Playboy will stop publishing the photographs of the fully nude women so closely associated with it, declaring such pictures have become "passe" in the Internet age where free pornography is readily available.
The decision came after a top editor of the adult magazine met with its founder Hugh Hefner at the Playboy Mansion last month, according to chief executive Scott Flanders.
Starting in March, Playboy's revamped print edition will still include photographs of women in provocative poses.
They just won't be nude anymore, Flanders told The New York Times in an interview published Tuesday.
"You're now one click away from every sex act imaginable for free. And so it's just passe at this juncture," he said.
It's a remarkable move for a magazine that launched in 1953 with a sultry Marilyn Monroe on its cover, breaking the taboo of showing women au naturel.
But with pornographic images now so readily available online, and accessible via a variety of connected devices, Playboy is selling less and less copies.
The magazine's circulation decreased from 5.6 million in 1975 to about 800,000 now, the Times said, citing Alliance for Audited Media figures. And at its peak, it sold more than seven million copies, in November 1972.
In order to be allowed on now-ubiquitous social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram that drive Internet traffic, Playboy has already made some content safer, according to Flanders.
After its website went nude-free in August 2014, the average reader age fell from 47 to just above 30, and Internet traffic soared from four million to 16 million unique visitors per month, executives told the Times.
For its latest redesign, the magazine sought to answer the question: "if you take nudity out, what's left?" he explained.
Cory Jones, the chief content officer who met with 89-year-old Hefner last month, told the Times that the magazine will still feature a Playmate of the Month, though the images will now be "PG-13."
And it's unclear whether or not the centerfold will survive the chopping block.
'What comes next?'
The Playboy brand, with its trademark tuxedo bow tie-adored bunny silhouette logo, has had a major impact on the media world.
In addition to its sexy centerfolds -- usually featuring a nude female model, or Playmate -- and covers, the magazine is also known for its fascinating interviews with defining cultural figures of the moment.
The first Playboy interview was conducted by writer Alex Haley with Miles Davis, in which the jazz great shared candid views on racism.
"This whole prejudice mess is something you would feel so good if it could just be got rid of, like a big sore eating inside of your belly," Davis said at the time.
There were also interviews with Malcolm X and with Martin Luther King Jr, in which he discussed the civil rights movement he led and said "America today is an extremely sick nation."
And then there was then-presidential candidate Jimmy Carter admitting to have lusted for other women "in my heart," or an interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, which hit newsstands around the time of the Beatles co-founder's December 1980 death.
Playboy has also published short stories by prominent novelists like Vladimir Nabokov, Haruki Murakami and Margaret Atwood, as well as cartoons by the likes of Shel Silverstein.
Some of the world's most famous photographers, including Helmut Newton and Annie Leibovitz, have provided Playboy the photographs that live on and are forever associated with the magazine.
Celebrities of all stripes have posed before the camera lens for Playboy at the height of their careers, from Kim Basinger to Drew Barrymore, Madonna, Farrah Fawcett, Sharon Stone, La Toya Jackson, wrestlers Torrie Wilson and Chyna and gymnast Svetlana Khorkina.
AFP
Tue Oct 13 2015
Starting in March, Playboy's revamped print edition will still include photographs of women in provocative poses.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.
Minimum wage to increase to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, 2025
The Progressive Wage Policy would be fully enforced next year with an allocation of RM200 million, benefiting 50,000 workers.
Bursa Malaysia ends higher on Budget 2025 optimism
The benchmark index, which opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29, moved between 1,641.71 and 1,649.31 throughout the trading session.
Five important aspects relating to people’s lives in Budget 2025 - PM
The focus is on driving the MADANI Economy, speeding reforms, cutting red tape, raising wages, and tackling the cost of living.
Economic outlook: Govt plans to leverage, expand existing city transit system
The expansion aims to provide a more efficient and reliable public transportation network, reduce congestion, and improve accessibility.