Ross Benes

New York

Author: 1999, Rural Rebellion, Sex Weird-o-pedia, Turned On. EMARKETER analyst. Orange Hi-C apologist. Insufferable dog and human dad. [email protected]

Articles

12 Surprising Facts About 1990s Video Games

2 months ago | mentalfloss.com | Ross Benes

From ‘Doom’ to ‘Pokémon,’ the ‘90s were a consequential decade for video game fans. During the 1990s, video games gained popularity and became a cornerstone of pop culture. While writing my new book 1999: The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times, these were the most interesting facts that I came across. Congress freaked out about a pretty mild game called Night Trap. Grand Theft Auto’s publicist planted stories about how bad the game was for kids.
1999: The year the line between high and low culture collapsed

Mar 28, 2025 | denvergazette.com | Ross Benes

A tag team consisting of a reality TV star and the former CEO of the world’s largest professional wrestling organization wants to dismantle the Education Department. This unlikely duo’s rise to power began a quarter century ago, when a sea of shlock engulfed America, propelling Linda and Vince McMahon to become billionaires and Donald Trump to announce his first presidential run. Some critics regard 1999 as the greatest year in cinema history and the birthdate of prestige TV.
A talk show stunt led to murder. Then a sister network turned the fallout into ratings gold.

Mar 19, 2025 | poynter.org | Ross Benes

The following article is adapted from “1999: The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times.” Prior to a 1995 taping, “The Jenny Jones Show” put out a call for guests, asking viewers to call its 1-800 number “if you have a secret crush you would like to reveal to a same-sex friend.” Watching the show in his trailer home 50 miles northwest of Detroit, Scott Amedure and his friend Donna Riley called in to report Amedure’s crush on a man they both knew.
Keynesian Kayfabe

Mar 5, 2025 | aei.org | Jonah Goldberg |Ross Benes

Jonah Goldberg is joined by author and research analyst Ross Benes to discuss his new book, 1999: The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times. Jonah and Ross discuss beanie babies as a precursor to crypto, the political triumph of the WWE, and the age of media deregulation. Plus: the phenomenology of moral panics and the bourgeois-ification of transgressive culture. Show Notes:—1999: The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times
Church of the Insane Clown Posse

Feb 20, 2025 | beltmag.com | Ross Benes

By Ross Benes The following is an excerpt from 1999: The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times by Ross Benes and released by the University Press of Kansas. Insane Clown Posse’s brilliance is best exemplified during an August 1999 Howard Stern segment. Live on air, the clowns and Sharon Osbourne argue about ICP dismissing the Osbourne-managed band Coal Chamber from its tour. Osbourne and Coal Chamber were suing ICP for breaching their contract.
1999: The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times|Hardcover

Feb 13, 2025 | barnesandnoble.com | Ross Benes

Ross Benes is one of the boldest and bawdiest writers I’ve ever worked with; I always worried that even editing him might get me arrested. His shrewd excavations of lowbrow culture reads like high art, whether he’s taking on Pokémon or porn.
Streaming services now receive more subscription revenues than traditional TV

Jan 27, 2025 | emarketer.com | Ross Benes

In 2024, traditional TV accounted for less than half of US total video subscription revenues for the first time. Its share of video subscription revenues will slip to about one-third by the end of our forecast in 2028. During that period, digital pay TV’s share of video subscription revenues will grow from 13.2% in 2025 to 15.4% in 2028.
Increased CTV ad inventory is resulting in decreased fill rates

Nov 18, 2024 | emarketer.com | Ross Benes

Streaming ad loads haven’t changed much lately. Over the past two years, ad loads for FAST services have barely risen, according to Wurl Analytics. To a viewer accustomed to watching Netflix without ads, 9 minutes of ads per hour may seem like a lot. But that’s still much lower than linear TV, which has about 15 minutes of ads per hour. But each service’s ad tier produces a much different user experience. Netflix and Max maintain the lightest ad loads, according to MediaRadar.
Women’s sports are gaining traction in streaming

Oct 24, 2024 | emarketer.com | Ross Benes

Women’s sports had a huge year in 2024. New sports leagues launched for women’s volleyball, hockey, and soccer. Ratings for women’s Olympic gymnastics, college volleyball, college basketball, and the WNBA soared. Revenues generated by women’s sports this year will be up 300% over 2021 levels, according to Deloitte. Brands have put more money toward women’s sports.
Streaming services are betting on bundling

Oct 4, 2024 | emarketer.com | Ross Benes

Facing increased pressure to achieve profitability, streaming services continue to raise prices and offer bundles. The hope is that bundles will limit subscription cancellations and attract new subscribers. Consumers using bundles are 15% more likely to maintain streaming subscriptions after six months, according to Magid data cited by Deadline in June 2024.