NOW Magazine

NOW Magazine
Name	NOW Magazine
Type	Weekly alternative newsmagazine
Format	Tabloid
Foundation	1981
Ceased publication	print 2019 (digital continues)
Owners	Media conglomerates and independent investors (varied)
Headquarters	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Language	English

NOW Magazine NOW Magazine is a weekly alternative newsmagazine founded in 1981 and based in Toronto, Ontario. It covered local Toronto arts and culture, Toronto International Film Festival, nightlife, politics, and urban affairs, evolving from a print freesheet to a digital outlet in the late 2010s. The publication became known for its coverage of music scenes, alternative comedy, independent film, and investigative reporting on municipal issues.

History

Founded in 1981 by a consortium of writers and activists, the publication emerged during a period marked by the rise of alternative weeklies such as The Village Voice, LA Weekly, The Straight, and The Georgia Straight. Early issues focused on the Queen Street West arts corridor, the burgeoning punk rock and post-punk movements, and coverage of venues like The Rivoli and Lee's Palace. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s the magazine chronicled Toronto’s cultural shifts alongside events such as the expansion of Toronto International Film Festival and municipal controversies surrounding figures connected to Toronto City Council. In the 2000s the title expanded its arts coverage to include indie music associated with labels like Sonic Unyon and festivals such as NXNE. Financial pressures and changes in media ownership in the 2010s mirrored trends affecting peers like Village Voice Media and led to a transition from print to digital platforms similar to moves by Time Out in other cities.

Editorial and Content

Editorially, the magazine combined arts criticism, long-form features, and local investigative journalism. Coverage regularly featured reviews of concerts by artists associated with Dine Alone Records, profiles of filmmakers who screened at Toronto International Film Festival, and interviews with comedians who performed at Yuk Yuk's and The Second City Toronto. The publication’s music section reviewed albums connected to scenes around Danforth Music Hall and Sonic Boom record store. Its film criticism referenced auteurs whose work appeared at festivals like Hot Docs and publications such as Sight & Sound. The magazine’s political coverage examined municipal elections involving figures from Toronto City Council and policy debates tied to provincial institutions like Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

Distribution and Circulation

Distributed as a free weekly in urban Toronto neighborhoods including Kensington Market, Queen Street West, and Harbourfront Centre, the title relied on street-box pickup and hospitality placements common to weeklies such as Metro (free newspaper). Circulation peaked in the late 1990s and early 2000s, paralleling the print health of alternative weeklies across North America, before declining with the rise of digital competitors like BlogTO and national outlets such as National Post. The shift to online-only publication in the late 2010s reflected patterns seen at outlets including Vancouver Sun and The Globe and Mail when adapting distribution strategies to digital readership metrics and advertising models dominated by platforms like Google and Facebook.

Contributors and Staff

A mix of staff writers, freelancers, and columnists contributed to the magazine. Notable contributors and alumni have included critics and journalists who later wrote for outlets such as The Toronto Star, Maclean's, and The Walrus, and artists who collaborated with institutions like Art Gallery of Ontario and Canadian Stage. The magazine’s arts desk often commissioned photographers who exhibited at venues like MOCCA and music writers who covered acts appearing at Rogers Centre and Massey Hall. Editors and columnists engaged with cultural figures connected to Nuit Blanche and community organizations including TIFF Bell Lightbox.

Reception and Impact

The publication influenced Toronto’s cultural ecosystem by elevating local bands that later signed to labels like Arts & Crafts and by promoting festivals such as NXNE and Canadian Music Week. Its investigative pieces on municipal politics informed debates within Toronto City Council and were cited in community forums and by broadcasters such as CBC Radio One and CP24. The magazine’s annual lists and awards shaped visibility for venues like The Cameron House and creators who later received recognition from institutions such as the Juno Awards and Governor General's Awards.

Controversies and Legal Issues

Over its history the title faced libel and defamation disputes typical of alternative weeklies, involving private litigants and public figures linked to municipal affairs and nightlife businesses. Legal challenges echoed high-profile media cases heard in provincial courts that also involved outlets such as Postmedia Network and Torstar Corporation. Editorial decisions occasionally sparked debates with advocacy groups and institutions including Ontario Human Rights Commission and local unions, leading to public corrections and settlements in some instances. The move from print to digital prompted discussions about employment practices and labour relations comparable to disputes at other media organizations represented by unions like Unifor.

Category:Magazines published in Toronto