ew.com
There are a few magazines that have transcended their status as merely providing information about current events. A select few publications have risen up over the years to become nothing short of institutions of pop culture. These rare publications have managed to stand the test of time, remaining relevant for decades. I?m talking about magazines such as Rolling Stone, Time, People, New Yorker, Playboy, and National Geographic - those outlets that you just can?t imagine not existing.
The central factors in common between all of the publications I just mentioned are that they quickly earned reputations for themselves as high-quality sources of writing, with contributions from renowned writers. Unless you blow everyone away with your literary prowess, it's unlikely you'll be able to make a name for yourself in this field.
In most cases, from the very beginning, all of these publications had a clear vision and delivered on that vision in a way that was sorely needed by readers. People often underestimate the importance of good branding, but I would go so far as to say that without it, none of these magazines would have been successful. Unlike books, which are often judged by their cover, people frequently make opinions about magazines based on their appearance. So, having an iconic public image was a necessary aspect of all of these publications' success?
Although Entertainment Weekly is different from the other magazines on this list, it has a rich legacy that it has successfully carried over into the digital age.
Entertainment Weekly has succeeded in transitioning its online presence from a marginalized, Print-only magazine to a very successful online publication with grace. They continue to post new content about celebrities all the time, keeping up with the demand of social media age. Unlike some 20th century publications, EW was made for the 21st century from the start.
History
On February 16th, 1990, Entertainment Weekly was published for the first time. It was a sister magazine to the already insanely popular People magazine and offered a more mainstream-ready glimpse at pop culture icons than its sister publication did. It could be said that Entertainment Weekly was something like People express.
When Entertainment Weekly was first released, it was hailed by some as a guide to popular culture including movies, music, and book reviews. However, over time the magazine has lost focus on some of the higher-brow concerns such as book and theater reviews and has become more of a celebrity gossip rag. However, we will get to that in more detail later on.
Nonetheless, Entertainment Weekly was highly acclaimed upon its initial publication. In 1996, the magazine won the National Magazine Award for General Excellence, which is given out annually by the American Society of Magazine Editors. In fact, they took home the same award again in 2002, which demonstrates the magazine's ability to consistently excel over decades and into the new millennium.
Entertainment Weekly teamed up with People in order to launch a free online video network called the People and Entertainment Weekly Network. The network was rebranded as People TV in September 2017.
Since August of 2019, Entertainment Weekly has transitioned to a monthly publication model. However, they are not rebranding as Entertainment Monthly. The website, ew.com, still published content constantly, without regard for publication schedule constraints.
Design
Speaking of the website, I really like the way that Ew.com is designed. It has a sharp and minimalist look to it. It is very sparse (in a good way) with its white background, black text, and occasional pops of color lent by Entertainment Weekly's iconic sky-blue logo. It is a gentle and calm news site layout, easily guiding the eye where it needs to be.
The site is extremely easy to navigate. You have recent stories flowing down the center of the page, featured stories on the right-hand side, and a handy menu bar at the top. Here, feel free to browse the site by interest: TV, Movies, Music, Books, Theater, Podcasts, Events, Celebrities, and Awards.
Content
EW.com offers a well-balanced blend of text and video content that is accompanied by relevant videos. The website offers a great mix of content, including film/tv, book, and play reviews, which is perfect for anyone interested in entertainment or celebrity news.
Desktop and Mobile Experience
As I have already mentioned, I love the in-browser site experience of Entertainment Weekly. The website looks sharp and there are plenty of interactive and immersive features. The app, on the other hand, I cannot speak quite so highly of. Instead of making the app in the same clean-cut and streamlined fashion, the design is basically just like opening up an issue of EW magazine but on your phone.
I think the app looks inferior to the desktop site, and I'm not the only one. Apparently, a lot of other people feel the same way because it's received an average rating of 3.3 stars on the Apple App Store.
Pricing and Plans
Can you enjoy the site without any pesky paywalls or subscription fees? Just ads here and there. As far as subscribing to the magazine is concerned, it is a fair price. Pay per month (per issue) for only $2.99 (recurring until canceled); or save some money and pay per year ($24.99). These prices are not bad at all for a print magazine of this stature.
Suggestions that I have for Entertainment Weekly
I would like EW to dig deeper with their articles. I understand that you cannot make every article on your website profound or poignant, but it seems reasonable that you might occasionally attempt this. Although EW is better than, say, the Hollywood Reporter in terms of content, I still think they could aspire for a bit more thought-provoking style overall.
Conclusion
If you're looking for a reputable and dependable source for entertainment (particularly pop culture) news, Entertainment Weekly is one of the best sites out there. Additionally, if you are a fan of physical copies of monthly periodicals, EW has one of the best deals on the market. You won't find much in the way of deeply considered, thought-provoking content, but if you want to ensure that you never miss a pop culture beat, Entertainment Weekly is the way to go.
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