The Bill Simmons Podcast The 2020 Streaming Wars, Cheating Astros, Cheap-Ass Red Sox, and Rudderless Democrats With Ben Thompson and JackO | The Bill Simmons Podcast
Feb 14, 2020
Ben Thompson, a savvy business and tech analyst known for his Stratechery insights, joins regular contributor JackO, a sports analysis aficionado. They dive into the complexities of monetizing digital media, from the rise of paid newsletters to the impact of streaming wars on viewing habits. The duo also faces the drama of the cheating Astros scandal and Mookie Betts’ controversial trade to L.A. Lastly, they tackle the current state of the Democratic primary, blending sports and politics with humor and keen observations.
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Content Bundling
- Free, high-quality content is becoming scarce as more publications adopt subscription models.
- This shift, like with video streaming, might lead to content bundling for news.
Reader-centric Model
- Subscriptions change the relationship between publications and their audience.
- Publications now prioritize their readers over advertisers, as their revenue comes directly from subscriptions.
Global Niche Markets
- Unlike traditional media, defined by geography, the internet allows publications to reach a global audience.
- Niche content can thrive by targeting small, dedicated groups worldwide.