Web 2.0 Conference: The Future of Entertainment

Mark Cuban, Reed Hastings, Michael Powell, Evan Williams

When will we see iTunes for Video?

• Forces of control (traditional media companies) want closed, proprietary system
• Even strategically aligned groups can't get access to the content
• They are worried about eyeballs and time moving to the internet, want to slow it as much as possible
• Broadband needs to get better, getting Netflix to deliver a DVD is still often more convenient than downloading a movie

Will the producers of good creative content be able to make money without singing with major companies?

• The mechanisms already exist, need to get more people using them
• Quality levels that people accept change: VHS - > DVD -> HDTV next?

Why is Korea ahead

• 80% of the population lives in a high rise
• Deployment has to be built around geography and politics
• Broadband policy is still treated like it's not a socio-economic driver

Content media companies suing customers

• #1 job of a general manager is not to win a championship, its to keep their job
• Need a bogeyman, if they don't hit their numbers its someone else's fault
• Hiring lawyers is easier for most companies that being creative
• Asking 16-18 year olds to spend $15 on a CD with maybe one good song doesn't make sense
• Attempt to buy time

Quality

• 12 hours for a movie download is better than 24 hours for a DVD delivery
• People don't listen to music much in rich environment, lots of little headphones, cars, etc
• Consumers will spend a lot on big televisions, DVD players, etc

What should be done?

• Communication policy in the US is based on premise of natural monopolies based on efficiency
• Law builds silos between delivery methods that are now arbitrary
• Government should stay out because the technology is in the innovation phase

Consumer generated media and access to remixable content

• Talent is being restricted
• In other countries the restrictions don't apply, or aren't followed
• Don't always need base of media to remix

What's old media's place?

• Consumer generated media don't replace traditional media, they extend it
• They want to sell other people's work
• New distribution systems and lower cost of entry for media creators

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