Structural Changes in Small Media Markets

Abstract

This article addresses the structural changes in the local broadcast television, radio, and daily newspaper industries in small media markets. Specifically, the study explores the consequences of shifting from a managed structure of regulation to an open-market structure of deregulation in markets with a population of 125,000 or less. Overall, the statistical analysis suggests a limited impact on the number of local owners when considering the gradual change from regulation to deregulation. However, the analysis suggests that there has been a negative impact on ownership diversity in some local media industries in the small markets since the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Impact of Newspaper Characteristics on Reporters' Agricultural Crisis Stories: Productivity, Story Length, and Source Selection

“…Because newspapers must pay for the privilege of having their stories listed by the LexisNexis database, the resulting self-selection may obscure possible distinctions between large urban and smaller, rural newspapers in coverage of events like the December 2003 BSE outbreak (Branton & Dunaway, 2009;Caburnay et al, 2003;Cannon & Irani, 2011;Chambers, 2003;Crawley, 2007;Eshbaugh-Soha & Peake, 2008;Marks, Kalaitzandonakes, Wilkins, & Zakharova, 2007;Ruth, Eubanks, & Telg, 2005). Thus, further research replicating this study for similar agricultural crises, including smaller, more rural papers, is recommended.…”

Press and the digital revolution: the challenges of the Portuguese market

“…Small markets tend to be more concentrated, which may be a risk in terms of diversity of supply and for political pluralism. Chambers (2003) provides evidence that there is a tendency for the loss of voices in concentrated small markets and that the deregulation of media markets led to a decrease in the overall number of owners in small markets.…”

Format Monopolies: The Evolution of “Nationwide Format Oligopolies”

“…Almost a decade after the passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, scholars and critics continue to research and discuss the impact this legislation has had on the radio industry (Ala-.ossi, 2004;Albarran & Loomis, 2004;Bates & Chambers 1999;Bednarski, 2003;Berry & Waldfogel, 1999, 2001BIA, 2002;Chambers, 2003;DiCola & Thomson, 2002;Drushel, 1998;.ederal Communications Commission, 1998;.lamm, 1997;Howard, 1998;Huntemann, 1999;Leeper, 2000;Macek & Young, 2004;McConnell, 2002;Merli, 1998;Mizrach, 1998;Rush, Payton, & Leeper, 1999;Waldfogel & Wulf, 2005;Williams & Roberts, 2002;Wirth, 2001Wirth, , 2002. However, their conclusions are often contradictory.…”

“…Simply stated, many agree that the radio industry on an individual market basis is functioning as or approaching an oligopolistic 1 structure (Chambers, 2003;Drushel, 1998;William & Roberts, 2002). In fact, in a statement before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in 2003, Michael Copps, Commissioner of the .ederal Communications Commission testified that, Most local radio markets are now oligopolies (.ederal Communications Commission, January 2003, p. 3).…”