Bezos, tech industry and the future of the Newspaper business

Technology went to Washington this week with the purchase of the Washington Post by Jeff Bezos for $250 million.

Why did Jeff Bezos buy the Washington Post? has been a widely pervasive question in social media this week and I thought to bring the discussion to WSO today.

So here’s my first question: Why do you think Jeff Bezos bought the Washington Post?

1. Is there a political agenda to it? - Political clout, protecting Amazon’s interests in Washington.. Did he buy power for a pittance in Washington as this piece suggests?

2. Or do you consider it a smart business move by an entrepreneur who sees the potential in owning a News business in a world that is going to be increasingly dominated by Tablet users and a digital future for the Newspapers?

3. Or is this, as some say, just the case of a rich guy catering to his vanity?

Whatever the reason, expectations are high for the future of the Washington Post, from the man known for shaking up old business models.

What do you think? While there have been investments made by tech entrepreneurs in online media businesses in the past, do you think there would be an advantage to cash-rich techies like Google and Apple to enter into the Newspaper business? Is this the much-awaited solution to turning around the Newspaper businesses in the country?

4 Comments
 

I read an interesting opinion on seeking alpha that it was a logistics play, whereby Washington's distribution system was the real target. This was based on the writer's interpretation of AmazonFresh, and that the name of the game is owning the distribution system.

 

Bezos is wrong, there will be printed newspapers in 20 years. Maybe only for a few thousand cranky Luddites, but they'll be there. Hell, people still write checks.

 

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