I just left a quick review of the current version of TV Guide magazine over on Amazon.com where I gave the magazine a whopping 1 star.  I didn't so much want to ding the magazine as I did want to question why Amazon.com is offering a subscription with the same duration that the publisher does AT A HIGHER PRICE.

The magazine itself is fine for me.  Something in the 3.5 / 5 star range if you press me to rate just the magazine.  Not perfect, but not bad.  I actually like the larger size, and slicker pages, though admittedly the magazine has become much more 'fluffy' and 'gossipy' like People or US magazine.  No where near the old newsprint Readers Digest sized TV Guide of old.  There are more pictures, and brighter colors throughout.  There are also lots more little article snippets that wind up being nothing more than quick looks at the pretty people of television, or promotional pieces for stars we can expect to see on TV currently or in the near future.  But, in reality switching to the grid style for the majority of the listings in TV Guide is easier to read except FOR ONE THING: the issues are no longer localized/regionalized, so you get listings for ABC or NBC, or FOX, etc., rather than for the specific channel numbers in your own area. Having the channel numbers line up would be nice, but I understand that it would be more expensive that way and would require more regionalization. It won't happen, so why cry about it.

Anyway, I give 1 star for the deal via Amazon.com where the price is currently $10 more for the same basic deal direct from the publisher.  I'd be happy to purchase via Amazon, but why would I want to pay more to do so and why does Amazon even bother trying to sell a subscription for a magazine that customers can get cheaper directly from the publisher?  I guess that whoever is in charge of the magazine subscription sales area at Amazon is asleep at the switch on this one, or perhaps I just got lucky ordering direct from TV Guide to get the gift subscription for my in-laws (and a one year subscription for my family).  Either way, between the two subscriptions that's $20 extra dollars in my pocket (almost enough to buy yet another subscription )

For the record, I have bought some other subscriptions via Amazon.com and been happy with them and the prices that I had to pay.  One of those subscriptions was the Official Xbox Magazine.  2 years worth of subscription ordered via Amazon.com was priced where I would have wanted it, so I ordered without hesitation.  In the case of the TV Guide subscriptions though, I'm glad I hesitated and shopped around a little.  Saving money is always a good thing.