Blast News

*Blast News*
Categories	Entertainment
Founder	Mike Walters
First issue	September 2017
Country	United States
Based in	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Language	English
Website	theblast.com

Blast News is an American online newspaper and magazine which focuses on original reporting and breaking news in the Hollywood celebrity, entertainment and pop culture industries. It was founded by Emmy-nominated producer Mike Walters and is known for being the first to report on several big entertainment stories following its launch.[1]

History

In 2017 Banijay, the leading independent supplier of global media content, was looking to expand its digital footprint.[2] Later that year, the company met with Mike Walters, an original member of the TMZ.com team, and his colleague, Gary Trock.[3] After their departure from TMZ, Walters was joined by his sister, Liz Walters, along with Trock looking to embark on a digital entertainment news venture of their own.[4][5] According to its website, the name for the site was called The Blast, derived from the concept of blasting out news to the public and other media outlets as fast as it became available.[6]

The Blast.com launched in September 2017 with Mike Walters serving as its founder and Editor-in-chief. Mr. Walters arrived from TMZ after 13 years of leading the site. At the time of his departure, Mr. Walters was the news director and executive producer of TMZ Live.[4]

During his tenure at TMZ, Mr. Walters broke some of the biggest stories in entertainment news including the death of Michael Jackson[7] and the Donald Sterling scandal which rocked the NBA.[8][9] He also received an Emmy nomination for his work on the TMZ syndicated television show.[10]

In 2022, in order to provide coverage on the war in the Ukraine, The Blast teamed up with Igor Novikov,[11] a former advisor to Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky.[12]

Notable exclusive stories

Selena Gomez’s Kidney transplant: given to her by a best friend.[13][14]
Sexual assault allegations against Guess founder Paul Marciano.[15]
Dallas Cowboys owner using racially charged language in an exclusive video.[16]
Kanye West is banned from performing at the Grammys over "concerning online behavior".[17][18]

References

Barnes, Brooks (6 September 2017). "TMZ Veteran Who Split With Site's Founder Emerges as a Rival". The New York Times.
"Our Story". Banijay Group - We are Banijay.
Kanter, Jake (6 July 2020). "Banijay Reveals Rebrand Following $2.2BN Endemol Shine Group Takeover". Deadline.com.
Coleman, Oli (7 September 2017). "Former TMZ employee poaching top alums for new site". Page Six.
Roxborough, Georg Szalai,Scott; Szalai, Georg; Roxborough, Scott (3 July 2020). "Banijay Closes Endemol Shine Acquisition, Forming Global Production Giant". The Hollywood Reporter.
"Former TMZ Co-Founder Mike Walters Returns to The Forefront of The Celebrity News Scene With "The Blast"". Banijay. 6 September 2017.
"Jackson Story Shows Speed Of Digital Age". www.cbsnews.com.
"CNN.com - Transcripts - Aired May 5, 2014". edition.cnn.com.
"When the Donald Sterling saga rocked the NBA -- and changed it forever". ESPN.com. 20 August 2019.
"Daytime Emmy Awards - The National Academy of Television" (PDF). emmyonline.org.
"A former adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the people of Kyiv are prepared for a fight as Russian forces appear poised for a revamped attack on the capital city". MSNBC.com.
"Igor Novikov on Standing His Ground in Ukraine". The New Yorker. 7 March 2022.
"Selena Gomez recovering from kidney transplant after lupus diagnosis". ABC News.
"Selena Gomez Reveals Actress Pal Francia Raisa Donated Her Kidney to Her, Shares Photos of Transplant Surgery". www.etonline.com. Entertainment Tonight.
Al-Muslim, Aisha (1 February 2018). "Guess Shares Hit After Kate Upton Accuses Co-Founder of Harassing Women". Wall Street Journal.
"Video of Jerry Jones making racial comment surfaces". New York Post. 17 November 2017.
Romo, Vanessa (20 March 2022). "Ye, aka Kanye West, is banned from performing at the Grammys". NPR.org.
Aswad, Jem (19 March 2022). "Kanye West Barred From Performing at Grammys Due to 'Concerning Online Behavior,' Rep Confirms". Variety (magazine).

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[1] Barnes, Brooks (6 September 2017). "TMZ Veteran Who Split With Site's Founder Emerges as a Rival". The New York Times.

[2] "Our Story". Banijay Group - We are Banijay.

[3] Kanter, Jake (6 July 2020). "Banijay Reveals Rebrand Following $2.2BN Endemol Shine Group Takeover". Deadline.com.

[pagesix-4] Coleman, Oli (7 September 2017). "Former TMZ employee poaching top alums for new site". Page Six.

[5] Roxborough, Georg Szalai,Scott; Szalai, Georg; Roxborough, Scott (3 July 2020). "Banijay Closes Endemol Shine Acquisition, Forming Global Production Giant". The Hollywood Reporter.

[6] "Former TMZ Co-Founder Mike Walters Returns to The Forefront of The Celebrity News Scene With "The Blast"". Banijay. 6 September 2017.

[7] "Jackson Story Shows Speed Of Digital Age". www.cbsnews.com.

[8] "CNN.com - Transcripts - Aired May 5, 2014". edition.cnn.com.

[9] "When the Donald Sterling saga rocked the NBA -- and changed it forever". ESPN.com. 20 August 2019.

[10] "Daytime Emmy Awards - The National Academy of Television" (PDF). emmyonline.org.

[11] "A former adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the people of Kyiv are prepared for a fight as Russian forces appear poised for a revamped attack on the capital city". MSNBC.com.

[12] "Igor Novikov on Standing His Ground in Ukraine". The New Yorker. 7 March 2022.

[13] "Selena Gomez recovering from kidney transplant after lupus diagnosis". ABC News.

[14] "Selena Gomez Reveals Actress Pal Francia Raisa Donated Her Kidney to Her, Shares Photos of Transplant Surgery". www.etonline.com. Entertainment Tonight.

[15] Al-Muslim, Aisha (1 February 2018). "Guess Shares Hit After Kate Upton Accuses Co-Founder of Harassing Women". Wall Street Journal.

[16] "Video of Jerry Jones making racial comment surfaces". New York Post. 17 November 2017.

[17] Romo, Vanessa (20 March 2022). "Ye, aka Kanye West, is banned from performing at the Grammys". NPR.org.

[18] Aswad, Jem (19 March 2022). "Kanye West Barred From Performing at Grammys Due to 'Concerning Online Behavior,' Rep Confirms". Variety (magazine).