Regarding the previous posts about the NME and their tabloid style of journalism, my question is could a print formatted DiS or say Pitchfork thrive as a magazine?

I think the answer is no. I think the circulation might be okay (but far below NMEs), however the advertisers would shy away from spending real money on a magazine that wouldn't feel the slightest pang from panning any given artist's work. I ask you: how many of you knew without a doubt NME was going to absolutely love X&Y? The quality of that record aside, would the NME dare piss off EMI? I doubt it.

On the other hand, if DiS were able to carry enough subscribers the record companies would have no choice but to take a chance the same way Variety does with movies. But Variety is a trade magazine with mostly insiders reading it. People magazine is a tabloid with all the advertisers and money. Clearly NME wants to be the People magazine of the music industry. And our prejudices aside they seem to be catering very well to their target market. (I'll stay here.)

What do you guys think? Could DiS take on NME at the newstands?