One problem is that what people want is not always what they say they want. I'm sure lots of people would say they want news shows without fluff, healthy fast f

One problem is that what people want is not always what they say they want. I'm sure lots of people would say they want news shows without fluff, healthy fast food, a funny partner who enjoys leisurely walks on the beach, etc. On the other hand you have the "guilty pleasures" that people won't admit to. As a mild example, I dislike CNN but I still go to their site once in a while. One more thing is that what people want (even when they tell the truth) is not necessarily what they will pay for, or at least pay enough to make it profitable. I want a flying car with a high mpg at the price of a regular car. I'd buy a Segway for $500. The truth is that there are no formulas for creating a hit. It's a matter of persistence and iteration. Create something, see how people like it, make it better/cheaper depending on what they want, keep iterating. Stay focused and execute better than your competition. Of course, easier said than done.