Us Weekly Palin Cover Causes Scandal? Maybe Not... UPDATE

***UPDATED 9/5, 3 PM***

A well-placed source at Us Weekly tells Huffington Post that since Wednesday, there have actually been a little more than 1,000 cancellations. However, there have also been a little more than 1,000 bonus subscriptions from supporters of the magazine, without any efforts on the part of the magazine to gain subscribers from the controversy.

"In the end, it's a wash, but encouraging to see how involved the readership is in the election," the source says.

The Palin story also drove Usmagazine.com's third highest day of traffic in the site's history.

Previously, MSNBC Scoop gossip columnist Courtney Hazlett reported that Us was losing between 5,000-10,000 subscribers after the controversial "Babies, Lies, and Scandal" cover:

Three celebrity weeklies -- OK!, People and Us Weekly -- featured Sarah Palin on their cover, but one of those magazines is reportedly losing subscribers because of it.

Us Weekly, which unlike People and OK!, chose a rather caustic cover line ("Babies, Lies and Scandal") is said to have lost thousands of subscribers in just the first 24 hours following the printing of the issue.

"I'm hearing it's 5,000, maybe more," says one well-placed source in the industry. Another source claimed that as many as 10,000 readers have already cancelled their subscriptions. A spokesperson for Wenner Media, which publishes Us, says "it is completely false that we are losing 10,000 subscribers." As for the 5,000 estimate, the spokesperson only said "that is false, too," but wouldn't comment further.

Related: Palin Cover Story Writer's HuffPost Blog: "I'm Voting For McCain"
Related: Sarah Palin Gets Cover Of Us, OK! Magazines

Comments

[lungwort]

Way to leave out the entire cover that says in big letters "Babies, lies and scandal"

[flymic]

If Subscribing to US Weekly will help in NOV. Count me in.

[MadeinAmericaProud]

Order on line today

[libbygirl]

I didn't buy it this week but only because I didn't want to buy a mag with her on the cover.....didn't buy People either.

[LeawoodKansas]

How do I subscribe?

[supergranny]

really, it's like FREEDOM FRIES all over again..

[Triangle1]

This is all because people who read US Weekly are celebrity obsessed. They love celebrities like Obama so it's insulting to them that the opponent is on the cover. The Republicans put a WOMAN on their ticket and suddenly liberals are offended? How messed up is that? http://mespace.wordpress.com

[supergranny]

sounds like somebody is an expert in these trash mags.....

[supergranny]

I have yet to meet anyone who subscribes to those magazine, i thought they were just there to laugh at while you put your groceries on the conveyor belt.

[truegreen]

U republithugs hate the truth. You lie and distort the opposition when u can't get your way.

[PublicusOrator]

You must be new to this site. Huffpo commenters do it ALL the time.

[Unrepentant]

"The Republicans put a WOMAN on their ticket and suddenly liberals are offended? How messed up is that? "

How exactly are so called "liberals" offended? All you did was make an unsubstantiated statement that has no basis in reality other than in your tiny little mind. Where is the logic? Where is the evidence?

[CindyM2008]

Huh? Did you read the ENTIRE article? The people unsubscribing are mad because Pa lin was shown in a negative light!
How are you tying that to "liberals being offended"

[RThM]

Sigh. The Republicans have a strained relationship with reality. They just say anything that pops into their little heads. We have got to end this madness!

[Ramirez]

And in other media news....
From Rasmussen:
****

A week ago, most Americans had never heard of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Now, following a Vice Presidential acceptance speech viewed live by more than 40 million people, Palin is viewed favorably by 58% of American voters. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 37% hold an unfavorable view of the self-described hockey mom. ...

Perhaps most stunning is the fact that Palin’s favorable ratings are now a point higher than either man at the top of the Presidential tickets this year. As of Friday morning, Obama and McCain are each viewed favorably by 57% of voters. Biden is viewed favorably by 48%.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/palin_power_fresh_face_now_more_popular_than_obama_mccain

[dumbstruck]

Wonder how many churches or RNC lists were involved in this right-wing PR effort to get the US subscriptions cancelled?

[MadeinAmericaProud]

If more democrats started calling and cancelled those cable or dish sats TV month bills, we would have balance quality news.

No hope for that, if they are still willing to feed their families poison from GOD know where our food is coming from without any outcry, the republicans will win every time.

We the democratic party is stuck cover everyone the republican party don't want until it is time for theri vote then dump them again. They keep falling for the lies.

I want to change party or not vote because we stuck with the dumb/crazy and also very warm loving and caring people. How can anyone believe Made in America products are of poor quality. China cheap labor is better,? We have done this so many times, I be glad when dumb and dumber see some kind of light. If it is the size of a mustard seed, I take that.

That is why we made china people middle class with our middle class jobs.

[Synnerman]

When will widdle Sarah be let outside to play? After her tutors finish coaching her?

[RBN]

What are the odds this is another Republican LIE aimed at intimidating the media?

[drzoon]

the odds are very GOOD

[TN]

I smell a rove - man your good.

[Candace8383]

100%

[MrMopar]

Zero. This is an MSNBC article on HuffPo. Do you really think thing HuffPo would print republican anything?

[08Barack08]

Sarah Palin was a horrific choice, all around.
www.imPALIN.com to read more and join the cause

[Bademus]

NOTE TO ALL DEMOCRATS, PROGRESSIVES AND PRO-CHOICE PEOPLE: BUY THAT ISSUE!!

When it comes out be sure to BUY IT. Also subscribe. Even if you don't like the magazine. You can always get it for someone else or drop it at your local Dr.'s office or salon waiting room. If it sells it will be worth i for them.

[flymic]

thanks for reminder. I'll subscribe it to my cousin as a gift.

[PumaAnn]

Interesting.......The press gets its cummupance!

[DebofMD]

I'd cancel my subscription too.

[elisabethe]

i'm going to subscribe !

[flymic]

i'm subscirbing!

[Candace8383]

just to piss you off i will buy it

[k6007]

They're all from, the 'church of the world creator'.

[Speakchic]

People who read/subscribe to US Weekly are questionable at best. So I'm sure the world won't end over a few gossip followers being OFFENDED over the trash that magazine produces. Wonder if they were offended when they ran Jamie Lynn Spears stories...