All articles tagged with #fandom
Toni Kulusich, a Los Angeles–based Disney content creator who posts Peter Pan meet-and-greets, defends her ongoing interactions with the character after online critics accuse her of stalking; she says the content is a harmless hobby, the Disney actors know her, and she’s returned to the park with support from her husband and fellow creators after a brief scare over backlash.
Nielsen released its Local NFL Fandom Index ranking NFL markets by fan avidity using eight metrics (apparel purchases, event attendance, streaming, social media following, TV viewership, radio listening, betting intent, and overall interest). Buffalo, Kansas City, and Green Bay lead the list, with four AFC North teams (Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh) also in the top 10, and Philadelphia, Detroit, and New Orleans close behind. The analysis highlights that smaller legacy markets tend to have higher per-capita engagement while large cities like New York and Los Angeles score lower due to fragmented fandom and saturated entertainment options, underscoring the idea that true NFL fandom is intensely local and may influence scheduling and programming decisions.
MMA Fighting’s UFC Mailbag argues UFC 330’s standout main event (Makhachev vs. Garry) is the highlight in a card that otherwise feels filler, and uses it to frame a broader take: the UFC’s current era is a natural, profit-driven phase with limited competition and less emphasis on fans turning into customers. The piece also weighs who should challenge the welterweight champ (Morales vs. Prates as a likely No.1 contender bout) and discusses gatekeepers like Jim Miller, while inviting readers to submit questions for future mailbags.
As Pokémon marks 30 years and Pokémon Go’s 10th anniversary, fans describe a universal language that forges global community—from a London pop-up and stories of couples who met at events to families bonding and younger relatives reconnecting through the game—while ongoing releases and memorabilia keep fueling the franchise, now the world’s biggest media brand.
GTA Wiki accuses Fandom of copying its GTA Online update articles, presenting evidence that texts and timing were nearly identical. Fandom counters that similarities are expected due to public, real-time updates and shared wiki structure, arguing the material isn’t copyright infringement under their licensing. The dispute intensified after Fandom reportedly banned GTA Wiki admins and discussed DMCA takedowns, highlighting tensions over licensing and content reuse as GTA 6 approaches.
Fandom laid off GameSpot's entire commerce team (4 staffers and 5 freelancers) and the site's VP of games and entertainment, Chris Grant, marking the fifth round of layoffs since Fandom acquired GameSpot in 2022. One employee was on paid medical leave following a gunshot injury, and the shakeup continues a broader pattern of staffing cuts across Fandom's properties, including past moves at Giant Bomb.
The piece surveys the surge in brand fandom, using Costco as a prime example where devoted shoppers—like Max Ellinger, who has a Kirkland Signature tattoo, and others who craft life milestones around Costco—treat the retailer as a lifestyle and community. Experts say such devotion signals identity and belonging in a polarized era, with fans forming online groups, hosting celebrations in stores, and even driving broader trends in how people express loyalty to retailers beyond traditional advertising.
Sega says Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds and Shinobi: Art of Vengeance underperformed despite strong reviews, prompting a major marketing overhaul that shifts from targeted ads to fandom, celebrity endorsements, and influencer recommendations. The company plans to globalize its publishing structure and transform its mindset toward building a broad ‘Fandom that drives sales.’ It also aims to release two new titles from flagship IPs by March 31, 2027, in addition to already announced games Stranger than Heaven and Personal 4 Revival, as part of a broader lineup including other high-profile titles.
netflix’s animated feature KPop Demon Hunters spent 52 weeks on Netflix’s Top 10, becoming the platform’s most-watched movie and earning Oscar and Grammy for the song Golden. The year-long momentum fostered a worldwide fan community, extensive brand tie-ins (Hasbro, Mattel, McDonald’s, Fortnite), merchandise, music, and planned immersive experiences in Dallas and Philadelphia, with a sequel in early development. Netflix coordinated fan-centric marketing and creative collaborations, even producing in-house merch when partners wouldn’t commit, signaling a new era of franchise-driven fandom across media and commerce.
A personal, city-wide meditation on how the Knicks’ 53-year wait ended in a historic Finals comeback, turning a once-skeptical New York father into a devoted fan and showing how a championship united the city and reshaped its sports identity—complete with quirky superstition and a lasting cultural impact.
As the Knicks reach the NBA Finals, New Yorkers split between bold predictions and ritualistic caution: some fans boast about a sweep, while others shun predictions and cling to superstitions—wearing the same shirts, avoiding new gear, praying, or changing seats—seeking to control fate in a city known for nerve-wracking optimism. The piece weaves in voices from politicians to bar regulars, illustrating how the moment amplifies both joy and anxiety as fans navigate the psychology of victory.
An opinion piece about online abuse that followed a light observation on Hugh Laurie’s House. The actor’s witty, in-character reply highlighted the parasocial bonds and tribal defense that fuel fan backlash on social media, turning criticism into personal attacks. The author uses broader examples (Taylor Swift, Scorsese, Beyoncé’s BeyHive) to argue that fandom can amplify hostility, though most fan communities are harmless, and real-people scrutiny can be distressing.
Ahead of its release, Supergirl is being promoted amid a backlash-focused narrative, with Milly Alcock addressing online criticism; critics say marketing should sell the film rather than amplify fan wars, highlighting box-office uncertainty and comparisons to other franchise campaigns.
Kotaku highlights a new site, Every Pokémon is someone’s favorite, where fans can post why they love each Pokémon and add it to a global index. The site already lists over 55,000 declarations for all 1,025 Pokémon, with Gengar at the top and Goldeen among the least popular, accompanied by heartfelt and playful notes that show every Pokémon has at least one admirer.
Paramount+ has canceled Star Trek: Starfleet Academy after a two-season run; Season 2 was completed in post-production and is expected to air next year, but no further installments will be produced. The youth-skewed series polarized fans and drew mixed responses online, while other Trek projects like Strange New Worlds will continue (S4 and an already-filmed S5 planned for 2027). The studio has also teased a broader franchise reboot/overhaul under new leadership, and CBS Studios/Paramount+ praised the cast and crew in announcing the news.