Article Title
The Game of Radiopoly: An Antitrust Perspective of Consolidation in the Radio Industry
Document Type
Comment
Publication Date
3-2000
Publication Citation
52 Federal Communications Law Journal 473 (2000)
Abstract
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 eliminated nationwide radio ownership restrictions and liberalized local ownership caps. As a result of this deregulation, the radio industry has experienced mass consolidation. Faced with an unprecedented number of proposed mergers, the federal antitrust enforcement agencies play an increasingly important role in the outcome of media mergers. The Horizontal Merger Guidelines, the primary vehicle of antitrust enforcement, address primarily economic factors to prevent anticompetitive mergers. Despite the healthy revenues generated through economies of scope and scale, it is questionable whether a sufficient regulatory mechanism exists to ensure diversity of voices. Although it is still too early to know the full effects of deregulation, consolidation may endanger content diversity and preclude the participation of smaller players.
Recommended Citation
Leeper, Sarah Elizabeth
(2000)
"The Game of Radiopoly: An Antitrust Perspective of Consolidation in the Radio Industry,"
Federal Communications Law Journal: Vol. 52:
Iss.
2, Article 9.
Available at:
https://www.repository.law.indiana.edu/fclj/vol52/iss2/9