TMZ is a website that started in 2005 and is all about famous news and rumors. It quickly became one of the most popular websites of its kind, with a reputation for breaking exclusive celebrity news before any other news source. TMZ has also broken a number of big stories, including the news of Michael Jackson’s death in 2009. In this piece, we’ll talk about how TMZ started, how it got popular, and how much money it has made over the years.
The Start of TMZ
Harvey Levin, who used to be a lawyer but now works as a writer and has worked for CBS and KNBC, started TMZ. Levin was known for being the first to report on big news, like the O.J. Simpson trial and the Monica Lewinsky scandal. He saw a chance to make a website about famous news and rumors, so he did, and TMZ was born.
Warner Bros. Entertainment, which is part of Time Warner, gave Levin the money he needed to start TMZ. On November 8, 2005, the website went live with the motto, “We break the news first, and then we break the news again.” The site quickly became known for being the first to report on big news. This was partly because it had a network of sources in the entertainment business.
How TMZ Grew
In the early days of TMZ, the site was known for its scandalous celebrity stories and pictures and videos of celebs acting badly. Some people didn’t like how the site did its reporting, which included paying sources for information and following people around like spies to get the story.
Even though there was criticism, TMZ kept getting more and more famous. In 2007, when Anna Nicole Smith died, the first news of her death came from TMZ. This was a turning point for the site. Some major news sites started using TMZ as a source because it had so much information about the case.
TMZ has broken a number of other big stories over the years, including Mel Gibson’s anti-Semitic rant in 2006, the release of the infamous “Access Hollywood” tape with Donald Trump in 2016, and Kobe Bryant’s death in 2020. TMZ has also become known for its coverage of high-profile court cases, such as the trials of Michael Jackson and O.J. Simpson.
How much money TMZ has made over the years
Most of TMZ’s money comes from advertising on its site and fees for licensing its material. The site has also put out a few books and made a broadcast TV show, which have both brought in extra money.
When it started up in 2005, TMZ was thought to be worth about $5 million. But the value of the site has grown a lot over the years. In 2010, it was said that Time Warner had paid $30 million for TMZ. TMZ was worth $55 million in 2013.
It is thought that TMZ is worth more than $100 million right now. Due to the popularity of the site, other sites like TMZ Sports and TMZ Live have been made. TMZ has also moved into social media like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, where it has a lot of fans.
Conclusion
TMZ has become one of the most popular websites for famous news and rumors. The site’s aggressive reporting style and readiness to pay for information have drawn criticism, but they have also made it one of the most reliable places to get breaking celebrity news. Most of TMZ’s money comes from advertising on its site and fees for licensing its material. Over the years, the site’s value has gone up a lot, and it is now thought to be worth more than $100 million.