In My Humble Opinion...

I was once offered TV Guide for 25 cents an issue. So I grabbed it. When they wanted to renew me, they sent me offers for 79 cents an issue, and that kinda deal. That's a 300% increase. So I called them, and hoped to negotiate. "Don't you need me for your circulation numbers?" I begged the guy. "Not at a quarter an issue, we don't." He replied. So I canceled. When TV Guide went to full size, and introduced "Inside TV" magazine, there were talks of them failing. Over a year later, I get an offer for 38 cents an issue. Told ya you needed me. Nobody reads it so much because everyone has cable so they have the channel, or they get it in the Sunday papers. And their stories aren't too fabulous. I just like their crosswords, and the Guide on my TV takes forever to load.

Now, why is Star magazine failing? Simple economics, my friend.
People is in a class in itself. I know it's trashy, but somehow they charge $3.49 cover, and their lowest subscription offer is $1.99 an issue. And they're doing well I think.
Us Weekly has the same cover price, but I pay 95 cents an issue.
Life & Style, OK! and In Touch are a step below and have a $1.99 cover price. They're in the same class as Star, who I believe charges the same as People and Us. So why would someone with the options of cheaper trash buy more expensive trash?
Especially since you read one, you know all the stories. So why pay extra for Star?
I don't know how worthwhile for them it was to go glossy.