In February 2022, I announced that I was going solo after three great years at The Mac Observer. (Big love to all those guys still.) It was there that I really started to write about streaming, although I’d previously covered the media.
Much as I miss the TMO crew, running The Addition these last three years has been a great, tough, enjoyable experience. So, if you’ll indulge me, I thought I’d belatedly share a few thoughts on what I’ve picked up during this time.
To say it’s been a tumultuous time in media is an understatement. Whether it’s anti-media politicians, streamers bringing in ads or the development of AI, things are constantly changing. That makes this a fun area to cover, and I hope it’s useful to read about. I was thrilled back in 2023 to be named Best Solo Newsletter at the Publisher Newsletter Awards, as it made me feel I was onto something!
The Addition has shifted a little bit since its launch. In the early days, it was more explicitly about the media and tech crossover. The focus now is on the intersection of culture, media and sport. This is a niche that is not really reported on, but matters. A TV drama can change government policy. This publication was never really about gadget reviews or funding rounds anyway, and, frankly, the tech element doesn’t need saying because tech is part of everything.
The shift to streaming, something I’m covering in my upcoming book, has gathered pace over the last three years, particularly when it comes to sport. The events of summer 2024, and the Olympics in particular, were a watershed moment. Linear TV is now largely being propped up by sport. How it navigates this shift is going to be one of the key stories of the next three years.
Elsewhere, I’ve dug into the details of what is going on at Reach, written about Huw Edwards and, of course, Donald Trump.
I never forget that doing this stuff is a privilege, but as I mentioned, running The Addition is tough. It’s a labour of love. If you enjoy it, I’d really appreciate you upgrading to a paid subscription, if you haven’t done so already. It makes a bigger difference than you realise, and you get access to every part of the newsletter. To celebrate this newsletter’s third birthday, have a 30% discount for a year:
There are lots of exciting things to come from me and The Addition. Thank you so much for helping me get this far. Onwards!