By mid-February, who hasn't had at least a mild case of Seasonal affective disorder  (SAD)?

Put on your highest SPF, for the hot, sizzling cure-all that is the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue recently hit newsstands.

As CNBC's Darren Rovell reported, "more than seven million video streams were viewed on SI.com" on Feb. 9, a record number that "represented 185 percent growth versus last year and helped the magazine's Web site to its second highest traffic in its history."

"With 1,500 photos and more than 100 original videos, the site was a great showcase for SI content," Paul Fichenbaum, SI com’s managing editor, said in a statment, "and it's clear that fans can't get enough of the swimsuit franchise."

What started in February 1964 as a five-page supplement to heat up the winter months is now in its 46th year and has topped "more than $1 billion for its parent company Time Inc." and "currently represents 7 percent of Sports Illustrated's revenue."

While Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue means business not only for its parent company, the swimsuit issue also translates to added buisness for its models, advertisers, fashion designers, and photo-shoot locations.

The 1989 issue featuring Kathy Ireland is the franchise's best-selling issue of all time. Needless to say, It's one that opened doors for Ms. Ireland, as she now heads Kathy Ireland Worldwide, a Los Angeles-based marketing and design company that does $1.4 billion in annual sales.

This year, Brooklyn Decker, girlfriend of tennis star Andy Roddick, graced the magazine's cover. Only time will tell how what future achievements await Ms. Decker.

However, why buy the magazine when you can view content online for free?

Whether it’s variety or some eyes just can’t have enough of a good thing, the magazine reported it had more than seven million video streams viewed during its launch.

This comes as many magazines feel a pinch. Ad Age recently reported “the second half of 2009 saw newsstand sales fall 9.1 percent from the second half of the year before, subscriptions slip 1.1 percent, verified copies decline 5.1 percent, and total circulation slip 2.2 percent."

The bottom line: Sex always sells Sports Illustrated.