Cognitive Scaffold

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MENTAL MODEL · M2580

Sarnoff's Law

Sarnoff's Law
CollaborateHigh supportCommunication Studies
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

The value of a broadcast/television network is directly proportional to the number of users (N). This is a linear, one-way value model (1-to-N). It differs from Metcalfe's Law ($N^2$, interactive) and Reed's Law ($2^N$, group-forming).

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

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- Media valuation: If your business is a public account or newsletter (one-way output), its value follows Sarnoff's Law. To achieve exponential growth, you must introduce interactive mechanisms and upgrade to the Metcalfe model.

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An early law about network value: the value of a network is directly proportional to the number of users (V∝n). It is a simple expression of network effects that predates Metcalfe's Law and Reed's Law.

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Source support: Explicit

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    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_SarnoffZH · Explicit
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