DISQUS

Ben Kunz · 1 month ago

This is a fascinating discussion. It cuts the other way in some instances, too: I'm reading this blog for free on a $2,000 laptop, while low-income consumers without computer access need to pay for newspapers and magazines. In some ways "elites" buy their way into lower-cost or no-cost content by paying up front for the tools (smart phones, PCs) that allow them to access it.

Yet another trend is the aging boomer population, soon to be with much lower incomes, who were trained on television and newsprint and who are still light users of computers. They could end up paying more for those habits (cable costs money, newspapers have subscriptions) than the younger gen who chases free info online.

One point you make that I do agree with is advertising may end up working better on lower-income audiences, who must put up with interruptions to see the traditional media content of yore. Younger generations are buying DVRs and video-streamers that, while may be cost neutral when you do the math, do a good job of pushing advertising aside.

Great post.