Does the Summer Slowdown Still Exist?

Wanna know how summers used to be in the jizz biz, back in the good ‘ol VHS and DVD days? Well, I’ll tell you.

Every year starting in mid-April just around tax time, as the sweet smell of spring beckoned the dog days of summer and companies got involved with mathematical machinations all pointing at the “tax season blues” — summer loomed and that meant fans viewed less porn. Thus began adult’s summer slowdown.

Those of us who have been in this game long enough, know the term. Those of you more recent arrivals can learn. Remembering, if you will, that the fans rule. That without the viewing public, we become but a memory. Whether it be downloadable, upgradeable, on PPV, VOD, payper-minute, not paid for at all, pirated, store bought, on your computer, in your DVD player, on your laptop, PC or Mac, no matter how they see it, the customer is always right. And, so if the fans are watching less, the video stores will be buying even less. No need to re-stock during the summertime. “I got stock I haven’t put on the shelves yet,” was a common cry of buyers at any one of the many mom and pop stores that the hundreds of salesman throughout all the sales rooms of all the manufacturers in the iconic San Fernando Valley, would hear daily.

Moreover, if the stores weren’t buying, well there was no real reason for the producers to shoot more product for a period which would last through mid-September. In the western states even a bit longer. Four or five months and everyone felt it; actors, actresses, producers, directors, writers, crew, make-up artists, salespeople, office staffers…everyone. Yes, indeed, the summer slowdown.

The slowdown didn’t hurt nearly as much. In fact it hardly touched you. They still needed movies for the 24-hour a day programming they were offering and it was worldwide. It was better than business as usual for the savvy companies that worked with and distributed the product through cable and PPV outlets and eventually through satellites. That’s where all of the good product was going. The smart producers knew that. They knew too that you could offer a “soft” version of the hardcore movie and extend not only your fan base but also your income. It paid to be smart.

Then something happened — the Internet hit hard. The four or five thousand video stores — most of which carried adult material slowly, at first, then, more rapidly — began to dwindle. Local video stores were absorbed by large chain operations. The mom and pop smaller local brick and mortar storefront was soon gone. It became obvious that technology would make the VCR and later the DVD player, a thing of the past. A new word came into the adult entertainment lexicon… content. Content for the masses. Easy access to everything — all at once. At the speed of click the planet gets a collective hard-on; and all the women are nymphomaniacs. It’s a technological orgy of flesh.

No more need to go to the store for porn. No need to go to the local smut palace to watch on the big screen. No need to even pay for it. Just click. What “Summer Slowdown? ... Don’t Get Me Started!

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 Articles

opinion

Breaking Down HB 805 and How it Affects the Adult Industry

North Carolina House Bill 805 was enacted July 29, after the state legislature overrode Governor Josh Stein’s veto. The provisions that relate to the adult industry, imposing requirements for age verification, consent and content removal, are scheduled to become effective Dec. 1. Platforms have until then to update their policies and systems to comply with the new regulations.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

Staying Compliant With Payment Standards Across Europe and Australia

So, you’ve got your eye on international growth. Smart move. No matter where adult-industry merchants operate, however, one requirement remains consistent: regulatory compliance. This isn’t just a legal checkbox — it’s a critical component of keeping payments flowing and business operations intact.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

How to Avoid Copyright Pitfalls When Using Music in Adult Content

When creating an adult video, bringing your vision to life often means assembling just the right ingredients — including the right music. However, adding music to adult content can raise complex legal and ethical issues.

Lawrence G. Walters ·
opinion

New Visa Rules Adult Merchants Need to Know

In December 2024, I shared an update on the upcoming rollout of Visa’s Acquirer Monitoring Program, also known as VAMP. The final version went into effect in June, and enforcement will begin in October. With just a month to go, now is the time to review what’s changing and how to stay compliant.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

WIA Profile: Lainie Speiser

With her fiery red hair and a laugh that practically hugs you, Lainie Speiser is impossible to miss. Having repped some of adult’s biggest stars during her 30-plus years in the business, the veteran publicist is also a treasure trove of tales dating back to the days when print was king and social media not even a glimmer in the industry’s eye.

Women in Adult ·
opinion

Fighting Back Against AI-Fueled Fake Takedown Notices

The digital landscape is increasingly being shaped by artificial intelligence, and while AI offers immense potential, it’s also being weaponized. One disturbing trend that directly impacts adult businesses is AI-powered “DMCA takedown services” generating a flood of fraudulent Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) notices.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

Building Seamless Checkout Flows for High-Risk Merchants

For high-risk merchants such as adult businesses, crypto payments are no longer just a backup plan — they’re fast becoming a first choice. More and more businesses are embracing Bitcoin and other digital currencies for consumer transactions.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

What the New SCOTUS Ruling Means for AV Laws and Free Speech

On June 27, 2025, the United States Supreme Court handed down its landmark decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, upholding Texas’ age verification law in the face of a constitutional challenge and setting a new precedent that bolsters similar laws around the country.

Lawrence G. Walters ·
opinion

What You Need to Know Before Relocating Your Adult Business Abroad

Over the last several months, a noticeable trend has emerged: several of our U.S.-based merchants have decided to “pick up shop” and relocate to European countries. On the surface, this sounds idyllic. I imagine some of my favorite clients sipping coffee or wine at sidewalk cafés, embracing a slower pace of life.

Cathy Beardsley ·
profile

WIA Profile: Salima

When Salima first entered the adult space in her mid-20s, becoming a power player wasn’t even on her radar. She was simply looking to learn. Over the years, however, her instinct for strategy, trust in her teams and commitment to creator-first innovation led her from the trade show floor to the executive suite.

Women in Adult ·
Show More