News today/over the weekend is all about the changing nature of media. Here's a quick sampler:
Why do Video Platforms Fail? asks the question about the huge lack of success of various platforms, springing off a great quote in the WSJ on CBS's lack of success here: "Ever hear of Innertube, CBS.com's effort? According to today's Wall Street Journal "CBS's new chief Internet strategist now jokes that the Web address for Innertube should be CBS.com/nobodycomeshere". In addition to a great top 10 reasons the platforms fail, there is a this great analysis:
Most noteworthy, I have always suggested that an individual show may thrive best when allowed to live and breathe in its own home, on it's own website, best suited for it's own special case. A video player is one brand, a network is another and each individual show is itself a brand. If the show is unique and special, it will find its own identity and own distinct audience in it's own authentic location.
Hmm, this makes me think I may be wrong about youtube...stand by.
The NYT has four, count 'em four, stories in the business section that look at the media. Here they are:
Slim Margins at the Journal lead to the Murdoch bid. Is it ironic that the paper responsible for cataloguing profits is just barely profitable itself? Maybe.
Katie Couric is still number three. What does this mean for the broadcast news business? At least CBS is acknowledging that the no news format originally used when Couric came on was a bad idea.
David Carr looks at the conflict in mid sized market papers, this time in Minneapolis. Another great quote: It is as if two men, hanging off the cliff by the fingernails of one hand, decided to have a knife fight with the other hand.
It's upfront season, which means this is the time the networks try and sell as much of the space for commercials as they can. It's going to be a tough sell. Am I the only one who saw the graphic (below) of the cab driver Fox came up with to draw attention to ads and thought, wow, looks like a network exec?
Lots to think about, for sure. The media landscape continues to change, and the way people are getting their information evolves as well. I remain convinced that great content wins out -- the challenge is finding a sustainable business model.