publishing industry

Post-Medium Publishing

2 months ago

Publishers historically sold physical media (paper, CDs) rather than content itself, pricing based on format rather than quality.
Consumers never truly paid for content; they paid for the medium, which is now evaporating with digital technology.
Selling content directly to consumers is historically marginal (e.g., stock tip newsletters) and unlikely to work broadly.
iTunes and similar services act as tollbooths by controlling the channel, not as true content stores, and face price pressure.
Software can be sold as content because customers (often businesses) need specific tools and face piracy risks, unlike general 'content'.
Future options for publishers: give content away for indirect revenue (e.g., concerts, ads) or embody it in physical goods people will pay for.
Success will come from leveraging new technology to fulfill unmet wants, not from protecting existing revenue streams.