Mark Cuban to TV Networks: Start Charging for Content! November 4, 2009

Favorite:

Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2009/10/21/A_Conversation_with_Brooke_Burke_and_Mark_Cuban

Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban argues that the problem with many media companies is their revenue model. He explains, "Free is okay if you know when you're going to get paid," but criticizes companies that acquire a user base before they have a business plan.

-----

Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban and television personality-turned-entrepreneur Brooke Burke talk with Carson Daly about business and social media.

They discuss how to survive and thrive in the world of new media, as well as how traditional forms of media are adapting to the new playing field. - Web 2.0 Summit

Mark Cuban was born on July 31, 1958, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Indiana University in 1981 with a degree in Business.

After college, Cuban moved to Dallas, Texas and created a computer consulting business called "MicroSolutions" which transformed him into a millionaire when he sold the business to CompuServe in 1990. In 1995, Cuban and his business partner Todd Wagner began working on an idea (that later became known as Broadcast.com) in order to stream live events over the Internet.

Cuban and Wagner sold their company to Yahoo.com in 1999 for billions of dollars in Yahoo! stock. Cuban went on to purchase the NBA's Dallas Mavericks basketball franchise for $285 million on January 14, 2000. The Mavericks reached the NBA Finals in 2006 for the first time in franchise history.

Beyond that, Cuban launched the high-definition television network "HDNet" in September of 2001 with Philip Garvin. HDNet provides the highest level of digital broadcast quality available. Cuban and Todd Wagner established a media company named "2929" with holdings that cover many aspects of entertainment.

This includes film production companies HDNet Films and 2929 Productions, movie distributor Magnolia Pictures, home video distributor Magnolia Home Entertainment, the Landmark Theatres chain, and a stake in Lions Gate Entertainment.