150 more magazine titles were shuttered than launched in 2009, according to a tally by magazine database resource and directory publisher Oxbridge Communications. In total, 428 magazines were shut down in 2009 while 275 were launched.

Business magazines took a solid hit this year with 16 closings, including BusinessWeek Small Biz, Conde Nast Portfolio and Fortune Small Business. Lifestyle and real estate were also battered with 14 closing in each, according to Oxbridge’s MediaFinder.com database. Other major casualties in 2009 included National Geographic Adventure, Metropolitan Home, Domino and Teen. Several titles ceased print editions while continuing on the web in 2009, including Blender, Vibe, Purpose Driven Connection and Giant.

Regional titles were the majority category of both launches and closing this year, accounting for 21 new titles (B-metro Birmingham) and 34 (Atlanta Life, Denver Living) which pulled the plug. Representative of the mixed results for the year was food category. Hearst’s Food Network Magazine was considered among the top launches in 2009 as it counts more than one million readers. But in the same sector, Gourmet Magazine was shut down after 68 years with a circulation topping 900K.

Perhaps most shocking of ‘09 magazine losses was that of Editor & Publisher, which is closing after a 125-year run as parent company Nielsen Co. unloads eight media and entertainment properties to Pluribus Capital and Guggenheim Partners. E&P was not part of the transaction. The Nielsen deal inlcudes The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Adweek, Brandweek, Mediaweek, Backstage, The Clio Awards and Film Journal International.

E&P said in December that it would publish one more issue – January 2010 – due to “overwhelming reader and advertiser demand.” Representatives also said “a number” of companies and individuals have expressed interest in possibly keeping the publication going.The magazine was founded in 1901, but dates its origin to 1884, the launch date of The Journalist, which it acquired.

Oxbridge representatives said there is still some strength in magazines specializing in the regional, health and food categories.