16 ms·

I'm surprised to be saying this, but it seems like so many of the tech start ups are just media companies that sell ads. I just read a book about HBO, (tinderb

I'm surprised to be saying this, but it seems like so many of the tech start ups are just media companies that sell ads. I just read a book about HBO, (tinderbox by James Andrew miller). It's amazing how many things were similar in the 80's compared to today. One example, HBO was using subscriptions to finance shows just like Netflix does today. There's dozens of other examples. The more things change the more they stay the same...

hammock 4y ago
Incredible that we are now in the new era where people don’t know/remember what HBO was (and probably Netflix DVDs too)
- cronix 4y ago
  Or, some of us are getting older and remember things a younger crowd never experienced.
  - hammock 4y ago
    Yes
elcomet 4y ago
> One example, HBO was using subscriptions to finance shows just like Netflix does today. Aren't they still doing this ?
mattbrewsbytes 4y ago
This shouldn't be surprising, of the FAANG they all have elements of taking advertising money, for some it is their entire business model/cash cow. Up until recently N wasn't doing advertising. It seems like that is the only solution Tech companies have to the constant growth cycle imperative that they or the shareholders imposes on them.