Billboard (stylized as billboard) is an American entertainment media brand owned by the Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group, a division of Eldridge Industries. It publishes pieces involving news, video, opinion, reviews, events, and style. It is also known for its music charts, including the "Billboard" Hot 100 and "Billboard" 200, tracking the most popular singles and albums in different genres. It also hosts events, owns a publishing firm, and operates several TV shows. "Billboard" was founded in 1894 by William Donaldson and James Hennegan as a trade publication for bill posters. Donaldson later acquired Hennegen's interest in 1900 for $500. 

In the early years of the 20th century, it covered the entertainment industry, such as circuses, fairs, and burlesque shows. It also created a mail service for travelling entertainers. "Billboard" began focusing more on the music industry as the jukebox, phonograph, and radio became commonplace. Many topics it covered were spun-off into different magazines, including "Amusement Business" in 1961 to cover outdoor entertainment, so that it could focus on music. After Donaldson died in 1925, "Billboard" was passed down to his children and Hennegan's children, until it was sold to private investors in 1985, and has since been owned by various parties.
What is it?
 an American entertainment media brand 