A Look into Building a Worker-Owned Streaming Service with MeansTV

This episode of "The Poor Proles Almanac" features a conversation with Naomi Burton, co-founder of Means TV, a worker-owned, anti-capitalist streaming service. The episode explores the origins of Means TV, its operational model, content creation strategies, and its role in building a left media ecosystem.

From Disillusionment to Action:

Naomi Burton shares her personal journey of disillusionment with her work in the corporate world, specifically in PR and social media strategy for General Motors, while simultaneously experiencing a political awakening towards communism. This growing disconnect between her labor and her values, coupled with the realization that she and her partner, a freelance film producer for GM, possessed the "means of production" within the company, sparked the idea of leveraging their skills for a purpose aligned with their politics.

This led to the creation of "Means of Production," a worker-owned production company that initially created ads for local unions, immigration groups, and socialist political candidates. The success of their ad for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez brought them national attention and highlighted the effectiveness of their approach, which they attribute to their genuine belief in the messages they were conveying, unlike the "propaganda" they felt they had been creating for corporations.

The Birth of Means TV:

Building upon their experiences and growing audience, Burton and her partner conceived the idea of a "workaround" streaming service, free from corporate influence and advertising, funded by subscribers, and owned by the workers. They envisioned a platform where entertainment, inherently political, would reflect the perspectives and values of working people rather than perpetuating the status quo.

They launched a fundraising campaign, utilizing their existing social media presence, and successfully raised over $200,000. This funding enabled them to build the platform, license content, and begin producing original programming, including a news show, a sports show, and a video game show.

Growth and Evolution:

Two years after its launch, Means TV boasts a worker cooperative of 70 members and thousands of subscribers. The platform has expanded its original programming, transitioning the news show from a weekly to a daily format and creating unique series like "Seize the Memes" and "Preserving Worlds."

The episode discusses the diverse nature of content on Means TV, ranging from feature-length documentaries and movies to shorter, more informal content from YouTube creators who align with the platform's anti-capitalist values. The platform offers a space for creators whose content may be deemed controversial or unsuitable for mainstream platforms like YouTube, ensuring that it remains ad-free and accessible to viewers.

Challenging Traditional Media Models:

Burton highlights the differences between Means TV and traditional streaming services, particularly regarding the lack of rigid structures and the reliance on viewer feedback to shape content creation. This organic approach allows for flexibility and experimentation with formats, catering to a younger audience accustomed to consuming media through platforms like YouTube and TikTok.

The absence of advertising and corporate influence allows viewers to engage with the content without skepticism or the feeling of being manipulated. This, Burton argues, fosters a sense of trust and authenticity that is often lacking in mainstream media.

Building a Left Media Ecosystem:

The episode explores the broader vision of Means TV as part of a growing left media ecosystem, seeking to provide alternative perspectives and challenge the dominance of corporate-controlled media. Burton emphasizes that while all content on Means TV is anti-capitalist, it encompasses a range of viewpoints within that framework, from democratic socialists to communists and anarchists.

She expresses hope that Means TV can serve as a "gateway drug" for viewers, exposing them to diverse left-leaning perspectives and potentially shifting their understanding of societal issues.

Burton acknowledges the challenges of competing with well-funded, mainstream media outlets but emphasizes that Means TV's focus is on building a sustainable cooperative model that prioritizes fair wages and creative freedom for its workers. She sees collaboration with other like-minded media organizations, such as The Gravel Institute, as crucial to building a robust and impactful left media landscape.

The Power of Cooperation:

The episode concludes with a discussion about the challenges and rewards of building a worker cooperative in a capitalist system. Burton stresses the importance of finding like-minded individuals, starting small, and learning through experience. She emphasizes that the act of building a cooperative, regardless of the specific industry, is inherently revolutionary and offers a viable alternative to traditional hierarchical business models.

To check out MeansTV, visit them on social media or subscribe at https://means.tv

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