At first glance, this isn't revolutionary or even newsworthy. E-mail newsletters have been around forever - even those that are authored by a series of writers

At first glance, this isn't revolutionary or even newsworthy. E-mail newsletters have been around forever - even those that are authored by a series of writers. I find this interesting because I've heard Jason say things such as "I like to find a new market and blaze my own trail". This certainly isn't trailblazing. It sounds like he's thinking that he can build off of the success of his personal newsletter. However, the difference will be in the audience. People subscribe and connect with his personal newsletter because they want to hear what he has to say. Also, there is something sort of neat about getting an e-mail from an author in your inbox rather then passivley clicking on a bookmakred blog. However, this doesn't sound like it will be the individual thoughts of someone like Jason. It will be a series of articles by a number of people - likely low paid people. Some of those people may be interesting and insightful, but unless they have an existing audience coming into the newsletter, the effort won't get large enough for very many advertisers to care. This newsletter effort will work well in combination with the This Week In network. Hosts will be able to say things such as, "subscribe to our newsletter" or "get the inside scoop via e-mail". Beyond a complimentary add-on that builds on a tiny bit of personal success, I don't see this effort being a fraction of what TechCrunch is. I think Jason is using this sensational comparison (and the whole Calacanis vs. Arrington thing) as the same word-of-mouth marketing he's well known for.