# Does Playboy make any money? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 1, 2010, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-playboy-make-any-money/555708 "2010-10-01T11:33:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![illuminati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e47774/32.png) [@illuminati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/illuminati)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-playboy-make-any-money/555708/1 "2010-10-01T11:33:55Z")
I heard that Playboy magazine wants to pay some Z list ‘celeb’ $400,000 to appear in the magazine. My question is how can this mag make any money? Sure back in the day they were the only ones doing this sort of thing. But now there is just so much competition and most of that competition comes from free websites. So why is anyone paying for the mag? So with dwindling readers and massive payouts for appearances how do they make the books balance? Or do they not? Is it a brand that Hef just keeps going at a loss? Sure the clothing, casinos etc probably make money but they dont need the magazine, the brand is in place and would still be in place without it. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-playboy-make-any-money/555708/2 "2010-10-01T11:39:52Z")
> [@illuminati](#): > > I heard that Playboy magazine wants to pay some Z list ‘celeb’ $400,000 to appear in the magazine. > > My question is how can this mag make any money? > Sure back in the day they were the only ones doing this sort of thing. > But now there is just so much competition and most of that competition comes from free websites. So why is anyone paying for the mag? > > So with dwindling readers and massive payouts for appearances how do they make the books balance? > > Or do they not? Is it a brand that Hef just keeps going at a loss? > > Sure the clothing, casinos etc probably make money but they dont need the magazine, the brand is in place and would still be in place without it. > > Any ideas? They sell over 31 million magazines per year, I’m guessing a not insignificant chunk of their income comes from that. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-playboy-make-any-money/555708/3 "2010-10-01T12:31:04Z")
They don’t. 2009 net income: ($51,278,000) Hugh’s offered to buy outstanding shares and take the company private, and they’re also venturing into a videogame label. In conjunction with their website and cable television productions, I’d guess the magazine itself is a major loss-leader, useful to keep the brand alive, but really little more than advertising for other, hopefully future-profitable spinoffs. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-playboy-make-any-money/555708/4 "2010-10-01T12:40:00Z")
So are we thinking we may have versions of those Japanese games that everyone talks about? You know, dating, or “worse.” ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-playboy-make-any-money/555708/5 "2010-10-01T13:12:43Z")
The printed magazine is losing money. They no longer do 12 issues a year, etc. While _Playboy_ sells quite well ([here’s](http://www.magazinecost.com/popular-magazines/) a list that ranks it 19th), that doesn’t mean much. _TV Guide_ and _Newsweek_ rank higher and are financial duds. Even _Reader’s Digest_ is doing quite poorly. But many magazines with more prized demographics are doing much better. Advertisers pretty much don’t care for _Playboy_’s readers but love golfers. OTOH, the online stuff is keeping the firm alive (just barely). Remember: Always ignore the claims that some celeb was given/offered $X to pose for _Playboy_. _Playboy_ tells the celeb to make up a number and they won’t contradict it. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-playboy-make-any-money/555708/6 "2010-10-01T13:17:51Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Remember: Always ignore the claims that some celeb was given/offered $X to pose for _Playboy_. _Playboy_ tells the celeb to make up a number and they won’t contradict it. Do you have any cite for that? ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-playboy-make-any-money/555708/7 "2010-10-01T15:48:39Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Remember: Always ignore the claims that some celeb was given/offered $X to pose for _Playboy_. _Playboy_ tells the celeb to make up a number and they won’t contradict it. That seems a reasonable supposition and I’m inclined to believe it. I’d still like a cite, though. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-playboy-make-any-money/555708/8 "2010-10-01T16:09:08Z")
My understanding is that the magazine costs more to produce than it brings in via sales. But overall it serves a valid purpose - it maintains the value of the Playboy brand. Playboy Enterprises makes a profit by selling various products that are identified with the Playboy image and licensing the Playboy name to other businesses. And if the magazine didn’t exist, that image would be less valuable. So Playboy magazine is like an advertisment - it may cost money but it sells other products. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-playboy-make-any-money/555708/9 "2010-10-01T16:37:57Z")
I buy Playboy for my teenage son (to stave off him searching for teh nekkid online/behind our backs) and it costs like $11/year for a subscription. I’m not surprised that they lose money. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-playboy-make-any-money/555708/10 "2010-10-01T16:44:11Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > I buy Playboy for my teenage son (to stave off him searching for teh nekkid online/behind our backs) Can’t he do both, like the late Earl Warren? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-playboy-make-any-money/555708/11 "2010-10-01T17:21:48Z")
> [@](#): > > I buy Playboy for my teenage son (to stave off him searching for teh nekkid online/behind our backs) and it costs like $11/year for a subscription. I’m not surprised that they lose money. Either you’re misremembering, or you got a spectacular deal. Many years ago some friends got me a subscription (because they thought my life was too dull), and I’ve never let it lapse. My subscription cost is about 3X what you cite. ---
**Author:** ![jonesj2205](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecc23a/32.png) [@jonesj2205](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonesj2205)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-playboy-make-any-money/555708/12 "2010-10-01T17:37:16Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Either you’re misremembering, or you got a spectacular deal. > Many years ago some friends got me a subscription (because they thought my life was too dull), and I’ve never let it lapse. My subscription cost is about 3X what you cite. You can get it on Amazon right now for $16 a year, $27.89 for two years. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-playboy-make-any-money/555708/13 "2010-10-01T17:50:04Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Remember: Always ignore the claims that some celeb was given/offered $X to pose for _Playboy_. _Playboy_ tells the celeb to make up a number and they won’t contradict it. Wait what? Why would they do that? Why not just tell people the real number? ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-playboy-make-any-money/555708/14 "2010-10-01T17:55:08Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > The printed magazine is losing money. They no longer do 12 issues a year, etc. Do they still put out a bajillion “special issues”? Playboy’s College Girls, Playboy’s Housewives, Playboy’s Lingerie Models, Playboy’s Redheads, Playboy’s Foreign Beauties, Playboy’s.. etc, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-playboy-make-any-money/555708/15 "2010-10-01T18:04:56Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > > [@ftg](#): > > > > Remember: Always ignore the claims that some celeb was given/offered $X to pose for _Playboy_. _Playboy_ tells the celeb to make up a number and they won’t contradict it. > > Wait what? Why would they do that? Why not just tell people the real number? Because if, say, Kristen Bell is thought to have been offered $1 milllion to pose for Playboy, it makes her look sought-after (and thus more marketable as an actress) and the magazine look prosperous (which is good for the brand). ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-playboy-make-any-money/555708/16 "2010-10-01T18:17:07Z")
Sales are just part of it, revenue from ads are another. Another thing is respectablity. OK posing nude may be not respectable to a lot of folks, but IF you’re gonna pose nude, than Playboy is the most acceptable and respectable way to do it. ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-playboy-make-any-money/555708/17 "2010-10-01T18:17:49Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > > [@OpalCat](#): > > > > I buy Playboy for my teenage son (to stave off him searching for teh nekkid online/behind our backs) > > Can’t he do both, like the late Earl Warren? 😕 The Chief Justice? ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-playboy-make-any-money/555708/18 "2010-10-01T18:21:26Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > I buy Playboy for my teenage son (to stave off him searching for teh nekkid online/behind our backs) and it costs like $11/year for a subscription. I’m not surprised that they lose money. > > Either you’re misremembering, or you got a spectacular deal. > Many years ago some friends got me a subscription (because they thought my life was too dull), and I’ve never let it lapse. My subscription cost is about 3X what you cite. It’s not uncommon for introductory subscriptions to cost a fraction of what the renewal costs. This is what both \*Archaeology \*and \*Skeptical Inquirer \*do. ---
**Author:** ![ReticulatingSplines](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@ReticulatingSplines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReticulatingSplines)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-playboy-make-any-money/555708/19 "2010-10-01T18:29:15Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > I buy Playboy for my teenage son (to stave off him searching for teh nekkid online/behind our backs) and it costs like $11/year for a subscription. I’m not surprised that they lose money. I’m not 100% sure it works quite like that, but I wish my parents had been more like you. With that said, Playboy is now about as titillating as the Victoria’s Secret catalog. Three cheers for the Internet! ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-playboy-make-any-money/555708/20 "2010-10-01T18:55:48Z")
> [@Labdad](#): > > > [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > > > Can’t he do both, like the late Earl Warren? > > 😕 > > The Chief Justice? Simpsons Joke. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-playboy-make-any-money/555708.md?page=2)