Wired Takes Note of Porn Downturn

LOS ANGELES — The downturn in the adult business discussed by Variety Editor-In-Chief Peter Bart in April is the focus of an article on the Wired magazine website.

"In good times and in bad, sin sells; booze, tobacco and sex have all weathered countless economic storms over the centuries," the article said. "This recession is a little different, though. It's been extremely challenging for adult filmmakers, who are not only wrestling with anemic consumer spending, they're also competing with a nearly infinite supply of free, amateur videos from countless user-generated sites, not to mention a glut of traditional inventory."

The Wired writer spoke to Wicked Pictures president Steve Orenstein, who has not cut back on Wicked's production schedule, although the company is cutting expenses.

"We haven't laid anyone off or cut any salaries, but we're trying to be smarter — cut the things we probably should have cut 10 years ago," Orenstein told Wired.

Adult Video News founder Paul Fishbein told the writer, "At the retail level, all the store owners I've talked to say their rental sales are off 10 percent to 15 percent."

By contrast, SugarDVD vice president of business development Tony Medrano said business is growing.

"We're finding consumers don't want to pay $30 or $40 apiece for DVDs when they can subscribe and get DVDs in the mail," Medrano said.

The story also pointed out that SugarDVD started streaming video a year before mainstream DVD rental company Netflix did, and also offers a pay-per-minute service.

"We constantly have to innovate," Medrano said. "We need to get out in front of consumer demand."

The article is available here.

Copyright © 2024 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

Nebraska Legislature Passes Republican's Age Verification Bill With No Votes Against It

Nebraska’s unicameral legislature has passed the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Performers in Meta Blacklisting Lawsuit Seek to Preserve Antitrust Claims

Adult Performance Artists Guild board officers Alana Evans, Kelly Pierce and Ruby have informed a California court that, although they want to drop their lawsuit claiming that Meta conspired with OnlyFans to blacklist rival premium fan platforms’ talent, they may still have antitrust claims that they may pursue in the future.

Xgen Now Shipping ZOLO's 'Stroke Off' Collection

Xgen Products is now shipping the Stroke Off collection of 11 handheld strokers and four masturbators modeled after lifelike body parts.

Nobü Unveils 'Gyrä' Vibrating Grinding Pad

Nobü has introduced the new Gyrä vibrating grinding pad.

Orion Introduces New 3-Motor Vibrator From 'Sweet Smile' Line

Orion Wholesale has debuted the new three-motor RC G- & P-Spot Vibrator from its Sweet Smile line.

Skylar Snow Headlines 'Infidelity 4' From Sweet Sinner

Skylar Snow toplines "Infidelity 4," the latest release from Mile High Media studio brand Sweet Sinner.

Serenity Cox Stars in 'Enjoy It' From MILFY

Serenity Cox stars with Alberto Blanco in "Enjoy It," from Vixen Media Group studio imprint MILFY.

C1R Debuts 'Vers' Suction Dildo, Butt Plug

C1R has introduced its new Vers liquid silicone suction dildo and butt plug.

Melissa Stratton Stars in Finale of Wicked's 'So Extra'

Melissa Stratton and Robby Apples star in the final scene from Wicked Pictures' "So Extra."

BiPhoria Drops Jim Powers' 'Saying GoodBi'

BiPhoria has released director Jim Powers' "Saying GoodBi."

Show More