Radar Online

History

Print magazine and website (2003-2008)

Radar published articles on entertainment, fashion, politics, and human interest and was founded and edited by Maer Roshan in September 2003 with two test issues. The magazine relaunched in 2005 with help from investors and family members, including Daily News owner Mort Zuckerman and pre-scandal Jeffrey Epstein, but folded again after three issues. While the official statement blamed "the current economic environment", some sources speculated it was linked to Zuckerman learning of the Epstein investigation.

In 2006, the magazine was revived again, this time with backing from billionaire Ron Burkle and Yusef Jackson, son of Jesse Jackson. It was shut down again, in 2008 but was quickly acquired by American Media Inc. and Jackson's Integrity Media.

American Media Inc. ownership (2008-2021)

On October 24, 2008, American Media Inc. (AMI) announced a partnership with Integrity Multimedia Company to acquire RadarOnline.com, forming a new company called Radar Online LLC. David Perel, Executive Vice President of AMI News, was named managing editor. When the site relaunched, all articles previously published by Radar Online were erased from the site.

In 2010, Dylan Howard joined RadarOnline.com as Senior Executive Editor. After a brief stint leading Celebuzz.com, he returned in 2013 as editor-in-chief. His time at AMI was marked by periodic controversy and leadership changes. He was named Chief Content Officer in 2017, but his contract was not renewed in 2020.

In August 2020, Radar Online experienced deep staff cuts due to declining advertising sales during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the site becoming "practically moribund" with only sporadic postings.

Empire Media Group ownership (2021-present)

On March 25, 2021, Dylan Howard announced that his newly formed Empire Media Group had acquired RadarOnline.com from a360 Media. 40 staff members were hired to revitalize the site, including Editor-in-Chied Ryan Naumann, formerly of TMZ.

References

References

1. Lauren Sandler. (April 19, 2003). "In iffy times, a bold magazine launch". Los Angeles Times.
2. Seelye, Katharine Q.. (April 11, 2005). "Reviving a Magazine With Ballast of a Web Site First". The New York Times.
3. Dworin, Caroline H.. (November 9, 2008). "Bad News at Snarky Gulch". [[The New York Times]].
4. (October 24, 2008). "Radar Folds; Web Site Sold to AMI". Folio.
5. (October 26, 2017). "American Media, Inc. Names Dylan Howard Chief Content Officer of the AMI Celebrity Group". PR Newswire.
6. Donnelly, Elizabeth Wagmeister,Matt. (2020-04-06). "Top Tabloid Exec Dylan Howard Out at American Media Inc. (EXCLUSIVE)".
7. (2025-11-09). "Empire Media Group, Inc. Acquires Portfolio of Leading Knowledge, Entertainment & Lifestyle Brands".
8. Carr, David. (2004-10-18). "Zuckerman and Financier to Back Pop Culture Magazine". The New York Times.
9. Seelye, Katharine Q.. (April 11, 2005). "Radar Magazine Rises From the Ashes Again". [[The New York Times]].
10. (2005-12-15). "Radar magazine folds after three issues".
11. Fine, Jon. (December 14, 2005). "Radar Magazine Folds". BusinessWeek.
12. (2005-12-14). "Radar's Relatively Long, Strange Trip Comes to an End - Folio". Folio.
13. (2021-03-25). "Radar Online sold to ex-American Media exec Dylan Howard".
14. (2019-04-11). "Ron Burkle, Billionaire Investor, Is Said to Be in Talks to Buy National Enquirer (Published 2019)".
15. (October 24, 2008). "Radar Magazine Folding Again". Business Insider.
16. Koblin, John. (October 24, 2008). "Radar Shutting Down (Again)". Observer.com.
17. Nolan, Hamilton. (2008-10-24). "AMI Buys RadarOnline.com".
18. Staff, Resident. "Radar Online for Danielle Savre".
19. (2020-04-22). "Howard's end: Why infamous tabloid editor exited longtime National Enquirer publisher". Los Angeles Times.
20. Baum, Gary. (2020-04-06). "Notorious Tabloid Editor Dylan Howard Departs American Media Inc.".
21. "American Media, Inc. Names Dylan Howard Chief Content Officer of the AMI Celebrity Group".
22. Chan, J. Clara. (2020-04-06). "Dylan Howard Out at American Media Inc. After Contract Expires".
23. Ellefson, Lindsey. (2020-06-09). "AMI's Radar Online Goes Dark After Massive Staff Layoffs".