The economics of replacing Larry King
Ken Doctor explains CNN's latest conundrum: hiring a replacement for Larry King.
Turns out, the real question isn't how the cable news net can replicate King's long-running success (though it has been waning lately) but whether or not they should actually want to. The web is where the real money is, after all.
Yet the changing economics of CNN’s basic business model prompt lots of questions about ways CNN could go — as well as offering print- and broadcast-based news companies some pointers on their own business model development.
Let’s recall that CNN is a tale of two modern stories. Its flagship cable news station has been flagging badly, having fallen to a #4 position in cable news behind Fox, MSNBC, and its own Headline News Network (HLN), tabloid TV without tabloid wit. CNN is cool and confused in an age of hot and pointed.
Online, though, CNN has built a formidable business. It ranks at or near the top of the top news sites, excels at user-gen news content and offers one of the few paid news apps.
It’s a tale of two business units going opposite directions.
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