Media Ownership: Economics And Politics Of Convergence And Co

Description: Media Ownership : The Economics and Politics of Convergence and Concentration in the UK and European Media
The digital revolution is transforming media and communications industries worldwide, and media companies are keen to emerge at the forefront of an increasingly transnational and competitive communications marketplace. However, the volume and scale of mergers and alliances involving media players has raised considerable challenges for regulators and state authorities alike. Media Ownership: - Investigates the commercial and strategic advantages of consolidation and cross-media expansion - Examines the socio-political and cultural implications of media concentration - Analyzes how policy makers have responded to media concentration and convergence - Assesses the relationship between media ownership and economic performance - Looks at the balance of power between politicians and media owners This book offers an up-to-date critical overview of the contemporary media environment, as such it will be an essential text for all those with an interest in media economics, media policy, media law and management.



Contents: Introduction PART ONE: WHY DOES OWNERSHIP OF THE MEDIA MATTER? Media Concentrations and Pluralism Industrial and Economic Policy Aims PART TWO: ECONOMICS OF MEDIA CONCENTRATIONS Monomedia Expansion Cross-Media Expansion PART THREE: MEDIA OWNERSHIP POLICY - THE UK CASE The Development of Regulation and Policy The 1996 Broadcasting Act An Analysis A New Future for Communications? PART FOUR: MEDIA OWNERSHIP POLICY IN EUROPE Trends and Policy Responses across Europe Towards a Harmonized EU Policy Initiative? Conclusions