(22 September 2007 6:00 pm)

MUMBAI: MSN is joining forces with US entertainment brand 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.

MSN executive producer GM Jeff Dossett says, "For decades, Variety has set the standard in reporting on the entertainment industry. We have 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 president and publisher Charlie Koones says, "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. 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.

One of 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 perspective on all things television. MSN users will see entertainment stories from Variety on MSN Entertainment.