Forget Spotify for News. Let's Fix the Real Problem

“(Platforms) need to either offer some way to monetize that content on-platform, or… they'll become just a promotional hub, where people essentially advertise the content that they're monetizing on other platforms” - Josh Constine

In media, the main driver for revenue is both subscriptions and advertising. These two means fund the growth of media on the web and are platform specific. That means, when someone subscribes or advertises to something, they do so on the platform rather than the individual. The platform holds the reputation, and the individual leverages the platfor... See more

The most powerful and interesting media model will remain raising money from members who don’t just permit but insist that the product be given away for free.

Focused, quality-obsessed publications will take advantage of bundle economics to collect “stars” and monetize them through some combination of subscriptions (less likely) or alternate media forms. Said media forms, like podcasts, are tough to grow on their own, but again, that is what makes them such a great match for writing, which is perfect for... See more