NY Times Launches 'Canon' Role to Build Video-Driven Entertainment Lists

Key points

• The New York Times has appointed Gilbert Cruz as its first 'canon editor,' a new position designed to oversee and expand the publication's curated list franchises across books, movies, and television.
• The latest project, a list of the 100 best TV shows of the 21st century, is the third in a series following similar lists for books and films, which were well-received by readers.
• For the TV list, the Times reached out to over 1,000 industry figures, with approximately 500 participating, including showrunners, stars, and creators who also appeared on camera to discuss their picks.
• Cruz aims to transform these lists from one-off features into a regular, interconnected franchise, leveraging the Times' access and authority in entertainment spaces to create a more dynamic and video-rich storytelling format.
• The role is described as an experiment, with Cruz still determining the cadence and scope of future projects, as well as hiring a small team to support the initiative.

Background

The New York Times has a history of publishing curated lists, such as the 100 best books and films of the 21st century, which have been well-received by readers. The introduction of the 'canon editor' role is a strategic move to centralize and expand these list franchises, leveraging the publication's access and authority in entertainment spaces. This move is part of a broader trend in media to create more dynamic and video-rich content, as seen in other publications' efforts to integrate video and interactive features into their curated lists.

Why it matters

The introduction of the 'canon editor' role signals a strategic shift for The New York Times in how it approaches and produces curated content, moving from one-off features to a regular, interconnected franchise. This move is significant as it leverages the publication's access and authority in entertainment spaces to create a more dynamic and video-rich storytelling format, potentially setting a new standard for how major publications approach and produce curated content.

What to watch

The New York Times will likely continue to expand its 'canon' franchise, with future lists and features in various entertainment spaces. The success of the TV list and the integration of video content will be key indicators of the initiative's effectiveness. Additionally, the hiring of a small team to support the 'canon editor' role will be crucial in determining the cadence and scope of future projects.