I’m contributing to the Media Futures conference next Friday as part of a discussion on future business models for media and content.  This post sets out some of the ideas I will be exploring in more detail at the conference.

The “old media” business model

This was based on clear distinctions between platforms - print, TV, radio - each of which required scale to manage the means of production and distribution.  Licensing in broadcast further raised entry barriers.  Media businesses controlled access to consumers and charged advertisers a premium.  Consumers  relied on media brands to edit choice, and paid a premium for the privilege.  Media businesses were mini-monopolies, could dictate cover price and ad rates, and reinvested their profits into quality editorial.  The benefits of scale (print, production, newstrade negotiations…) encouraged acquisition of independents into large media groups - Emap famously did this in magazines and also radio; Newsquest and Johnston Press in regional papers. (more…)