Company Overview
About The Ankler
The Ankler is an independent trade publication covering the entertainment industry — Hollywood studios, streaming platforms, talent agencies, production companies, and the business of entertainment — providing insider analysis, reported news, and commentary targeted at industry professionals. Founded in 2019 by Richard Rushfield, a veteran entertainment journalist previously at BuzzFeed and Variety, The Ankler operates on a subscription newsletter model that has built a loyal following among entertainment executives, agents, producers, and journalists who value its unfiltered perspective on industry dynamics.
Business Model & Competitive Advantage
The Ankler's content covers the strategic decisions of major studios (Disney, Warner Bros., Netflix, Amazon), the streaming wars and their economic sustainability, talent representation shifts, the impact of the 2023 writers' and actors' strikes, and the ongoing restructuring of Hollywood's business model. Rushfield's voice is distinctive — combining insider access, sharp analysis, and occasional irreverence that differentiates The Ankler from trade publications like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter that must maintain broad industry relationships.
Competitive Landscape 2025–2026
In 2025, The Ankler has expanded from Rushfield's solo newsletter to a multi-writer publication with contributors covering different industry beats, positioning itself as a premium subscription alternative to free trade publication content. The Hollywood trade publication market has seen significant disruption — parent companies of major trades have faced financial pressure, while independent newsletters with loyal paid subscribers have proven surprisingly resilient business models. The Ankler competes with Puck News, Deadline Hollywood, and the major trades for Hollywood insider readership and competes with all premium Substack newsletters for entertainment professional subscription dollars.
Recent Activity
View all →The Oscar nominee turns in a career best at Cannes for James Gray. Plus: My recap of a whirlwind weekend on the Croisette The post Adam Driver’s ‘Paper Tiger’ Role Started With an Email appeared first on The Ankler .
I talk to Richard Lorber and more about top players — Amazon and Black Bear to Warners' Clockwork — as Netflix pulls back and insiders ask, 'Where are the market makers?' The post Deal Scene: Hot Titles, Who’s Buying & the Market’s ‘800-Pound Gorilla’ appeared first on The Ankler .
With 'very limited real estate' — and a Goldilocks vibe under Landgraf — top reps ID the smart strategies to break through The post Disney TV Sellers’ Guide: What ABC, FX & Hulu Actually Want appeared first on The Ankler .
A new wave of grads is about to flood the market — even as earlier ones still struggle to find their way The post 50 Young Hollywood Workers Tell All: ‘My Bank Account is So Sad’ appeared first on The Ankler .
LGF enlists Sam Raimi / Brady Corbett sets leads for next epic / SONY TV comms exec departs The post ☀️ ‘Obsession’ Pops with 18-34s, BLACK BEAR Woes Continue appeared first on The Ankler .
High energy as 'Paper Tiger' roars, creators take the Croisette and — sacré bleu! — the fest even warms to AI The post Adam Driver Deflects Dunham, Markiplier Mobbed appeared first on The Ankler .
Plus: How Wasserman's LA28 warped fire recovery; Hollywood hotspots vs. rats The post Cannes: Indie $ Intel; Broadcast Rebounds; Spencer Pratt’s VIP Donors appeared first on The Ankler .
Exec Anne Chérel reveals her global strategy; Academy brass' big chat with Katey, 'Club Kid' catches fire and Aronofsky on AI The post StudioCanal Throws Down: Lit Hits, Gen Z Bait & U.S. Buyers appeared first on The Ankler .
MS NOW's Jen Psaki and Ari Melber, plus JPMorgan's global chair of investment banking and top industry leaders in conversation The post Stars, Dealmakers & CEOs: The Ankler at NAB Show appeared first on The Ankler .
Josh Braun, Jessica Lacy & Micah Green reveal the real action on the ground. Plus: 'Tangles' at The Ankler studio The post Quiet Croisette, Hot Market: Dealmakers See Demand Rise appeared first on The Ankler .
A great what-if is partially solved The post ‘Stick’ Creator Jason Keller on Owen Wilson’s ‘Writer’s Brain’ appeared first on The Ankler .
Plus: Vin Diesel's Upfronts onstage overshare The post TV in 3: Friedlander’s Amazon Goals Revealed; TV Studio Scorecard appeared first on The Ankler .
Key Differentiators
Strong Challenger
The Ankler is an established challenger with significant market presence and competitive offerings in Media & Publishing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Estimated Visibility Trend (Beta)
Simulated 8-week rolling score
Based on estimated brand signals. Historical tracking coming soon.
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