Music magazines were very prolific in the United Kingdom, with the NME leading sales since its first issue in 1952.
NME had a longstanding rival in Melody Maker, an even older publication that had existed since 1926; however, by 2001, falling circulation and the rise of internet music sites caused the Melody Maker to be absorbed into its old rival and cease publishing.
The longest running music magazine in the UK is BMG, founded in 1903 by Clifford Essex.
[3] BMG, which stands for banjo, mandolin, and guitar, is the oldest fretted-instrument-focused publication and actively promotes acoustic instruments of all kinds.
Alternative Press has more of an "underground" coverage including pop punk, post-hardcore and metalcore.