Clear Channel's practices are monopolistic in nature. Only three major companies own the majority of radio airwaves in the United States-EMMIS, Radio One and Clear Channel-, but out of these three Clear Channel is the one most infamously known. "Prior to the Telecommunications Act of 1996, a radio company could only own 40 stations nationwide and only four in a particular market. Since that has changed Clear Channel now owns 1,170 radio stations nationwide". Clear Channel owns 1 out of 10 radio stations in the U.S., determining what listeners consume on a daily basis. This explains the constant repetition of the same music on different radio stations. Along with this Clear Channel bought SFX allowing them to completely manipulate and dictate concert tickets prices of many well known artists.
Clear Channel poses such a great threat because of its vast ownership of many products. Imagine if they attempted to create their own record label. They would be able to promote their own artists through their own Clear Channel Outdoors billboards and radio stations, present them in their own venues. This whole concept of one company owning all the products we consume is a bit frightening, but it's a serious reality. If we are only exposed to what one company is producing, we are completely controlled and manipulated by them. Just Clear Channel stations alone "take to the airwaves across all 50 states, in almost every major market, reaching nearly every demographic." So all 50 states and nearly every demographic is being controlled by Clear Channel to consume their products because there really isn't a choice to choose otherwise.
Works Cited
One, J. (2012, January 6). How The Music Industry Monopoly Really Works. Retrieved December 12, 2014, from http://raprehab.com/how-the-music-industry-monopoly-really-works/
Friday, December 12, 2014
Friday, December 5, 2014
Online radio poses a threat
Online streaming has extremely impacted the radio business. The ability for a consumer to customize their music diverges them from using the conventional, original form of radio. In order to adjust to this shift cars are beginning to have Internet access within their systems. This shift to online streaming is largely due to the effects of convergence in products, such as smart phones. Now, consumers are constantly able to access the Internet, and online streaming sites and apps.
The introduction of online streaming and society's total participation in online services allude to a rebirth of radio, not its death. Radio stations are adapting to the change “We’re not trying to dictate where people connect to us,” says Evan Harrison, an executive vice president of Clear Channel Radio. “We need to be everywhere." Adapting to these changes will cause a reform in the products that radio stations put out, such as more online websites and the welcoming of online streaming. "Ultimately, the incursion of Internet-based music services and radio station streams may be less about annihilating yet another business model than it is about breaking down barriers."
The introduction of online streaming and society's total participation in online services allude to a rebirth of radio, not its death. Radio stations are adapting to the change “We’re not trying to dictate where people connect to us,” says Evan Harrison, an executive vice president of Clear Channel Radio. “We need to be everywhere." Adapting to these changes will cause a reform in the products that radio stations put out, such as more online websites and the welcoming of online streaming. "Ultimately, the incursion of Internet-based music services and radio station streams may be less about annihilating yet another business model than it is about breaking down barriers."
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Quain, J. (2010, May 8). Will the Internet Kill Traditional Car Radio? Retrieved December 5, 2014, from http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/automobiles/09RADIO.html?_r=
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