Discussion
Problem:
Netflix and other US vcap-backed and operated streamers dominate more and more of UK national broadcasting and music culture. UK-US trade deal has ruled out a levy.
Solution:
Establish a UK national streaming platform co-operative, owned by the viewer/listeners, the independent producers and creators, the workers of the co-operative and the UK government, who own a stake that is effectively match-funding for membership fees.
@mutineer ooh nice. we should do that here
Strategy:
First launch is effectively a government backed consumer kickstarter.
Government reallocates a proportion of the funds already budgeted for AI data centre builds - make them less AI and more streaming friendly.
Compete head on with the mega streamers for independent cinema ...and music labels. Build user base and technical capability, later bring big names and audiences.
Governance is co-operative and democratic and profits are re-invested rather than redistributed to vcaps.
Has this been tried before? What could be learned?
Resonate.coop was a music streaming co-operative that failed through lack of investment and insufficient focus on its core mission. It had an innovative 'fair play', 'stream to own' model that offered fair rewards for artists and listeners alike. Despite support from Coop UK and a government inquiry into the predatory behaviours of the streamers and major labels and rights holders, nothing was done to help bootstrap the co-operative.
What could be learned? (cont'd):
To succeed, an all-in, well funded launch and growth phase is vital. A sense of community and curatorship built around the creative content on the platform is a key differentiator, and could bring additional UK social cohesion and economic benefits, perhaps becoming a more modernised democratic vehicle for UK cultural identity, a bulwark against populism, alongside the BBC.
Anyone interested?
This is a bonfire demo instance for testing purposes. This is not a production site. There are no backups for now. Data, including profiles may be wiped without notice. No service or other guarantees expressed or implied.
