Listen Live
Donate
 on air
    Schedule

    KCRW

    Read & Explore

    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Food
    • Culture
    • Events

    Listen

    • Live Radio
    • Music
    • Podcasts
    • Full Schedule

    Information

    • About
    • Careers
    • Help / FAQ
    • Newsletters
    • Contact

    Support

    • Become a Member
    • Become a VIP
    • Ways to Give
    • Shop
    • Member Perks

    Become a Member

    Donate to KCRW to support this cultural hub for music discovery, in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free events. You'll become a KCRW Member and get a year of exclusive benefits.

    DonateGive Monthly

    Copyright 2026 KCRW. All rights reserved.

    Report a Bug|Privacy Policy|Terms of Service|
    Cookie Policy
    |FCC Public Files|

    Back to Hollywood Breakdown

    Hollywood Breakdown

    Variety Gets Bought

    This week, Penske Media, the company that owns deadline.com, bought Variety. We reflect on the trade publication's history and the future of this Hollywood institution.

    • rss
    Download MP3
    • Share
    By Kim Masters • Oct 11, 2012 • 3m Listen

    This week, Penske Media Corp, the company that owns deadline.com, bought the once venerable trade publication, Variety. Years ago, that publication was the go-to source for the entertainment industry, but in recent years it severely lagged behind competitors like the Hollywood Reporter, The Wrap and Deadline. Kim, who is Editor-at-Large for the Hollywood Reporter and John Horn, whose publication the Los Angeles Times and a reputable source for industry news, reflect on Variety's history and wonder what the future holds for this Hollywood institution.

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Kim Masters

      partner/writer at Puck News, host of KCRW's “The Business.”

    • KCRW placeholder

      John Horn

      Los Angeles Times

      CultureEntertainmentArts
    Back to Hollywood Breakdown