Comment by TheOtherHobbes

It's easier to distribute material. But it is not - at all - easier to market and promote material. Especially not in a persistent and effective way.

That's the real difference now. People can make near-professional movies on iPhones, musicians can make professional-quality music at home, but no amateur has access to the huge industrial PR, social, and trad ad networks that the major labels/studios can roll out to promote their projects.