What Porn and the McDonald's Dollar Menu Have in Common

(MoneyWatch)  It always comes down to porn, doesn't it? But in polite publications such as the ones I read, the "P" word is seldom mentioned -- although today is an exception since Advertising Age is trumpeting porn as one revenue stream that could help cable operators and satellite providers get through the economic downturn.

The reporter, Claude Brodesser-Aker, quotes an industry exec named Ken Boenish (hmm ... how is that pronounced exactly?) as saying:that there are recession-driven deals to be had in adult content: "I don't know if its going to be a [McDonald's] 'Dollar Menu,' but giving people more for their money is on the agenda." That's right Ken -- today's consumers are looking for value!

And DirecTV 'fessed up that it has started to promote its pornographic offerings on male-oriented channels in the wee hours, while simultaneously upholding its "long-standing policy of not marketing adult content at retail or to consumers in general." (Could make a joke here about whether DirecTV can really have it both ways, but I'll refrain.) Comcast, the other major media provider featured in the story, wouldn't comment on speculation that it was about to start promoting its adult content regionally.

The story has plenty of actual industry research about consumer consumption of porn, but here are a few highlights:

• There's a big overlap between those who consume porn online, and those who get it through their cable operator.
• Ninety-percent of the porn revenue generated by the cable industry goes into the pockets of cable operators.
• There's generally low awareness of the availability of hard-core adult content, (which, personally, I think is a good thing).

Glad I'm done with this post.