When did this magazine head south?

I had a subscription to National Geographic's original kids magazine, World, when I was a child. In fact, I still have a couple dozen issues from about 25 years ago, which my 5 years old son has enjoyed looking through.

A few months ago, I looked on the web to see if World still existed. Happily, it did, now renamed National Geographic Kids. I ordered a two-year subscription for my son.

I wanted so much to like it. But the damn thing is chock full of advertising for candy, video games and movies, and in a way that makes it hard to separate the selling from the educating. It is a little repulsive, actually, the level to which the advertising is carried.

As I sit here in front of my computer, I am looking wistfully at a May 1982 issue of World magazine. Within which, there is not one stich of advertising.

What happened?

A former fan feels betrayed

I was a reader of "world" (the former name of kids" in the 70's and 80's, and I loooooved it. When I had nieces and nephews, I was excited to be able to share this with them - but what a come down - it's shamefully pandering to commercial interests, and the cool science and nature activities are just plain gone. I'm a lifetime member of NG, and am embarassed by this magazine.

a great magazine for curious kids who love animals!!!!!!!

i bought this magazine for my nephew tyler who was 8 when he first started getting it and he told me that he loves it!!!!!!!!!!!!! tyler loves reading about the world, other kids in other countries and especially about animals!!!!!!!
tyler told me he likes it better than ranger rick. this magazine is 'ripped' from the mailbox and taken to his room and devoured every month.