ACCESS Can anyone “own” information? Who has access to this information? What are the barriers to entry? What are the implications of media concentration? How has the Internet changed ownership? From the Digital Divide to the Participation Gap

Regulators vs. De-Regulators

& MR. MEDIA you

Mr. Media Grows

FOUNDATIONS OF THE EXPLORATION Who are the big Media Companies? How do they grow? What are the implications of their growth? What does this mean for the civic voice? Do we (citizens) really have a voice? If so, what does it sound like? What does this new relationship between users & producers mean for the Media Landscape?

Who is Mr. Media? Can you name the 7 media conglomerates that own and operate over 75% of the mass media messages you see today?

World’s Largest Media companies (total revenue in 2005) CompanyRevenue (in Billions) 1.General Electric$157.2* 2.Time Warner$ Walt Disney Co.$ News Corporation$ Bertelsmann$ CBS$ Viacom$9.8 * 14.7 USbillion revenue from media ventures Table 1: World’s Largest Media Companies Source: FreePress Ownership Chart:

In case you weren’t aware…

and…

How Do they Grow?

1996 Congress passes Telecommunications Act. FCC continues to ease ownership regulations. 1. Merge & Acquire

Merger Media Approximate number of daily newspapers in North America 1800 Approximate number of magazines in North America 11,000 Approximate number of radio stations in North America 11,000 Approximate number of television stations in North America 2,000 Approximate number of book publishers in North America 3,000 Number of companies owning a controlling interest in the media listed above in Number of companies owning a controlling interest in the media listed above in Number of companies owning a controlling interest in the media listed above in Number of companies owning a controlling interest in the media listed above in

2. Synergy & Branding

Synergy Definition: refers to the dynamic in which components of a company work together to produce benefits that would be impossible for a single, separately operated unit of the company

Branding If a brand is associated with a quality or image that a consumer likes, the consumer tends to choose the branded version of a traditional product or to try a new product from the same brand

Branding Spin offs: ESPN2, ESPN News, ESPN Classic Publication: ESPN, the magazine Web site: espn.com Retail outlet: ESPN, the Store Sport-themed restaurant: The ESPN Zone Owned by…

Domestic markets are saturated with media products, so companies see international growth as key Media conglomerates are in effective positions to compete with – and dominate – local media in other countries By distributing existing media products to other countries, media companies can add revenue at little cost Growth/Expansion Globally

Globalization One product, that is adapted to be viewed in the following countries: …

Globalization India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Japan, Brunei, South Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Papa New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, UK, Ireland, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Greece, Israel, Romania, 30 territories including: Russia, Middle East, Egypt, Faroe Islands, Liechtenstein, Malta, Moldova. And…Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Italy, Bolivia, Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, United States (select Hispanic markets) Venezuela, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Russia, many countries in Africa…and on and on and on: totaling MTV being tailored for viewing in: 164 Countries! Cultural imperialism