The role of online platforms for media markets — Two-dimensional spatial competition in a two-sided market

B-Tier
Journal: International Journal of Industrial Organization
Year: 2013
Volume: 31
Issue: 6
Pages: 723-737

Authors (2)

von Ehrlich, Maximilian (Universität Bern) Greiner, Tanja (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We analyze the market for online and offline media in a model of two-dimensional spatial competition where media outlets sell content and advertising space. Consumer preferences are distributed along the style and type of news coverage where the distance costs may vary across dimensions. For integrated provision of online and offline platforms we show that entering the online market reduces average profits and may even constitute a prisoner's dilemma. Specialized provision may yield polarization in the style and type dimensions. This is in contrast to the maximum–minimum differentiation result previously established in the literature on multidimensional horizontal competition. We show that maximal differentiation in both dimensions occurs due to the discrete nature of the type dimension and asymmetric advertising markets.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:indorg:v:31:y:2013:i:6:p:723-737
Journal Field
Industrial Organization
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-29