Kagan Research releases financial rankings for over 100 cable networks -- according to the findings in a new Kagan databook entitled Benchmarking Cable Network Financial Statistics 2005 "Cable networks generated $26 billion in revenue during 2004. Over the past five years their revenue has grown at a CAGR of 11.2% per year despite the ad market meltdown. The cable network industry's average cash flow margin is 33.7%. But that average masks a large number of cash flow-negative networks. Not counting them, the average margin for healthy, established networks is greater than 40%. Ad revenue for the average network is 44% of the total, with affiliate revenue at 52%. It's no mystery why so many players seek entry into this lucrative sector."
Try to imagine this scenario, that General Motors and Ford were given exclusive franchises to build America's interstate highway system, and also all the highways that connect local communities. Now imagine that, based upon a financial crisis, these troubled companies decided to convert all "their" local arteries into toll-roads -- they then use incremental toll fees to severely limit all travel to and from small businesses. Why? This handicapping process reduced the need to invest in building better new roads, or repairing the dilapidated ones. But, wouldn't that short-sighted decision have a detrimental impact on the overall national economy? It's a moot point -- pure fantasy -- you say. The U.S. political leadership would never knowingly risk the nation's social and economic future on the financial viability of a restrictive duopoly. Or, would they? The 21st century Global Networked Economy travels across essential broadband infrastructure. The forced intro...