T.J. Prebil

The Content Wars

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011

Eight tracks to cassette tapes, groovy! Cassette tapes to CDs, totally awesome! CDs to MP3s, phat! VHS to DVDs, dude! Standard cable to HDTV cable, rock on! Paperback to eBook, I’ll bring the French onion dip to the next book club meeting!

DVD to Blu-ray, whatcha-talkin-about, Willis? HDTV to 3-D, really?

With the growing popularity and impending ubiquity of streaming content, we’ve arrived at the final frontier of media formats. Why would anyone upgrade to Blu-ray when six months from now they can stream any movie anytime for a fraction of the cost? From this point forward it’s winner take all in the Content Wars.

Odds favor Apple – that sleek company that designs its products in California but manufacturers them in China – as the big winner. And with their i-everything – iTV, iPad, iPod, iPhone and iTunes – seamless integration and off-the-charts brand equity, it’s tough to bet against them.

Of course, Apple’s not the only player. Sony, NBC, Google, Netflix, Microsoft and scores of lesser-known concerns are scrambling to find a chair before the music stops.

If I had to hedge my bets on a frontrunner, however, I’d double-down on Amazon! Putting aside the company’s distribution might – a undeniable ingredient to their success – Amazon has a leg-up because they’re purposely not trying to create a walled garden (RIP AOL) around content.

Want to watch a movie on your computer, no problem! Want to stream the movie to your TV through Ruko, done! Want to read a book on your Kindle, easy! Want to read that same book on your laptop/desktop, iPad, iPhone or Android-enabled smartphone, pie! Want to download a song or album to play on your iPod, computer or other device (not sure such a device exists), checkmate!

Soon consumers will demand the ability to purchase/rent/download/stream movies, books and music from any type of device – regardless of manufacture. If this prediction holds true, Amazon will win the Content Wars.