Chart: TV
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 intergrated, controlling everything from initial production to final distribution.
These charts are derived in part from information gathered by Columbia Journalism Review’s Who Owns What? site, one of many excellent resources on the web regarding media ownership. Learn more about media ownership »
Select a chart: The Big Six Cable TV Print Telecom Radio
2006 revenues: $163.4 billion
General Electric media-related holdings include television networks NBC and Telemundo, Universal Pictures, Focus Features, 26 television stations in the United States, and cable networks MSNBC, Bravo and the Sci Fi Channel.
General Electric media-related holdings include television networks NBC and Telemundo, Universal Pictures, Focus Features, 26 television stations in the United States, and cable networks MSNBC, Bravo and the Sci Fi Channel.
2006 revenues: $34.3 billion
The Walt Disney Company owns the ABC Television Network, cable networks including ESPN, the Disney Channel, SOAPnet, A&E and Lifetime, 227 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, 227 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.
2006 revenues: $27.0 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, music publisher BMG Music Entertainment, 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, music publisher BMG Music Entertainment, and media firm Gruner+Jahr.
2006 revenues: $25.3 billion
News Corporation’s media holdings include: the Fox Broadcasting Company, television and cable networks such as Fox, Fox Business Channel, National Geographic and FX, 35 television stations, print publications including the Wall Street Journal, the New York Post, TVGuide, the magazines Barron’s and SmartMoney, book publisher HarperCollins, film production companies 20th Century Fox, Fox Searchlight Pictures and Blue Sky Studios, numerous Web sites including MarketWatch.com, and non-media holdings including the National Rugby League.
News Corporation’s media holdings include: the Fox Broadcasting Company, television and cable networks such as Fox, Fox Business Channel, National Geographic and FX, 35 television stations, print publications including the Wall Street Journal, the New York Post, TVGuide, the magazines Barron’s and SmartMoney, book publisher HarperCollins, film production companies 20th Century Fox, Fox Searchlight Pictures and Blue Sky Studios, numerous Web sites including MarketWatch.com, and non-media holdings including the National Rugby League.
2006 revenues: $14.3 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, 27 television stations, and CBS Radio, Inc, which has 140 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, 27 television stations, and CBS Radio, Inc, which has 140 stations. CBS is now the leading supplier of video to Google’s new Video Marketplace.
2006 revenues: $13.2 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 2007 it had six million broadband customers and 2.3 million digital phone subscribers 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 2007 it had six million broadband customers and 2.3 million digital phone subscribers in the United States.
2006 revenues: $11.5 billion
Viacom holdings include: Music Television, Nickelodeon, VH1, BET, Comedy Central, Paramount Pictures, Paramount Home Entertainment, Atom Entertainment, publishing company Famous Music and music game developer Harmonix. Viacom 18 is a joint venture with the Indian media company Global Broadcast news.
Viacom holdings include: Music Television, Nickelodeon, VH1, BET, Comedy Central, Paramount Pictures, Paramount Home Entertainment, Atom Entertainment, publishing company Famous Music and music game developer Harmonix. Viacom 18 is a joint venture with the Indian media company Global Broadcast news.
2006 revenues: $8.0 billion
Gannett holdings include 23 television stations, a massive portfolio of print publications with titles such as the USA Today, and a myriad of other related operations and services.
Gannett holdings include 23 television stations, a massive portfolio of print publications with titles such as the USA Today, and a myriad of other related operations and services.
2006 revenues: $7.1 billion
Clear Channel Communications is the largest owner of radio stations in the United States, operating 1194 stations in the United States and 240 stations internationally. It also owns or operates 40 television stations in 25 media markets nationwide.
In 2007, Clear Channel announced plans to sell 448 of its radio and television stations in the United States.
Clear Channel Communications is the largest owner of radio stations in the United States, operating 1194 stations in the United States and 240 stations internationally. It also owns or operates 40 television stations in 25 media markets nationwide.
In 2007, Clear Channel announced plans to sell 448 of its radio and television stations in the United States.
2006 revenues: $6.3 billion
McGraw-Hill controls a large network of book and newspaper companies and high-circulation publications, including BusinessWeek Magazine. The company also owns nine television stations and other, nonmedia-related businesses, including J.D. Power and Associates.
McGraw-Hill controls a large network of book and newspaper companies and high-circulation publications, including BusinessWeek Magazine. The company also owns nine television stations and other, nonmedia-related businesses, including J.D. Power and Associates.
2006 revenues: $5.5 billion
Tribune owns 23 television stations (reaching more than 80 percent of U.S. television households), one radio station, 26 newspapers, 10 magazines, and several publishing companies, among other holdings.
Tribune owns 23 television stations (reaching more than 80 percent of U.S. television households), one radio station, 26 newspapers, 10 magazines, and several publishing companies, among other holdings.
2006 revenues: $3.9 billion
The Washington Post Company’s many operations include The Washington Post, Newsweek and numerous other magazines, six television stations, Cable One, and the educational company Kaplan, Inc.
The Washington Post Company’s many operations include The Washington Post, Newsweek and numerous other magazines, six television stations, Cable One, and the educational company Kaplan, Inc.
2006 revenues: $3.3 billion
The New York Times Company owns 18 newspapers including the New York Times, the Boston Globe and the International Herald Tribune, numerous online holdings, and two radio stations.
The New York Times Company owns 18 newspapers including the New York Times, the Boston Globe and the International Herald Tribune, numerous online holdings, and two radio stations.
2006 revenues: $2.9 billion
CanWest Global is the largest publisher of English-language newspapers in Canada. It also owns several magazines and has extensive holdings in cable and radio in Canada as well as in the U.K. and Turkey.
CanWest Global is the largest publisher of English-language newspapers in Canada. It also owns several magazines and has extensive holdings in cable and radio in Canada as well as in the U.K. and Turkey.
2006 revenues: $2.5 billion
The E.W. Scripps Company holdings include 10 television stations, a number of television networks, 19 newspaper publications, and online holdings.
The E.W. Scripps Company holdings include 10 television stations, a number of television networks, 19 newspaper publications, and online holdings.
2006 revenues: $1.6 billion
Belo owns and operates 20 TV stations and their associated Web sites, six cable news stations, more than 30 Web sites, interactive alliances and partnerships and has a broad range of Internet-based products and services.
In February 2008, Belo completed the spin-off of its newspaper business into a publicly-traded company called A.H. Belo Corp.
Belo owns and operates 20 TV stations and their associated Web sites, six cable news stations, more than 30 Web sites, interactive alliances and partnerships and has a broad range of Internet-based products and services.
In February 2008, Belo completed the spin-off of its newspaper business into a publicly-traded company called A.H. Belo Corp.
2006 revenues: $1.6 billion
Meredith Corporation owns 26 magazines including Better Homes and Gardens, Ladies’ Home Journal and Parents, as well as 14 television stations and publishing company Meredith Books.
Meredith Corporation owns 26 magazines including Better Homes and Gardens, Ladies’ Home Journal and Parents, as well as 14 television stations and publishing company Meredith Books.
2006 revenues: $983 million
Media General owns 23 television stations, 25 metropolitan and community newspapers, more than 100 other periodicals, and Blockdot, Inc., an “advergaming” and game development firm.
Media General owns 23 television stations, 25 metropolitan and community newspapers, more than 100 other periodicals, and Blockdot, Inc., an “advergaming” and game development firm.
2006 revenues: $846 million
Hearst Corporation is one of the nation’s largest diversified communications companies with vast interests in magazines, newspapers, digital media, business media and television.
Hearst Corporation is one of the nation’s largest diversified communications companies with vast interests in magazines, newspapers, digital media, business media and television.
2006 revenues: $715 million
Sinclair Broadcast Group owns and operates 57 television stations in 35 media markets in the United States. It reaches approximately 22 percent of all U.S. television households.
Sinclair Broadcast Group owns and operates 57 television stations in 35 media markets in the United States. It reaches approximately 22 percent of all U.S. television households.
2006 revenues: $636 million
Raycom Media, Inc. owns and operates 39 television stations in 34 markets. It also owns post-production facilities, a cable advertising sales firm and Raycom Sports, which markets, produces and distributes sports programming.
Raycom Media, Inc. owns and operates 39 television stations in 34 markets. It also owns post-production facilities, a cable advertising sales firm and Raycom Sports, which markets, produces and distributes sports programming.
2006 revenues: $332 million
Gray Television, Inc. operates 36 television stations in 30 markets in the United States.
Gray Television, Inc. operates 36 television stations in 30 markets in the United States.
2006 revenues: $265 million
Nexstar Broadcasting Group owns or operates 49 television stations in 29 markets.
Nexstar Broadcasting Group owns or operates 49 television stations in 29 markets.
2003 revenues: $240 million
TBN is the largest Christian television network in the world, operating 23 high-power and over 240 low-power television stations in the United States and supplying programming to all continents, among other operations.
TBN is the largest Christian television network in the world, operating 23 high-power and over 240 low-power television stations in the United States and supplying programming to all continents, among other operations.
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