding Modified, Plus Dozens of Layoffs. 3 February 2014.
  22. News: TWS New Editor In Chief Jaime Owens Interview. Skateboarding Magazine. The Enthusiast Network. 16 July 2014. 29 October 2013.
  23. News: Kaufman. Leslie. After Losing Time Inc. Business, Distributor Is to Close. 14 September 2016. New York Times. May 30, 2014.
  24. Web site: Source Interlink Media Rebrands, Closes 12 Titles New corporate identity: TEN: The Enthusiast Network. Bill . Mickey . 2014-05-30. FolioMag.
  25. Web site: Source Interlink Media Rebrands As TEN: The Enthusiast Network . 2014-05-29.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Motor Trend Group".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.