The Bookseller.com

20th November 2008

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BBC launches Lonely Planet magazine

05.08.08 Victoria Arnstein

BBC Magazines is to launch a Lonely Planet magazine in the UK later this year. Aimed at frequent travellers with the time and means to indulge their passion, the monthly magazine will combine inspirational ideas for future trips, from short breaks in the UK to long-haul journeys, with “outstanding journalism and photography”.

BBC Magazines' group editorial director, Nick Brett, said: "Editorially, the two brands are a perfect match for each other. Lonely Planet has long wanted a magazine in its portfolio, which we can now provide, and the BBC has an array of travel programmes and talent that we can bring to the party."

Publisher of Lonely Planet magazine, Dominic Murray, said: "The Lonely Planet brand has real appeal for this audience and I believe this new title brings unrivalled trust and expertise, as well as humour and entertainment to the travel magazine category."

BBC Magazines will publish the title under licence from Lonely Planet, in which BBC Worldwide has a majority stake. BBC Magazines also plans to publish the title in other key territories in the future. The title will be edited by Peter Grunert, previously deputy editor of Top Gear Magazine.

No cover price or exact launch date has been announced yet.

Lonely Planet BBC Worldwide travel Victoria Arnstein