The end of the HBO era?

Is it the end of the Premium Cable Era? The answer is, only if HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, and others do not adapt to the changing world of technology. To use a term discussed in lectures they could be a product of Digital Darwinism if they do not adapt. As Netflix has become a monster in the DVD world sending BlockBuster to the edge of bankruptcy and now continues its dominance into instant viewing/streaming on the internet. This has many of the Premium channels worried , as they should be. For decades these channels have made their profit from licensing movies, from production companies, and showing them on their channels for relatively low prices. But now with Netflix encroaching on their market they must make drastic changes. I must note in recent years these channels have moved from just showing movies to writing/producing their own products such as one hour drama, sitcoms, and mini-series. To their benefit many of these shows have a cult following and have won many awards.

However, these Premium channels have now got to be creative and find other ways to keep the viewers attention so they don't go the way of BlockBuster. A start to this is, continuing to produce their own shows, but much more than that has to be done to fight the monster that is Netflix. I don't begin to have the answer for this but I do think it is possible to be done. For example, Showtime is now licensing Weeds to Netflix, for streaming, 90 days after they first show. This allows Showtime to make extra money not only from DVD's but now from online viewing. HBO has yet to licence any of their shows to Netflix for streaming, but I believe they will ultimately have to if they want to keep up.

Basically people: Until these channels find a way to not go extinct please continue to watch them because I will truly be upset if they are gone and I can't watch True Blood anymore :)

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_39/b4196021822248.htm

A Happy Balance

Thinking about the two cases presented this week it becomes quite apparent that for the most part a business needs a healthy balance between IT control and freedom. However, this is easier said than done, just ask Ms. Field's or Otisline. I am sure it was obvious to the majority of people in the companies that either control needed to be relinquished or gained. I think the balance is needed for most companies with a very small percentage of exceptions.

With Ms. Field's company, IT basically ran everything except for  actually baking the cookies and ran on the motto "it is demeaning for people to do what machines can do". Well we see how well this strategy worked. In strict contrast though, Otisline may as well have not had any IT control. Ultimately, too much freedom and control almost ruined both of these companies.

The question was asked as a executive is it possible to create the right amount of control and freedom. I think it absolutely is possible and I think it differs for each individual company based on their needs. Look at all the flourishing firms out there that have found the correct balance and are making the money! The two cases presented to us this week can teach us that balance is a necessity and should not be ignored. And when attempting to find the perfect balance for your company, you must not forget how these changes effect other parts of your firm, such as organization structure, which in turn must be changed as well.

Androids are taking over!

Having owed both and IPhone and a G1, one of the first phones using Android as the OS, I strongly agree with an IDC forecast that Android will be leader in mobile devices by the end of the year.  Not only does Android make a more user friendly phone than Apple, they also make it more adaptable to everyday life. For example, instead of being forced to use the Apple charger, I can plug my G1 into any USB by a simple mini USB connection port and start charging or exchanging data immediately. Apple goes out of there way to make it inconvenient for the IPhone to share data without their specialized charger.  This does however insure that they as a company make a killing on accessories.
A new feature on Android phones could also eliminate the need to pay for wi-fi with their new Hot Spots. Which turns your mobile device into basically a free wi-fi router that supplys free wi-fi to multiple computers. Just the simple fact that you can buy an Android phone in every leading mobile company and almost every brand phone means that there are so many options for people to pick the brand and retailer they like and still have the Android OS. By contrast, if you wanted an IPhone you have a choice of 2 retailers and exactly 2 phones at this moment. Flexibility is a huge downfall for the IPhone and I think that will be what ultimately allows them to surpassed in sales by the Androids.
I do believe Apple makes great products I own both an IPod and a Nano and they are both great. However, there is no real competion for them in that market. Eventually there could be and quite possibly will though and as in the IPhone I think if they do not want to lose sales they need to expand their product lines to fit the changing needs of the consumer.