The Most Epic Fantasy and Sci-Fi Website

About EpicStream: Editorial Team, Standards and Policies

Contents

  • About us
  • Contact us
  • The editorial team
  • Editorial standards & disclosures, and correction policy
  • NDAs and embargoes
  • Reviews
  • Conflicts of interest
  • Content coverage
  • Corrections and updates
  • Speculative content
  • Sponsored content
  • Affiliate advertising and deals standards
  • User-generated content

About Us

EpicStream.com is our home of TV, movies, and anime, dedicated to breaking down the world of entertainment and pop culture for our audience. Whether it's the latest news, expert guides, or reviews of the newest releases in these genres, EpicStream and its global editorial team have it covered.

Founded in 2015 by Francis Bayog and Brian McCormick, and acquired by Gfinity in 2020, Epicstream.com has been providing fans with the latest news, explainer articles, in-depth features, and more, all centered around the world of geek and pop culture.

Our geek coverage has circled the globe, featured in outlets such as The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Honest Trailers, Huffpost, CNET, Buzzfeed, Gizmodo, Gamespot, IGN, The Daily Beast, and from celebrities such as Mark Hamill and Mads Mikkelsen.

Our team of dedicated writers and editors are fellow geeks who share the same love and excitement for all things nerdy. With their extensive knowledge and expertise in various geek and pop culture genres, they work tirelessly to bring you engaging and informative content on a daily basis.

EpicStream is part of Gfinity Digital Media, an entertainment media group with deep roots in gaming, entertainment, and esports.

Since 2020, our digital network has expanded to nine properties and two localisations, serving over 10 million monthly fans and championing gaming, entertainment, and tech.

Contact us

For press releases, news tips, and EpicStream.com enquiries, email us at press.epicstream.com. For any other enquiries, contact us here.

Offices

Gfinity Arena,

Retail Centre,

Unit 18 Fulham Broadway,

London

SW6 1BW

Meet the EpicStream editorial team

Will Taylor - Editor-in-Chief

Will Taylor is the Editor-in-Chief at Epicstream, joining as the site’s first Anime Editor in 2022.

First through his personal blog, The Culture Cove, and now as a media professional, Will Taylor has been reporting on and sharing stories from the world of film, TV and anime for over nine years.

In 2022, Will left a career producing content for businesses to lead Epicstream’s anime team, utilising his long-standing passion for the art form. Keeping across the industry with live reporting from major festivals such as Annecy, invites and reviews of early press screeners, and expert interviews with prominent creators such as Shingo Natsume, Will Taylor helped take Epicstream’s coverage to new levels.

In May 2023, Will Taylor was promoted to Editor-in-Chief of Epicstream. Now, he shares his passion for insightful entertainment coverage with our ever-expanding team of expert writers and journalists across all areas of film and TV.

LinkedIn

Alexandra Ciufudean - Entertainment Editor

Alexandra joined Gfinity as an Entertainment Editor for Epicstream, where she works across teams to develop content and editorial strategy, increase readership and provide training and support to writers.

She has extensive digital newsroom experience, having worked as Culture and Entertainment Content Lead at GRV Media’s flagship site, HITC. There, she led a team of writers, commissioned and published work on pop culture, current events and entertainment, and managed the site’s editorial calendar.

Before this, Alexandra co-founded GRV’s leading news site and grew it from a volunteer outfit for furloughed journalists during COVID-19 into a thriving and dependable new source with over 5 Million monthly readers.

Alexandra also co-launched a Graduate Writers’ Academy at GRV, which provided training and hands-on experience for journalists starting their careers.

She brings a background in languages and marketing, and her expertise in online & pop culture, entertainment, politics and TV & film to Epicstream’s editorial team, where she strives to support writers and fellow editors to do their best work.

LinkedIn

Brianne Constantino - Geek Culture Editor

Bri Constantino joined Epicstream as a News Writer in 2020. Before becoming part of the outlet, he was a writer for MYX Philippines, the country’s leading source for music, entertainment, and pop culture.

As part of MYX, he covered concerts, movie premieres, press events, and did interviews with some of the entertainment industry’s biggest stars, both local and international.

In early 2020, following MYX’s shut-down by parent company ABS-CBN, Bri landed a job at Epicstream.

A natural fit for the outlet, given his years of media experience and expertise when it comes to geek culture, Bri became one of the website’s top writers. In 2023, he was promoted to Geek Culture Editor, overseeing Epicstream’s passionate team of film & TV writers.

LinkedIn

Kylene Mendoza - Anime Editor

KC Mendoza started at Epicstream as a Copy Editor in August 2022, bringing in almost ten years of experience working as an editor and writer in various fields. She has a background in Journalism from the University of the Philippines, one of Asia's premier educational institutions.

Before Epicstream, she had various roles related to publishing and communication, including being a proofreader for an entertainment website that covered topics from science and technology to movies and TV shows. She also worked as a proofreader and copywriter for an Australian-based education provider. In this capacity, she was in charge of editing and proofreading all materials made by the company for its student body.

At Epicstream, KC channels her knowledge and passion for anime and manga into her role as an Anime Editor. She helps oversee the creation and publication of the latest and most in-demand content related to anime. She works with a dedicated team of writers who strive to position the site as the leading source of information for anime and manga fans around the world.

Editorial Board

Gfinity Digital Media properties are overseen by Gfinity Digital Media’s editorial board.

The board consists of experienced journalistic editors and digital strategists and aims to oversee the editorial output of the company’s properties.

The board sets and enforces editorial guidelines across all websites to ensure content is accurate, engaging, and relevant to the audience it is intended for.

Its primary objectives are:

  • Content Strategy Development: They oversee the content strategy for each website, ensuring a diverse and comprehensive coverage of gaming genres, industry news, reviews, and in-depth features that resonate with a wide range of gaming audiences.
  • Quality Control: Board members regularly review content across the platforms to ensure consistency in quality and tone. They provide feedback and guidance to editors and writers to continually elevate the level of content.
  • Ethical Oversight: The board addresses any ethical concerns related to content, such as conflicts of interest, representation, and the handling of sensitive topics within the gaming community.
  • Training and Development: The board plays a role in the professional development of editorial staff, providing training and resources to enhance their skills in digital journalism and content creation specific to the gaming niche.
  • Crisis Management: In the fast-paced digital environment, the board is also responsible for managing crises, such as handling misinformation or addressing potential public relations issues.

The editorial board consists of:

Hugo Drayton - Editorial Excellency

Hugo Drayton, with a career spanning over two decades in media and advertising, is known for his leadership at Inskin Media and Future plc. His experience in managing high-impact advertising and ethical business practices, combined with his role at the British Skin Foundation, reflects his commitment to editorial excellence and responsible journalism.

LinkedIn

David Halley - Compliance

David Halley's diverse career, currently as CEO of Gfinity PLC, showcases his expertise in strategic leadership and compliance. His experience in financial management and risk assessment, particularly during his tenure as a Founder of Capstone Financial and roles in trading and risk management at Candlestick Trading and Man-Vector Ltd, underpins his strong compliance acumen.

LinkedIn

Dominic Needler - Operations

Dominic Needler, with extensive experience in the digital entertainment sector, excels in operations and project management. His tenure at Gfinity PLC, where he led operations and digital product strategies, along with his background in content strategy and M&A, showcases his capability to drive operational excellence in digital publishing.

LinkedIn

Daniel Conlan - Strategy and User Experience

Daniel Conlan, a seasoned professional in content strategy and creation in the gaming and esports sector, currently plays a pivotal role at Gfinity Digital Media, heading up Growth Strategy. In this capacity, he is instrumental in developing new properties and expanding audiences, leveraging his expertise in analytics, SEO, and editorial content strategy. His experience at EarlyGame, Ginx TV, and Esportranks has equipped him with a deep understanding of user experience and strategic content development, making him a valuable asset in driving the company's growth and outreach in the competitive gaming landscape.

LinkedIn

Editorial standards & disclosures, and correction policy

EpicStream.com strives to reach the highest editorial standards. Here, you’ll find all of our policies on editorial practices, NDAs and embargoes, reviews, sourcing, and corrections and updates.

Editorial practises

Every article - whether news, reviews, features, or sponsored content - enters a period of internal review and editing before publication.

This is where our editorial team, comprising seasoned editors with a keen eye for detail, steps in. The initial review is rigorous, examining the draft for factual accuracy, coherence, style, and overall quality. It's not uncommon for a piece to go back and forth between the writer and the editor, undergoing revisions that sharpen its clarity and impact.

In certain cases, especially for news articles, the draft undergoes additional scrutiny through fact-checking. This step is crucial in our commitment to factual accuracy, ensuring that every claim or statement in the article stands up to verification. Additionally, for content that treads into sensitive areas, a legal review is conducted to preempt any issues of libel or defamation, safeguarding both our writers and our brand.

The final stage in this journey is the editor's final review. Here, the editor, representing the ethos and standards of EpicStream, gives the ultimate nod of approval, signifying that the article is ready to be shared with our audience. This final approval is more than just a formality; it's a testament to the article meeting the high standards for which EpicStream is known.

NDAs and embargoes

To bring our audience trustworthy information and produce expert content, we are often required to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). These agreements between EpicStream and a production company or network specify that we will not reveal certain information about a movie or TV show before a certain date, and they enable us to prepare content in advance. This could be news, a comprehensive review ahead of the release date, or guides to help our readers get the most out of their new movie or TV series.

We will never change our opinion of a movie or TV show because we have signed an NDA that has given us earlier access than other websites or publications. When content is influenced or restricted by an NDA, this will be clearly disclosed to our readers to maintain transparency.

Reviews

EpicStream’s critics are seasoned professionals with years of experience in reviewing movies and TV shows. Their expertise is rooted in a lifelong passion for the subject matter, having grown up immersed in the world of film and television while also keeping abreast of the latest trends and developments in the industry.

This deep-seated knowledge and experience enable them to critically assess the merits and drawbacks of movies and TV shows, providing insights on whether they are worth your time and money. While you may not always align with their opinions, you can trust that their reviews, whether for the newest blockbuster, a trending TV series, or an indie film, are well-founded and justified.

Our team often gains early access to movies and TV shows, allowing us to deliver timely reviews before their release. This early insight helps you make informed decisions about your investments in entertainment. However, there are times when we access these products simultaneously with the public. In such cases, we are committed to taking the necessary time to craft thorough and thoughtful reviews. Our access timing does not influence our writers' opinions or the integrity of our reviews.

Occasionally, we publish 'reviews in progress.' For instance, if we have early access to a specific season of a TV show but not the entire series, we start with an initial review focusing on that aspect. This approach ensures you get an early perspective, such as on a TV show's first few episodes, before its full release. However, we understand the importance of comprehensive reviews, especially for series where the development of the plot and characters play a crucial role. Therefore, we refrain from finalizing our review and scoring until we've thoroughly watched and analyzed all episodes. Our priority is not speed but the accuracy and depth of our reviews.

In the dynamic world of film and television, where shows and movies often receive director's cuts or extended editions that can significantly alter the viewing experience, we stay vigilant. While we don't adjust our reviews for every minor edit or alternate version, we do revisit and review major changes or new releases for significant movies and TV shows when these changes fundamentally transform the viewing experience. We are committed to keeping our readers informed about such developments that might alter our stance on a movie or TV show that holds substantial interest for our audience.

The review process

Our editors deeply understand our writers' strengths and areas of expertise. When we gain access to a new movie or TV show, the editor assigns the review to the writer best suited for the task. For instance, an anime enthusiast will review the latest anime series, while a sitcom expert will handle the newest comedy series.

We maintain strict ethical standards in our review process. Writers are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest, such as personal relationships with filmmakers or financial investments in production companies covered, and if found to potentially discredit the review, will be assigned to another writer.

Once a reviewer is selected, they dedicate the necessary time to thoroughly evaluate the movie or TV show and form an informed opinion. Each review is scored out of 10, and before publication, an editor checks the review for accuracy and coherence, ensuring the given score is well-supported by the review content. While the score and its justification may be discussed, the final decision rests with the reviewer, who has spent the most time with the product. Their expert opinion is paramount, and we do not alter the tone or score of a review by committee. The score provides a quick reference for the quality of the movie or TV show, but we always recommend reading the full review for a comprehensive understanding of its strengths and weaknesses.

In scoring a movie or TV show, our reviewers focus on its enjoyment factor and how it compares to other offerings in the market. For example, a new TV series might receive a high score upon release for being the best in its genre at that time. However, this doesn't mean we will adjust the score of a previous season or inflate the score of a new series if it surpasses the older one. The full review will always give you the complete picture.

While value for money is a consideration, our primary focus is on the quality of the product. An average movie won't receive a higher score simply because it's inexpensive—it's still an average movie, regardless of price. However, in the tech category, we do acknowledge when a budget item offers good value, comparing it with other products in its price range.

We score movies, TV shows, and tech on a scale of 1 to 10. Here's what each score represents:

  • 10: Exceptional
  • 9: Excellent
  • 8: Very Good
  • 7: Good
  • 6: Above Average
  • 5: Average
  • 4: Below Average
  • 3: Poor
  • 2: Very Poor
  • 1: Terrible

While scores are a quick guide, they don't tell the whole story. The score reflects only the reviewer's opinion at the time of writing. Our priority is always the consumer; we never let advertising, sponsorship deals, or the prospect of future access to products influence our reviews.

Review scores and opinions may be shared with producers or networks for their marketing materials, but we do not alter our opinions or scores for promotional purposes.

Content coverage

EpicStream offers a diverse range of content, encompassing everything from news and reviews to interviews, tips, and guides. Our reporting often includes information received from publishers, studios, and manufacturers, typically through press releases or their own media outlets. To enrich our content and provide our audience with thorough, detailed coverage, we also incorporate material from various other sources. We are committed to confirming the accuracy of information from multiple sources. While we safeguard the anonymity of sources who choose to share information with our writers confidentially, their identities are verified by our editorial team. Additionally, we feature articles that include information initially disclosed by other publications or content creators, always ensuring to acknowledge and link to the original source. Image credits are duly given to either the creator or the supplying publisher.

Before we publish any information that is not already public, we make efforts to contact the relevant companies or individuals for their comments.

Speculative content

Occasionally, our reporting includes rumours, speculations, or leaked information. If this is the case, we make sure to clearly mark the content as such, ensuring that headlines and article content clearly state that the information is speculative and subject to change.

Even though the content is speculative, we are careful to source such information from credible channels, and those sources will be clearly stated in the content. In cases involving rumours, we reach out to the implicated companies, allowing them the chance to confirm or refute these claims.

We also add a disclaimer to every article deemed speculative, informing readers that the information is not officially confirmed and offering a contact email for corrections.

Corrections and updates

At EpicStream, we're constantly publishing new content, with hundreds of articles going live each week. Keeping our content current and relevant is crucial, especially as stories evolve, new information comes to light, or updates occur in games that necessitate revised recommendations or additional tips.

We're committed to transparency and accountability with our audience. Therefore, if we discover any factual inaccuracies in our content, we promptly correct them. A note is added at the end of the article detailing the nature of the error and the subsequent correction. If an error significantly alters the article's meaning, we update the content with the correct information and clearly explain the previous inaccuracies near the article's start.

Our general policy is to keep all content on our website. However, in exceptional cases, particularly those involving legal issues, we might need to remove an article from EpicStream.com. In such instances, an editor's note will be placed in the original article's location, outlining the reasons for its removal.

Content sponsorship

In addition to advertising on the site, EpicStream has established content partnerships with brands that sponsor some of our articles. Through this funding, we are able to produce even more of the entertaining editorial content you enjoy.

The majority of the content on EpicStream.com is written by our editorial team and is independent of any advertising or sponsorship. However, EpicStream also works with brands who are interested in sponsoring specific types of articles and bespoke articles about their product, services or events.

To maintain trust with our audience, we are transparent with readers when we produce articles that are created in partnership with brands, ensuring that we label them clearly as 'sponsored content' or 'supported editorial'.

These articles are written by EpicStream writers, and depending on whether it is 'sponsored content' or 'supported editorial', they will occasionally collaborate with our partners to obtain the information they need to write about their products. As these features are funded by our partners, they will include external links to their products.

Here is everything you need to know about the different types of content sponsorship.

Supported editorial

Articles labelled as supported editorial are funded by a commercial partner, and while they may feature advert links to their products, the editorial is not written to advertise the partner’s products. The subject matter of a supported editorial article will be agreed upon with a funding partner in conjunction with an EpicStream editor and our marketing team. The article is independently written by a member of the EpicStream editorial team with guidance from an editor, and it is not sent to the partner for approval.

Advertisement features

Advertisement features are articles paid for and approved by a commercial partner. The copy will be produced by a member of EpicStream staff who will work with the partner to get the information required to produce the article. After it is written, it will be sent to the commercial partner for approval. Advertisement features are commercial content that usually promotes a partner’s products and, as such, do include advert links.

Affiliate advertising and deals standards

Affiliate links help EpicStream bring the best coverage across TV & movies, as well as gaming and tech. Affiliation is a common practice across digital media, and it provides retail links for readers to easily purchase or access the products being written about. For example, if we are writing a review of a new movie, TV show, or streaming service, we may include a link to a retailer or streaming platform where you can purchase or watch the product should you wish to do so after reading the review. Should you click on the product link, we will earn a small commission on anything purchased or subscribed to from the linked retailer or service.

Affiliate links appear on many different articles across EpicStream, and we are always transparent with our audience, with a clear disclaimer at the bottom of any article that includes product links to retailers or streaming services.

Deals standards

Purchasing new gaming and tech products can be expensive, so EpicStream works with retail partners to bring you the best deals around to help you save money. Whether it’s a Black Friday sale or Amazon Prime Day, you can find links to bargains on EpicStream. Deals are often time-limited. However, we strive to keep our pages updated with the best offers where possible, especially around Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day, when we’ll keep our pages updated with the latest offers, ensuring that you don’t miss out.

We are not paid directly by retailers to promote their deals, and our editorial team will only highlight products that we think our audience will like. After all, a good deal is only a good deal if the product you are purchasing is good.

Placing links to retailers makes it easier for our audience to take advantage of these deals, but we will earn a small commission on anything purchased on the retail site. Any deals article that includes product links will feature a clear disclaimer.

User-generated content

EpicStream incorporates a comment system for our news, feature articles, and guides. We moderate these comments to ensure they adhere to our community standards. Under those standards, we have a zero-tolerance policy towards hate speech, harassment, and any kind of discrimination.

However, if you see a comment that falls short of these standards, please don’t hesitate to contact our support team at help@epicstream.com. We will endeavour to answer your query as quickly as possible.