Future US
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Media |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Parent | Future plc |
Future US, Inc.—previously known as Imagine Media and The Future Network USA—is a U.S.-based media company that focuses on niche magazines and digital platforms centered around video games, music, and technology sectors. The company’s main office is located in New York City, with additional branches in Alexandria, Virginia, Minneapolis, and Washington, D.C.. Future US operates as a subsidiary of Future plc, a media enterprise headquartered in Bath, England.
History
The origins of Future US trace back to 1994 when Future plc acquired GP Publications, a video game publisher based in Greensboro that was experiencing financial difficulties and known for producing Game Players magazine. Following the acquisition, the company introduced new titles such as PC Gamer and moved its base to the San Francisco Bay Area. After selling Future to Pearson plc, founder Chris Anderson retained GP Publications, rebranding it as Imagine Media, Inc. in 1995.
During the late 1990s Internet expansion and buoyed by the success of Business 2.0, Future secured exclusive worldwide publishing rights for Microsoft's official Xbox magazine, which bolstered its presence in the market. In response to economic challenges in 2001, Future Network USA underwent restructuring by discontinuing several publications and divesting Business 2.0 to AOL/Time Warner.
In 2007, Future US acquired publishing rights for Nintendo Power and introduced PlayStation: The Official Magazine, thereby becoming the publisher for the official magazines of all three leading console manufacturers in the U.S.; however, the PlayStation publication ceased operations in 2012.
The company sold its Music division to NewBay Media in 2012 but later repurchased NewBay in 2018 for $13.8 million to broaden its business-to-business operations and expand its footprint within the United States.
In May 2021, Future US secured the U.S. publishing rights for Marie Claire from Hearst Communications, complementing Future plc’s UK ownership following its acquisition of TI Media in 2020.
In August 2024, Future US declared it would shut down trade publications Broadcasting & Cable and Multichannel News effective September 30, 2024.
Current titles
The company’s current portfolio features prominent magazines and websites including:
Defunct titles
Significant former publications consist of: