Episode 3: If Subscriptions are the New Go-To Business Model, Why are they Failing the Arts?
05/24/22 • 26 min
Many of the world’s largest companies have opted out of traditional retail transactions in favor of subscription models. Whether it’s software, newspapers, movies, TV, or even food, fashion or cars, subscription schemes are becoming a go-to model. And headlines the past few weeks have been full of stories about what’s happening to subscriber-driven companies – Netflix most of all.
So perhaps a slightly awkward question: – given that traditional arts institutions have depended on the subscription ticket model for decades, why are arts subscriptions now in steep decline just as the rest of the world has latched on to them as their ticket forward? Is it the subscription model that’s not working or is it the way the arts do subscriptions? We’ll look into what’s going on with Netflix – perhaps the world’s largest subscription model - and talk about the trends and where they’re pointing.
Many of the world’s largest companies have opted out of traditional retail transactions in favor of subscription models. Whether it’s software, newspapers, movies, TV, or even food, fashion or cars, subscription schemes are becoming a go-to model. And headlines the past few weeks have been full of stories about what’s happening to subscriber-driven companies – Netflix most of all.
So perhaps a slightly awkward question: – given that traditional arts institutions have depended on the subscription ticket model for decades, why are arts subscriptions now in steep decline just as the rest of the world has latched on to them as their ticket forward? Is it the subscription model that’s not working or is it the way the arts do subscriptions? We’ll look into what’s going on with Netflix – perhaps the world’s largest subscription model - and talk about the trends and where they’re pointing.
Previous Episode
Episode 2: Using Copyright as a Weapon, Disney gets caught in the Culture Wars, and Firing a Conductor for... Conducting
This week we have three stories making headlines:
1. First, the story of police in cities in California pulling up in the squad cars on calls and blasting – of all things – Disney songs on their loudspeakers as they investigate, bewildering and aggravating residents. What can they be thinking? https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/04/12/santa-ana-police-disney-music
2. Second, and oddly enough – another Disney story – in which the Governor of Florida declares war on the company, the state’s biggest business and cultural icon, no less –stripping it of its special governing district.
3. Finally – the story of a Texas orchestra that fired its music director ... for conducting his musicians in a concert. https://www.tpr.org/arts-culture/2022-04-19/music-director-speaks-out-about-his-san-antonio-symphony-contract-termination
Thoughts, ideas, reactions? Email us at [email protected]
Next Episode
Episode 4: The High-flying Oil Industry fears "Demand Destruction." Should the Arts?
Oil prices are at a record high. And profits are rolling in. But there's an intriguing phenomenon in the oil industry called "demand destruction." It means when prices get too high for too long, consumers invest in alternatives and don't return. The arts have faced their own version of demand destruction when COVID shut down live performances. Is there anything to be learned from how the oil industry approaches what sounds like an existential threat?
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