Ownership 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 integrated, controlling everything from initial production to final distribution. In the interactive charts below we reveal who owns what.
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Select a chart: The Big Six Cable TV Print Telecom Radio
2009 revenues: $36.1 billion
The Walt Disney Company owns the ABC Television Network, cable networks including ESPN, the Disney Channel, SOAPnet, A&E and Lifetime, 277 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, 277 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.
2009 revenues: $20.5 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, 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, and media firm Gruner+Jahr.
2009 revenues: $14.7 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 2009, it had 4.1 million broadband customers and 2.7 million voice customers 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 2009, it had 4.1 million broadband customers and 2.7 million voice customers in the United States.
2009 revenues: $13.6 billion
Viacom holdings include: MTV, Nickelodeon/Nick-at-Nite, VH1, BET, Comedy Central, Paramount Pictures, Paramount Home Entertainment, Atom Entertainment, and music game developer Harmonix. Viacom 18 is a joint venture with the Indian media company Global Broadcast news.
Viacom holdings include: MTV, Nickelodeon/Nick-at-Nite, VH1, BET, Comedy Central, Paramount Pictures, Paramount Home Entertainment, Atom Entertainment, and music game developer Harmonix. Viacom 18 is a joint venture with the Indian media company Global Broadcast news.
2009 revenues: $13 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, 30 television stations, and CBS Radio, Inc, which has 130 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, 30 television stations, and CBS Radio, Inc, which has 130 stations. CBS is now the leading supplier of video to Google’s new Video Marketplace.
2009 revenues: $5.6 billion
Clear Channel Communications is the largest owner of radio stations in the United States, operating 894 stations in the United States and 240 stations internationally.
Clear Channel Communications is the largest owner of radio stations in the United States, operating 894 stations in the United States and 240 stations internationally.
2009 revenues: $723 million
Despite filing for bankruptcy in December 2009, Citadel Broadcasting remains one of the largest radio groups in the United States. As of 2009, it owned 224 stations in 50 media markets in 27 states throughout the country.
Despite filing for bankruptcy in December 2009, Citadel Broadcasting remains one of the largest radio groups in the United States. As of 2009, it owned 224 stations in 50 media markets in 27 states throughout the country.
2009 revenues: $372 million
Entercom owns and operates 100 radio stations in 23 markets in the United States.
Entercom owns and operates 100 radio stations in 23 markets in the United States.
2009 revenues: $256 million
Cumulus Media owns and operates 314 radio stations in 59 markets in the United States.
Cumulus Media owns and operates 314 radio stations in 59 markets in the United States.
