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TheFeed

Ziff Davis Files Chapter 11

Posted by Stephen Johnson - Wednesday, March 05, 2008 2:21 PM

Magazine and internet publishing powerhouse Ziff Davis, the people behind Electronic Gaming Monthly, 1up.com, PC Magazine, filefront.com and ZD TV (which later became Tech TV, which later merged with G4), have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as part of a debt restructuring plan.

The restructuring agreement was made with an group of senior secured note holders who agreed to pay up to $24.5 million to fund the Ziff Davis’ operations during and after the Chapter 11 case.

If the restructuring is approved, the company’s $225 million senior-note debt would be reduced. The debt would then be exchanged for a new $50 million senior secured note and at least 88.8 percent of the common stock in the reorganized company. The company plans to reorganize as well.

CEO Jason Young said in a statement. "Today’s restructuring agreement goes a long way toward resolving the burdens of a debt load and capital structure established seven years ago, during a leveraged buyout of the company.”

We talked to X-Play host Adam Sessler about the impact on gaming, and Sess said, "EGM clearly hasn't been doing that well lately; the magazine has been positively emaciated lately.

I liked working there, but even 9 1/2 years ago when I was at Ziff Davis, it was clear that the company had strayed way outside of its comfort zone. I'm surprised it's been around this long. There's nothing wrong with the magazines, but they just couldn't make the move to new media."

Folio: BREAKING: Ziff Davis Files for Chapter 11


Comment(s)


Posted by vole182 - Wednesday, March 05, 2008 2:16 PM
So what does this mean for G4TV?

DONT TAKE AWAY THE FEED! I COULDN'T LIVE WITHOUT IT!!!

Posted by gentle - Wednesday, March 05, 2008 2:18 PM
It doesn't mean anything for G4... Your Feed is safe.

Posted by gwilo007 - Wednesday, March 05, 2008 2:52 PM
what will happen to my EGM subscription?!!! ... I love that mag

Posted by banodyne - Wednesday, March 05, 2008 3:02 PM
Should serve as a warning for merger mania and acquisition crazy companies. Sooner or later you have to pay for this stuff.

Best wishes to 1up.com and EGM and Games for Windows magazines. They're the only major review site I trust these days.

Posted by hetman - Wednesday, March 05, 2008 3:03 PM
They shouldnt have shut down pcxl back in the day. Then we would actually have a funny ass gaming magazine that catered to gamers instead of the rubbish that was Electric Gaming Monthly.

Posted by Muckie - Wednesday, March 05, 2008 3:25 PM
Please tell me sjohnson that The Feed will continue. I love it and you.

Posted by barneyslug - Wednesday, March 05, 2008 3:51 PM
I agree hetman. I got EGM for a year with my gamegrazy membership and I think it is total crap. Good riddance.
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Posted by Milstar - Wednesday, March 05, 2008 4:05 PM
I thought something was very odd with all the offers of a free 1yr subscription to EGM offers out there. I got mine free and here 4 months later they are filing chap 11. My guess is they were trying to push numbers to attract more advertising dollars.

Posted by barneyslug - Wednesday, March 05, 2008 4:09 PM
I agree hetman. I got EGM for a year with my gamegrazy membership and I think it is total crap. Good riddance.

Posted by cashnighter - Wednesday, March 05, 2008 5:34 PM
I been a subscriber to EGM for about 5 years and just renewed for one more. I also been subscribed to alomst every other vidoegame mag out there but this is the only one I like enough to stick with.

Posted by Frankotaco - Wednesday, March 05, 2008 9:52 PM
i think gaming mags will soon disappear. when you are writing reviews, stories, and other content about the new up and coming form of media. the users are going to be more experienced in other new media forms. such as the use of the net for all of MY video game industry news. based on its audience and demographics, using monthly printed press to discuss video games would be just as odd as listing to a radio to get your news about Television back in the 60's.

Posted by punisher138 - Thursday, March 06, 2008 7:36 AM
EGM is the only gaming magazine with the balls to tell it like it is, and it would be a great loss if it was gone. You can't trust reviews in mags such as Game Informer or Official Xbox mag because their reviews are either biased or paid for.

Posted by darkmanXL - Thursday, March 06, 2008 8:53 AM
I agree fully w/punisher, I been a loyal EGM reader fpr years and not do they point out all flaws and strengths in their reviews but they have a sense of humor and sarcasm, ex: Tobias Bruckner Awards anyone? Official Xbox, and PS mags are biased, Game Informer has no personality, GamePro is not in depth and just lacks what the other have.. C'mon I'm sure we all watch X-play bcuz its informative and Adam & Morgan are funny as hell with their sarcasm & skits. .(not to mention Morgan is pretty EZ on the eyes.)
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Posted by swifty_snail - Thursday, March 06, 2008 9:46 AM
(Using He-Man Voice) "I have the POWER!"
Nintendo Power!! Best Gaming Mag EVER

Posted by SweetIndica - Friday, March 14, 2008 12:18 AM
Everyone has been talking about the gaming mags, and I admit that I am interested in that, but what about PC Magazine? Indeed, what will be the fate of any/all of the products this publishing company is currently responsible for? Does anyone have any definitive answers??

?

(BTW, there is not any mention of this on PC MAgs website.)

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