Welcome, dear readers, to my semi-regular coronavirus roundup.
Friday, Dec. 11: The Covid Tracking Project reports the U.S. saw a record 232,000 cases and a record 108,000 people hospitalized with COVID-19. There were 2,749 deaths. The 7-day average for all four metrics is the highest it has been.
CNN reports that Friday's total deaths from Covid was actually 3,309, which would be the highest number of new deaths since the pandemic began (different methods of tabulation and time of publishing causes outlets to have different daily totals).
Housekeeping:

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Vaccine news

Late Friday, the FDA gave emergency use authorization to Pfizer’s vaccine, following threats from the president. Earlier in the day, the White House told FDA commissioner Stephen Hahn to submit his resignation if his agency did not approve the vaccine by day’s end. Trump has reportedly been upset that the U.K. has authorized a vaccine first and angry for what he perceives as a delay that harmed his campaign for re-election.

The outgoing president recently ranted to several advisers and associates about how vaccine manufacturers were possibly working to deny him the chance to declare victory in the pandemic, according to three people familiar with his private grumblings. One adviser told The Daily Beast that this month, the president asked if the heads of Pfizer, one of the main vaccine manufacturers, were “Democrats.”
“It kind of came out of nowhere and I didn’t really know how to respond,” this source recounted… “Donald Trump must get the credit for the vaccines. It is a miracle,” the president tweeted on Friday morning, referencing something said by a Fox Business host.

The Trump administration turned down repeated offers from Pfizer to lock in more than 100 million vaccine doses (enough for 50 million people) over the summer. The pharmaceutical company “repeatedly warned the Trump administration that demand could vastly outstrip supply and urged it to pre-order more doses, but were turned down.” Dr. Scott Gottlieb, a member of Pfizer’s board, said the administration turned down additional doses even after the company released data showing the vaccine to be effective (clip).
As a consequence of the administration’s failure to reserve more doses, Pfizer says they cannot provide more until late June or July.

• For comparison, the EU has ordered 200 million Pfizer doses so far.
  
• Note: The U.S. paid $1.95 billion as part of a deal for 100 million doses. In contrast, the administration has spent $15 billion on Trump’s border wall.
  

Perhaps in an effort to suppress criticism of their failure to secure additional Pfizer doses, Trump issued an executive order to prioritize vaccine shipments to “Americans before other nations.” The order, however, does not appear to be not impactful or enforceable. Operation Warp Speed chief Moncef Slaoui told ABC News that he has no idea what the order accomplishes:

“Frankly, I don’t know, and frankly, I’m staying out of this. I can’t comment,” Slaoui said. “I literally don’t know…I don’t know exactly what this order is about.” (clip)

Experts say that even with Pfizer’s and Moderna’s doses, the U.S. is not going to be able to fulfill the Trump administration’s promise that most Americans will be vaccinated by May. The U.S. has purchased roughly 200 million total doses - enough for 100 million people - from the two vaccine front-runners. While the administration has also reserved hundreds of millions of doses from four other manufacturers, including 300 million from AstraZeneca, the outlook for those vaccines is mixed.

“We’re clearly not going to get there” with the Moderna and Pfizer shots, said Peter Hotez, a virologist and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine, who is working on a vaccine candidate with partners in India. “We’re going to need four or five different vaccines.”

• UPDATE: After writing this post, HHS purchased another 100 million doses of the yet-to-be-approved Moderna vaccine. The expanded order would ensure continuous vaccine delivery through the end of June 2021, at a total cost of $3.2 billion

A little-noticed aspect of Operation Warp Speed: It explicitly states its goal is to deliver enough doses for just half of the U.S. population. “Operation Warp Speed's goal is to produce and deliver 300 million doses of safe and effective vaccines with the initial doses available by January 2021,” the HHS website states. As mentioned above, it is highly unlikely the U.S. will even reach that goal.
Further reading on vaccines:

• “Trump administration leaves states to grapple with how to distribute scarce vaccines.” Politico.
  
• “Every state has its own COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan. Find the one for yours here.” USA Today.
  
• “Find Your Place in the Vaccine Line.” NYT.
  
• “Jumping the line for a vaccine will be pretty easy.” Axios. “‘There absolutely will be a black market’: How the rich and privileged can skip the line for Covid-19 vaccines.” STAT.
  
• “The Freakout About Giving COVID Vaccines to Prisoners Has Already Begun.” Mother Jones.
  
• “Some States Balk After C.D.C. Asks for Personal Data of Those Vaccinated: The Trump administration is requiring states to submit personal data — including names, birth dates and addresses — of Covid-19 vaccine recipients.” NYT.
  
• “How the Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine Jeopardizes East Coast Shorebirds.” Audubon. “Horseshoe crabs help keep vaccines safe. Now, they're in big trouble.” CBS News.
  

TrumpWorld SuperSpreaders

Just as Trump intervened to ensure Chris Christie and HUD Secretary Ben Carson received the same monoclonal antibody therapy that he did, Rudy Giuliani admits he was given the rare treatment due to his “celebrity” status. HHS Secretary Azar says the U.S. has allocated 278,000 doses of the antibody therapies, developed by Eli Lilly and Regeneron. Yesterday alone, a record 232,000 people tested positive for the virus and a record 108,000 people were hospitalized with the disease.

“If it wasn’t me, I wouldn’t have been put in a hospital, frankly,” Mr. Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer, told WABC radio in New York. “Sometimes when you’re a celebrity, they’re worried if something happens to you they’re going to examine it more carefully, and do everything right.”

When told that most Americans did not have access to the same VIP treatments, Giuliani was clueless: "I, well, I didn't know that. I mean, they give it to us here at this hospital," Giuliani told the radio hosts. He added that he was "not sure" their description was accurate.

• NYT: In fact, the antibody treatments are so scarce that officials in Utah have developed a ranking system to determine who is most likely to benefit from the drugs, while Colorado is using a lottery system.

Finally, just as with Trump, Giuliani’s VIP medical treatment reinforced his belief that the coronavirus is not a big deal, saying he has “exactly the same view” of the virus as he did before becoming ill.
On his YouTube show, Giuliani admitted to experiencing symptoms while on his election conspiracy tour visiting four different states. The former mayor said that Americans should get tested as soon as they start to show symptoms but admits he did not do the same:

"I’m not going to say I passed that test completely… I had symptoms, I probably did have symptoms for a few days, I was traveling, I was traveling very fast and going to one state after another testifying at the hearings concerning the election. I had gone in 5 days to 4 states - Pennsylvania, to Michigan, to Arizona and to Georgia - and about five to six hearings in that period of time, preparing witnesses.” (clip)

Numerous state legislatures visited by Giuliani and Trump campaign lawyer Jenna Ellis (who also tested positive) shut down after they exposed members and staff to the virus, including the Arizona Senate and House of Representatives and the Michigan House of Representatives.

• While in Michigan, Giuliani asked a woman sitting next to him to remove her mask during her testimony before a panel on election fraud; she declined (clip).
  
• In Michigan, the House of Representatives is being investigated by the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration over violations to COVID-19 workplace regulations. Since the start of the pandemic, 11 Michigan state legislators and more than 30 legislative staffers have tested positive for coronavirus.
  
• Georgia state Sen. William Ligon, the chairman of the Judiciary subcommittee, said Giuliani was in “close proximity to senators, Senate staff, members of the media and the general public” during his visit. Videos show the former mayor was not wearing a mask. Dr. Megan Ranney told CNN that Giuliani could have potentially exposed "hundreds and hundreds" of people to the virus.
  

Despite the surging pandemic, Trump’s White House is continuing to hold indoor holiday parties. Jenna Ellis attended one of these parties just days before testing positive for the virus, angering attendees. According to ABC News, the White House has hosted at least 10 such parties and expects to hold at least 20 - at times with more than 200 guests.

At a Tuesday event touting his vaccine effort, a reporter asked, "Why are you modeling a different behavior to the American people than what your scientists tell?"
"They’re Christmas parties, and, frankly, we’ve reduced the number very substantially, as you know,” Trump responded (clip).

Mike Pompeo’s State Department is also hosting large parties, including an upcoming event with a guest list of over 900 people. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) has called on Pompeo to cancel the parties, saying they violate his own guidelines against holding “non-mission critical” gatherings and “pose a significant health risk” to attendees and staff.

“It is one thing for individuals to engage in behavior that flies in the face of CDC and public health guidelines. But it is another to put employees and workers at risk, some of whom include contractors, such as catering and wait staff, who do not receive the full benefits of federal employment and may not have health insurance,” said the Menendez letter.

Miscellaneous

CDC Director Robert Redfield allegedly tried to “conceal and destroy evidence” of political interference with coronavirus scientific guidance. The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis revealed testimony from a CDC career scientist that Redfield ordered subordinates to delete an email from political appointees who were attempting to alter language in a critical CDC report. Then HHS spokesman Michael Caputo and advisor Paul Alexander were forced out of the agency for their efforts to change and delay the reports earlier this year.

Dr. Kent stated in her interview, “I was instructed to delete the email.” She explained that she understood the instruction was relayed by Dr. Redfield to her supervisor and another member of her staff. She continued, “I went to look for it after I had been told to delete it, and it was already gone.” When asked who deleted the email, she replied, “I have no idea.” Dr. Kent stated, “I considered this to be very unusual.”

• Furthermore, Chairman James Clyburn accused HHS Secretary Alex Azar of stonewalling the subcommittee’s investigation into the matter, setting a deadline of Dec. 15 for production of requested materials and interviews.

Florida law enforcement agents searched the home of former state data scientist Rebekah Jones with guns drawn, claiming they were investigating an unauthorized message that was sent on a state communications system. Jones created a separate coronavirus-tracking system after she was fired from the Florida Department of Health for refusing to comply with alleged orders to manipulate data.
The state police seized her computer and phone in an attempt to prove that she’d sent an unauthorized “group text” through “a Department of Health messaging system” that is “to be used for emergencies only,” according to authorities. Further reporting has revealed that the warrant was issued on flimsy, fishy evidence:

the supposedly private messaging system that Jones might have accessed might have effectively just been an email address — an email address that the Florida Department of Health may have inadvertently published for anyone to see on the open web… I asked the FDLE to explain how it could have been accessed illegally — if the email address might have required someone to use private credentials somehow — but it declined, citing the active investigation.

12th Circuit Judicial Nomination Commission member Ron Filipkowski, a Republican, resigned in protest of the raid on Jones. In a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), Filipkowski states that he has “been increasingly alarmed by the Governor’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.”

"I have followed the events with Ms. Jones, seen the quality of her replacement, and reviewed the search warrant that led to her home being raided… Based on what I have seen and read, I find these actions unconscionable. Even if the facts alleged are true, I would still call her a hero… I no longer wish to serve the current government of Florida in any capacity.”

An investigation by a Florida newspaper found that “DeSantis' administration engaged in a pattern of spin and concealment that misled the public” on the pandemic. According to the newspaper, Republican DeSantis influenced a state administration that “suppressed unfavorable facts, dispensed dangerous misinformation, dismissed public health professionals, and promoted the views of scientific dissenters” who supported the governor’s ambivalent approach to the disease.

NEW INFO 5 Results from share redemption are posted. Less than .2% redeemed. Very bullish as investors are showing extreme confidence in the future of PLBY.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/playboy-mountain-crest-acquisition-corp-120000721.html
NEW INFO 4 Definitive Agreement to purchase 100% of Lovers brand stores announced 2/1.
https://www.streetinsider.com/Corporate+News/Playboy+%28MCAC%29+Confirms+Deal+to+Acquire+Lovers/17892359.html
NEW INFO 3 I bought more on the dip today. 5081 total. Price rose AH to $12.38 (2.15%)
NEW INFO 2 Here is the full webinar.
https://icrinc.zoom.us/rec/play/9GWKdmOYumjWfZuufW3QXpe_FW_g--qeNbg6PnTjTMbnNTgLmCbWjeRFpQga1iPc-elpGap8dnDv8Zww.yD7DjUwuPmapeEdP?continueMode=true&tk=lEYc4F_FkKlgsmCIs6w0gtGHT2kbgVGbUju3cIRBSjk.DQIAAAAV8NK49xZWdldRM2xNSFNQcTBmcE00UzM3bXh3AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA&uuid=WN_GKWqbHkeSyuWetJmLFkj4g&_x_zm_rtaid=kR45-uuqRE-L65AxLjpbQw.1611967079119.2c054e3d3f8d8e63339273d9175939ed&_x_zm_rhtaid=866
NEW INFO 1 Live merger webinar with PLBY and MCAC on Friday January 29, 2021 at 12:00 NOON EST link below
https://mcacquisition.com/investor-relations/press-release-details/2021/Playboy-Enterprises-Inc.-and-Mountain-Crest-Acquisition-Corp-Participate-in-SPACInsider-ICR-Webinar-on-January-29th-at-12pm-ET/default.aspx
Playboy going public: Porn, Gambling, and Cannabis
!!!WARNING READING AHEAD!!! TL;DR at the end. It will take some time to sort through all the links and read/watch everything, but you should.
In the next couple weeks, Mountain Crest Acquisition Corp is taking Playboy public. The existing ticker MCAC will become PLBY. Special purpose acquisition companies have taken private companies public in recent months with great success. I believe this will be no exception. Notably, Playboy is profitable and has skyrocketing revenue going into a transformational growth phase.
Porn - First and foremost, let's talk about porn. I know what you guys are thinking. “Porno mags are dead. Why would I want to invest in something like that? I can get porn for free online.” Guess what? You are absolutely right. And that’s exactly why Playboy doesn’t do that anymore. That’s right, they eliminated their print division. And yet they somehow STILL make money from porn that people (see: boomers) pay for on their website through PlayboyTV, Playboy Plus, and iPlayboy. Here’s the thing: Playboy has international, multi-generational name recognition from porn. They have content available in 180 countries. It will be the only publicly traded adult entertainment (porn) company. But that is not where this company is going. It will help support them along the way. You can see every Playboy magazine through iPlayboy if you’re interested. NSFW links below:
https://www.playboy.com/
https://www.playboytv.com/
https://www.playboyplus.com/
https://www.iplayboy.com/
Gambling - Some of you might recognize the Playboy brand from gambling trips to places like Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Cancun, London or Macau. They’ve been in the gambling biz for decades through their casinos, clubs, and licensed gaming products. They see the writing on the wall. COVID is accelerating the transition to digital, application based GAMBLING. That’s right. What we are doing on Robinhood with risky options is gambling, and the only reason regulators might give a shit anymore is because we are making too much money. There may be some restrictions put in place, but gambling from your phone on your couch is not going anywhere. More and more states are allowing things like Draftkings, poker, state ‘lottery” apps, hell - even political betting. Michigan and Virginia just ok’d gambling apps. They won’t be the last. This is all from your couch and any 18 year old with a cracked iphone can access it. Wouldn’t it be cool if Playboy was going to do something like that? They’re already working on it. As per CEO Ben Kohn who we will get to later, “...the company’s casino-style digital gaming products with Scientific Games and Microgaming continue to see significant global growth.” Honestly, I stopped researching Scientific Games' sports betting segment when I saw the word ‘omni-channel’. That told me all I needed to know about it’s success.
“Our SG Sports™ platform is an enhanced, omni-channel solution for online, self-service and retail fixed odds sports betting – from soccer to tennis, basketball, football, baseball, hockey, motor sports, racing and more.”
https://www.scientificgames.com/
https://www.microgaming.co.uk/
“This latter segment has become increasingly enticing for Playboy, and it said last week that it is considering new tie-ups that could include gaming operators like PointsBet and 888Holdings.”
https://calvinayre.com/2020/10/05/business/playboys-gaming-ops-could-get-a-boost-from-spac-purchase/
As per their SEC filing:
“Significant consumer engagement and spend with Playboy-branded gaming properties around the world, including with leading partners such as Microgaming, Scientific Games, and Caesar’s Entertainment, steers our investment in digital gaming, sports betting and other digital offerings to further support our commercial strategy to expand consumer spend with minimal marginal cost, and gain consumer data to inform go-to-market plans across categories.”
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgadata/1803914/000110465921005986/tm2034213-12_defm14a.htm#tMDAA1
They are expanding into more areas of gaming/gambling, working with international players in the digital gaming/gambling arena, and a Playboy sportsbook is on the horizon.
https://www.playboy.com/read/the-pleasure-of-playing-with-yourself-mobile-gaming-in-the-covid-era
Cannabis - If you’ve ever read through a Playboy magazine, you know they’ve had a positive relationship with cannabis for many years. As of September 2020, Playboy has made a major shift into the cannabis space. Too good to be true you say? Check their website. Playboy currently sells a range of CBD products. This is a good sign. Federal hemp products, which these most likely are, can be mailed across state lines and most importantly for a company like Playboy, can operate through a traditional banking institution. CBD products are usually the first step towards the cannabis space for large companies. Playboy didn’t make these products themselves meaning they are working with a processor in the cannabis industry. Another good sign for future expansion. What else do they have for sale? Pipes, grinders, ashtrays, rolling trays, joint holders. Hmm. Ok. So it looks like they want to sell some shit. They probably don’t have an active interest in cannabis right? Think again:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/javierhasse/2020/09/24/playboy-gets-serious-about-cannabis-law-reform-advocacy-with-new-partnership-grants/?sh=62f044a65cea
“Taking yet another step into the cannabis space, Playboy will be announcing later on Thursday (September, 2020) that it is launching a cannabis law reform and advocacy campaign in partnership with National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), Last Prisoner Project, Marijuana Policy Project, the Veterans Cannabis Project, and the Eaze Momentum Program.”
“According to information procured exclusively, the three-pronged campaign will focus on calling for federal legalization. The program also includes the creation of a mentorship plan, through which the Playboy Foundation will support entrepreneurs from groups that are underrepresented in the industry.” Remember that CEO Kohn from earlier? He wrote this recently:
https://medium.com/naked-open-letters-from-playboy/congress-must-pass-the-more-act-c867c35239ae
Seems like he really wants weed to be legal? Hmm wonder why? The writing's on the wall my friends. Playboy wants into the cannabis industry, they are making steps towards this end, and we have favorable conditions for legislative progress.
Don’t think branding your own cannabis line is profitable or worthwhile? Tell me why these 41 celebrity millionaires and billionaires are dummies. I’ll wait.
https://www.celebstoner.com/news/celebstoner-news/2019/07/12/top-celebrity-cannabis-brands/
Confirmation: I hear you. “This all seems pretty speculative. It would be wildly profitable if they pull this shift off. But how do we really know?” Watch this whole video:
https://finance.yahoo.com/video/playboy-ceo-telling-story-female-154907068.html
Man - this interview just gets my juices flowing. And highlights one of my favorite reasons for this play. They have so many different business avenues from which a catalyst could appear. I think paying attention, holding shares, and options on these staggered announcements over the next year is the way I am going to go about it. "There's definitely been a shift to direct-to-consumer," he (Kohn) said. "About 50 percent of our revenue today is direct-to-consumer, and that will continue to grow going forward.” “Kohn touted Playboy's portfolio of both digital and consumer products, with casino-style gaming, in particular, serving a crucial role under the company's new business model. Playboy also has its sights on the emerging cannabis market, from CBD products to marijuana products geared toward sexual health and pleasure.” "If THC does become legal in the United States, we have developed certain strains to enhance your sex life that we will launch," Kohn said. https://cheddar.com/media/playboy-goes-public-health-gaming-lifestyle-focus Oh? The CEO actually said it? Ok then. “We have developed certain strains…” They’re already working with growers on strains and genetics? Ok. There are several legal cannabis markets for those products right now, international and stateside. I expect Playboy licensed hemp and THC pre-rolls by EOY. Something like this: https://www.etsy.com/listing/842996758/10-playboy-pre-roll-tubes-limited?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=pre+roll+playboy&ref=sr_gallery-1-2&organic_search_click=1 Maintaining cannabis operations can be costly and a regulatory headache. Playboy’s licensing strategy allows them to pick successful, established partners and sidestep traditional barriers to entry. You know what I like about these new markets? They’re expanding. Worldwide. And they are going to be a bigger deal than they already are with or without Playboy. Who thinks weed and gambling are going away? Too many people like that stuff. These are easy markets. And Playboy is early enough to carve out their spot in each. Fuck it, read this too: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimosman/2020/10/20/playboy-could-be-the-king-of-spacs-here-are-three-picks/?sh=2e13dcaa3e05
Numbers: You want numbers? I got numbers. As per the company’s most recent SEC filing:
“For the year ended December 31, 2019, and the nine months ended September 30, 2020, Playboy’s historical consolidated revenue was $78.1 million and $101.3 million, respectively, historical consolidated net income (loss) was $(23.6) million and $(4.8) million, respectively, and Adjusted EBITDA was $13.1 million and $21.8 million, respectively.”
“In the nine months ended September 30, 2020, Playboy’s Licensing segment contributed $44.2 million in revenue and $31.1 million in net income.”
“In the ninth months ended September 30, 2020, Playboy’s Direct-to-Consumer segment contributed $40.2 million in revenue and net income of $0.1 million.”
“In the nine months ended September 30, 2020, Playboy’s Digital Subscriptions and Content segment contributed $15.4 million in revenue and net income of $7.4 million.”
They are profitable across all three of their current business segments.
“Playboy’s return to the public markets presents a transformed, streamlined and high-growth business. The Company has over $400 million in cash flows contracted through 2029, sexual wellness products available for sale online and in over 10,000 major retail stores in the US, and a growing variety of clothing and branded lifestyle and digital gaming products.”
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgadata/1803914/000110465921005986/tm2034213-12_defm14a.htm#tSHCF
Growth: Playboy has massive growth in China and massive growth potential in India. “In China, where Playboy has spent more than 25 years building its business, our licensees have an enormous footprint of nearly 2,500 brick and mortar stores and 1,000 ecommerce stores selling high quality, Playboy-branded men’s casual wear, shoes/footwear, sleepwear, swimwear, formal suits, leather & non-leather goods, sweaters, active wear, and accessories. We have achieved significant growth in China licensing revenues over the past several years in partnership with strong licensees and high-quality manufacturers, and we are planning for increased growth through updates to our men’s fashion lines and expansion into adjacent categories in men’s skincare and grooming, sexual wellness, and women’s fashion, a category where recent launches have been well received.” The men’s market in China is about the same size as the entire population of the United States and European Union combined. Playboy is a leading brand in this market. They are expanding into the women’s market too. Did you know CBD toothpaste is huge in China? China loves CBD products and has hemp fields that dwarf those in the US. If Playboy expands their CBD line China it will be huge. Did you know the gambling money in Macau absolutely puts Las Vegas to shame? Technically, it's illegal on the mainland, but in reality, there is a lot of gambling going on in China. https://www.forbes.com/sites/javierhasse/2020/10/19/magic-johnson-and-uncle-buds-cbd-brand-enter-china-via-tmall-partnership/?sh=271776ca411e “In India, Playboy today has a presence through select apparel licensees and hospitality establishments. Consumer research suggests significant growth opportunities in the territory with Playboy’s brand and categories of focus.” “Playboy Enterprises has announced the expansion of its global consumer products business into India as part of a partnership with Jay Jay Iconic Brands, a leading fashion and lifestyle Company in India.” “The Indian market today is dominated by consumers under the age of 35, who represent more than 65 percent of the country’s total population and are driving India’s significant online shopping growth. The Playboy brand’s core values of playfulness and exploration resonate strongly with the expressed desires of today’s younger millennial consumers. For us, Playboy was the perfect fit.” “The Playboy international portfolio has been flourishing for more than 25 years in several South Asian markets such as China and Japan. In particular, it has strategically targeted the millennial and gen-Z audiences across categories such as apparel, footwear, home textiles, eyewear and watches.” https://www.licenseglobal.com/industry-news/playboy-expands-global-footprint-india It looks like they gave COVID the heisman in terms of net damage sustained: “Although Playboy has not suffered any material adverse consequences to date from the COVID-19 pandemic, the business has been impacted both negatively and positively. The remote working and stay-at-home orders resulted in the closure of the London Playboy Club and retail stores of Playboy’s licensees, decreasing licensing revenues in the second quarter, as well as causing supply chain disruption and less efficient product development thereby slowing the launch of new products. However, these negative impacts were offset by an increase in Yandy’s direct-to-consumer sales, which have benefited in part from overall increases in online retail sales so far during the pandemic.” Looks like the positives are long term (Yandy acquisition) and the negatives are temporary (stay-at-home orders).
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgadata/1803914/000110465921006093/tm213766-1_defa14a.htm
This speaks to their ability to maintain a financially solvent company throughout the transition phase to the aforementioned areas. They’d say some fancy shit like “expanded business model to encompass four key revenue streams: Sexual Wellness, Style & Apparel, Gaming & Lifestyle, and Beauty & Grooming.” I hear “we’re just biding our time with these trinkets until those dollar dollar bill y’all markets are fully up and running.” But the truth is these existing revenue streams are profitable, scalable, and rapidly expanding Playboy’s e-commerce segment around the world.
"Even in the face of COVID this year, we've been able to grow EBITDA over 100 percent and revenue over 68 percent, and I expect that to accelerate going into 2021," he said. “Playboy is accelerating its growth in company-owned and branded consumer products in attractive and expanding markets in which it has a proven history of brand affinity and consumer spend.”
Also in the SEC filing, the Time Frame:
“As we detailed in the definitive proxy statement, the SPAC stockholder meeting to vote on the transaction has been set for February 9th, and, subject to stockholder approval and satisfaction of the other closing conditions, we expect to complete the merger and begin trading on NASDAQ under ticker PLBY shortly thereafter,” concluded Kohn.
The Players: Suhail “The Whale” Rizvi (HMFIC), Ben “The Bridge” Kohn (CEO), “lil” Suying Liu & “Big” Dong Liu (Young-gun China gang). I encourage you to look these folks up. The real OG here is Suhail Rizvi. He’s from India originally and Chairman of the Board for the new PLBY company. He was an early investor in Twitter, Square, Facebook and others. His firm, Rizvi Traverse, currently invests in Instacart, Pinterest, Snapchat, Playboy, and SpaceX. Maybe you’ve heard of them. “Rizvi, who owns a sprawling three-home compound in Greenwich, Connecticut, and a 1.65-acre estate in Palm Beach, Florida, near Bill Gates and Michael Bloomberg, moved to Iowa Falls when he was five. His father was a professor of psychology at Iowa. Along with his older brother Ashraf, a hedge fund manager, Rizvi graduated from Wharton business school.” “Suhail Rizvi: the 47-year-old 'unsocial' social media baron: When Twitter goes public in the coming weeks (2013), one of the biggest winners will be a 47-year-old financier who guards his secrecy so zealously that he employs a person to take down his Wikipedia entry and scrub his photos from the internet. In IPO, Twitter seeks to be 'anti-FB'” “Prince Alwaleed bin Talal of Saudi Arabia looks like a big Twitter winner. So do the moneyed clients of Jamie Dimon. But as you’ve-got-to-be-joking wealth washed over Twitter on Thursday — a company that didn’t exist eight years ago was worth $31.7 billion after its first day on the stock market — the non-boldface name of the moment is Suhail R. Rizvi. Mr. Rizvi, 47, runs a private investment company that is the largest outside investor in Twitter with a 15.6 percent stake worth $3.8 billion at the end of trading on Thursday (November, 2013). Using a web of connections in the tech industry and in finance, as well as a hearty dose of good timing, he brought many prominent names in at the ground floor, including the Saudi prince and some of JPMorgan’s wealthiest clients.” https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/08/technology/at-twitter-working-behind-the-scenes-toward-a-billion-dollar-payday.html Y’all like that Arab money? How about a dude that can call up Saudi Princes and convince them to spend? Funniest shit about I read about him: “Rizvi was able to buy only $100 million in Facebook shortly before its IPO, thus limiting his returns, according to people with knowledge of the matter.” Poor guy :(
He should be fine with the 16 million PLBY shares he's going to have though :)
Shuhail also has experience in the entertainment industry. He’s invested in companies like SESAC, ICM, and Summit Entertainment. He’s got Hollywood connections to blast this stuff post-merger. And he’s at least partially responsible for that whole Twilight thing. I’m team Edward btw.
I really like what Suhail has done so far. He’s lurked in the shadows while Kohn is consolidating the company, trimming the fat, making Playboy profitable, and aiming the ship at modern growing markets.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-twitter-ipo-rizvi-insight/insight-little-known-hollywood-investor-poised-to-score-with-twitter-ipo-idUSBRE9920VW20131003
Ben “The Bridge” Kohn is an interesting guy. He’s the connection between Rizvi Traverse and Playboy. He’s both CEO of Playboy and was previously Managing Partner at Rizvi Traverse. Ben seems to be the voice of the Playboy-Rizvi partnership, which makes sense with Suhail’s privacy concerns. Kohn said this:
“Today is a very big day for all of us at Playboy and for all our partners globally. I stepped into the CEO role at Playboy in 2017 because I saw the biggest opportunity of my career. Playboy is a brand and platform that could not be replicated today. It has massive global reach, with more than $3B of global consumer spend and products sold in over 180 countries. Our mission – to create a culture where all people can pursue pleasure – is rooted in our 67-year history and creates a clear focus for our business and role we play in people’s lives, providing them with the products, services and experiences that create a lifestyle of pleasure. We are taking this step into the public markets because the committed capital will enable us to accelerate our product development and go-to-market strategies and to more rapidly build our direct to consumer capabilities,” said Ben Kohn, CEO of Playboy.
“Playboy today is a highly profitable commerce business with a total addressable market projected in the trillions of dollars,” Mr. Kohn continued, “We are actively selling into the Sexual Wellness consumer category, projected to be approximately $400 billion in size by 2024, where our recently launched intimacy products have rolled out to more than 10,000 stores at major US retailers in the United States. Combined with our owned & operated ecommerce Sexual Wellness initiatives, the category will contribute more than 40% of our revenue this year. In our Apparel and Beauty categories, our collaborations with high-end fashion brands including Missguided and PacSun are projected to achieve over $50M in retail sales across the US and UK this year, our leading men’s apparel lines in China expanded to nearly 2500 brick and mortar stores and almost 1000 digital stores, and our new men’s and women’s fragrance line recently launched in Europe. In Gaming, our casino-style digital gaming products with Scientific Games and Microgaming continue to see significant global growth. Our product strategy is informed by years of consumer data as we actively expand from a purely licensing model into owning and operating key high-growth product lines focused on driving profitability and consumer lifetime value. We are thrilled about the future of Playboy. Our foundation has been set to drive further growth and margin, and with the committed capital from this transaction and our more than $180M in NOLs, we will take advantage of the opportunity in front of us, building to our goal of $100M of adjusted EBITDA in 2025.”
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201001005404/en/Playboy-to-Become-a-Public-Company
Also, according to their Form 4s, “Big” Dong Liu and “lil” Suying Liu just loaded up with shares last week. These guys are brothers and seem like the Chinese market connection. They are only 32 & 35 years old. I don’t even know what that means, but it's provocative.
https://www.secform4.com/insider-trading/1832415.htm
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/mountain-crest-acquisition-corp-ii-002600994.html
Y’all like that China money?
“Mr. Liu has been the Chief Financial Officer of Dongguan Zhishang Photoelectric Technology Co., Ltd., a regional designer, manufacturer and distributor of LED lights serving commercial customers throughout Southern China since November 2016, at which time he led a syndicate of investments into the firm. Mr. Liu has since overseen the financials of Dongguan Zhishang as well as provided strategic guidance to its board of directors, advising on operational efficiency and cash flow performance. From March 2010 to October 2016, Mr. Liu was the Head of Finance at Feidiao Electrical Group Co., Ltd., a leading Chinese manufacturer of electrical outlets headquartered in Shanghai and with businesses in the greater China region as well as Europe.”
Dr. Suying Liu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mountain Crest Acquisition Corp., commented, “Playboy is a unique and compelling investment opportunity, with one of the world’s largest and most recognized brands, its proven consumer affinity and spend, and its enormous future growth potential in its four product segments and new and existing geographic regions. I am thrilled to be partnering with Ben and his exceptional team to bring his vision to fruition.”
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201001005404/en/Playboy-to-Become-a-Public-Company
These guys are good. They have a proven track record of success across multiple industries. Connections and money run deep with all of these guys. I don’t think they’re in the game to lose.
I was going to write a couple more paragraphs about why you should have a look at this but really the best thing you can do is read this SEC filing from a couple days ago. It explains the situation in far better detail. Specifically, look to page 137 and read through their strategy. Also, look at their ownership percentages and compensation plans including the stock options and their prices. The financials look great, revenue is up 90% Q3, and it looks like a bright future.
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgadata/1803914/000110465921005986/tm2034213-12_defm14a.htm#tSHCF
I’m hesitant to attach this because his position seems short term, but I’m going to with a warning because he does hit on some good points (two are below his link) and he’s got a sizable position in this thing (500k+ on margin, I think). I don’t know this guy but he did look at the same publicly available info and make roughly the same prediction, albeit without the in depth gambling or cannabis mention. You can also search reddit for ‘MCAC’ and very few relevant results come up and none of them even come close to really looking at this thing.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gOvAd6lebs452hFlWWbxVjQ3VMsjGBkbJeXRwDwIJfM/edit?usp=sharing
“Also, before you people start making claims that Playboy is a “boomer” company, STOP RIGHT THERE. This is not a good argument. Simply put. The only thing that matters is Playboy’s name recognition, not their archaic business model which doesn’t even exist anymore as they have completely repurposed their business.”
“Imagine not buying $MCAC at a 400M valuation lol. Streetwear department is worth 1B alone imo.”
Considering the ridiculous Chinese growth as a lifestyle brand, he’s not wrong.
Current Cultural Significance and Meme Value: A year ago I wouldn’t have included this section but the events from the last several weeks (even going back to tsla) have proven that a company’s ability to meme and/or gain social network popularity can have an effect. Tik-tok, Snapchat, Twitch, Reddit, Youtube, Facebook, Twitter. They all have Playboy stuff on them. Kids in middle and highschool know what Playboy is but will likely never see or touch one of the magazines in person. They’ll have a Playboy hoodie though. Crazy huh? A lot like GME, PLBY would hugely benefit from meme-value stock interest to drive engagement towards their new business model while also building strategic coffers. This interest may not directly and/or significantly move the stock price but can generate significant interest from larger players who will.
Bull Case: The year is 2025. Playboy is now the world leader pleasure brand. They began by offering Playboy licensed gaming products, including gambling products, direct to consumers through existing names. By 2022, demand has skyrocketed and Playboy has designed and released their own gambling platforms. In 2025, they are also a leading cannabis brand in the United States and Canada with proprietary strains and products geared towards sexual wellness. Cannabis was legalized in the US in 2023 when President Biden got glaucoma but had success with cannabis treatment. He personally pushes for cannabis legalization as he steps out of office after his first term. Playboy has also grown their brand in China and India to multi-billion per year markets. The stock goes up from 11ish to 100ish and everyone makes big gains buying somewhere along the way.
Bear Case: The United States does a complete 180 on marijuana and gambling. President Biden overdoses on marijuana in the Lincoln bedroom when his FDs go tits up and he loses a ton of money in his sports book app after the Fighting Blue Hens narrowly lose the National Championship to Bama. Playboy is unable to expand their cannabis and gambling brands but still does well with their worldwide lifestyle brand. They gain and lose some interest in China and India but the markets are too large to ignore them completely. The stock goes up from 11ish to 13ish and everyone makes 15-20% gains.
TL;DR: Successful technology/e-commerce investment firm took over Playboy to turn it into a porn, online gambling/gaming, sports book, cannabis company, worldwide lifestyle brand that promotes sexual wellness, vetern access, women-ownership, minority-ownership, and “pleasure for all”. Does a successful online team reinventing an antiquated physical copy giant sound familiar? No options yet, shares only for now. $11.38 per share at time of writing. My guess? $20 by the end of February. $50 by EOY. This is not financial advice. I am not qualified to give financial advice. I’m just sayin’ I would personally use a Playboy sports book app while smoking a Playboy strain specific joint and it would be cool if they did that. Do your own research. You’d probably want to start here:
WARNING - POTENTIALLY NSFW - SEXY MODELS AHEAD - no actual nudity though
https://s26.q4cdn.com/895475556/files/doc_presentations/Playboy-Craig-Hallum-Conference-Investor-Presentation-11_17_20-compressed.pdf
Or here:
https://www.mcacquisition.com/investor-relations/default.aspx
Jimmy Chill: “Get into any SPAC at $10 or $11 and you are going to make money.”
STL;DR: Buy MCAC. MCAC > PLBY couple weeks. Rocketship. Moon.
Position: 5000 shares. I will buy short, medium, and long-dated calls once available.

Note: I post these on my facebook page and a few groups.
Let me know if it is desired or not to post these updates here regularly. Thank you, Jaimie.
UPDATE: November 27
11 new deaths, 911 new cases in BC. Literally 9-1-1.
“It is in the spirit of the season to stop the spread and to save lives.” -- Health Minister Adrian Dix.
Translink updates its rules.
162 drug overdose deaths in October.
Increased domestic violence, less shelter space.
LOCAL:
· Currently active outbreaks in New Westminster: Kiwanis Care Centre, Queen’s Park Care Centre, Royal Columbian Hospital, Al-Hidayah School in New Westminster.
· The outbreak at RCH is confined to one medicine unit. Evidence of transmission after a patient tested positive.
· Fraser Health says that Al-Hidayah School is “functionally closed for a two week period due to the staffing challenges presented by the clusters.”
· Please consider giving some business to the Hideout Café, targeted and forced to do take-out only by anti-mask protesters.
· https://www.newwestrecord.ca/news/new-westminster-caf%C3%A9-targeted-by-anti-mask-protesters-1.24244888?fbclid=IwAR3YutZmw3QD9Vl11Buk4NaLsrxCnNIA0FVOjeROvtQJjji1H64hfDXrYJY
· Translink had updated its mask rules.
· No face shields, must be masks.
· Masks must now be put on while boarding or waiting at a stop. No more putting the mask on after getting in the bus.
· Mask are now also required at any indoor or shelter stop, and also in stations, platforms, and at bus stops, bus loops, and bus exchanges.
· Translink is suspending issuing its own exemption cards.
· Transit police will inquire of customers not wearing a mask. Police can issue fines of $230.
· Exemptions: people under 12 years of age, persons unable to wear a mask due to a health condition, people who physically cannot put on a mask.
· Here is the full public safety Ministerial Order regarding face masks in BC: https://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/mo/mo/m0425_2020
· Burnaby Hospital is no longer taking most new patients at the 286 bed hospital.
· 5 deaths, 55 cases in current outbreak.
· The outbreak began November 9. The fire at the hospital November 15 is a contributing factor to the outbreak, forcing rapid evacuation or movement of patients in the facility.
Sources: Fraser Health, New Westminster Record, Province of BC Ministerial Order No. M425, CBC
BC:
· There is a workshop December 2nd about the BC Small and Medium-Sized Business Recover Grant. You can register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/registetZMldeCorj4iEtXYIv_6TtX3XLyQZbVHE1ZH
· BC numbers for today, from today’s press conference with Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix:
· 11 new deaths. 395 total.
· 911 new cases. 30,884 total.
· 301 in hospital, 69 in intensive care.
· 10,430 in self-isolation and being monitored.
· 21,304 have recovered.
· 3 new outbreaks. 1 is over. 59 active outbreaks, 54 care homes, 5 in health facilities.
· 718 residents, 344 staff among the active cases.
· Numbers for testing will come out next Friday, showing two categories:
· MSP tests, people with symptoms.
· Non-MSP tests, mostly asymptomatic, often for travel or work, and tested multiple times.
· Updated info on fitness and sports next Friday.
· Seeing much higher transmission than before, which is why there are new restrictions. Based on places and activities being safe. These places are not doing anything wrong, temple, gurdwara, church, but have seen transmission despite people’s best efforts and safety plans. Thanks faith leaders who are supporting public health, and in doing so also supporting their own congregants. Adrian Dix: we understand the meaning of a loss of faith services for many people, loss of community for people, appreciates the leadership of most faith leaders in supporting efforts to stop the transmission of Covd-19.
· “We are in a storm surge.” Dr. Henry.
· We can all do our part to bring those numbers back down.
· It is a cruel irony that when we want to see people, that can be the most dangerous thing.
· Time of year. This weekend many will be thinking of holiday shopping. Asked that when shopping, keep your covid safety plan. Shop locally, support local businesses, wear masks, wash hands, be limited in number, or shop remotely.
· Remember that we don’t always know another person’s story.
· Concerned about hostility directed at restaurant and store staff. “Please remember that this is a provincial order.” If you are opposed to wearing a mask, then please don’t put other people at risk, and shop online, keep space around you. Remember there are people in our hospitals right now.
· “It’s hard to see the light right now, but there is light.” Dr. Bonnie Henry.
· Adrian Dix: It’s been 10 months. He understands that people want a break. But right now we can’t. He understands what the month of December means to people. Asks people to think about how we can celebrate differently. Right now, we save lives by only socializing with the people in our household, or the one or two people we see if we live alone.
· Also, Dix, it is in the spirit of the season to stop the spread and to save lives.
· Dr. Henry was asked about political interference in Alberta and Ontario. She said that “there is none of that in BC.”
· More than 5 people a day are dying from toxic drugs, says the BC Coroners Service.
· 162 people dies in October from drug overdoses, what the Coroners Service refers to as “drug toxicity.” More than double the number in October of last year, which was 75 deaths.
· Concentrations of fentanyl are the main cause.
· Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe: “We are continuing to see record-breaking numbers of people dying in B.C. due to an unsafe drug supply in our province, and it’s taking a toll on families and communities in this dual health emergency.
· 70% of deaths age 30 to 59, 80% of deaths are males.
· Eight consecutive months with over 100 deaths.
· 1,386 total deaths from January 2010 to October 2020.
· 109 deaths of youth 18 and younger in that time.
· 160 deaths in New Westminster in that time. 30 of those this past October.
· “No deaths have been reported at supervised consumption or drug overdose prevention sites.”
· Full press release, with links to other information and groups helping: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PSSG0061-001957
· Illicit Drug Overdose Events attended by BC Ambulance, chart (379 last week): https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PSSG0061-001957
· Report, Illicit Drug Toxicity Deaths in BC, January 1, 2010 to October 31, 2020: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/birth-adoption-death-marriage-and-divorce/deaths/coroners-service/statistical/illicit-drug.pdf
· A hotel employee in BC had a heart attack shortly after being spat on by a customer refusing to wear a mask.
· The employee, the hotel accountant, went to see what was going on. She is a woman in her 50s.
· The man was politely offered a face mask while in the Empire Coffee shop of the Adventure Hotel. He began to loudly scream profanities. Staff attempted to reason with the man and calm him unsuccessfully, and then told the man to “Just get out!”
· When she arrived, the man was attempting to get in again. The woman said, “Listen! You’re not going to talk to our people this way, and this is the law.” The man then spat on her.
· Police were called and removed the suspect, who is under investigation. The police investigation includes the relationship between the spitting incident and the woman’s heart attack, say Nelson police. Police say such causal links have been made in some past cases.
· The woman remained distraught after the experience and began to feel ill. She collapsed about an hour and a half after the encounter. She was airlifted to hospital in Kelowna and is stable condition but remains in hospital.
· It was also in Nelson that Kootenay Co-Op hired a security guard after confrontational behavior towards staff over the mask requirement. The manager says that 10 to 20 percent of customers are refusing to wear a mask.
· There are reports of other aggressive confrontations in other parts of BC. Two men at a diner in Victoria wandered between tables and threatened staff, and were each fined $230. A man was arrested in Dawson Creek after attacking an employee at a Walmart after being asked to wear a mask. The employee had minor injuries. Here is a story and video about that incident: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/dawson-creek-walmart-employee-assaulted-face-mask-dispute-1.5817369
Sources: BC Coroners Service, BC Centre for Disease Control, Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix live press conference
CANADA:
· Canadians will not be among the first to get the vaccines.
· Prime Minister Trudeau cited the fact that Canada does not have any of its own vaccine production facilities.
· The first doses will arrive in Canada in early 2021. Distribution will prioritize health care workers in category 1. There is currently discussion as to whether residents of care homes will be added to category 1, or will be a category 2.
· The government is hoping 3 million people in Canada will be vaccinated in the first three months of 2021.
· https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/tasker-vaccine-briefing-logistical-challenges-1.5817577
· UPDATED: Trudeau announced today a goal of having half of all Canadians vaccinated by 2021. (Although Trudeau said nearly all Canadians at his press conference).
· Major-General Dany Fortin will lead the logistics and operations for the vaccine, as a new branch of the Public Health Agency of Canada. The military will take up challenges like cold storage for the vaccine, and will get vaccines to Canada’s remote and Indigenous communities. Provincial health systems will get the vaccinations to people.
· 71% of violence against women shelters in Canada have had to reduce capacity due to Covid, while domestic violence is on the rise. Many reduced capacity by 50% or more.
· As the pandemic has progressed over time, so has domestic violence.
· Here is a report by Women’s Shelters Canada: https://endvaw.ca/shelter-voices-2020/
· If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or abuse, including involuntary confinement, call 911 if there is immediate danger. Here is site to also find resources and help anywhere in Canada: https://sheltersafe.ca/
· Problems in Alberta.
· 20 recordings have come out showing political direction and interference in health authority decisions, and micromanagement by the Premier and cabinet members. They also overruled expert advice, and pushed for an early reopening of the province.
· Chief Medical Officer Deena Hinshaw told other health officials, “I don’t have a lot of fight left in me.” When dealing with government, she asked colleagues, “How do we limit the worst possible implications of this without wearing ourselves down?” Publicly, she say that she has felt respected by government and that the final decisions rest with cabinet.
· The opposition says that Premier Kenny has been hiding behind Dr. Hinshaw. He has the lowest pandemic handling rating of any premier in Canada. The Premier has said he won’t bow to “idealogical pressure,” seemingly not considering that the advice has come from his own scientists and doctors. Kenney cited economic impact and rights in his decision.
· “What is there suggests to me that the pandemic response is in tatters,” say Dr. Obobu, a law professor at the University of Alberta specializing in public health law.
· The province has not been able to sustain its contact tracing system.
· 29,000 Covid complaints were made in the province by mid-September, but behind the scenes, a decision was made not to enforce. There were 62 enforcement orders total.
· Dr. Hinshaw has called the recordings a betrayal of trust.
· Full story: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-covid-19-response-tension-recordings-1.5814877
· A small hospital in Manitoba has closed so staff can go help in a care home.
· The hospital in Grandview, Manitoba, closed, sending patients to other hospitals. The staff are expected to be reassigned to the Grandview Personal Care Home in the town, for at least three weeks. The home is struggling with an outbreak.
· Story: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/grandview-hospital-closure-vehicle-procession-manitoba-1.5817381
·
Sources: CBC, Women’s Shelters Canada
INTERNATIONAL:
· Life expectancy is falling in Sweden during Covid.
· Life expectancy steadily increased from 1900 to 2019.
· Sweden has had a high Covid mortality rate.
· The country’s lead epidemiologist had refused for most of the pandemic to implement mandates on people’s socializing.
· Life expectancy for men fallen to 80.8 from 81.3 in 2019.
· Life expectancy for women fallen to 84.4 from 84.7 in 2019.
· Regional deaths per 100,000: 63 in Sweden, 14 in Denmark, 7 in Finland, 6 in Norway. 6300 deaths total in Sweden.
· The OECD ranks Sweden as one of the hardest hit countries in Europe, and the slowest at containing transmission.
· The Royal Academy of Sciences, the people who give out the Nobel prizes, said that Sweden should rethink its decision not to recommend masks, “irrespective of what the public health authority is saying.”
· The Public Health Agency continues to say that face masks give people a false sense of security and could undermine social distancing, as if the two things cannot go together, and despite months of new science on how masks can reduce transmission from one person to another, especially indoors.
· Full story: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/swedish-life-expectancy-to-drop-for-first-time-in-century-due-to-covid-19/ar-BB1blluD?ocid=uxbndlbing
· North Dakota now has the highest COVID-19 mortality rate of any jurisdiction in the world.
· More than 1 in every 1,000 persons in the state have died of Covid.
· 769 deaths out of a population of 762,000, as of Tuesday. The majority in the past two months.
· 10.2% of North Dakotans have had the virus.
· North Dakota has been one of the states that refused to implement many health measures. Governor Burgum refers to his approach as a “light touch.” The Governor only just asked people to wear masks as of Friday, saying, “Our situation has changed.”
· Dr. Deborah Birx of the White House Task Force says that North Dakota has the worst Covid-19 protocols and mask usage in the entire country.
· There are only 17 ICU beds still open in the entire state as yesterday
· State contact tracing stopped on October 22, as the system was overwhelmed. The system is now only notifying people that they are infected. Story: https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/11/18/north-dakota-contact-tracing-stopped/?fbclid=IwAR3myTbU4J_xSWJnS4uB_itVi-BILOUwC6eZwjf41f8HVKw3G_8NGwB03bE
· Health care workers who test positive but show no symptoms have been ordered back to work, due to staff shortages. Story: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/nov/17/north-dakota-covid-positive-health-workers-coronavirus
· The US has passed 13 million cases, passing 12 million only six days ago.
Sources: Bloomberg News, Forbes, Bismarck Tribune, The Guardian, CNN
STATS (as of the end of yesterday:
CANADA:
· 89 new deaths. 11,799 total.
· New deaths – 32 in Quebec, 21 in Ontario, 13 in BC, 10 in Alberta, 10 in Manitoba, 3 in Saskatchewan.
· 5,635 new cases. 353,100 total.
· 14,276,851 total tests in Canada, 90,335 in the past day.
· There are test waiting lists in: Ontario at 54,241, up 1,389 in the past day; Nunavut at 765, down by 48 in the past day; 331 in Yukon; 29 in Northwest Territories. No information on how long those waits are. It seems clear that the North needs additional testing capacity.
· 3,697 new recovered. 280,929 total.
· 1,849 new active. 60,372 total.
· 449 in intensive care.
USA:
· 1,311 new deaths. 269,923 total.
· 49,424 new cases. 13,298,348 total.
· 10,805 new recovered. 7,857,695 total.
· 38,256 new active cases. 5,170,730 total.
· 24,408 in intensive care.
WORLD:
· 1,445,053 deaths.
· 61,699,043 cases.
· 42,625,551 recovered.
· 2.34% mortality rate.
WORLD – Currently Active Cases top ten total:
· United States – 5,170,610
· France – 1,984,290
· Spain – 1,601,524
· United Kingdom – 1,531,750
· Italy – 787,893
· Belgium – 514,401
· Brazil – 509,241
· India – 456,807
· Poland – 425,633
· Ukraine – 355,260
· (Canada is 24th, with 60,759)
Sources: https://www.covid-19us.live/, https://www.covid-19canada.com/
Pandemic updates on Tuesdays and Fridays each week. Produced on a voluntary basis as a community service. To provide accurate and timely information on a local, provincial, national and international basis, all in one space.
With love and hope,
Jaimie McEvoy, New Westminster, BC

Hello bts7! 💜
It’s finally the day! BTS will be dropping their new single and MV for ‘Dynamite’ today on August 21st! Today will be filled with plenty of comeback activities with the MV set to drop at 1pm KST.
This megathread will consolidate all event hype, achievements, official SNS, other SNS mentions and press surrounding Dynamite.
So get hype and light it up like Dynamite! 🌟

SCHEDULE FOR AUGUST 21ST

Time (KST)	Event
10:30AM	Press Conference (This is a media/PR only stream, but you can read livetweets from reporters in this list. Photos down below in Misc)
12:30PM	YouTube Countdown Live / Wisha Translations
1PM	MUSIC VIDEO RELEASE!
7PM	Comeback Spot VLive / Wisha Translation

We are also getting EDM and Acoustic remixes on August 24th at 1PM KST! (Photo set 1, Photo set 2) The remixes can be pre-ordered on Vinyl and Cassette too! See remix streaming links here!
The B-Side MV has also now been released! Check it out here.

STREAMING INFO

FYI for US/PR Army, you have to download every single copy of Dynamite (mp3 and instrumental) that you pre-ordered for it to count towards sales.
Pre-save link for Dynamite on Spotify
Spotify
Apple Music
Amazon
Youtube Music
Deezer
Orchard
Pandora
TIDAL
iHeartRadio
Remix Links

OFFICIAL SNS

BTS Official - 'Dynamite' Countdown Live with BTS will begin shortly at 12:30PM(KST)
BTS Official - Please looking forward to 'Countdown Live' which will come soon~ (Post press conference)
BigHitEnt - Dynamite release with Korean music platform links
BTS Official - Dynamite Fanchant on Weverse / on Twitter for easy access
BigHitEnt - Dynamite release with music platform links
BTS Official - Instagram Story
BTS V - ready? #vcut NO KIM TAEHYUNG, WE ARE NOT
BTS SUGA - Dynamite! #DynamiteBTS yoongi said we ain’t using #DynamiteToday or #BTSDynamite looool
BTS Twt - Bangtan likes a New Hope World cover of Dynamite
BTS Official - Today’s Bangtan
BTS Jimin - Please love Dynamite a lot!
BTS Official - Instagram Story of Times Square
BTS Twt - Bangtan likes Anderson Paak’s tweet
BTS Official - Thank you YouTube Music!
BTS Facebook - Official MV Photo Sketch
BTS TikTok - Dynamite dance challenge
BTS TikTok - Multiple comments on dance challenges

SNS MENTIONS

93.3 FLZ
Amazon Music
Anderson Paak
David Stewart
David Yi
Doug the Pug
Funimation
Got Milk?
Hissnoise
Holland
Hyunsu Yim
iHeartRadio
Jessica Agombar / 2
John Cena
Liam McEwan
Looney Tunes
Luke Massie
Lumpens
MTV Australia
PDogg
Recochoku Japan
Sean Paul
Shitty Watercolour
Spotify
Spotify Instagram Story
Taj Jackson / 2
Twitter Music
Walmart

ACHIEVEMENTS

Dynamite becomes the fastest music video in YouTube history to hit 10 million views (~21 minutes)
Big Hit Labels has now surpassed 41 million subscribers on YouTube, gaining almost 400,000 subscribers since the Dynamite MV dropped
Dynamite Official MV Views record: 5M - 7 minutes, 10M - 20 minutes, 15M - 42 minutes, 20M - 1 hour, 14 minutes (Shattering all their previous records! (BWL - 5hrs 2mins, ON - 5hrs 11mins)), 25M - 1 hour, 59 minutes (The fastest MV to do so in YouTube history), 36M - 4.5 hours (With an increase of 2M every 33 minutes), 45M - 5 hours, 58 minutes, 50M - 8 hours, 16 minutes (The fastest video to do so), 70M - 15 hours, 30 minutes (Again, fastest video to do so, 80M - 18 hours, 20 minutes, WE DID IT GUYS BIGGEST 24 HOUR DEBUT WITH 86.4M! 90M - 21 hours, 41 minutes!, Rounded out the 24 hours at 98M - we will await the official announcement on YouTube as final views are added/subtracted, 100M in 24 hours and 31 minutes, WE DID 101.1 MILLION VIEWS IN 24 HOURS! 😭😭😭💜💜💜 AMAZING JOB, ARMY!
Dynamite Official MV at 7 million likes in 12.5 hours
Dynamite #1 on iTunes in 103 Countries: Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Macau, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Nigeria, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, UAE, Uganda, UK, Ukraine, USA, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zimbabwe
Dynamite Instrumental #2 on iTunes US
Dynamite occupies 4/5 spots in the top 5 in the US Charts
Top Countries with biggest debuts for Dynamite on Spotify: #1 US-1,8M, #2 Indonesia-590k, #3 India-549k, #4 PH-503k, #5 Brazil-493k, #6 Mexico-344k, #7 UK-236k, #8 Germany-234k, #9 Canada-218k, #10 Russia-206k, #11 Thailand-136k, #12 Malaysia-136k, #13 France-134k, #14 Turkey-129k, #15 Japan-127k, #16 Chile-122k, #17 Argentina-120k, #18 Australia-114k, #19 Peru-100k, #20 Vietnam-99k
Biggest debuts on the Spotify global chart in 2020: #1 Dynamite @BTS_twt 7.77m
Number 1 on official UK Charts!
Dynamite is the fastest song to reach 100 #1’s worldwide
Dynamite by BTS becomes the song with highest debut on MelOn since the chart reform
SSAK3 and BTS are the only artists to chart on MelOn in the first hour of release since the chart reform
Dynamite has surpassed 100,000 likes on Melon
Dynamite debuts at #1 on Line Music Japan
Dynamite #1 on Genie and Bugs, Dynamite #1 on FLO, Dynamite #2 on Melon
Traffic so high on Melon that it crashed!
BTS is the first artist in iTunes history to have 5 songs reach #1 in 100 countries
Total radio airplay as of 9:54AM ET is 523 (Comparatively to WAP at 297) Spins now at 600 Dynamite is BTS’s biggest first-day debut on US radio with 905 spins Total spins at 5:14PM ET is 1,128!
Dynamite is still at No. 9 with a massive 5.36 million audience impressions as of 2:41 PM ET. Mediabase's charts are ranked by spins, not audience.
Dynamite debuts at number 1 on the Worldwide iTunes Song Chart
Dynamite has hit 9.8 million streams and counting on Spotify, could break all-time single day record (via @HITSDD) Dynamite debuts with 12,638,540 plays on Spotify!

PRESS

ABS-CBN: “BTS makes YouTube history with launch of all-English single 'Dynamite'”
Access YouTube: “BTS Excited For ‘Dynamite’ Performance at MTV VMAs (EXCLUSIVE)”
AV Club: "BTS politely waits for Joe Biden to stop talking to drop new single and video"
Apple Music: “Interview with Zane Lowe for New Music Daily”
Bandwagon: “BTS' music video for new single 'Dynamite' breaks 10 million views in just 20 minutes - watch”
Billboard: "BTS Blow It Up With ‘Dynamite’ Music Video: Watch"
CNN: “BTS's first English language song is 'Dynamite'”
E Entertainment : BTS will be on Daily Pop at 1:30AM KST
Elle: "BTS' 'Dynamite' Lyrics Bring Much-Needed Joy To This Rough Year"
ET Online: “BTS on How ARMY Has 'Inspired' Them Amid 'Rough Year' (Exclusive Video)”
Forbes: "BTS’s First English Single ‘Dynamite’ Aims To Reenergize Those Struggling In 2020"
Forbes: "BTS’s ‘Dynamite’ Video Obliterates YouTube Premiere Record"
Grammy: “BTS Talk Inspiration Behind "Dynamite," New Album, Gratitude For ARMY and More”
Hollywood Life: "BTS Puts On A Colorful Show InDisco-Themed Outfits and More In‘Dynamite’ Music Video"
Huffington Post: “WATCH: BTS Releases English Single ‘Dynamite’, Calls It Their 'Recharge Project'”
Hypebae: "UPDATE: BTS RELEASES ANTICIPATED DIGITAL SINGLE "DYNAMITE""
MTV: “BTS on MTV Freshout”
NME: "BTS drop colourful video for new English song ‘Dynamite’"
NME: “BTS’ ’Dynamite’ is the perfect disco pick-me-up to bust the 2020 blues”
Oprah Mag: “"Dynamite," BTS's First Fully English Language Song Is Meant to Lift Your Spirits”
Pitchfork: "BTS Share Video for New Song “Dynamite”"
Radio.com: “Interview with Kevan Kenney”
Radio Disney / Liam McEwan: “Virtual Conversation with BTS”
Seventeen: “BTS' First English Song "Dynamite" Lyrics Make It the Perfect Feel Good Track That We've Been Waiting For”
Sirius XM: “BTS Interview at 5PM ET”
Variety: "BTS Drops ‘Dynamite,’ New Single and Video (Watch)"
Variety: “BTS On The Positive Inspiration Behind ‘Dynamite,’ Their First Song Entirely in English”
Variety: “BTS ‘Dynamite’ Breaks YouTube Record for Most-Viewed Video in First 24 Hours” 😭😭
Yonhap News Agency: "BTS' new single 'Dynamite' celebrates spirit of happiness, confidence in pandemic era"
Zach Sang Show: “BTS talks Dynamite, life in quarantine and the future of their music...”

MISC, PHOTOS AND VIDEOS

Photos LOUIS VUITTON RUFFLES from the Press Conference (OT7 shots 1 and 2, solo shots of everyone (i'm crying omg), hyung line, maknae line, during the conference)
Dynamite 왕이윈뮤직 photos (YOU WANT TO SEE THESE OMG) (Hyung line, Maknae line)
Dynamite Melon photos (YOU WANT TO SEE THESE TOO) (Hyung line, Maknae line)
Melon video interview
All member playlists updated on Spotify to include Dynamite and other songs! (RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, Jungkook)
BTS Spotify banner change and This is BTS playlist change
Press Conference excerpt of Jungkook
Dynamite first on Spotify Mood Booster Playlist
Dynamite first on Apple Music ‘New Music Daily’ playlist
Color coded videos being taken down due to copyright
This tweet featuring some of the bts7 mod squad blowing up!

[Last Update: 210130 6:51PM EST]
Hello there, achievers and streamers!
This is the place to compile all records broken, charts topped, and achievements achieved by 'DYNAMITE'. This includes milestones for all charting for digitals and/or physicals, YouTube views and other special milestones as they happen.

How to Achieve

Reply to this thread with the achievement and a link to a reliable source. I'll compile all sourced achievements into this thread.

Light it up like Dynamite! 🧨 ^{Hey! Let's Go! 🕺}

WORLDWIDE

iTunes

• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes Indonesia
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes Spain
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes Slovakia
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes Sri Lanka
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes Bolivia
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes Mexico
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes El Salvador
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes Philippines
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes Singapore
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes Turkey, Brunei, Armenia and Guatemala
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes Netherlands, Azerbaijan, Sweden, Dominican Republic, Qatar and Poland
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes Ukraine, Bulgaria, Jordan and Kyrgyztan
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes US
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes Germany, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Kazakhstan and Nigeria
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes Brazil, Russia, Bahrain, UAE and Saudi Arabia
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes Hong Kong, Argentina, Romania, Malaysia and India. That is 40 #1s!
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes Austria, Ecuador, Portugal, Thailand and Mauritius
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes UK, Peru, Luxembourg, Ireland and Costa Rica. That's 50 #1s!
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes Honduras, Trinidad and Tobago, Belarus, Belize, Ghana and the Bahamas
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes UK!
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes Switzerland, Vietnam, New Zealand and Norway!
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes Australia, Egypt, Israel, Cambodia and Mongolia
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes Paraguay, Cayman Islands, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes Denmark, Czech Republic, Taiwan, Estonia, Finland, Macau, Malta, Oman and Panama. That's 80 #1s!
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes Papa New Guinea, Fiji, Kenya, Barbados, Nicaragua, Hungary, Uzbekistan, France, South Africa, Italy, Laos and Greece! That makes 90 #1s!
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes Botswana, Lebanon, Moldova and Micronesia!
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes Zimbabwe, British Islands and Cyprus!
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes Uganda and Belgium! That's a 100 #1s Worldwide and the fastest song to do so!
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes Japan!
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes Cape Verde! That's 102 #1s!
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' debuts at #20 in the iTunes European Song Chart
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE debuts at #1 in the iTunes Worldwide Song Chart
  
• 200822 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes Nepal!
  
• 200822 'DYNAMITE' is both on the cover of, and in #1 position on the Apple Music 'A-List Pop' and 'New Music Daily' playlists at the moment, Screenshot
  
• 200822 'DYNAMITE' currently #1. Spotify Global, #1. Youtube Worldwide, #1. iTunes Worldwide and #7. Apple Music Global
  
• 200828 'DYNAMITE' has spent 7 consecutive days at #1 on the WW & US iTunes chart so far, a first for a Korean group!
  

NORTH AMERICAN DIGITALS

• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes US!
  
• 200824 All versions of 'DYNAMITE' are on the top 4 of US iTunes!
  
• 200824 BTS earns their highest debut on Billboard Pop Songs radio airplay chart with 'DYNAMITE' this week (#30), Billboard
  
• 200824 'DYNAMITE' has now sold over 100,000 units in the US
  
• 200831 'DYNAMITE' debuts at #1 on the Digital Song Sales chart with the biggest sales week in 3 years (265K). Over 2x the next biggest sales week of 2020
  

• 200831 NEW RECORD 'DYNAMITE' is #1 on the Billboard Top 100 Charts!. 200901 Chart Update

  Mentions:
  
  • BigHit
• 200831 'DYNAMITE' posts the biggest pure sales week this year in the US (265k)
  
• 200831 'DYNAMITE' #1 Billboard Hot 100, #1 Billboard 200, #1 Billboard Artist 100!
  
• 200901 'DYNAMITE' debuts at #2 on the Canadian Billboard Hot 100!
  

• 200908 NEW RECORD 'DYNAMITE' is officially No. 1 on this week's #Hot100 chart for a second consecutive week!

  • 200908 Billboard: BTS' 'Dynamite' No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 for Second Week
  • 200908 'DYNAMITE' is the 20th song in history to remain at atop Billboard Hot 100 on second week after #1 debut
  • 200908 'DYNAMITE' is the first #1 debut by a group to remain at #1 on the Hot 100 in its second week this
• 200914 'DYNAMITE' is now the #1 best selling download among all songs this year in the US!
  
• 200914 'DYNAMITE' is #2 on the first ever Billboard Global 200 singles chart, thread
  
• 200914 'DYNAMITE' is #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart! It is it's 3rd week on the chart, thread
  
• 200916 'DYNAMITE' has now sold over 1 million units in the US. The group’s fastest song to hit this mark.
  

• 200928 'DYNAMITE' repeaks at #1 on it's 5th week on the Billboard Hot 100!, thread

• 201005 'DYNAMITE' is #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart! It is it's 6th week on the chart
  
• 201012 'DYNAMITE' has now surpassed 1 million pure sales in the US!
  
• 201012 'DYNAMITE' is #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart! It is it's 7th week on the chart
  
• 201110 'DYNAMITE' Leaps To No. 7 on US Pop Radio (New Peak)
  

DIGITALS

Asian Digitals and Music Show Wins

• 200821 'DYNAMITE' debuts at #1 in Line Music Japan Top 100 Update: First day at #1!
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' has surpassed 100,000 likes on MelOn!
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes Japan!
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' achieved its second roof-hit on Genie Music!
  
• 200822 'DYNAMITE' is #1 Flo Chart Japan
  
• 200822 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in FLO, Genie and Bugs - 3AM KST
  
• 200822 'DYNAMITE' surpasses 1 million streams on Genie!
  
• 200822 BTS achieves a perfect score on MelOn Artist chart.
  
• 200822 'DYNAMITE' has reached #1 iChart real-time!
  
• 200823 'DYNAMITE' is currently #1 song on both LINE Music & Recochoku Daily Chart.
  
• 200826 'DYNAMITE' has reached #1 Melon 24Hitz chart.
  
• 200826 'DYNAMITE' Real Time All Kills: 9th
  
• 200827 'DYNAMITE' debuts at #6 on Gaon Digital Chart with 25,987,762 digital points, the biggest male group debut in 2020 with only 2.5 days of tracking!
  
• 200827 'DYNAMITE' Real Time All Kills: 13th
  

• 200827 'DYNAMITE' has achieved a Perfect All-Kill! 200907 Update: 150th PAK

  Other sources:
  
  • BTSChartData
• 200902 'DYNAMITE' achieves MelOn Roofhit at 8AM KST
  
• 200902 'DYNAMITE' makes history as the FIRST song by a foreign act to rank #1 on Oricon's Streaming Chart since its creation in late 2018, with 7.9 million streams this week
  
• 200910 'DYNAMITE' has now achieved 222 Perfect All-Kill (PAK) on Korean charts, the most for any idol group song.
  
• 200912 'DYNAMITE' becomes the first and only song by an idol group (and second song overall) in Korean chart history to achieve 300 Perfect All-Kills (PAK)
  

• 200914 'DYNAMITE' has achieved 331 Perfect All-Kill (PAK) on Korean charts, the most for any song!, thread

• 200918 'DYNAMITE' is now the first and only song in Korean chart history to achieve 400 Perfect All-Kills

• 200922 'DYNAMITE' is now the first and only song in history to achieve 500 PAKs (Perfect All-Kills) on Korean Digital Charts, and still counting

• 201002 'DYNAMITE' becomes the First and Only song by an Idol Group in Korean Chart history to achieve 600 Perfect All-Kills (PAK), Thread

• 201014 'DYNAMITE' has now spent 7 weeks at #1 in South Korea Gaon Digital Chart, the first and only song by a group in history to achieve this!
  
• 201105 'DYNAMITE' Returned To #1 On Gaon Digital Chart And Is Now The Song With Most Weeks At #1 On The Chart's History
  
• 201109 'DYNAMITE' has now spent a record-extending 9 weeks at #1 on Korea’s biggest music site Melon (First & only song to achieve this)
  

Music Show Wins

🏆 Music Core: 11

• 200829 'DYNAMITE' earns first music show win on this week's MBC Music Core!
  
• 201107 'DYNAMITE' Won Music Core Today As Their 21st Win Which Actually Ties With 'Boy With Luv' As The Song With Most Music Shows Win In The 21st Century!
  
  • 201204 Update: 11th win

🏆 Inkigayo: 3

• 200830 'DYNAMITE' earns second win for on today's SBS Inkigayo, Thread. It's BTS' 100th win over-all!
  
  • 200913 Update: 3rd win, thread

🏆 Show Champion: 3

• 200902 'DYNAMITE' takes 1st place on today's Show Champion (3rd win)
  
  • 200916 Update: 3rd win

🏆 Music Bank: 13

• 200904 DYNAMITE' takes 1st place win on Music Bank! (4th win)
  
  • 210108Update: 13th win

European Digitals

• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes UK!
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is #1 in iTunes Sweden and 'DYNAMITE' Instrumental takes the #2 spot!
  
• 200823 Official Charts: 'DYNAMITE' is on course for Number 1 on Official UK Singles Chart
  
• 200828 'DYNAMITE' has debuted at #3 on the UK Official Singles Chart, their first top 10 single!, Official Charts
  
• 200828 'DYNAMITE' debuts at #8 on Germany's Official Singles Chart, becoming BTS 's first ever Top 10 hit in the country and the highest debut for a Korean act!
  
• 200828 'DYNAMITE' takes #1 in the Scotland Official Singles Chart
  
• 200830 'DYNAMITE' gets it's first UK Number 1 on officially the UK's biggest chart show
  
• 201108 'DYNAMITE wins best song at the MTV European Music Awards!
  

Oceania Digitals

• 200829 'DYNAMITE' debuting at #2,becomes BTS’ highest ARIA Singles Chart peak (Australia)

Spotify

• 200821 'DYNAMITE' debuts at #1 on the Spotify's New Music Friday!
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' on the cover of Spotify's 'Hot Hits Canada' playlist
  
• 200821 BTS on the cover of Spotify biggest playlist 'Today's Top Hits' with their new single 'DYNAMITE'. It is also #1 in the 'Mood Booster' playlist and #3 on Germany Pop Rising
  
• 200821 HITTS DAILY DOUBLE: 'DYNAMITE' is off to huge start at Spotify, already approaching all-time single day record with 9.8 million+
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' has been added as #1 in Spotify's 'Summer Hits' playlist!
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' has 13.5 million spotify streams in 20 hours these streams are pre-discount, Spotify charts will be lower. also include the instrumental (1.1M).
  
• 200822 'DYNAMITE' debuts at #1 on Spotify Global with 7,778,950 streams, it's their first #1 on the platform., Biggest 1st day streams for a single in 2020!
  
• 200822 'DYNAMITE' debuts at #3 on the Spotify US with 1.8 million streams, the biggest debut for an Asian act & the biggest debut by a group on US Spotify in 2020.
  
• 200822 NEW RECORD 'DYNAMITE' debuts with 12,638,540 streams on the Spotify counter. The biggest counter debut in the platform’s history!
  
• 200828 NEW RECORD 'DYNAMITE' earns the highest first-week debut by a group on Spotify's Weekly Chart (Aug 21-Aug 28) in the platform's history, with 39.9M streams
  
• 200905 'DYNAMITE' has now surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify. It’s the fastest song by a group to hit this milestone!
  
• 200926 'DYNAMITE' has now surpassed 200 million streams on Spotify!
  
• 201113 'DYNAMITE' Has Surpassed 400mil Streams On Spotify(84days) Which Is The Fastest Song By Korean Act In History Surpassing 'Boy With Luv' (333days)
  

YouTube

I. DYNAMITE Official MV

• 200821 NEW RECORD 'DYNAMITE' MV has surpassed 10 million views on Youtube in 21 minutes, it's the fastest music video to do so!, Soompi
  
• 200821 NEW RECORD Forbes: Dynamite’ Video Obliterates YouTube Premiere Record
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' MV has surpassed 20 million views
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is the fastest MV to reach 3 million likes on YouTube!
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' MV has surpassed 30 million views on Youtube in 3 hours, it's the fastest music video to do so!
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' MV has surpassed 40 million views on YouTube in 5 hours and 37 minutes, it's the fastest music video to do so!
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' MV has surpassed 50 million views on YouTube in 8 hours and 16 minutes, it's the fastest music video to do so!
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' MV trends #1 on YouTube! About 10h from premier!
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' MV trends #1 on YouTube Worldwide!
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' MV has surpassed 7 million likes on YouTube!
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' MV has surpassed 60 million views on YouTube in 13 hours and 16 minutes, it's the fastest music video to do so!
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' MV has surpassed 70 million views on YouTube in 15 hours and 30 minutes, it's the fastest music video to do so!
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' is now BTS biggest debut on Youtube, surpassing 'BOY WITH LUV'!
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' MV has surpassed 80 million YouTube views in 18 hours and 20 minutes, it's the fastest music video to do so! Screenshot
  

• 200821 NEW RECORD: 'DYNAMITE' MV Breaks Youtube Record for Most-Viewed Video in First 24 Hours! 🧨 SCREEN SHOT 🧨

  **Waiting for official announcement from YouTube
  
• 200821 'DYNAMITE' MV has surpassed 90 million YouTube views in 21 hours and 21 minutes, it's the fastest music video to do so! Screenshot
  

• 200822 NEW RECORD: ‘DYNAMITE’ MV received 98.2M+ views and 8.8M+ likes on YouTube in its first 24 hours of release! ChartData recorded 98.3+ and 🧨 SCREEN SHOT 🧨

• 200822 'DYNAMITE MV' is the most watched MV within the first day of release, most liked MV within the first day of release, fastest to hit 10M-90M views so far and fastest to hit 1M-8M likes so far!
  
• 200822 NEW RECORD: 'DYNAMITE' MV has surpassed 100 Million views on YouTube in 24 hours and 31 minutes, it's the fastest music video to do so!
  
• 200822 'DYNAMITE' MV has surpassed 130 million views on YouTube
  
• 200822 'DYNAMITE' MV has surpassed 10 miilion likes on YouTube (11 and 12 million as well. Update: 13 Million and the fastest to do so in YouTube history
  
• 200822 'DYNAMITE' MV has become the fastest music video in YouTube history to hit over 140 MILLION views! Screenshot.
  

• 200823 NEW RECORD: 'DYNAMITE' MV officially broke the Youtube biggest 24 hour with over 101.1 million views on its first day!

  Mentions:
  
  • Kpop Herald
  • Big Hit
  • YouTube
  • Guinness
• 200823 'DYNAMITE' MV surpasses 150 and 160 views on YouTube!
  
• 200826 'DYNAMITE' MV surpasses 200 million views on YouTube, Screenshot
  

• 200828 YouTube Music: We're still dancing 🕺 💜 Congratulations to BTS for shattering all of the records 🎉 101.1 MILLION views in 24 hours on Dynamite!

• 200828 NEW RECORD 'DYNAMITE' MV debuts at #1 on the global YouTube songs chart with 220m views and 287 million listens, the biggest weekly debut in history for any artist!
  
• 200905 'DYNAMITE' has surpassed 300 million views!, Screenshot
  
• 200925 'DYNAMITE' has surpassed 400 million views!, Thread
  
• 201019 'DYNAMITE' has surpassed 500 million views!, thread
  
• 201117 'DYNAMITE' has now surpassed 600 million views
  

II. DYNAMITE Official MV (B-SIDE)

200824 'DYNAMITE' (B-SIDE) has surpassed 10 million views on YouTube

III. DYNAMITE Official MV (CHOREOGRAPHY VERSION)

• 210130 'DYNAMITE' OFFICIAL MV (CHOREOGRAPHY VERSION) has surpassed 100 views on YouTube!

OTHER

Twitter

• 200821 BTS currently holds 15 of the top 20 Worldwide Twitter Trends
  
• 200928 200928 #shiningthroughHOT100 and #LifeisDynamite is trending #1 and #2 worldwide on Twitter!
  

MISC

• 200821 MelOn crashed.

^{To be updated as it happens!}