Abstract: A magnetic recording medium and method of manufacture therefor uses a vertically magnetized film (4) backed by a nonmagnetic substrate (1) made of e.g., glass; a Permalloy.RTM. layer is interposed between the magnetized film and the substrate. An additional layer (3) of a soft amorphous magnetic material, e.g. Co-Zr-Nb or Co-Zr of a suitable thickness (e.g. 50 nm) is interposed between the vertically magnetized medium and the Permalloy.RTM. layer for improving crystalline orientation of the vertically magnetized film and the Permalloy.RTM. layer. The additional layer (3) may be deposited by high frequency sputtering while applying a magnetic field othogonal to the substrate.