by Jason Snell
The power of YouTube
Musician Zoë Keating on YouTube’s new contractual demands for artists:
My Google Youtube rep contacted me the other day. They were nice and took time to explain everything clearly to me, but the message was firm: I have to decide. I need to sign on to the new Youtube music services agreement or I will have my Youtube channel blocked.
YouTube’s power is immense. Many people make their living on YouTube, but because there’s very little competition its terms can be quite harsh.
The market would benefit from a serious competitor to YouTube.
— CGP Grey (@cgpgrey) January 23, 2015
There are plenty of alternatives to YouTube, but none of them come anywhere close to the power of YouTube. My children don’t watch television—they watch YouTube. YouTubers are their TV stars. It’s an amazing site, but its terms and business practices appear to be just about what you’d expect from a giant with a distinct lack of competition.
The more I think about it, the more YouTube looks like a monopoly *and* a monopsony. They’re the only game in town to buy from and sell to.
— CGP Grey (@cgpgrey) January 23, 2015
[via the afore-embedded CGP Grey.]