EW (Entertainment Weekly)

EW (Entertainment Weekly) is an American magazine focused on film industry, television, music industry, and popular culture. Founded in 1990 during a period of expansion in magazine publishing alongside titles such as People (magazine), the publication established itself through a mix of news coverage, reviews, and features on Hollywood, Broadway, and the recording industry. Its audience has included readers interested in major studios like Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, and Walt Disney Studios as well as networks such as NBC, ABC, CBS, and streaming services like Netflix (service), Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu.

History

The magazine launched in March 1990 under the ownership of Time Inc. as a sister title to People (magazine), debuting amid coverage of Batman (1989 film), Do the Right Thing, and the careers of figures like Tom Cruise, Madonna, and Steven Spielberg. Early issues featured editorial direction influenced by executives from Time Warner and editors who had previously worked at Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair (magazine), and Entertainment Tonight. During the 1990s it covered industry shifts including the rise of independent studios such as Miramax Films, the consolidation involving Viacom, and the emergence of franchises like Jurassic Park and Star Wars. In the 2000s ownership changes followed corporate mergers involving Time Warner, AOL, and Meredith Corporation, with later stewardship by Dotdash Meredith. The magazine adapted to competition from outlets like Variety (magazine), The Hollywood Reporter, and online publications such as Pitchfork, BuzzFeed, and Vulture (magazine), while documenting developments including the advent of streaming television services and film events like the Sundance Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, and the Academy Awards.

Editorial Content and Features

Editorial coverage has ranged from celebrity profiles of figures such as Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Leonardo DiCaprio to interviews with creators like Quentin Tarantino, Martin Scorsese, Kathryn Bigelow, Greta Gerwig, and Jordan Peele. Regular departments included news briefs about studios like Sony Pictures Entertainment, reviews of films such as The Godfather, Pulp Fiction, and The Avengers (2012 film), and television critiques covering series like Friends, The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, and The Handmaid's Tale. Features spotlighted music acts including The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Kendrick Lamar, and Adele and theatre productions on stages such as Broadway and West End. Annual editorial projects have included awards season coverage tied to the Golden Globe Awards, Primetime Emmy Awards, and the Tony Awards, along with lists and rankings akin to those produced by Rolling Stone (magazine), Entertainment Tonight, and Billboard. The magazine produced special issues dedicated to franchises like Star Wars, Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Harry Potter as well as retrospectives on auteurs such as Alfred Hitchcock and Stanley Kubrick.

Publication and Distribution

Originally a weekly print publication, it circulated through newsstands and subscriptions across the United States Postal Service network and retail chains like Barnes & Noble and Walmart (retailer), competing for shelf space with Time (magazine), Newsweek, and People (magazine). Circulation trends reflected broader industry patterns during the digital transition, with newsstand sales and audited figures tracked alongside advertisers including Nike, Coca-Cola, Toyota, and Apple Inc.. International coverage and licensing touched markets where trade shows like MIPCOM and festivals such as Toronto International Film Festival created demand for localized reporting. Production workflows intersected with unions and guilds including the Writers Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild, and Directors Guild of America when coordinating interviews and press screenings.

Digital Presence and Multimedia

Expansion to digital formats involved an official website that paralleled offerings from competitors such as Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Deadline Hollywood. The brand produced multimedia content including podcasts, video interviews, and social media engagement on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Coverage extended to streaming-exclusive releases on services such as Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock (streaming service), and digital-first creators found on TikTok and Vimeo. Collaborations and cross-promotion connected with television programs like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, award broadcasts on ABC (American Broadcasting Company), and festival livestreams from events such as Comic-Con International.

Reception and Impact

Critical reception positioned the magazine among cultural arbiters alongside Variety (magazine), The Hollywood Reporter, and Rolling Stone (magazine), with influence on audience perceptions of films like Titanic, Avatar (2009 film), and La La Land and series including The Crown and Stranger Things. Industry professionals—including agents at Creative Artists Agency, executives at Universal Pictures, and showrunners—used coverage for publicity and reputation management during awards campaigns and release windows. Academic analyses in fields such as media studies and cultural criticism compared its coverage to outlets like The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and The Washington Post for framing celebrity culture, franchise economics, and fandoms around properties such as Star Trek, Doctor Who, and Pokémon. The magazine's shift from print to a stronger digital emphasis mirrored broader transitions within the publishing sector exemplified by the experiences of Condé Nast, Hearst Communications, and Gannett.

Category:American magazines