The New York Times (06-02-07) reports the Internet has boomeranged on the pornography industry. It was initially a boost. But no more.

With the World Wide Web awash in cheap, free, amateur pornography and x-rated DVDs traditional old-line pornographers’ profits are nose-diving. In an antiseptic financial analysis the Times reports when it comes to pornography consumers are leaving what it calls the “brand names.” The old-line pornographers’ sales have dropped $700 million. And AVN – the pornographers’ trade publication – laments that 1000 new x-rated DVDs, many produced by amateurs and many free, are hitting the Internet each month. As one traditional pornographic filmmaker opined, “It’s killing the marketplace.”

The old-liner pornographers – the Times continues – are fighting back with fancier marketing. Better actors. Better directors. And better cameras.

What’s peculiar about this report is it’s like reading an analysis of business trends related to, say, trade with China. There’s no hint the Times sees any difference between the automobile industry and the pornography industry.

It’s hard not to feel they missed the point. Or had no idea there was a point – beyond an unusual financial trend due to the Internet.

Another newspaper two days later reported that one-third of the people who use the Internet – which is most of America – visit pornographic websites. The old-line pornographer’s profits may be falling. But the Internet – and those 1000 new x-rated DVDs each month – are having a lot bigger impact than just on their profits.

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