MSN and Variety Forge Distribution Relationship

MSN® is joining forces with Variety.com to bring even more entertainment information to the site’s visitors. The distribution relationship will provide Variety with an avenue for reaching an even wider global audience and at the same time offer MSN a broader range of information on television, movies, music and Internet deals.

“For decades, Variety has set the standard in reporting on the entertainment industry,” said Jeff Dossett, executive producer and general manager for MSN. “We’ve seen a growing appetite on MSN for Hollywood information, and this collaboration will help us continue to offer our audience the best source for what’s happening in the entertainment industry.”

“Variety has long provided the best source of information to meet the needs of entertainment industry professionals. Variety.com also allows us to provide the kind of insider insights and scoops that the broader entertainment enthusiast wants,” said Charlie Koones, president and publisher of Variety. “Our distribution partnership with MSN will allow their users to enjoy the kind of in-depth entertainment coverage only Variety can provide.”

The Variety content on MSN covers a broad range of entertainment topics, including breaking news, in-depth coverage of award shows and film festivals, film and television, reviews, and video coverage of daily entertainment news and celebrity interviews. Over time, additional columns and blogs will be added including weekly columns from Editor in Chief Peter Bart. The most popular blog within the film community, Anne Thompson’s “Thompson on Hollywood,” which covers the film industry, and its exclusives, will be added, as will Cynthia Littleton’s “On the Air,” which offers a frank perspective on all things television. Beginning today, MSN users will see top entertainment stories from Variety on MSN Entertainment.