BBC Worldwide is planning to launch a magazine next month called Pop Girl.
Aimed at girls aged six to 10, the 32-page title will feature fashion, gossip, news, pop profiles, comic strips and puzzles.
Shelley Moulden, who has previously worked on Big!, Top of The Pops and Amber magazines, is consultant editor and Helen Speight, formerly of Blue Peter Magazine, is acting editor.
Pop Girl will have a print run of 110,000 and associate publisher Jonathan Gifford said it would extend the BBC’s reach to include all ages from six to 16.
It follows the launch 12 months ago of It’s Hot, aimed at nine to 13 year olds. Pop Girl is also the first of three new titles in the youth and teen sector expected to launch from the BBC in the next few months.
An even bigger launch is scheduled for September, which BBC insiders say could have the potential to be as big as Top of The Pops magazine. Staff are currently being recruited.
The launch of Pop Girl will be backed by cross promotion in other BBC magazines including Girl Talk. BBC Magazines also publish Disney’s Big Time, Disney’s Explorer, Disney’s Comic, Disney Girl and Blue Peter Magazine.
By Ruth Addicott
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog