Report: Economy giving porn biz a pounding
Hard times, indeed.
Just a day after we discussed the fall of gambling – once considered the very definition of recession-proof – a new report has surfaced detailing the demise of yet another staple in illicit culture.
According to the Economist, porn – which, it’s worth noting, has been immune to previous downturns – has been going down plenty lately, though not in the way the industry would prefer.
Sources tell the Economist the American porn biz is down 30-50% in revenues since the recession hit, sucking billions out of the estimated $6-billion trade.
“One producer told me his revenue was down 80%,” an adult insider told the site.
Now, it’s easy to crack jokes here. Like, I guess those actors shouldn’t have blown all their cash so premature. Or, That adult biz is in real need of a comeback, huh? Maybe even, And I heard porn budgets were spread thin as it was!
But, wherever you stand on the way someone decides to make a living, real people are being hurt here.
Sure, performers are slammed most. Women, who might’ve charged $1,000 a scene before the downturn (with consistent opportunities), now are lucky to get $800 a scene with far less regularity. And earning for men has gone soft, too – “If they averaged $500 for a … scene in 2007, they are now lucky to get $300,” says the Economist.
Yet the porn biz isn’t all silicone and Viagra. Not unlike affairs in the gasping auto industry, one cutback here has a huge ripple effect there.
“For every performer there are several people in support, from sound-tech to catering and (yes) wardrobe,” the insider says. “So the overall effect … is large.”
And, unlike how many felt about the slumping gambling industry, most aren’t enthused about porn’s chances of rebounding.
As the Economist points out, the recession has simply highlighted the ongoing crisis for porn, where free online sites and piracy have torn the business apart.
Veteran adult star Nina Hartley, perhaps best known as William H. Macy’s less-than-noble wife in Boogie Nights, argues porn has become “like potato chips, everywhere and cheap, to be consumed and tossed.”
“The industry will shrink and stay shrunken,” she says.
Uh, I’m not nearly mature enough to tackle that one. Have a great weekend, everybody.
By Jason Buckland, MSN Money
Posted by: Jeremy Ruettiger | Sep 11, 2021 6:26:24 PM
It's like a fireman came in my mouth!!
Posted by: Dave | Sep 12, 2021 11:41:29 PM
Hidden in this salacious post (it is not dignified enough to pose for journalism), might be a worthwhile story. Unfortunately, the author chose to string together a series of sexual innuendos and references from a credible source losing an opportunity to create an article of value...
Posted by: richard sievert | Sep 14, 2021 9:33:25 AM
you say msnbc I say country you say fox i say whole world they dont even report real news when things get heated up just like the masses in dc are they saying why they are really there hell no” there there because pimps are raping our daughters judges are throwing our children in prison lawyers are stealing peoples homes banks are taking there money’ cops are killing our country prisons are our future homes they show the liberal bath party rub a dub dub not what people are upset about like this war on drugs” How it is ripping us apart why even police are protesting against it this country is in turmoil and there showing twinkle doe crap no wonder most Americans want to strangle George w bush and all his party all they do is lie right along with what there own party said lie lie lie”"” there all a bunch of lying ass wholes and they are soon going down” owe and thanks for no password prompt I dislike that to’ here editors i fiord my amis spelled words if you think there there because of tax money your crazy If you think there there because they lost there porn money your nutz there there because they beleve something will be dune about what they hate witch is exactly what needs to be talked about befor its to late.
Posted by: Grim Reaper | Sep 14, 2021 4:48:52 PM
It is too late.
Buy canned food and bullets
Posted by: Jane | Sep 14, 2021 5:46:23 PM
My question: What kind of people are hurt in the production of pornography...they're not real are they?
The impact pornography has on real people is beyond our imaginations. What the 'industry' has done for us is nothing short of disastrous - sort of right up there with what the Catholic Church has done for Natives/First Peoples (around the globe) and a company like Dow Chemical did for Vietnam. I'm pleased to hear your 'news' - is it possible that we are evolving?
Posted by: Ivy | Sep 14, 2021 5:57:44 PM
I like the article!
When there is an article about the food industry, education system, war....the appropriate lingo is used.
What is wrong with using a few sexual innuendos in an article talking about the sex industry? i didn't know how much porn stars were making before or how much they are making now. You see? even with a few jokes....we learned something. Lighten up.
Posted by: Jack | Sep 15, 2021 2:51:50 AM
To the comment Jane Posted.
I disagree. Porn is a vital part in our evolution. Think about it. In my opinion, if you do not have a strong sex drive, you're missing out. I'm not saying you need to have sex but statistics indicated a very intelligent and successful career minded person would have sex at least 1-1.5 maybe 2 times a week. (1.5 is an average for all who wonder how do you have half sex lol =P ). On that note, the sex these professionals have is awesome!. The quality is by far satisfying and stimulating.
How does this affect the porn industry? Well professionals watch porn and learn from it. It is the easiest way to spark creativity as well as it being stimulating. They send little clips and pics to each other and to their friends they believe worth while putting in their time. On top of that, the clothes that porn stars where promote the lingerie and fashion sectors. Sure some are not fashionable but again, different class of porn. It is the models and porn stars that promote these articles of clothing which sparks spending in the economy since it reminds us of sexual appeal.
I used to believe what your thoughts are. But if you operate and think on the other side of it, they're just doing something that satisfies the needs of the general public and market. Only thing I can say about it is the strong survive and the weak die in recession periods, just like the animal kingdom, except we created this hell hole for ourselves.
Posted by: Nursing clothing | Apr 29, 2021 10:46:43 PM
Pornography has often been subject to censorship and legal restraints on publication on grounds of obscenity. Such grounds and the very definition of what is or is not pornography have differed in different historical, cultural and national contexts.