In a recent development in New Delhi, Amazon has made a significant change in its operations by discontinuing the sale of print and Kindle magazine and newspaper subscriptions. This decision has put many independent publishers in doubt and financial trouble.
All You Need to Know about Amazon Stopping Services
This decision by Amazon, which was initially announced last year, has now been implemented as of this week. In a notification to its customers, the company stated, “You will no longer receive issues of your Kindle subscriptions after September 4, 2023. We will issue you a pro-rated refund for any undelivered issues within 3-5 business days.” Furthermore, it was clarified that annual subscriptions will not be renewed at the end of their terms.
For those who had print newsstand subscriptions, Amazon advised customers to reach out directly to the respective publishers to cancel their subscriptions. This unexpected change has had a significant impact on several publishers, including Fantasy Magazine, which announced in its August edition that its final issue will be in October 2023.
The magazine bemoaned the decision, citing financial difficulties as the principal reason for its demise. They stated, “It is with real sadness that we have to announce that October 2023 will be our last issue. Unfortunately, Fantasy never reached a point of paying for itself, and with the Kindle Periodicals mess, it’s just not sustainable.”
Amazon’s decision has left independent publishers scurrying for new sources of income to make up for the loss of subscribers caused by the cancellation of Kindle and print subscriptions. The Verge reports that since Amazon’s initial announcement last March, publishers have been working diligently to find solutions to this unexpected challenge.
Some publishers have been offered the opportunity to join Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited program. In this program, customers pay a monthly fee to access a library of books and “select” magazine subscriptions. While this may give publishers a way to connect with readers, it is unclear how well it will work to lessen the effects of the subscription withdrawal.
