The hit US dating reality show Dating No Filter from E! Network is getting a remake for UK audiences. Comcast-owed Sky One Network and Now TV will air the new eight-part series, according to Deadline.

The UK version follows a similar format to the original, with a group of singles set up on blind dates by comedians who give their commentary as the dates progress. According to British Comedy Guide, the comedians will be given some control over a range of matches to choose from, and of course they weigh in on any awkward moments.

Bumble Inc. made its IPO filing public Friday January 15th, following rumors that the company would go public in time for Valentine’s Day. The app is expected to list on NASDAQ under the BMBL ticker.

According to The New York Post, Bumble reported revenue of $488.9 million in 2019, and $376.6 million in revenue between January 29 and September 30th of 2020. (Fourth quarter results have not been reported.) The pandemic has helped fuel dating app sign-ups and activity, with people using them to connect in a time of social distancing. Bumble offers an in-app video chat feature, which has been incredibly popular the last several months as people were in lockdown.

Recipient
WooPlus

The Editor's Top Pick - Up & Coming award recipient for 2021 is WooPlus. This dating service for plus sized singles has seen a huge increase in registrations this year. This is thanks in part to their continued innovation in the niche. We are not the only ones to notice either as WooPlus in 2020 was also a top trending dating app on Google Play and a Google Play Editor’s Choice. Thanks to this increased visibility and major media outlets like Vice and People taking notice, WooPlus now has over 5 million users signup since they launched in 2015.

Dating app users are advertising when they have received the COVID-19 vaccine in the hope of capturing more matches.

As more people are able to get vaccinated, it has become a selling point for singles who are eager to date in person again. Healthcare workers, grocery store clerks, politicians and teachers are all in the front of the line to get the vaccine, along with other at-risk populations, and many of them are using dating apps to share their vaccine status. 

According to Vice, people are sharing details in their profiles for maximum visibility, like when they got their last vaccine or if they are still waiting for the second shot.

Recipient
Stitch

The 2021 Editor's Top Pick - Innovative award recipient is Stitch. This is a community and companionship website for men and women 50 years and older. It offers many features of a dating service but also a whole lot more. A large part of this service is community members organizing activities allowing people to meetup virtually or in-person. Activities range from book clubs to dinners and can be where just friends are meeting up, or for those seeking romantic possibilities. You can also use Stitch to reach out to other members who are looking to specifically meet someone looking for a partner.

So how has Stitch been innovative?

Washington D.C. has increased its National Guard presence since the riots at the Capitol on January 6th, and these troops are turning to Tinder to find love while they work.

According to Newsweek, there have been reports on TikTok that Tinder has been flooded with photos of men in uniform, which is highly unusual for the Washington D.C. area. While these officers are sharing photos in their fatigues, they are also sharing interests like traveling and video games, according to Newsweek.

People are taking to social media to point out this trend, noting how many more military people are showing up as potential matches. In fact, some users in the DC area said the majority of profiles they see are members of the National Guard. Even a reporter for Sports Illustrated noticed the increase in these profiles.