5 ms·

The key question is the balance between advertising revenue and editorial independence. LTT seems to be walking that tightrope a lot more than some other outlet

The key question is the balance between advertising revenue and editorial independence. LTT seems to be walking that tightrope a lot more than some other outlets do, but IMO I'd rather see someone like GN take up the mantle from Anandtech... alas it seems like they often cater more towards gaming/enthusiast PCs in their work and aren't as broad as an LTT or Anandtech in their coverage. I hope there will always be a place for Anandtech's and Tom's Hardwares in this world, though. Text content with decent illustrations can't be adequately replaced by video.

wheybags 5y ago
The problem is that GNs videos are often kinda long and boring. If i just want to know what's going on, I will watch an ltt video. I only watch GN videos when I'm making a purchasing decision.
- FullyFunctional 5y ago
  I’ve said that repeatedly; the contents is good but it’s needlessly repeated throughout the videos. I feel most of Steves review could be presented in half the time without loosing much. And to be frank, most of the time there is just too much details.
  - newsclues 5y ago
    There is a reason for time stamps
xbmcuser 5y ago
LTT just gets 1/3 of its revenue directly from sponsors because of the success of its merch store now so it is getting more editorial independence. Though you really can't alienate the tech companies if you want access to tech before news emargos etc.
- Kranar 5y ago
  From the tweet linked below [1], which sparked a lot of controversy about the definition of piracy (which I entirely disagree with Linus on), about 65% of their revenue comes directly from sponsors and 32% comes from merchandise. [1] https://twitter.com/LinusTech/status/1486918784401088515 https://twitter.com/LinusTech/status/1486918784401088515
  - xbmcuser 5y ago
    Just 35% comes from direct sponsors ie in-video sponsor and sponsored projects. Apart from these 2 none of the other categories would effect editorial independence.
  - tacLog 5y ago
    > 65% This just isn't what the tweet shows? Unless you are counting AdSense as sponsors? That doesn't seems to make sense. You seem to be saying LTT is beholden to their sponsors? There is always an argument to be made there but misrepresenting: floatplane, AdSense and other sources that I don't see how you can call sponsors, which make up another 33% seems very disingenuous. Unless I am misinformed about how AdSense works.
    - Kranar 5y ago
      >Unless you are counting AdSense as sponsors. Yes, I am going by Google's own definition of AdSense which describes them as "sponsored links". If revenue from sponsored links does not count as sponsorship revenue then to each their own. >You seem to be saying LTT is beholden to their sponsors? This is such a massive jump I have no idea if it's even worth responding to it. I have no idea how posting a link to a literal pie chart directly from a source can be construed as saying that said source is beholden to sponsors. If there's anything disingenuous, it would be the idea that not mentioning floatplane which makes up a mere 4% of revenue is a form of misrepresentation. That said I will defer to Hanlon's razor on that one [1] [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanlon%27s_razor https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanlon%27s_razor
- ziml77 5y ago
nisegami 5y ago
>LTT seems to be walking that tightrope a lot more than some other outlets do LTT's sponsored content is clearly marked and for videos with an ad read, the writing staff isn't informed what companies will get a spot in the video while writing. Seems like pretty solid editorial independence to me?
- freemint 5y ago
  Which is also explains why the Segways are so off the cuff.
  - IanCutress 5y ago
    Segues? A segway is a branded mobility thing.
- geerlingguy 5y ago
  It's more about the long-term relationship. If [sponsor X] has done five high-dollar 'product showcase' videos in the past year contributing [Y] in revenue, and a separate review of [sponsor X]'s product is coming up, does the writer and/or editorial staff have any possible filters (whether or not intended) to protect the revenue stream for future 'product showcase' videos from that sponsor? I tend to give LTT the benefit of the doubt, but that's why I say it's a tightrope. Once you have paid content (in any form), and not just ad spots, it complicates the relationships you have with your audience, and with your sponsors/advertisers.

wheybags 5y ago

The problem is that GNs videos are often kinda long and boring. If i just want to know what's going on, I will watch an ltt video. I only watch GN videos when I'm making a purchasing decision.

FullyFunctional 5y ago
I’ve said that repeatedly; the contents is good but it’s needlessly repeated throughout the videos. I feel most of Steves review could be presented in half the time without loosing much. And to be frank, most of the time there is just too much details.
- newsclues 5y ago
  There is a reason for time stamps

xbmcuser 5y ago

LTT just gets 1/3 of its revenue directly from sponsors because of the success of its merch store now so it is getting more editorial independence. Though you really can't alienate the tech companies if you want access to tech before news emargos etc.

Kranar 5y ago
From the tweet linked below [1], which sparked a lot of controversy about the definition of piracy (which I entirely disagree with Linus on), about 65% of their revenue comes directly from sponsors and 32% comes from merchandise. [1] https://twitter.com/LinusTech/status/1486918784401088515 https://twitter.com/LinusTech/status/1486918784401088515
- xbmcuser 5y ago
  Just 35% comes from direct sponsors ie in-video sponsor and sponsored projects. Apart from these 2 none of the other categories would effect editorial independence.
- tacLog 5y ago
  > 65% This just isn't what the tweet shows? Unless you are counting AdSense as sponsors? That doesn't seems to make sense. You seem to be saying LTT is beholden to their sponsors? There is always an argument to be made there but misrepresenting: floatplane, AdSense and other sources that I don't see how you can call sponsors, which make up another 33% seems very disingenuous. Unless I am misinformed about how AdSense works.
  - Kranar 5y ago
    >Unless you are counting AdSense as sponsors. Yes, I am going by Google's own definition of AdSense which describes them as "sponsored links". If revenue from sponsored links does not count as sponsorship revenue then to each their own. >You seem to be saying LTT is beholden to their sponsors? This is such a massive jump I have no idea if it's even worth responding to it. I have no idea how posting a link to a literal pie chart directly from a source can be construed as saying that said source is beholden to sponsors. If there's anything disingenuous, it would be the idea that not mentioning floatplane which makes up a mere 4% of revenue is a form of misrepresentation. That said I will defer to Hanlon's razor on that one [1] [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanlon%27s_razor https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanlon%27s_razor
ziml77 5y ago

nisegami 5y ago

>LTT seems to be walking that tightrope a lot more than some other outlets do LTT's sponsored content is clearly marked and for videos with an ad read, the writing staff isn't informed what companies will get a spot in the video while writing. Seems like pretty solid editorial independence to me?

freemint 5y ago
Which is also explains why the Segways are so off the cuff.
- IanCutress 5y ago
  Segues? A segway is a branded mobility thing.
geerlingguy 5y ago
It's more about the long-term relationship. If [sponsor X] has done five high-dollar 'product showcase' videos in the past year contributing [Y] in revenue, and a separate review of [sponsor X]'s product is coming up, does the writer and/or editorial staff have any possible filters (whether or not intended) to protect the revenue stream for future 'product showcase' videos from that sponsor? I tend to give LTT the benefit of the doubt, but that's why I say it's a tightrope. Once you have paid content (in any form), and not just ad spots, it complicates the relationships you have with your audience, and with your sponsors/advertisers.