Optimism evident in net number of magazine starts

There seem to be a fairly high degree of optimism when it comes to the launches of new magazines in North America. According to data from MediaFinder.com (based on its online database of U.S. and Canadian publications), 181 new magazines were launched  in the first 9 months of 2012 while just 61 closed (several of which were digital-only publications. Twice as many B2B titles launched as closed (25 versus 12). 
A story from Media Post says that the number of launches was slightly down from the same period in 2011, but closures fell even farther.

"As in previous reports from MediaFinder.com, the new launches were dominated by categories such as regional interest, food, and luxury lifestyle titles, including Mud and Magnolias, Prevention Guide Top Chef Family Cookbook, Du Jour and M."