Disney’s rumored acquisition of 21st Century Fox is all about competing with Netflix; whether or not that is a good thing depends on your frame of reference.
The Pollyannish Assumption and Bright Lines, YouTube’s Market Power, Google vs Amazon
Society collectively decides what is wrong through laws: that’s a useful bright line for platforms. Then, YouTube is demonstrating its market power, and Google and Amazon are acting like monopolies.
The Pollyannish Assumption
Moderating user-generated content is hard: it is easier, though, with a realistic understanding that the Internet reflects humanity — it is capable of both good and evil.
Disney to Buy 21st Century Fox?, Two Strategies for Content Companies, Netflix and ESPN
Disney may buy portions of 21st Century Fox; it is a deal that makes a lot of sense for both sides, particularly when you consider how the industry has been fundamentally changed.
Facebook Earnings, Facebook’s Strategy Credit (and Apple’s), Facebook and the Future
Facebook absolutely crushed earnings, confirming its duopoly power; the company’s commitment to hurting profitability did the same. Then, a reminder that Facebook has a positive role to play in the future.
Tech Goes to Washington
Facebook, Google, and Twitter testified before a Senate committee: it provided evidence of how tech prefers power over decentralization, even if it means regulation
More Spectacles Mea Culpas; The Athletic in the New York Times; Google, Facebook, Apple, and Subscriptions
More mea culpas about Spectacles, then the CEO of The Athletic gives an explosive interview to the New York Times. Plus, more news about Google and Facebook’s subscriptions offerings, and Apple’s interference.
Netflix Earnings, Netflix’s Price Raise, Additional Netflix Notes
Netflix had another great set of earnings that highlight the company’s sustainable differentiation. The company’s ability to raise prices does the same, as well as its clearly disruptive role.
Gatekeepers Follow-Up, Hollywood and Venture Capital, The New York Times versus Tech
The removal of Gatekeepers should not drive the demand for new ones; then, why venture capital has a lot in common with Hollywood, which should serve as a warning. Finally, a reminder, courtesy of the New York Times, of why the Fake News campaign is dangerous.
Goodbye Gatekeepers
Harvey Weinstein was a gate-keeper — a position that existed in multiple industries, including the media. That entire structure, though, is untenable on the Internet, and that’s a good thing.