Defying History

Do those who don't heed Web history risk repeating it? Comstock Data Mining, a service provider that develops, markets, and maintains Web sites for media companies such as Universal Studios, is banking heavily on the pay-for-content model, despite its past failures.

For the Universal shows Blind Date and The 5th Wheel, Comstock has created sites which rely on viewers paying for dating services.

Late last month, Comstock launched a site for TV psychic Miss Cleo that lets fans buy online astrology readings.

Tier 1 Research president Andrew Schroepfer says pay-for-content may work for companies like Comstock due to the entertainment value of their content.