Chart: Radio
The U.S. media landscape is dominated by massive corporations that, through a history of mergers and acquisitions, have concentrated their control over what we see, hear and read. In many cases these giant companies are vertically intergrated, controlling everything from initial production to final distribution.
These charts are derived in part from information gathered by Columbia Journalism Review’s Who Owns What? site, one of many excellent resources on the web regarding media ownership. Learn more about media ownership »
Select a chart: The Big Six Cable TV Print Telecom Radio
2006 revenues: $34.3 billion
The Walt Disney Company owns the ABC Television Network, cable networks including ESPN, the Disney Channel, SOAPnet, A&E and Lifetime, 227 radio stations, music and book publishing companies, production companies Touchstone, Miramax and Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar Animation Studios, the cellular service Disney Mobile, and theme parks around the world.
The Walt Disney Company owns the ABC Television Network, cable networks including ESPN, the Disney Channel, SOAPnet, A&E and Lifetime, 227 radio stations, music and book publishing companies, production companies Touchstone, Miramax and Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar Animation Studios, the cellular service Disney Mobile, and theme parks around the world.
2006 revenues: $27.0 billion
Bertelsmann AG is one of the world’s largest media companies, with substantial holdings in Europe and North America, including: book publisher Random House, international radio and television station owner RTL Group, music publisher BMG Music Entertainment, and media firm Gruner+Jahr.
Bertelsmann AG is one of the world’s largest media companies, with substantial holdings in Europe and North America, including: book publisher Random House, international radio and television station owner RTL Group, music publisher BMG Music Entertainment, and media firm Gruner+Jahr.
2006 revenues: $14.3 billion
CBS Corporation owns the CBS Television Network, CBS Television Distribution Group, the CW (a joint venture with Time Warner), Showtime, book publisher Simon & Schuster, 27 television stations, and CBS Radio, Inc, which has 140 stations. CBS is now the leading supplier of video to Google’s new Video Marketplace.
CBS Corporation owns the CBS Television Network, CBS Television Distribution Group, the CW (a joint venture with Time Warner), Showtime, book publisher Simon & Schuster, 27 television stations, and CBS Radio, Inc, which has 140 stations. CBS is now the leading supplier of video to Google’s new Video Marketplace.
2006 revenues: $13.2 billion
Cox Enterprises, whose subsidiaries include Cox Cable, Cox Television and Cox Radio, controls 80 radio and 15 television stations, 43 newspapers, and several publishing companies. Cox also offers broadband Internet access and digital phone service; as of 2007 it had six million broadband customers and 2.3 million digital phone subscribers in the United States.
Cox Enterprises, whose subsidiaries include Cox Cable, Cox Television and Cox Radio, controls 80 radio and 15 television stations, 43 newspapers, and several publishing companies. Cox also offers broadband Internet access and digital phone service; as of 2007 it had six million broadband customers and 2.3 million digital phone subscribers in the United States.
2006 revenues: $11.5 billion
Viacom holdings include: Music Television, Nickelodeon, VH1, BET, Comedy Central, Paramount Pictures, Paramount Home Entertainment, Atom Entertainment, publishing company Famous Music and music game developer Harmonix. Viacom 18 is a joint venture with the Indian media company Global Broadcast news.
Viacom holdings include: Music Television, Nickelodeon, VH1, BET, Comedy Central, Paramount Pictures, Paramount Home Entertainment, Atom Entertainment, publishing company Famous Music and music game developer Harmonix. Viacom 18 is a joint venture with the Indian media company Global Broadcast news.
2006 revenues: $7.1 billion
Clear Channel Communications is the largest owner of radio stations in the United States, operating 1194 stations in the United States and 240 stations internationally. It also owns or operates 40 television stations in 25 media markets nationwide.
In 2007, Clear Channel announced plans to sell 448 of its radio and television stations in the United States.
Clear Channel Communications is the largest owner of radio stations in the United States, operating 1194 stations in the United States and 240 stations internationally. It also owns or operates 40 television stations in 25 media markets nationwide.
In 2007, Clear Channel announced plans to sell 448 of its radio and television stations in the United States.
2006 revenues: $475 million
Morris owns 27 daily newspapers as well as 28 non-daily newspapers, city magazines and free community publications in the Southeast, Midwest, Southwest and Alaska. It owns 36 radio stations, and has holdings in the areas of outdoor advertising, book publishing and distribution, visitor publications and online services.
Morris owns 27 daily newspapers as well as 28 non-daily newspapers, city magazines and free community publications in the Southeast, Midwest, Southwest and Alaska. It owns 36 radio stations, and has holdings in the areas of outdoor advertising, book publishing and distribution, visitor publications and online services.
2006 revenues: $440 million
Entercom owns and operates more than 100 radio stations in 23 markets in the United States.
Entercom owns and operates more than 100 radio stations in 23 markets in the United States.
2006 revenues: $433 million
Citadel Broadcasting is one of the the largest radio groups in the United States. As of 2007, it owned 223 stations in 46 media markets in 24 states throughout the country.
Citadel Broadcasting is one of the the largest radio groups in the United States. As of 2007, it owned 223 stations in 46 media markets in 24 states throughout the country.
2006 revenues: $387 million
Emmis owns 23 radio stations in the United States and another six abroad, two U.S. television stations, nine magazines and a book publishing company.
Emmis owns 23 radio stations in the United States and another six abroad, two U.S. television stations, nine magazines and a book publishing company.
2006 revenues: $334 million
Cumulus Media owns and operates 313 radio stations in 60 markets in the United States.
Cumulus Media owns and operates 313 radio stations in 60 markets in the United States.
2006 revenues: $228 million
Salem Communications owns and operates 97 radio stations in the United States. It provides Christian radio programming. The company also owns
Salem Radio Network, a national radio network that syndicates Christian music and conservative talk to approximately 2,000 affiliated radio stations.
Other holdings include: Salem Radio Representatives, a national radio advertising sales firm; Salem Web Network, a provider of online Christian content and streaming; Townhall.com, a provider of conservative content on-line; Salem Publishing, a publisher of Christian magazines; and Xulon Press, a digital publisher of books targeting the Christian audience.
Salem Communications owns and operates 97 radio stations in the United States. It provides Christian radio programming. The company also owns
Salem Radio Network, a national radio network that syndicates Christian music and conservative talk to approximately 2,000 affiliated radio stations.
Other holdings include: Salem Radio Representatives, a national radio advertising sales firm; Salem Web Network, a provider of online Christian content and streaming; Townhall.com, a provider of conservative content on-line; Salem Publishing, a publisher of Christian magazines; and Xulon Press, a digital publisher of books targeting the Christian audience.
2006 revenues: $143 million
Saga Communications owns 89 radio stations, five television stations, four low-power television stations and five radio information networks in 26 markets throughout the United States.
Saga Communications owns 89 radio stations, five television stations, four low-power television stations and five radio information networks in 26 markets throughout the United States.
2004 revenues: $84 million
Regent Communications owns and operates 68 radio stations in 14 U.S. markets .
Regent Communications owns and operates 68 radio stations in 14 U.S. markets .
NextMedia operates 58 stations in 15 markets around the country.
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| Entercom logo (for chart) | 2.03 KB |
| Citadel logo (for chart) | 2.59 KB |
| Cumulus logo (for chart) | 1.75 KB |
| Salem logo (for chart) | 2.15 KB |
| Saga logo (for chart) | 1.99 KB |
| Regent logo (for chart) | 2.23 KB |
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