Irish Report Looks at Why Porn Biz Still Suffers

DUBLIN, Ireland — A recent report asks the question that despite a healthy global appetite for porn, why is the industry continuing to lose money?

Citing strong porn consumption by Irish teenagers (58 percent), the continuous surge in Google search terms and web traffic for porn, and more than half of hotel movie rentals being adult, the report in Ireland’s Independent said the downturn in the $13 billion industry continues to reel from free tube site porn.

The story pointed out that porn revenues have dropped 50 to 80 percent according to estimates it gleaned from the XBIZ EU London conference in September.

Industry leaders at the conference were lamenting the tough times and pointed out that porn used to be the testing grounds for what worked for other media, but that's no longer the case.

“They led the way with Internet business models," an Irish academic said, "and now they're seeing the decline in their industry before everyone else."

Free Speech Coalition Executive Director Diane Duke said in an XBIZ session, "I asked my son once, 'Do you pay for your porn?' I managed to get an answer out of him that was, 'If you buy it, it's kind of sleazy.'"

Vivid’s Bill Asher said in the story, "The death of the DVD business has been more accelerated in the adult business than mainstream," and estimated that the company’s revenue is down more than 20 percent in 2011.

"We always said that once the Internet took off, we'd be OK. It never crossed our minds that we'd be competing with people who just give it away for free," Asher said.

The report also pointed out that user-submitted porn and webcams are hurting the traditional adult industry.

It drew comparisons to free content in other media including music and newspapers despite their efforts to stop the bleeding, but noted that the new generation of Internet users are used to getting content for free.

“As any economist will tell you, nothing is ever free; someone somewhere is bearing the cost. For the porn industry, the trick is to get those 58 percent of teenagers to pay their way,” the report said.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

FSC Unpacks SCOTUS Age Verification Ruling in Webinar

The Free Speech Coalition conducted a public webinar Tuesday to help adult industry stakeholders understand the Supreme Court’s recent decision in FSC v. Paxton, and its potential implications.

Bad Bella Fronts Latest From MYLF

Bad Bella stars with Hayden Wild in the latest release from MYLF.

Abella Danger Opens Up Like Never Before in X3 Magazine

Powerhouse star Abella Danger lights up the latest issue of X3 magazine, the industry’s premier “authenticity first” publication spotlighting the real personalities, passions, and stories behind today’s top creators.

Pure Taboo Debuts Bree Mills Thriller 'Let Me In Too'

Reagan Foxx stars with Shay Sights in the latest thriller from Pure Taboo, titled “Let Me In Too.”

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

Hookup Hotshot Adds TobyDick.com

Hookup Hotshot (HUHS) has added U.K. paysite TobyDick.com to its network.

TTS Opens UK Testing Location

Talent Testing Service (TTS) has opened a new U.K. location in Ware, Hertfordshire.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

Leana Lovings, Shay Sights Front 'Substance' Parody From Brazzers

Leana Lovings stars with Shay Sights in the latest release from Brazzers, a parody of "The Substance.”

Show More