The trust cleared the way for a sale in principle at a board meeting yesterday, but the BBC's commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, will still need the trust's final approval when it makes its choice of suitor.
The sale process is likely to be complicated by the BBC's desire to retain some control over magazine brands directly linked to its programme brands, such as 'Top Gear' and 'Doctor Who'.
Information for prospective buyers is expected to be sent out in the next few weeks, possibly as soon as next week, and formal expression of interest invited before Christmas.
BBC Worldwide is hoping to agree a deal before the end of its current financial year in April 2011.
According to BBC Worldwide's latest financial results for the year 2008/9, BBC Magazines' revenue dropped 1.3% year on year to £168.3m, but operating profit rose 13.6% to £18.4m.
BBC Worldwide's overall revenue rose 7% to £1.07bn and operating profit rose 36.5% to £145m.
According to the latest magazine circulation figures from ABC, BBC Magazines has resisted the downward trend in the market.
, down 0.5% period on period and up 3.1% year on year.
to enable its portfolio of brands to meet their potential.
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