Look-in

'''''Look-in''''' was a British children's weekly magazine published from 9 January 1971 to 12 March 1994, subtitled "The Junior TVTimes" and centred on programming from the ITV television network ^†1. The publication combined television listings, interviews with performers, comic strip adaptations of popular series, competitions, and pin-up photography, targeting readers aged approximately 7 to 14 ^†2.

The magazine was conceived by editor Alan Fennell as a promotional vehicle for ITV programming while providing high-quality comic strip content for younger audiences ^†2. It was published by Independent Television Publications Limited, the same company responsible for the adult-oriented ''TV Times'' listings magazine ^†3.

== History == ''Look-in'' debuted on 9 January 1971 with a format that blended television journalism with comic entertainment ^†1. In autumn 1971, the magazine introduced painted cover artwork by illustrator Arnaldo Putzu, whose distinctive style became closely associated with the publication ^†4.

Alan Fennell served as the founding editor from 1971 to 1975, after which Colin Shelbourn assumed editorial responsibilities ^†5. Writer Angus P. Allan contributed the majority of the magazine's comic strip adaptations from its launch through the mid-1980s, adapting series such as ''The Six Million Dollar Man'', ''Danger Mouse'', and ''Robin of Sherwood'' ^†5.

The magazine's final issue was published on 12 March 1994, following a period of declining circulation attributed to competition from glossy pop magazines such as ''Smash Hits'' and the BBC's ''Fast Forward'' ^†2.

== Editorial profile and coverage == ''Look-in'' featured a mixture of content formats including television listings tailored for younger viewers, interviews with actors and musicians, puzzle pages, competitions, and full-page pin-up photography ^†2. Comic strips adapted popular ITV programmes, with notable examples including ''Please Sir!'', ''The Tomorrow People'', ''Catweazle'', and ''The Sweeney'' ^†4.

The magazine also covered non-television content including sport, with a column by footballer Bobby Moore, and light entertainment features by disc jockey Ed "Stewpot" Stewart ^†2. Music coverage included features on pop acts such as the Bay City Rollers, reflecting the publication's broad appeal to pre-teen and early teenage readers ^†2.

== Notable contributors == Alan Fennell, the founding editor, had previously worked on ''TV Century 21'', a magazine promoting Gerry Anderson's science fiction productions ^†2. Angus P. Allan, a prolific comic strip writer, contributed virtually all of the magazine's strip adaptations during its first decade and a half ^†5. Artist Arnaldo Putzu provided the magazine's distinctive painted covers from late 1971 onward ^†4.

== Reception and impact == ''Look-in'' achieved significant popularity during the 1970s, with its annual publications becoming a regular feature of children's Christmas gift-giving ^†4. The magazine's format—combining comic strips, photography, puzzles, and features—influenced later children's television publications, including early issues of ''Doctor Who Magazine'' and modern titles such as ''Doctor Who Adventures'' ^†2.

== References ==