The NME will cease the production of printed copies, following several legendary online magazines to the latest format: digital.

After existing in print for 66 years, the decision has been made due to ‘increasing production costs and a very tough print advertising market’ says Paul Cheal, music managing director at Time UK, who publish NME.

The coveted front cover of the magazine has featured some of the greatest music acts in history, and there have been tributes all over Twitter since the announcement of its discontinuation. Many acts have been sharing photos of times when they were on the front cover.

Just heard about NME no longer in print as much as I had my ups n downs with them I always kept an eye on things through them as you were LG

— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) March 7, 2018

RIP NME
in print pic.twitter.com/njmWwLHMoE

— The Charlatans (@thecharlatans) March 7, 2018

Very sorry to hear about the @NME issuing its last print edition. Love to all the writers there who’ve helped us over the years, and to all of you that picked up a copy. Blessed to have had you in our corner. pic.twitter.com/EzZ7cvCaYQ

— Libertines (@libertines) March 7, 2018

A truly sad day that such an icon is no more. Thank you for the memories. They're gonna miss you when you're gone. RIP NME. pic.twitter.com/NWUddsg1iV

— KasabianHQ (@KasabianHQ) March 7, 2018

#RIPNME Thanks for everything NME. Nice to have known you. Love from the 'Orrible 'Oo. pic.twitter.com/nhTSpOQf96

— The Who (@TheWho) March 7, 2018

Farewell @NME. You were once my bible, gave me moments with my heroes, turned music into words of grandeur, gave me identity, a flag to carry. In the 80s I made out I hated you but was thrilled when I made the cover. The inky press are dead I said, but now you really are I’m sad pic.twitter.com/NV10M52OZL

— Gary Kemp (@garyjkemp) March 7, 2018

RIP physical NME. Long may your digital soul flourish. Thanks for the memories... pic.twitter.com/MW4h1dM28c

— The WOMBATS (@thewombats) March 7, 2018

The music magazine became a free print in 2015, and since then, its online presence has become much more substantial due to ease of access for music fans across the globe. The magazine follows in the footsteps of the likes of Bliss, Loaded and Company, but Time UK reassures us that special print editions of the magazine will continue in the form of NME Gold, which focuses on the lives and careers of different musicians in each issue.

This surely shows that the music industry is heading in a digital direction. The final print issue is on Friday.