NME has unveiled plans that will see the iconic music brand significantly boost circulation and become a free weekly magazine.

More than 300k copies will be distributed nationally through stations, universities and retail partners.

As part of the changes, it will now include film, fashion, television, politics, gaming and technology.

Publisher Time Inc. said the NME would dramatically increase its content output and range, with new original as well as curated content appearing across all platforms, including print.

Other highlights include an expansion in live events, more video franchises and greater engagement with users on new social platforms.

Marcus Rich, CEO of Time Inc. UK, said: “This famous 63-year-old brand was an early leader in digital and has been growing its global audience successfully for the best part of 20 years.

“It has been able to do so because music is such an important passion and now is the right time to invest in bringing NME to an even bigger community for our commercial partners.”

Mike Williams, editor of NME, added: “NME is already a major player and massive influencer in the music space, but with this transformation we’ll be bigger, stronger and more influential than ever before.

“The future is an exciting place, and NME just kicked the door down.”

The new NME will launch on 18 September.