Ownership Part 2

About 6 months ago I posted about ownership concentration. I began with a list of what was then the top 20 largest owners. Today I re-post that list. Please notice the big only get bigger.

The reason I revisit this is that this dipwad senator thinks the ownership restrictions should be relaxed. Guess what radio chains have donated to his campaign! Rep Fred Upton [R], a House Commerce Committee member and communications subcommittee chairman, has asked FCC Chairman Kevin Martin to launch a proceeding to raise the maximum number of stations one company can own in certain U.S. markets. In a Feb. 9 letter, the Michigan Republican suggested that the ownership limit in markets with 60 or more stations be increased from eight to 10 stations. He also recommended that the limit in markets with 75 or more stations be raised to 12! Tell Fred you think he's a jerk here: http://www.house.gov/upton/


Owns / Operates Stations
Clear Channel Communications 1241
Cumulus Broadcasting Inc 310
Citadel Communications Corporation 240
CBS Radio/Infinity Broadcasting 179
Educational Media Foundation 167
American Family Association Inc 134
Entercom 103
Salem Communications Corporation 95
Saga Communications Inc 82
Cox Broadcasting 79
Regent Communications Inc 76
Univision Communications Inc 73
Waitt Broadcasting Inc 70
Radio One Inc 69
NextMedia Group 60
ABC Radio Inc 52
Entravision Holdings LLC 52
Triad Broadcasting Company 46
Forever Broadcasting Inc 43
Beasley Broadcast Group 42

LINK http://dks.thing.net/Big_Radio_Rules.html

But This isn't just about New York and LA. The greatest concentration of ownership in the radio industry can be found in small and medium-sized markets. In Mansfield, Ohio, Clear Channel owns 11 of the metro area's 17 radio stations. Of the top 25 markets most heavily controlled by a single owner, Clear Channel is the top owner in 20 of them and Cumulus. (Americas 2nd largest owner of radio stations, see above) controls five.

According to the Center for Public Integrity, a single company owns nine or more stations in 34 different metropolitan areas. The limit for even the largest markets in the nation, including is supposedly eight.