Are the Big 6 really dying?

[fjtorres]

A more rational, big-picture look at the "Amazon vs the BPHs" debates.
http://annerallen.blogspot.com/2012/...lly-dying.html

Amazon isn’t a major publisher. Yes, it has a few imprints, but in publishing terms it’s a small press, albeit with its own very powerful marketing and distribution network. Yes, the Amazon imprint authors are best-sellers and make serious money – on Amazon. But where are the Amazon imprints in the NYT best-sellers list, or on the international best-sellers lists?
Comparing Amazon and the Big Six is comparing apples and oranges. Amazon is a hugely successful book-seller that is now dabbling in publishing. Amazon takes proven sellers on its own platform and repackages them and gives them heavy promo, skewing the market, to make them even better sellers.

Hard to argue with the point that no, Amazon is *not* killing the BPHs.
And no, Amazon is *not* going to get anything vaguely ressembling a monopoly.

Maybe now we move past the "Amazon is a monster" FUD campaign?
Get rid of the boogeyman and take a clear look at what al the self-serving players on both sides are doing without givig anybody a blank check?

[cjr72]

In the end does it matter if the Big 6 are dying or not? Established players not being able to cope with disruptive technological changes is an old story. Meanwhile the markets they once ruled continue to march on without them.

[Andrew H.]

Originally Posted by cjr72

In the end does it matter if the Big 6 are dying or not? Established players not being able to cope with disruptive technological changes is an old story. Meanwhile the markets they once ruled continue to march on without them.

Well, if they are not dying, then the premise of the rest of your post is wrong.

[monkeyluis]

Publishers can die & authors will find their own way. I'm sure we have many author success stories here. Indie authors are on the rise.

[cjr72]

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

Well, if they are not dying, then the premise of the rest of your post is wrong.

Not really. Whether or not they can cope with changes in the marketplace we'll still have new stories to read.

[Hellmark]

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

Well, if they are not dying, then the premise of the rest of your post is wrong.

How? On the topic, if a company cannot meet technology changes, they'll die and be replaced by someone else. The market for reading material is not what is thought to be dying. The question is if the big 6 publishers are dying. If they change and cope with technological changes, they'll not be dead and the market continues. If they die, others fill the gap, and the market continues. The point in that post was, the market continues with or without them.

[stonetools]

The Big 6 appear to be doing quite well. That said, they are doing as well as they are because they moved to limit Amazon. There is really not much doubt about that, according to just about all the book industry pundits. ( consumer advocates think differently).
Read Mike Shatzkin's blog for a view of the situation from the point of view of a publishing consultant who is bullish on ebooks and technology .

[Ninjalawyer]

Originally Posted by stonetools

The Big 6 appear to be doing quite well. That said, they are doing as well as they are because they moved to limit Amazon. There is really not much doubt about that, according to just about all the book industry pundits. ( consumer advocates think differently).
Read Mike Shatzkin's blog for a view of the situation from the point of view of a publishing consultant who is bullish on ebooks and technology .

I'm a little confused at how the publishers have profited from limiting Amazon.

I would also note that it's kind of amusing that the top blog post on Mike Shatzkin's site is praising agency pricing explicitly because it limits price competition and drives up prices.

[Phogg]

Originally Posted by Ninjalawyer

I'm a little confused at how the publishers have profited from limiting Amazon.

I would also note that it's kind of amusing that the top blog post on Mike Shatzkin's site is praising agency pricing explicitly because it limits price competition and drives up prices.

We generally call this sacrificing long term viability for short term gain. Just as I have been bringing friends, family, and the young folks my sone hangs around to electronic books, I am also bringing them to indy and small publisher authors more in line with their budget. Even in the highly unlikely event that there still is a New York Times when they are grown these kids won't give a damn about its booklist.