Amazon has announced that it will no longer sell magazine subscriptions on its Kindle Newsstand. The service for Kindle e-readers will be gradually phased out by early September, with users no longer able to manage their active subscriptions from June 5th. Existing subscriptions will no longer automatically renew after March 9th. The decision seems to be driven by cost savings, with Amazon currently shedding over 18,000 jobs. The equipment and services division – which includes Kindle Newsstands – is particularly affected.
From September 2023, users will no longer be able to renew monthly subscriptions, and annual subscriptions will end. However, outstanding expenses will be reimbursed, and issues that have already been purchased can be read on the Kindle app. Digital versions of magazines and journals will still be available on the Kindle Newsstand, with additional functions such as changing text size.
Users can find alternative subscription options under “Your memberships and subscriptions” or via the publisher’s website. Some magazines and periodicals will still be accessible via the “Kindle Unlimited” subscription. Amazon plans to provide details on how to contact publishers about active subscriptions in the coming months.
The move away from magazine subscriptions on Kindle Newsstands is part of a wider trend at Amazon toward cost-cutting measures. The company has already cut 18,000 jobs, with a further 9,000 expected to follow in the coming weeks. The equipment and services division is one of the areas most affected by these job cuts. While the decision is unfortunate for those who enjoyed using the Kindle Newsstand, there are still plenty of alternative subscription options available.
