One of the big sayings for those that run websites is that "Content is King" It makes perfect sense, as sites like this one have entertaining content for the targeted audience. Even better, more content is added everyday bringing users back repeatedly. Poptular TV shows and movies are loved because they entertain customers for a low cost or free.
On the other hand, you have the content provided by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, delivered though the pages of the Watchtower and through weekly meetings. Several threads lately have discussed meetings and what value, or lack thereof they offer to their audience. With Flippers latest thread discussing how the WT hammers meeting on the sheep, obviously they feel too many Witnesses are skipping out on their spiritual food, and there is good reason.
The CONTENT of the meetings is getting worse and worse. People are not learning anything new, they are only getting a rehash of everything they already know. They are specifically told NOT to research the bible outside of WT publications, meaning they only take in the material through the rose colored glasses of the GB. They are told that when they comment, they should stick to the paragraph, and not take up too much time in their comment. Even the WT conductor who used to have a little leeway has been reigned in lately - walk the line and keep your own input to a minimum.
Add to that the business like nature of the meetings. If people go to Church, they are looking for a spiritual experience, a connection with their God. I can say in the thirty-something years I went to meetings, I never once felt a "spiritual connection" to a higher power. It felt like the annual shareholders meeting, with different people getting up there and explaining God with very little passion in their mind or heart.
Now there is one less meeting, a loving provision from the Governing Body. Except they forgot to consider that the one meeting where people actually did find a bit of refreshment from was the book study, a time and place where the rigid Kingdom hall atmosphere was replaced by someone's home. A place where even on rare occasions bible discussions could vary away from the material and a real discussion might break out for a few minutes. But control is more important to the powers in NYC, and you can't have people thinking for themselves- not even for a minute..
Assemblies and DCs are more of the same. Bigger meetings in bigger buildings. The one departure from this is the drama at the DC, something JWs rave about, because its the one hour a year they get some entertaining content from the Watchtower. Despite its revisionist history, at least the drama isn't some elder pounding on them to "do more" or be killed at Armageddon.
I don't expect the WT to change their content, they have enough people around to keep them afloat for a long time to come. But their days of growth are over, as their meetings have become too stale for anyone who thinks.