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Means TV | |
|---|---|
 Means TV logo | |
| Industry | Entertainment, education |
| Founded | The Means Cooperative, Means, LLC March 21, 2019 Detroit, Michigan |
| Founder | Naomi Burton, Nick Hayes |
| Headquarters | Portland, Maine |
The Means Cooperative, or Means is a Statesian anti-capitalist media and streaming service worker cooperative founded in Detroit, Michigan, United States.[1] Their content includes work from various anti-capitalist artists and groups, such as the Trillbilly Worker's Party.[2] Means TV offers a diverse collection of films, documentaries, and shows, continually updating its programming, including a daily news show. Subscribers can access this content on desktops, mobile devices, and smart TVs such as Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV. Notably, the platform is free from advertisements, product placements, corporate backers, or venture capital (VC) cash.[3]
Mission
Means TV envisions establishing a resilient, worker-owned media platform that serves as a central hub, giving a voice to and empowering the working class. The goal is to produce and share worker-owned, anti-capitalist entertainment that remains untainted by advertisers and extractive financing. Additionally, the cooperative is committed to embracing inclusivity in various aspects, including economics, culture, race, religion, and gender. This is evident not only in the day-to-day operations of the cooperative but also in the approach to admitting employee-owners into the cooperative structure.[3]
Cooperative principles
Their Cooperative operates on a cooperative basis, aiming to benefit all its members mutually. In line with this approach, the Cooperative embraces and aligns with the seven cooperative principles outlined by the International Cooperative Alliance, signifying its commitment to cooperative values and practices. The seven cooperative principles are as follows:[3]
- Voluntary and open membership
- Democratic member control
- Members' economic participation
- Autonomy and independence
- Education, training, and information
- Cooperation among cooperatives
- Concern for community
Structure
The Means TV Cooperative operates with a three-tiered membership structure, each tier holding representation on the Board of Directors and contributing to the decision-making processes of the Cooperative. Profits at the end of the year are distributed among members based on their ownership share. Employee Members, constituting full-time Means TV staff, receive 70% of the cooperative's end-of-year profit. They not only hold equity but also have the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors and exercise full voting rights. Contractor Members, making up a secondary category for individuals engaged in frequent and large-scale projects with the cooperative, receive 20% of the end-of-year profit. Similar to Employee Members, they have equity, Board representation, and full voting rights. Royalty Members, encompassing filmmakers, distributors, and specific crew members involved in original productions, receive 10% of the cooperative’s end-of-year profit as a form of royalties. Alongside equity, Royalty Members can participate on the Board of Directors and enjoy full voting rights, recognizing their significant contributions to creative works and entertainment properties.[4]
Subscriptions
Means TV subscriptions come at a cost of $10 per month or a discounted annual rate of $110, both providing unrestricted entry to their constantly updated library. They believe in making their content accessible to everyone, and if the standard fee is not within your means, they offer sliding scale subscriptions. Simply send them an email, indicating your affordable amount (including $0), and they'll ensure you have access. Cancelling your subscription is hassle-free, as you can do it at any time. For monthly subscribers, charges occur on the anniversary of your initial payment, and a reminder is sent seven days prior to billing. You have full control over your plan and payments through your profile management.[5]
Games
Although primarily focused on streaming, Means TV operating under the name "Means Interactive", has collaborated with developers on games such as "Tux and Fanny" and "Tonight We Riot."[6]
External links
References
- ↑ Christopher Wilson (2019-05-17). "The Couple Behind The Viral AOC Ad Plans A Streaming Channel For Socialists" HuffPost. Archived from the original on 2024-02-05. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
- ↑ Marie Solis (2020-04-02). "The Revolution Might Be Televised" Vice. Archived from the original on 2024-02-05. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "What is Means TV?". Means TV. Archived from the original on 2024-02-05. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
- ↑ "Cooperative Structure". Means TV. Archived from the original on 2024-02-05. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
- ↑ "User Guide". Means TV. Archived from the original on 2024-02-05. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
- ↑ "Means Interactive". Means Interactive. Archived from the original on 2024-02-05. Retrieved 2024-02-05.