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Variety (magazine)

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Variety is an American trade magazine that serves the entertainment industry.

Variety logo
Variety logo

A trade magazine is a publication written specifically for professionals in a certain field. In this case, Variety provides news and data for entertainment executives. It covers a wide range of topics including movies, television, theater, and music. The publication is a vital resource for understanding the business side of show business.

The magazine operates through several different formats and platforms. The primary print edition is a weekly publication delivered to readers internationally. For many years, a second print edition called Daily Variety was published in Los Angeles. This daily paper focused on Hollywood news and was eventually replaced in 2013 by an email newsletter. Today, the brand continues through Variety.com and a mobile application called Variety On-The-Go. The website provides digital news, reviews, and a large database of production credits.

The history of Variety began in New York City in 1905. It was founded by Sime Silverman as a weekly newspaper. Silverman wanted to create a publication that would not be influenced by advertising. He was inspired to start his own business after being fired from The Morning Telegraph. He had criticized a performance that had paid for an advertisement. To launch the paper, Silverman used a $1,500 loan from his father-in-law.

Variety 16 December 1905 first issue
Variety 16 December 1905 first issue

The first issue featured a review by his seven-year-old son, Sidne.

As the entertainment industry grew, so did the publication. In 1933, Silverman launched Daily Variety in Los Angeles. This new edition was intended to cover the rapidly expanding motion-picture industry. While the Weekly Variety focused on international and U.S. coverage, the Daily version concentrated on Hollywood. This expansion allowed the company to cover both the stage and the screen. Over the decades, the company saw many changes in leadership. The Silverman family managed the company for many years through several generations.

Ownership of the magazine has changed significantly over time. In 1987, Variety was sold to Cahners Publishing for $64 million. Later, in October 2012, the publication was acquired by Penske Media Corporation (PMC). Following this acquisition, the new owner, Jay Penske, made several strategic changes. He decided to remove the website's paywall, which is a system that requires payment to view content. This move was intended to invest more heavily in the digital platform. Today, PMC continues to manage the brand alongside other entertainment news outlets.

Variety also creates special content to celebrate major industry milestones. During the annual "Awards Season" leading up to the Academy Awards, the magazine undergoes a massive change. Large amounts of "For Your Consideration" advertisements are placed by film studios. These colorful, full-page ads can cause the magazine to grow to double or triple its usual size. The magazine also produces the Variety Hitmakers list, which began in 2017. This annual franchise recognizes the people behind the scenes who help create the most popular songs. Famous artists like Kendrick Lamar and Harry Styles have been featured on these covers.

Beyond print and text, Variety has expanded into multimedia and specialized news. In 2014, the company launched Dirt, a news site focused on high-end real estate. The publication also produces video content, such as the series Variety Studio: Actors on Actors. This series features long conversations with famous actors and has won two Los Angeles Area Emmy Awards. By combining traditional reporting with digital tools and video, Variety remains a central part of the global entertainment ecosystem.

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File:Variety logo.svg
Variety logo.svg
File:Variety 16 December 1905 first issue.jpg
Variety 16 December 1905 first issue.jpg
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