If you follow movies, TV shows, famous actors, streaming news, awards, or Hollywood business, you have probably seen the name Variety many times. The American entertainment publication Variety has been reporting on show business since 1905, long before Netflix, television, or even modern Hollywood became what we know today. What started as a small weekly paper about theater and vaudeville grew into a major entertainment news brand covering movies, television, music, celebrities, awards, streaming, and the business behind the screen.
What Is Variety?
Variety is an American entertainment news publication.
It covers the business of movies, television, music, theater, streaming, digital media, and other parts of the entertainment world.
That makes it slightly different from a normal celebrity gossip website.
Variety certainly reports on famous people.
But it also asks bigger questions.
Which movie earned the most money?
Which actor joined a new film?
Which television show was cancelled?
What is Netflix planning next?
Which studio bought the rights to a new project?
Who may win an Oscar?
Those are the kinds of stories Variety follows.
Penske Media describes Variety as an entertainment industry publication focused on breaking news, analysis, features, film, television, theater, and digital media.
When Did Variety Start?
Variety has a very long history.
It began in New York City in 1905.
Its founder was Sime Silverman.
The first issue appeared on December 16, 1905.
At that time, the entertainment world looked very different.
There was no Netflix.
There was no YouTube.
Television was not sitting in people’s homes.
Movies were still developing.
Variety mainly reported on theater, music, and vaudeville.
Penske Media’s own history says the publication began by covering theater, music, and vaudeville before expanding into film, radio, and television.
That ability to change may explain why the brand survived for more than a century.
Who Founded Variety?
Sime Silverman founded Variety.
His story is unusual.
Historical accounts say Silverman had worked for another publication before starting his own paper.
He wanted greater freedom to report honestly about entertainment.
So he launched Variety in 1905.
The publication started small.
It could not have known what was coming.
Movies would become a huge worldwide business.
Radio would arrive.
Then television.
Then cable.
Then streaming.
Then social media.
Variety kept moving with each change.
Why Is Variety So Important in Hollywood?
Imagine Hollywood as a giant business.
Actors may be the people audiences see.
But thousands of other people work behind them.
There are studio bosses.
Directors.
Producers.
Writers.
Agents.
Managers.
Casting teams.
Streaming companies.
Marketing workers.
Cinema owners.
Investors.
Variety reports on all of them.
That is why it is commonly called a trade publication.
A trade publication is written partly for people who work inside an industry.
However, Variety has also become popular with ordinary movie and celebrity fans.
You do not need to work in Hollywood to read it.
What Does Variety Cover?
Variety covers a wide mix of entertainment stories.
Its major subjects include:
Movies.
Television.
Music.
Awards.
Theater.
Streaming.
Entertainment companies.
Box office results.
Celebrity interviews.
Film and television reviews.
Media technology.
Industry deals.
It also covers major film festivals and entertainment events around the world.
The publication’s parent company says Variety reaches readers through breaking news, longer analysis, feature stories, digital video, and live events.
Is Variety a Magazine or a Website?
Today, it is both.
Variety has a long print history.
But modern readers may know Variety.com better than the physical magazine.
The website publishes entertainment news throughout the day.
That is important because Hollywood news moves quickly.
A major actor may join a film in the morning.
A studio may cancel a project later that day.
Box office numbers may change over a weekend.
Streaming companies can announce new shows at any time.
A website lets Variety report these stories quickly.
The print publication can then offer larger features, interviews, special issues, and deeper coverage.
What Was Daily Variety?
Variety eventually created a daily edition.
Daily Variety launched in Los Angeles in 1933.
This happened as the movie industry became more important.
Los Angeles was becoming the center of American filmmaking, so having a publication focused closely on Hollywood made sense.
Daily Variety continued as a printed daily publication for decades.
Its final print edition appeared in March 2013 after Penske Media bought Variety and changed parts of the business.
The Daily Variety name did not completely disappear.
It has also been used for newer digital products, including entertainment news delivered in other formats.
Who Owns Variety Today?
Variety is owned by Penske Media Corporation, often called PMC.
Penske Media purchased Variety in 2012.
The company announced the acquisition on October 9 of that year.
PMC owns several other well-known media brands.
Its portfolio includes publications and businesses connected with entertainment, music, fashion, art, sports, and media.
Variety remains one of its best-known entertainment brands.
Did Variety Change After Penske Bought It?
Yes.
The entertainment media business was changing quickly around that time.
Print publications were facing strong pressure from online news.
Readers wanted stories faster.
Penske Media invested more heavily in Variety’s digital future.
A major change came in 2013 when the website’s paywall was removed and the printed Daily Variety edition ended.
Variety also redesigned its weekly magazine.
Instead of trying to survive only as an old newspaper, the brand pushed harder into digital news, video, events, podcasts, data, and other formats.
Who Runs Variety in 2026?
Variety’s current leadership includes several senior figures.
Ramin Setoodeh serves as co-president and co-editor-in-chief.
Cynthia Littleton serves as co-editor-in-chief.
Dea Lawrence is co-president and publisher.
Penske Media’s current Variety page lists these roles.
This leadership structure followed a major change in late 2025.
Longtime Variety CEO and group publisher Michelle Sobrino-Stearns announced that she was leaving after 28 years with the brand.
At that time, Dea Lawrence moved into the publisher role while Setoodeh gained broader leadership duties.
What Is Variety Actors on Actors?
One of Variety’s most famous modern projects is Actors on Actors.
The idea is simple but clever.
Instead of having a normal journalist interview one actor, two actors interview each other.
They talk about acting.
They discuss difficult scenes.
They share stories about directors.
They explain how they prepared for roles.
Sometimes they talk about fame and the pressure that comes with it.
The conversations can feel more natural because both people understand what it is like to perform for a camera.
Why Is Actors on Actors So Popular?
Imagine two famous actors sitting across from each other.
They may have never worked together.
Yet they understand the same strange world.
Both have stood on sets.
Both have learned scripts.
Both have faced reviews.
Both may have attended huge award shows.
That creates conversations that a normal interview may not produce.
Clips from the series often spread widely online.
Variety continued the series in 2026 with its 24th season and again partnered with CNN.
The 2026 lineup included well-known pairings involving stars from shows and films such as Friends, Game of Thrones, Scandal, and The Hunger Games.
Does Variety Cover the Oscars?
Yes.
Awards are a major part of Variety’s entertainment coverage.
The publication follows major ceremonies such as the Academy Awards and Emmys.
It reports on nominations.
It talks to actors and filmmakers.
It studies possible winners.
It also covers the business and campaigns surrounding awards season.
In March 2026, CNN and Variety teamed up for an Oscars red-carpet pre-show, with Variety’s Ramin Setoodeh taking part in the coverage.
That shows how Variety has moved beyond written stories into television and video partnerships.
Does Variety Review Movies?
Yes.
Film reviews have been part of Variety for generations.
That makes sense because industry professionals for generations.
That makes sense want to know how new films are being received.
Modern Variety reviews cover everything from large Hollywood releases to smaller independent films.
Its writers also report from major festivals.
These can include events such as Cannes, Venice, Sundance, and Toronto.
A review is different from a news story.
News tells readers what happened.
A review gives a critic’s view of the work.
That means two critics can watch the same movie and reach different conclusions.
Does Variety Report Box Office Numbers?
Yes.
Box office coverage is an important part of entertainment business journalism.
A movie can be popular with critics but still earn little money.
Another film can receive weak reviews yet become a huge commercial hit.
Variety follows those results.
Readers can learn which movies opened strongly.
They can see which releases disappointed.
They can also understand how international markets affect a film’s success.
This matters because a movie’s financial performance can affect sequels, actors, directors, studios, and future projects.
Is Variety Only About Hollywood?
No.
Hollywood is a major part of its identity, but Variety covers entertainment around the world.
Global streaming has changed the industry.
A television show made in South Korea can become popular in America.
A British actor can become a Hollywood star.
An Indian film can attract viewers far outside India.
Australian shows can reach Netflix viewers around the world.
Variety has expanded its international presence to follow that changing entertainment market.
What Is Variety Australia?
Variety has an Australian and New Zealand edition.
It focuses more closely on entertainment in that region while also carrying wider international entertainment stories.
Its coverage includes movies, television, music, radio,streaming. citeturn234512search6
This local approach allows the Variety name to cover stories that may matter greatly in Australia but receive less attention in the main U.S. edition.
What Is Variety India?
Variety announced Variety India in 2025 as another international expansion.
The project was created with Thursday Tales Publishing.
It was designed to cover India’s huge entertainment market, including film, television, streamr culture. citeturn111993search4
India has one of the world’s largest movie industries.
So the move makes sense.
Variety began as a New York theater paper.
More than 120 years later, its name is now being used for entertainment reporting across different parts of the world.
That is a huge change.
What Is Variety Power of Women?
Variety is also known for Power of Women.
These events recognize influential women in entertainment and often connect their public work with charities or social causes.
Actors, musicians, producers, directors, and other well-known figures have taken part.
The event has become an important part of the Variety brand.
It is not simply a normal awards ceremony.
The stories often focus on what the honorees are doing outside their movies, shows, or music.
What Is Variety Hitmakers?
Variety also runs special events and features around music.
Hitmakers focuses on people connected with successful songs and the modern music business.
That can include singers.
But it can also include songwriters, producers, executives, and others working behind the scenes.
This reflects something Variety has always done well.
It looks beyond the famous face and asks who helped make the success happen.
Does Variety Cover Celebrity News?
Yes, but its celebrity coverage usually has a strong entertainment connection.
For example, Variety may report that:
An actor joined a new movie.
A singer signed a major deal.
A director left a film.
A television star renewed a contract.
A famous performer discussed an upcoming project.
A studio changed the release date of a movie.
This is different from focusing only on dating rumors or random social-media arguments.
Celebrity stories appear because stars are a major part of the entertainment business.
Is Variety the Same as People Magazine?
No.
Both can cover famous people, but they have different strengths.
People is heavily focused on celebrities, human-interest stories, relationships, families, and personal interviews.
Variety is more closely tied to the business of entertainment.
Think about it like this.
If a famous actor gets married, People may be one of the main publications covering the personal story.
If the same actor signs a deal to star in a $150 million movie, Variety may focus more strongly on the project and its business importance.
Sometimes both publications cover the same person from different angles.
Is Variety the Same as The Hollywood Reporter?
No, but they are competitors in many areas.
Both cover Hollywood and the entertainment business.
Both publish interviews.
Both follow awards.
Both report on movies and television.
Both cover executives and studios.
The differences often come down to individual reporters, exclusive stories, editorial style, and special projects.
Entertainment professionals may read more than one trade publication because each newsroom can break different stories.
Is Variety the Same as Deadline?
No.
Deadline is another entertainment industry news publication.
Interestingly, Deadline and Variety are both owned by Penske Media Corporation.
That means two major entertainment publications can share a parent company while still operating as separate editorial brands.
The same media group can own several publications aimed at slightly different readers or styles of coverage.
Is Variety a Reliable Source?
Variety has more than a century of history in entertainment reporting.
It employs professional journalists and is widely used for industry news.
That makes it an important source when researching movies, television, entertainment companies, casting announcements, and industry deals.
However, readers should still understand the difference between types of content.
A reported news story is different from a review.
An opinion piece is different from a confirmed announcement.
An awards prediction is not the same as an actual awards result.
Good reading means understanding what kind of article you are looking at.
Why Do Other Websites Quote Variety?
You may often see a sentence like:
“According to Variety…”
There is a reason.
Variety reporters frequently break entertainment news.
A journalist may learn that an actor is joining a movie before the movie studio makes a large public announcement.
Other websites then report the story and credit Variety.
This is common in journalism.
The first publication to confirm an important development can become the source that many others follow.
Can You Read Variety Online?
Yes.
Variety publishes a large amount of content online.
Readers can find breaking entertainment news, interviews, reviews, awards coverage, videos, and business reports.
The brand also offers subscription products and newsletters.
One of its newsletter options is called Daily Variety, which delivers important entertai readers. citeturn234512search10
Does Variety Have an Archive?
Yes.
This is one of the more interesting parts of the publication.
Variety’s archive reaches back to 1905.
That means readers and researchers can look at entertainment news from very different eras.
Imagine reading a film story before anyone knew that movie would become a classic.
Or reading about an actor when they were just beginning.
Old Variety pages can show how Hollywood saw its own history while it was actually happening.
Variety says paid subscribers can access its editorial present. citeturn234512search13
What Is Variety Intelligence Platform?
Variety also has a more business-focused service called the Variety Intelligence Platform, often shortened to VIP+.
It launched in 2020.
The service goes deeper into industry data, trends, charts, and analysis.
Instead of simply reporting that something happened, this type of work may try to explain what it means for the entertainment business.
Penske Media says VIP+ was created to give readers deeper analysis and chartry issues. citeturn234512search3
Why Does Variety Use So Much Industry Language?
Sometimes Variety can feel harder to read than a normal celebrity website.
That is because part of its audience works in entertainment.
Its articles may talk about:
Distribution.
Acquisitions.
Production.
Box office.
Streaming rights.
Licensing.
Greenlighting.
Guilds.
Back-end deals.
Showrunners.
Executives.
Do not worry if some of those words sound confusing.
Many simply describe how movies and television programs get created, sold, and released.
What Does “Greenlight” Mean in Variety Stories?
This is a common Hollywood word.
If a studio greenlights a project, it means the company has approved it to move forward.
Think about a traffic light.
Green means go.
A greenlit movie can begin moving toward production.
However, plans can still change later.
What Does “Box Office” Mean?
The box office refers to money earned from cinema ticket sales.
When you read that a movie made $50 million at the box office, it means cinemas sold tickets worth that amount during the period being discussed.
Variety reports these numbers because they help show whether a movie is attracting audiences.
What Does “Exclusive” Mean on Variety?
When Variety places EXCLUSIVE on a story, it generally means its newsroom believes it has information or access that was not previously reported elsewhere.
For example, Variety might exclusively reveal:
A new actor joining a film.
A director signing onto a project.
A company buying a television series.
A celebrity giving an important interview.
Other publications may report the information afterward and credit Variety.
How Has Variety Survived for More Than 120 Years?
The simple answer is change.
The publication did not stay frozen in 1905.
It started with theater and vaudeville.
Then movies became important.
Variety followed movies.
Radio grew.
Television arrived.
Cable changed viewing habits.
The internet changed journalism.
Streaming changed movies and television again.
Social media changed how celebrity news travels.
Variety kept adapting.
Its current business includes print, digital journalism, newsletters, videos, podcasts, live events, international editions, and industry research.
That is a very different company from the little New York publication Sime Silverman started in 1905.
Why Is Variety Still Popular in 2026?
Entertainment is bigger and faster than ever.
Netflix competes with other streaming companies.
Movies are released around the world.
Actors can become famous through television, YouTube, streaming shows, or social media.
Artificial intelligence is raising new questions for writers, actors, and studios.
Major media companies continue to merge, buy businesses, and compete for audiences.
Someone has to explain what all of those changes mean.
That is the space Variety tries to fill.
Penske Media currently reports that Variety reaches tens of millions of unique monthly visitors andfollowers. citeturn111993search2
FAQs About Variety
What is Variety?
Variety is an American entertainment trade publication and website that covers movies, television, music, theater, streaming, awards, celebrities, and the entertainment business.
When was Variety founded?
Variety was founded in New YoSilverman. citeturn234512search0
Who owns Variety?
Variety is owned by Penske Media Corporation, whin in 2012. citeturn234512search1
Is Variety still a magazine?
Yes. Variety continues as a media brand with print and digital products, although its website is a major part of how readers now receive its news.
Is Variety a reliable entertainment source?
Variety is a long-established professional entertainment trade publication and is widely cited for movie, television, media-business, and Hollywood reporting.
What does Variety report about?
It covers film, television, music, theater, streaming, box office results, entertainment companies, awards, celebrities, reviews, and industry deals.
Who is the editor of Variety?
As of 2026, Cynthia Littleton and Ramin Setoodeh are Variety’s co-editors-in-chief. Setpresident. citeturn111993search2
Who is Variety’s publisher?
Dea Lawrence is listed as Varpublisher. citeturn111993search2
What is Variety Actors on Actors?
Actors on Actors is Variety’s interview series in which well-known actors sit together and interview each other about their work and experiences.
Does Variety cover the Oscars?
Yes. Variety closely covers the Academy Awards, nominations, contenders, red-carpet events, and other parts of awards season.
What is Daily Variety?
Daily Variety was historically a daily print publication focused heavily on Hollywood. The printed daily edition ended in 2013, but the name has continued in newer digital formats.
Does Variety cover music?
Yes. Variety reports on singers, albums, touring, music companies, awards, streaming, and the business behind popular music.
Is Variety only for people who work in Hollywood?
No. Entertainment professionals are an important part of its audience, but normal movie, television, music, and celebrity fans can also read the publication.
Does Variety have old Hollywood archives?
Yes. Variety offers access to archives that go back to 1905 products. citeturn234512search13
What is Variety India?
Variety India is an international expansion of the Variety brand focused on India’s film, television, streaming, theandustries. citeturn111993search4
Final Thoughts
Variety has watched entertainment change for more than 120 years.
It began when vaudeville and live theater were major forms of entertainment.
Then cinema grew.
Hollywood became powerful.
Radio arrived.
Television changed family life.
Streaming transformed viewing again.
Through all of it, Variety kept reporting.
Today, the brand is much more than an old magazine.
It is a website.
It produces interviews.
It reports breaking news.
It follows box office numbers.
It covers awards.
It organizes major events.
It produces video and podcast content.
It operates in international markets.
And its Actors on Actors conversations regularly bring famous performers together in a way fans enjoy watching.
That long history is probably the most interesting part of the Variety story.
A publication started by Sime Silverman in New York in 1905 is still being used in 2026 to understand what is happening inside movies, television, music, streaming, and Hollywood.
The technology changed.
The stars changed.
The way people watch entertainment changed.
But people still want to know what is happening behind the screen.
That is the job Variety has spent more than a century trying to do.
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