Continuing on my theme of overreaction is an eye-roll from the last few months. The media journos have been writing about NETFLIX content spending and show cancellations. This is a non-story. At least right now it is. NETFLIX spent money that sent the people in HOLLYWOOD spinning. They had no problem with their content spends when they were licensing library from studios and networks. Meaning, licensing from them. Then Netflix spent on their own ORIGINALS. Competitors again complained they were spending too much. They had some hits. Not sure what the ratio of solid hit to throw away is. But they had them. And they got more than their share of the cultural zeitgeist. And that spending drove unprecedented growth. The spending is a content and market share BLITZKRIEG ("an intense military campaign intended to bring about a swift victory"). "It will pay dividends for years." You see, companies with different DNA than the media business (Netflix is a hybrid of the valley and Hollywood) look at spending in their formative years differently. This was a land grab. An AMAZONian land grab. A bet that if they could get to 100 Million subscribers that the numbers would make sense. Well, guess what? It did. And it's worldwide. And now, like any business that is so far ahead of its competitors, it's taking stock of where it is and revising their slate and taking a look at how to spend. In a world where media businesses are trying to figure out how to go direct to the consumer, build reliable subscription businesses, and massive amounts of audience data you'd think that they would have mimicked the plan. Well, I still see nets and studios not moving fast on this. Yes, trying stuff out, but no real big successes yet (though STARZ and others are making good headway). Netflix is course adjusting but they are exactly where they want to be. It was a plan. Competitors should try one. It requires lots of money and patience... LINKIN PARK's frontman was a shrieking metal singer with a golden pop touch. A voice of angst and anguish who brought comfort and connection to his fans. His contradictions helped make him one of the defining voices of 2000s rock. He took his own life at 41. His anguish was resulted in amazing music that brought his fans much happiness even when he couldn't find it for himself. The late CHRIS CORNELL was a close friend, mentor, and idol. Chester took his life on what would have been Chris' birthday. A massive talent, an even greater loss. Condolences to family, friends, and fans. COLLISION COURSE, their 2004 mash-up with JAY-Z is still one of my favorite albums ever... MusicSET: "Chester Bennington's Screaming Life"... Wow, FORBES seems really out of it and old with this headline. The next big thing? I wonder if they know that BIGGIE got shot... Straight from the source: these standout podcasts offer a mix of firsthand experience, storytelling, and funny moments from the worlds of fashion and retail. FashionSET: "Listen Up, Fashion"... NBA SUMMER LEAGUE is a Las Vegas basketball bacchanal. For years, it was a niche convention for NBA insiders, and the fringe playing for a way in. After ratings and attendance jumps, it's the NBA's breakout star. Its pull into mainstream has helped turn the league into a nearly year-round sport. SportsSET: "The NBA's Summer Fling"... Happy Birthday to SAM LESSIN, ROY PRICE, JON COHEN, ANDREW MAINS, DREW BUCKLEY, HILARY ROWLAND, DAVID WAKSMAN.