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Mark Cuban has had his fair share of successful investments and keen business insights over the years. But in this, one platform that caught his attention early on was Musical.ly, the app that would later become the global sensation, TikTok. In its early days, Cuban saw the potential of the app and was drawn to its unique combination of music, dance, and live interactions.
However, as TikTok grew and evolved, Cuban noticed some significant changes. While the app skyrocketed in popularity, it became clear to him that it was no longer the same platform he once loved.
What did Mark Cuban think of Musical.ly turning into TikTok?
As one of themost popular apps today, TikTokhas undergone a dramatic transformation since its early days as Musical.ly. It was a platform that centered around music, dance videos, and a lot of creativity. Back then, even billionaire entrepreneur andShark TankjudgeMark Cubanrecognized its potential and even attempted to invest in it.
Unfortunately, his offer didn’t materialize because the company wasn’t seeking additional funding at the time. In an interview viaBusiness Insider,he added,“I loved it because I could just turn it on, and there would be 15,000 people live immediately that I could talk to.”He shared the same while reflecting on what made Musical.ly so intriguing.
For more context in 2017, ByteDance acquired Musical.ly and rebranded it as TikTok, skyrocketing it into global stardom. However, Cuban feels that this shift came at a cost adding,“I liked it better when it was dances and music. Now it’s a business.” He also added that the app’s transition from a fun and creative space to a highly commercialized platform was something that he did not appreciate that much.
In the same conversation, Cuban explained that Musical.ly’s early success was largely due to its algorithm, which delivered content that users genuinely enjoyed. Over time, TikTok’s priorities seemed to shift toward followers, engagement, and revenue generation. This focus on monetization, Cuban believes, has negatively impacted the user experience.
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Like many TikTok users who are frustrated by all the ads and promotions, Cuban has become disappointed with the platform’s current direction. Even though he has over a million followers on TikTok, he rarely posts, showing that he’s not as involved with the app as he once was.
Mark Cuban’s plan to cut healthcare costs
Mark Cuban has beentrying to fix the U.S. healthcaresystem for years. He wants to make it more affordable and efficient for people. On the same subject, in his recent podcast appearances onFishbowlviaYahoo!, Cuban shared how his ideas could change the way Americans pay for and access health care.
One of Cuban’s biggest ideas is his pharmaceutical company, Cost Plus Drugs, which sells medications at much lower prices. He believes the current system, where middlemen like pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) get involved raises prices unnecessarily.
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So, he decided to cut out these middlemen to offer clear and lower prices to customers. He said:
Cuban is also changing how healthcare providers are paid. Instead of dealing with complicated insurance systems, he works out direct contracts with hospitals and clinics. This way, his companies pay hospitals directly, eliminating the need for deductibles, pre-authorizations, and insurance denials. This approach makes things simpler and helps reduce unnecessary costs.
You can watch all theShark Tankseasons on Hulu.
Sakshi Singh
Articles Published :1436
Sakshi Singh has written over 1,300 entertainment articles, mostly about Netflix shows and reality TV. She’s spent the last two years covering everything from surprise engagements to shocking eliminations and previously wrote for Essentially Sports in their Netflix Junkie division. A self-proclaimed reality TV addict, Sakshi has watched all 48 seasons of Survivor and never misses a new dating or competition series. She loves watching how strangers meet, fall in love, team up, or betray each other - it’s the mix of strategy and drama that keeps her hooked. When she’s not glued to a reality show, she’s usually watching a crime thriller or tracking the next big streaming hit.
