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 →Plus: Richard's 20 books that explain Hollywood; the most A-list best actor race ever The post Indie Film’s Supply Crunch; Docs’ ‘Darwinian’ Collapse; C-Suite Winter appeared first on The Ankler .
Fireplaces, nature scenes: Samsung, Disney and YouTube find audience and money in shows barely meant to be watched The post Zone-Out TV Is Becoming Big Business appeared first on The Ankler .
PEACOCK sets ‘Fast & Furious’ series / NETFLIX’s new TV Comms leader / LGF + Chase Infiniti The post ☀️ Contagion: Studio Job Axings Spread appeared first on The Ankler .
Overnight, Ellison ushers in a new power structure. Plus: Disney swings the ax The post 🎧 Kreiz In, Bloys Wins: Paramount’s Head-Spinning New Order appeared first on The Ankler .
The 'Permanent Midnight' author on avoiding dying like a hamster, Philip Seymour Hoffman and the movies that got away The post Jerry Stahl: ‘I Write to Keep From Going Completely Insane’ appeared first on The Ankler .
Plus: Zoe Kazan’s ‘East of Eden’ and the power of a miniseries that’s just a miniseries The post Taylor Swift’s Oscar Campaign: Hiding in Plain Sight appeared first on The Ankler .
DISNEYFOX takes NETFLIX movie project / BLUM-ATOMIC sets co-financing deal / DIS Comms exec departs The post ☀️ PSKY New Co-CEO’s Track Record appeared first on The Ankler .
Plus: who’s behind Jimmy Fallon’s hit Peacock microdrama and my exclusive on Lemonada’s deal with pop-politics show ‘The Moment LIVE’ The post Netflix Hiring Podcast Boss; Creator Goes Nuclear on Night Media appeared first on The Ankler .
Sheila Nevins, Dawn Porter, Josh Braun and more tell me it started with the algorithm and finished with the White House The post 2 Million Viewers or Bust: Inside Documentary’s ‘Darwinian’ Collapse appeared first on The Ankler .
Even long-surviving C-suiters won't escape the cuts The post Cindy Holland Out: Who’s Next as Hollywood Winter Arrives appeared first on The Ankler .
Fincher, NETFLIX parting / JLaw + WB / BLACK BEAR adds former PAR exec The post ☀️ Shakeup Day Across Hollywood Exec Ranks appeared first on The Ankler .
Moguls, climbers, revolutions, disasters and spectacular flameouts. Read them now — yes, there will be a quiz The post Forget Ari and Chapek: 20 Books That Really Explain Hollywood 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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