The NME has announced it will no longer run a free print edition

It comes after 66 years in print. The end of an era.

It has been confirmed that this weeks edition of the NME magazine will be its last. The news was announced this morning by the magazine's owner Time Inc. The company said in a statement: “NME’s free weekly print magazine will cease publication. This week’s issue of the magazine out on Friday will be the final free print edition.” Paul Cheal, Time Inc. UK group managing director, Music, said: “NME is one of the most iconic brands in British media and our move to free print has helped to propel the brand to its biggest ever audience on NME.COM. The print re-invention has helped us to attract a range of cover stars that the previous paid-for magazine could only have dreamed of. “At the same time, we have also faced increasing production costs and a very tough print advertising market. Unfortunately we have now reached a point where the free weekly magazine is no longer financially viable. It is in the digital space where effort and investment will focus to secure a strong future for this famous brand.” The magazine began as the New Musical Express in 1952. It made the decision to become a free-sheet in 2015, launching with Rihanna on the cover.