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Comment by ChuckNorris89 | Hacker News Reader

That was my first thought too. LTT has gotten really big and Linus now has the money to pay for top editors and he's been bantering with Dr. Cutress for a long time.

It's kinda sad to watch all the big name editorials I used to read as a teenager like Anandtech and Toms Hardware lost their spark and are withering away, and LTT is now becoming the tech review juggernaut.

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The key question is the balance between advertising revenue and editorial independence. LTT seems to be walking that tightrope a lot more than some other outlets do, but IMO I'd rather see someone like GN take up the mantle from Anandtech... alas it seems like they often cater more towards gaming/enthusiast PCs in their work and aren't as broad as an LTT or Anandtech in their coverage.

I hope there will always be a place for Anandtech's and Tom's Hardwares in this world, though. Text content with decent illustrations can't be adequately replaced by video.

The problem is that GNs videos are often kinda long and boring. If i just want to know what's going on, I will watch an ltt video. I only watch GN videos when I'm making a purchasing decision.

I’ve said that repeatedly; the contents is good but it’s needlessly repeated throughout the videos. I feel most of Steves review could be presented in half the time without loosing much. And to be frank, most of the time there is just too much details.

There is a reason for time stamps

LTT just gets 1/3 of its revenue directly from sponsors because of the success of its merch store now so it is getting more editorial independence. Though you really can't alienate the tech companies if you want access to tech before news emargos etc.

From the tweet linked below [1], which sparked a lot of controversy about the definition of piracy (which I entirely disagree with Linus on), about 65% of their revenue comes directly from sponsors and 32% comes from merchandise.

[1] https://twitter.com/LinusTech/status/1486918784401088515

Just 35% comes from direct sponsors ie in-video sponsor and sponsored projects. Apart from these 2 none of the other categories would effect editorial independence.

> 65%

This just isn't what the tweet shows? Unless you are counting AdSense as sponsors? That doesn't seems to make sense.

You seem to be saying LTT is beholden to their sponsors? There is always an argument to be made there but misrepresenting: floatplane, AdSense and other sources that I don't see how you can call sponsors, which make up another 33% seems very disingenuous.

Unless I am misinformed about how AdSense works.

>Unless you are counting AdSense as sponsors.

Yes, I am going by Google's own definition of AdSense which describes them as "sponsored links". If revenue from sponsored links does not count as sponsorship revenue then to each their own.

>You seem to be saying LTT is beholden to their sponsors?

This is such a massive jump I have no idea if it's even worth responding to it. I have no idea how posting a link to a literal pie chart directly from a source can be construed as saying that said source is beholden to sponsors.

If there's anything disingenuous, it would be the idea that not mentioning floatplane which makes up a mere 4% of revenue is a form of misrepresentation. That said I will defer to Hanlon's razor on that one [1]

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanlon%27s_razor

And really, they need that tech before the embargos lift because the first ones to get content out are the ones that get all the views. LMG might be making more from merch, but they need to keep those views up if they're going to keep selling it. I know Linus prides himself on the quality of the items he sells, but people aren't buying it for the quality alone. So if people stop caring about LTT, they'll stop caring about the merch.

>LTT seems to be walking that tightrope a lot more than some other outlets do

LTT's sponsored content is clearly marked and for videos with an ad read, the writing staff isn't informed what companies will get a spot in the video while writing. Seems like pretty solid editorial independence to me?

Which is also explains why the Segways are so off the cuff.

Segues? A segway is a branded mobility thing.

It's more about the long-term relationship.

If [sponsor X] has done five high-dollar 'product showcase' videos in the past year contributing [Y] in revenue, and a separate review of [sponsor X]'s product is coming up, does the writer and/or editorial staff have any possible filters (whether or not intended) to protect the revenue stream for future 'product showcase' videos from that sponsor?

I tend to give LTT the benefit of the doubt, but that's why I say it's a tightrope. Once you have paid content (in any form), and not just ad spots, it complicates the relationships you have with your audience, and with your sponsors/advertisers.

Yes. That was something I wanted to write in the 15 years of HN thread but then decided to left it out. I was thinking if there are any site that I have been visiting for more than 15 years. And Anantech is the only one. I stopped reading The Register and Tomshardware a long time ago.

I dont mind LTT, the problem is just it is way too dumbed down. It is part of the reason why Hardware discussions, even on HN is pretty average to say the least.

May be people just dont like reading long and detail review but instead only want short form video.

In a recent WAN show he was hinting at a known name that applied but didn't say much more than that. Definitely wouldn't be surprised if this was that.

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