Audience Research

From 21st January 2011

Alternative press is a monthly magazine, offering it's audience information about bands and upcoming tours, as well as much more. Approximately 54% of readers are female and 46% are male so this could suggest that the magazine's target audience is of a mixed gender and not made for a specific gender.
The audience seems to be of a fairly young audience, with the average age as 19 and median age at 17.  Their target audience is aimed at serious fans of music, who are willing to take many collections and attend as many shows as possible. This is one feature that makes this magazine popular, it is aimed at serious fans and the content within is all for the serious fans. It also aims it's magazine at a middle-to-upper-middle class, people with a higher income, this is clearly evident with the median household income being $61,000

Their target audience is mainly focused at people living in suburban areas, in/close to the big cities. This could be because these people are closer to 'the action' and are more up to date in comparison to people living in mountainous/coastal areas. This also means the fan have better access to the high street and shops where they can send their money and things they want again, in comparison to people who basically live in the middle of nowhere. This is a great idea as it means the magazine is reaching out to a large audience living in large areas, the readers spend their money on expensive clothing and music merchandise, so when they see merchandise in the magazine, they are more likely to buy it. These people most likely have a better education and attend a private school.

The magazine is aimed at a social class A on the socio-economic scale. People with an occupation of a professional level, administrative or higher managerial. Jobs such as, Bank branch manager or higher, Established Doctor and several others like so.

NME is a Weekely music feature magazine, supplying it's audience with updates on many popular, indie artists, information about bands and upcoming tours as well as exclusive interviews, competitions and subscription offers.

NMe has a similar target audience as AP magazine, however there are a few differences. NME is aimed at a higher age, with the average age being 24. Also, 69% of readers are male and only 31% are female.
Further more, most items displayed a long the top or more commonly associated as being 'Male' things. For example: video games,  K.Swiss, Beer, shockwaves hair product. This shows that NME is aimed at a more mature, male audience, 59% working full time and 29% still studying.
On the other hand, they both aim for a target audience who care a lot about their appearance. In particualr, 71% of NME readers agreed that it is important for them to look well dressed yet only 45% agreed that they spend a lot of money on clothing. This could mean that NME's audience are good with money and know where to get the best buys. Or it could be a case of their readers being part of a higher social class meaning
their opinion on what 'alot of money' is being a lot higher in comparison to a working class's idea of a lot of money.