Canadian magazine launches dropped 15% in 2007, with 63 new titles entering the fray. The biggest decline came in the b-to-b sector, where just five new books debuted. On the consumer side, 54 new titles were launched, a number that falls below the 10-year average of 60.

Masthead tracked 21 closures last year, 12% fewer than 2006, when 24 magazines folded. That said, both the launch and closures totals are sure to change as time passes and we become aware of mags missed. If you work at or know of such a magazine, please send an e-mail to mursi@masthead.ca.

Here’s how the 2007 Tally breaks down:

Total launches: 63
Total closures: 21
Missing in action: 2
Consumer launches: 54
Industry trade launches: 5
Association launches: 4
Consumer closures: 13
Trade closures: 8
Custom launches*: 5
Custom closures*: 1

*not included in total launch figure

Update/Correction: The annual Tally feature, with ancillary charts and magazines covers, appears in the March/April 2008 issue of Masthead, just mailed to subscribers.

The print edition contains arithmetic errors in the summary (“2007 Tally At A Glance”) and accompanying story with regards to total launches, consumer launches and consumer closures. Masthead regrets these errors.

The Tally numbers published above represent the current numbers to date. Included in these totals are several magazines we became aware of after going to press. They are:

Consumer launch
Sudbury Living (Laurentian Media Magazines, Sudbury, Ont.)

Consumer closures
Canadian Poker Player (Fifth Street Publisherw, Saskatoon)
Ropin’ & Rodeo News (Gordon and Shelly Weerstra, Calgary)

Custom launch
Yukon, North of Ordinary (Harper Street Publishing/Air North, Whitehorse)