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You have to define what "ruin" really is. Ruin could mean no longer being a viable brand, in which case you may be right. However ruin can also mean a creative decline in terms of creating new series, and if they're shifting to an ad supported model and try to appeal to the widest audience that may really be the case.

AT&T has a history of buying companies, then specifically lobotomizing the factor that made them special.

I dunno man. The Russians impoverished East Germany.

East Germany was the richest Soviet conquest and the richest ex-Soviet bloc state at the dissolution of the Soviet empire. Coming close to keeping up with West Germany is pretty good for a Communist state.

Richest ex-Soviet Bloc state is like healthiest terminally ill patient. Comparing East Germany to West seems more “germane.”

You’re both right.