Can Publishers Capitalize On Kindle Tablet To Boost’ Digital Downloads?

Hearst Magazines says it has exceeded the number 300,000 in paid distribution for its digital editions across iTunes, B&N Nook Color and the Zinio Newsstand. That amount includes a combination of monthly digital edition subscriptions and single copy sales -- a 10-fold increase from September last year, Hearst says. Condé Nast points to 500,000 digital circulation, with a subscriber/authenticated print reader ratio of 50/50.

In August, Time said its digital magazine and related content apps have been downloaded more than 11 million times, though the company didn't offer a breakdown of how well individual brands have done. It also said that of its total 28 million print subscribers, “hundreds of thousands” have upgraded their subscriptions to include the four tablet editions at no extra cost. The publisher claims to be adding thousands of new subscribers every week. At that point, Time also said it has sold more than 600,000 digital single copies among its four titles -- Time magazine, People, Sports Illustrated and Fortune -- is working on creating tablet editions for its entire roster of 21 titles by the end of 2011.