Future of Music Coalition press clips following release of radio study November 2002 - January 2003 Study Shows an Increase in Overlap of Radio Playlists; The report by an artists' rights group says that morestations with different formats play the same songs. Industry officials disagree. By Jeff Leeds Los Angeles Times, November 15, 2002 http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-radio15nov15,0,4652989.story Ever since the Clinton administration Moreover, the study says, radio handful of giant media companies, loosened restrictions on how many companies that have grown the most including Clear Channel and Viacom radio stations a broadcaster could under deregulation are limiting the Inc.'s Infinity Broadcasting, which own, record label executives have choice of music by operating two or operates more than 180 stations. complained that media consolidation more stations in the same market Radio industry officials dismissed the would lead to bland playlists and with the same music format. The study's conclusions. homogenous programming. report said that Clear Channel Communications Inc., the nation's "The big gap in the logic is that the Now a coalition of musicians and biggest radio conglomerate, has 143 authors don't believe radio stations independent record label executives stations with similar music formats in care about what consumers do," said say they have statistical proof that the same market. Jodie Renk, general manager of Core the relaxation of ownership rules has Callout Research, a firm that tests stifled recording artists and The study contradicts the conclusions new songs with radio listeners. "damaged radio as a public of a September report by the Federal resource." The study was done by the Communications Commission. That "Stations spend hundreds of Future of Music Coalition, a report found that song diversity had thousands of dollars a year finding Washington-based nonprofit remained about the same since 1996. out what their listeners care about. organization that advocates artists' But that study looked at only the top The concept of these oligopolies rights. The study, to be released 10 songs played at each station. agreeing that they're all going to not Monday, found that although radio serve listeners is the most ridiculous station chains have increased the In the Future of Music Coalition thing I've ever heard." number of music formats available report, the authors say that radio on the air, they are increasingly broadcasters may be developing Diane Warren, a spokeswoman for playing similar lists of songs. For similar playlists in response to Clear Channel, agreed. "We spent a example, the study found that 76% of shifting consumer tastes. But the lot of time and money finding out the 50 most-played songs on stations report also includes a public opinion what our listeners want. If we don't labeling themselves as poll in which respondents said they give it to them, they will go "contemporary hit radio/rhythmic" were dissatisfied with the state of elsewhere." also are among the 50 most-played radio programming. songs on stations considering themselves "urban." According to the The report also echoed complaints study, the amount of overlap between from record labels and small these two formats in the last four broadcasters, who say deregulation years has increased 18%. has handed too much control to a

FMC Press Clippings: Radio Consolidation 2 Music coalition study blasts radio consolidation in U.S. by Brooks Boliek Hollywood Reporter, November 15, 2002

WASHINGTON – Radio Telecommunications Act of 1996 has both its findings and results. consolidation has had an adverse not benefited the public or "The Future of Music Coalition's effect on musicians and the American musicians," a copy of the report study contains shoddy research and public by cutting down on obtained by The Hollywood Reporter superficial analysis," a spokesman independent voices and making it said. "Instead, it has led to less for the National Association of more difficult for emerging artists to competition, fewer viewpoints and Broadcasters said. "It was motivated get airplay, according to a survey to less diversity in programming." by an activist agenda and not by be released next week. balanced objectivity." The coalition's report claims that the The Future of Music Coalition wholesale deregulation of the radio The NAB argues that the radio analyzed changes in the radio industry has "damaged radio as a industry is far less concentrated than industry's structure from 1996, when public resource." other media and noted that the the Telecommunications Act was number of foreign language stations approved, through this year, "This research makes an has increased. recording the number of station overwhelming case that market acquisitions, the number of parent consolidation intended by the act Compared to other mediums, radio is companies over time and nationwide does not serve the diverse needs of one of the least consolidated. market share. The coalition, a not- American citizens," the report said. for-profit organization of musicians, "Substantial ethnic, regional and "Currently, there are nearly 4,000 technology experts and public-policy economic populations are not separate companies owning radio and intellectual-property law provided the service to which they stations in America," the NAB said. attorneys, also attempted to measure are entitled. The public is not "Five music labels essentially control the radio industry's tendency to play satisfied, and possible economic the entire music business, and a the same songs released by the efficiencies of industry consolidation handful of Hollywood studios control recording industry's major labels are not being passed on to the public nearly the entire movie business. over various formats. What the in the form of improved local coalition found wasn't pretty. service."

"The radical deregulation of the radio But broadcast industry executives industry allowed by the dismissed the report, questioning

FMC Press Clippings: Radio Consolidation 3 Study Decries Lack of Diversity in Radio Programming by Bill Cahir NNS Newhouse News Service, November 18, 2002

Congress in 1996 passed a The FCC next year plans to decide Has It Served Citizens and telecommunications law to promote whether to permit narrower corporate Musicians?" points out that 10 diversity in radio programming. But control of all forms of mass media, companies control two-thirds of the critics claim deregulation has not including television networks and radio market, including its turned out as planned. major newspapers. Public comments advertising revenues. are due Jan. 2. The music coalition Corporate consolidation in station submitted its study to the FCC on Kristin Thomson, a social policy ownership, according to a new study, Monday. researcher and public relations has enabled "oligopolies" to control specialist in Washington, and Peter specific markets, increased A change to the existing FCC rules DiCola, a graduate student in law homogeneity in on-air programming could allow one corporate parent to and economics at the University of and caused an intensifying case of own more than one national Michigan, note that two companies, listener's remorse. television network, more than eight Clear Channel and Viacom radio stations in one city, all of the International, control broadcasting to The National Association of cable television networks in a single 42 percent of all radio listeners. Broadcasters this week attempted to news market, several Internet service discredit the analysis by the Future providers, and the dominant The two companies collect 45 of Music Coalition, deeming the newspaper in the area, too. percent of the money generated by nonprofit group's study a willful radio stations nationwide. attempt to give the radio industry a Michael J. Copps, a member of the black eye. The music coalition's Federal Communications The music coalition concedes one survey of radio listeners, the Commission, urges journalists and point to the broadcasters' lobby, broadcasters' group claimed, was consumers to focus more attention noting that radio stations now offer biased and flawed. Radio remained upon the media-consolidation story. more formats to listeners than ever "one of the least consolidated before. But the different format mediums" in modern 'We're making decisions affecting not labels Adult Rhythm and Blues, telecommunications. just the diversity of entertainment Crossover and Rhythmic Top 40, for available to us, but the diversity of example are generally misleading, "There's more diversity in terms of viewpoints in our political dialogue," the study says. programming on the radio dial today Copps says. "And we are maybe than there has been in history," said putting at risk much of the openness Most formats spoon-feed the same Dennis Wharton, spokesman for the and diversity that we have valued so hit songs to listeners under different NAB. Wharton noted that the much in our media over the years." labels. Two formats, Rhythmic and number of Spanish language stations Proponents of liberalized rules for Urban, played 76 percent of the same over the past six years had grown media giants claim that the Internet songs in 2002, the authors reported. from 400 to 600. and satellite communications have They compared play lists published rendered obsolete the old-school by the Billboard Airplay Monitor and Debating what has happened in radio limits on media monopolies. Anyone another trade journal, Radio and since Congress passed the 1996 unhappy with one local newspaper Records. Telecommunications Act does not can read another one online, the constitute an idle exercise for argument goes. In a survey of 500 people conducted Washington lawyers. for the music coalition, the Behavior The Future of Music Coalition in a Research Center of Phoenix, Ariz., study called "Radio Deregulation: found that 80 percent of all listeners

FMC Press Clippings: Radio Consolidation 4 Study Decries Lack of Diversity in Radio Programming NNS continued would favor federal action to prohibit further consolidation of radio station ownership.

But the broadcasters' group says a survey sample of 500 people is too small to be accurate. In a survey of more than 3,000 people conducted by Arbitron/Edison Media Research, the National Association of Broadcasters found that 75 percent of all people believe radio does a "good job playing the kinds of music they like."

Consumer activists say they were appalled by the broadcasters' stance. Andrew Jay Schwartzman, president of the Media Access Project, claims radio broadcasters ought not to boast about surveys showing that 25 percent of all radio listeners are unhappy with local stations' music selection.

"It is an astounding denunciation of the industry to find that 25 percent aren't served," Schwartzman says.

FMC Press Clippings: Radio Consolidation 5 Radio Deregulation No Hit for Listeners-Report By Andy Sullivan Reuters November 18, 2002

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Relaxed "This report has as much credibility as stations on the dial, the report found. federal oversight of the radio dial may Miss Cleo," said NAB spokesman have helped a few big broadcasters Dennis Wharton, referring to the Such consolidation could subvert make sweet music over the past few television psychic who settled federal market forces as a few companies set years, but the listening public has fraud charges last week. advertising rates and determine what heard mostly static, according to a songs become hits, the coalition said. report released on Monday. The report comes as large radio News reporting could be affected as owners are coming under scrutiny well, as budget-slashing managers Six years after a landmark from lawmakers on Capitol Hill, while close newsrooms. deregulation law lifted ownership at the same time the Federal limits on radio stations, airwaves in Communications Commission The report also challenged the many cities are dominated by a few considers whether to relax regulations broadcast industry's contention that media behemoths that offer little in on media ownership further. deregulation has led to a wider variety the way of variety or local content, the of formats. A recent Bear Stearns Future of Music Coalition found. Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Russell report found that format variety has Feingold, an industry critic, said the increased by 7 percent since 1996, While deregulation has allowed report underlined many complaints he including new categories such as kids, companies like Clear Channel had heard from constituents, and said hip hop and tropical. Communications Inc. to buy up he would press to limit anti- struggling radio stations across the competitive practices. But the practical difference is minimal country, the new owners have often as many formats overlap considerably, pursued profitability by slashing costs, Musicians' unions and consumer the report said. rather than seeking to lure listeners advocates also welcomed the report. with unique content. For example, 38 of the top 50 songs The coalition analyzed industry data played on "urban"-formatted stations As a result, local airwaves are often and surveyed 500 randomly chosen also appeared on the top-50 lists of dominated by a handful of companies radio listeners for its report. stations that billed themselves as that offer a portfolio of similar- "CHR rhythmic" in August, according sounding radio stations, the think tank FEWER OWNERS, SAME SONGS to the Radio and Records trade said. What it found was an industry that has magazine. "Active rock" and consolidated significantly over the "alternative" stations shared 29 of "Much of radio on a local level has past decade to questionable public their top 50 songs. become bland and formulaic and not benefit. locally programmed," research A Clear Channel spokeswoman said director Kristin Thomson said. While federal law formerly forbade that radio stations offered different broadcasters to own more than 40 listening experiences even if they The report prompted an aggressive stations nationwide, 10 companies shared the same songs. response from the broadcasting now claim 65 percent of the listening industry, which said it should not be public. Two of these, Clear Channel "The music might cross over, but the taken seriously after a leaked version and Viacom Inc.'s Infinity combination of the information, the appeared in Los Angeles papers on Broadcasting, account for 42 percent community service, the commercials, Friday. The group slanted its findings of listeners and a similar percentage the promotions, all these elements to support its position as a critic of the of industry revenues. make up the total radio station," said industry, the National Association of Diane Warren, vice president of Broadcasters said. In smaller markets, these two firms communications for Clear Channel. and two others -- often control all the

FMC Press Clippings: Radio Consolidation 6 Music Coalition Reports Less Variety on Radio by Todd Shields MediaWeek, November 18, 2002

A research group that wants to Coalition members said they would The National Association of improve the lot of musicians and file their findings, which draw upon Broadcasters said the coalition radio listeners has released a study data from BIA Financial Networks, reached "inaccurate conclusions" that asserting that radio consolidation has with the Federal Communications are "refuted by numerous left the public with less variety in Commission. The agency is presently governmental and respected research broadcast music. considering whether to relax organizations." The NAB, which broadcast ownership limits. represents commercial broadcasting The study, which examined changes interests, said format variety has in the radio market since the Defenders of current broadcast increased since 1996, and that radio, deregulatory 1996 practices say listeners hear more with nearly 4,000 separate telecommunications act, concluded formats than in previous years. But companies, is among the least that four companies control more Future of Music researchers said consolidated media industries. than half of commercial radio's such an increase is largely illusory revenues. The study also reported because many songs are shared that a smal group of radio companies among formats. "Extensive overlap serve 70 percent of listeners in exists between nominally different "virtually every geographic market". formats," said Peter DiCola, the The report was presented by the coalition's director of economic Future of Music Coalition Monday analysis. at a news conference in Washington, D.C.

FMC Press Clippings: Radio Consolidation 7 Charge: Radio sings the same tune But industry hotly disputes narrowing of playlist By Heidi Vogt Medialife Magazine, November 18, 2002

When the Federal Communications While the study’s findings are The NAB also cites a July 2002 Commission opened the way in 1996 contrary to much current research, Arbitron/Edison Media Research for consolidation within the radio media experts say they’re not study in which 74 percent of industry, critics were most vocal in completely surprising, either. respondents said that radio “does a their concern that fewer station “The bigger stations, the Clear good job of playing the kinds of groups would quickly lead to less Channels of the world, they’re music they like.” diversity in the music available to putting one program director over listeners. several stations. Stations are starting However, this is a smaller percentage to blend formats, and there’s a very than four years ago, when 81 percent It was only a matter of time before fine line between formats,” says of respondents said radio did a good someone would attempt to prove that Lynn Cortelezzi, associate media job of playing the songs they liked. it was actually happening. director at Empower MediaMarketing. Then again, the same Arbitron study Today a report from a musicians concluded that “the premise that group makes just that charge. The Future of Music Coalition study radio ‘sucks’because of finds that playlists on different consolidation is false.” But whether the charge will hold up formats are often very similar. under public scrutiny is not entirely Cortelezzi says much of the clear. For example, 76 percent of the 50 confusion over the issue of most-played songs on “contemporary increasingly or decreasingly diverse The Future of Music Coalition, a hit radio/rhythmic” stations are also playlists comes from trying to talk musicians' advocacy group, polled in the 50 most-played songs on nationally about an issue that only about 500 people and analyzed local “urban” stations. The study claims makes sense regionally. radio formats to conclude that while that these two formats have increased the number of radio formats have in playlist overlap by 18 percent over “You almost have to look at it market actually increased since 1996, the the last four years. by market,” says Cortelezzi. She says variety of songs being played has while Clear Channel’s Chicago diminished. Among those attacking the study, and stations have lost a lot of their in scathing terms, is the National individual identities, Kansas City "With 145 pages of analysis that Association of Broadcasters. The stations have really branched out draws almost exclusively on industry report, its says, "contains very little, since consolidation to avoid taking data, we demonstrate how the radical if any, news.” share from other properties consolidation of radio station ownership has damaged the public’s The NAB cites a September FCC radio airwaves and stifled localism, study that found that song diversity competition, innovation and diversity had stayed largely the same since across the country," said the Future 1996. The FCC study looked at of Music Coalition in a statement stations’ 10 most-played songs. released Friday.

FMC Press Clippings: Radio Consolidation 8 Music group protests radio mergers by Ron Orol The Deal, November 18, 2002

As the Federal Communications Ten companies, including Clear diversity increased slightly. The Commission prepares rules that could Channel Communications Inc. and agency found an 11% increase in spur radio industry mergers, a media Viacom Inc., control 42% of listeners song diversity within the same advocacy group is calling for the and 45% of industry revenues, format in each market. agency to halt consolidation. according to the report. It also showed that four or fewer radio Blair Levin, analyst at Legg Mason The Future of Music Coalition said companies control 70% of all radio Inc., said the Telecom Act eliminated Monday, Nov. 18, that the revenues. The group said that national radio ownership restrictions, Telecommunications Act of 1996 although format variety increased at replacing them with local market weakened radio competition in the radio stations, programming diversity caps that fostered mergers. Current United States and narrowed diversity diminished. FCC rules limit a company to in programming. owning a maximum of eight radio "Analysis of music chart data in the stations in markets where there are "Our report clearly demonstrates that report reveals considerable format 45 stations. the radical deregulation of the radio homogeneity, with many songs industry has not benefited the public overlapping on various format "The agency's radio rules are getting or musicians," said Jenny Toomey, playlists," Toomey said. very close to the Justice director of the group, which released Department's competition rules, so a report on the effects of the The study contradicts a September there isn't much wiggle room," he Telecommunications Act. report by the FCC indicating that said. U.S. radio programming music

FMC Press Clippings: Radio Consolidation 9 Think tank report says deregulation hurts radio by Craig Havighurst The Tennessean, November 19, 2002

The 1996 Telecommunication Act deregulation, not more," he said marginalized older demographics. has failed to achieve any of its goals yesterday in a telephone press But the survey found that people of enhancing competition, diversity conference. under 30 are least likely to hear the and localism on radio, according to a music they most enjoy on the radio. new national study by an artist- and The study also attempts to repudiate Seventy percent of respondents said consumer-oriented think tank. broadcasters' assertion that the they listen to FM commercial radio Telecom Act led to greater diversity more or the same as they did five The report was immediately of programming. Radio "formats" did years ago. challenged by the radio industry, proliferate in recent years, but the which said parts of it were biased. study found extensive overlap of The survey asked if respondents specific songs across formats. favored policies to stem According to the Washington-based consolidation, ban radio promotion Future of Music Coalition, "Formats with different names have that let record labels financially "deregulation has damaged radio as a similar playlists," the study says. influence programming or encourage public resource." The group says Country was one of three formats local music on the air and found radio profitability has been studied (besides smooth jazz and considerable support for each. extensively since 1996 but that the contemporary Christian) to have no Federal Communications overlap with other formats in the "When given the opportunity to think Commission's mandate to regulate sample week from August 2001 outside the limitations of commercial radio in the "public interest" has not investigated by the coalition. radio now, they can imagine been carefully investigated. something better," said study author The study sparked a quick and fierce Kristin Thomson. Consolidation of the radio industry is reaction from the National a widely recognized result of Association of Broadcasters. Radio, Local music professionals had not deregulation, but the coalition study it said in a statement, is far less had time yesterday to fully assess the clarifies how far it has gone. Two consolidated than other entertainment 145-page study, but Belmont companies, Clear Channel media, from record and movie University assistant music business Communications and Viacom, companies to cable providers. professor James Elliott said the control 42% of listeners and 45% of recent sale of Nashville's The industry revenue, they say. While The broadcasters group also called a Phoenix, a locally focused and 4,000 small companies account for survey of 500 individuals on the state eclectic station, was evidence of the one-third of radio revenue, 10 of radio biased. dominant trends in radio today. companies account for the rest. "Oligopolies," defined as four That survey, a core part of the study, "This study should get some companies serving over 50% of the produced ambiguous results. attention. It's well-documented," he audience, control most radio markets said. and 28 of 30 music formats, said The music coalition's legislative study author Peter DiCola. "We have director, Michael Bracy, said less competition than before yesterday that radio programming

FMC Press Clippings: Radio Consolidation 10 Report Says Format Choice is Too Limited by David Hinckley New York Daily News, November 19, 2002

An activist group and the National "Radio stations stay in business by DiCola also says the number of Association of Broadcasters (NAB) giving listeners what they want," he formats is "a flawed measure, since it are in sharp disagreement over how says. "If there is a viable market for a doesn't address lack of diversity" much choice commercial radio is format, someone will provide it." between, say an urban and rhythmic providing its listeners these days. top-40 format. If eight formats all The FMC says it should work this play the same Sean Paul and The Future of Music Coalition way but may not when there are so Madonna records, that isn't eight (FMC) charges in a new report that few competitors to play what the formats' worth of diversity. the 1996 Telecom Act, which giants do not. allowed companies to own more Wharton says, however, that radio stations, "has not benefited the stations subdivide formats like rock public. It has led to less competition, In New York today, there are no full- or urban because that's what listeners fewer viewpoints and less diversity time stations for country, popular want: "It's a way for individuals to in programming." Nonsense, replies standards, dance, easy listening, get closer to their ideal station." NAB spokesman Dennis Wharton: classic soul, early rock 'n' roll, In general, he says, "A lot of this is "Studies repeatedly show 75% of gospel, hot talk and several types of in the ear of the beholder. If someone Americans express high satisfaction rock. doesn't hear exactly what they want, with radio. This report has all the they may not recognize the greater credibility of Miss Cleo." "No one denies broadcasters spend diversity." enormous resources trying to A key part of the problem, says the determine what listeners want," says The FMC report coincides with a FMC, is that today "a very small Peter DiCola, a primary author of the Federal Communications number of gatekeepers control access report. "Our concern is that large Commission review of radio to the public airwaves. Ten portions of society are not considered ownership policies, which some have companies control two-thirds of attractive demographics, so there is speculated could lead to further revenue and listeners. Clear Channel no effort to reach them. relaxation of ownership limits. and Viacom control 42% of listeners and 45% of revenues." "We're asking how much of the public airwaves should be guided by Wharton says this doesn't matter, economic interest and how much by pointing to studies showing there are the idea of serving as much of the more formats now. public as possible. We think the balance is out of whack."

FMC Press Clippings: Radio Consolidation 11 Boston Radio; Fewer voices are calling the shots by Dean Johnson Boston Herald, November 22, 2002

A recent study conducted by the The National Association of The total audience locally for Clear nonprofit group the Future of Music Broadcasters was quick to blast the Channel (WJMN-FM, WXKS-FM Coalition paints a bleak picture of group and its study. A spokesman and WXKS-AM) and Infinity is 36 radio. Radio, the report says, has said there is more diversity in radio percent, lower than the national become dominated by big business today than ever before. average of 42 percent, according to and bland programming since the the summer ratings. government relaxed ownership Nevertheless, at least part of the regulations in the mid-'90s. study's numbers ring true for Boston But add the local Infinity and Greater radio. Media (WMJX-FM, WBOS-FM, The study - titled "Radio WTKK-FM, WKLB-FM and Deregulation: Has It Served Citizens Just four radio groups in Boston WROR-FM) audiences, and the 41 and Musicians?" - points out that 10 (Clear Channel, Entercom, Infinity percent total all but matches the companies control two-thirds of the and Greater Media) accounted for national mark for the two firms. radio market, including its nearly 95 percent of all radio billings advertising revenues. The study also here last year, according to industry What does it all mean? There may be noted that two companies, Clear source Duncan's Radio. Infinity's more formats than ever, but fewer Channel and Viacom International local block of stations alone (WBZ- people are calling the shots, both (which owns Infinity Broadcasting), AM, WBMX-FM, WBCN-FM, nationwide and in Boston control broadcasting to 42 percent of WODS-FM and WZLX-FM) was all radio listeners and collect 45 responsible for nearly 43 percent of percent of the money generated by the billings. stations nationwide.

FMC Press Clippings: Radio Consolidation 12 Radio deregulation has hurt quality, study says National Post (CANADA) November 19, 2002

WASHINGTON - Relaxed federal of variety or local content, the oversight of the radio dial may have Future of Music Coalition found. helped a few big broadcasters over the past few years, but the listening While deregulation has allowed public has suffered, according to a companies like Clear Channel report released yesterday. Six years Communications Inc. to buy up after a deregulation law lifted struggling radio stations across the ownership limits on radio stations, country, the new owners have often airwaves in many cities are pursued profitability by slashing dominated by a few media costs, rather than seeking to lure behemoths that offer little in the way listeners with unique content.

FMC Press Clippings: Radio Consolidation 13 Merger Foes Slam Fauxmats; Radio format diversity is a sham, critics tell FCC by Bill McConnell Broadcasting and Cable, November 25, 2002

Bad-boy rapper Eminem complained revenue into the hands of 10 radio have become more diverse within on his summer smash "Without Me" groups. individual markets but slightly less that the "FCC won't let me be." But diverse nationally. critics of media consolidation say the The industry responds that the commission is going too easy on the consolidation and resulting "Clearly, we hit a nerve," said Toomey hip-hop mega- star, or at least on the efficiencies were necessary to return in response to the NAB broadside. stations airing his tunes. financial health to a long-struggling "There would be no reason to issue mom-and-pop business. Because of such a lengthy screed if the study was It's not that they have a gripe with the mergers, big groups have as flawed as they say it is." Eminem's profanity-laced bits. They eliminated duplicate formats in most just want him played a little less: markets and introduced new ones. Certainly, Eminem wasn't the only Anybody bypassing urban stations on format-jumper. According to the the dial would have been almost as The coalition's new report, however, coalition's review of the July 31 likely to hear "Without Me" on submitted to the FCC last week to rankings in Radio & Records alternative-rock, pop and dance- bolster the case against further magazine, Creed's "One Last Breath" oriented stations, too. That's the relaxation of radio-ownership limits, hit the top 30 in five formats: Hot problem with radio these days, says attempts to debunk the industry's Adult Contemporary, Alternative the Future of Music Coalition, a claims. Rock, Pop, Rock and Active Rock. In group of musicians and media fact, among the 390 slots available in watchdogs. Playlists suffer from The commission is currently the 13 categories tracked by R&R's tremendous overlap and offer little reviewing nearly all its media- Top 30 lists, 179 songs appeared in at opportunity for local artists and local ownership rules--others include TV- least two formats and many of those tastes. Last week, they derided household reach and cable-subscriber in three or more. industry claims that radio mergers share limits--and is expected to relax created more diversity in station many this spring. The coalition is For example, the Urban and formats as little more than industry calling for tougher radio limits, but, in Contemporary Hit Radio (rhythmic) propaganda. today's deregulatory environment, it formats shared 38 songs on a 50-song can realistically hope only to stanch sampled playlist, a 76% overlap. Variety-shmariety further relaxation. Although that example was the most "There is a tremendous overlap of extreme, 18 other format pairings songs between supposedly distinct A listener survey also conducted by showed overlap ranging from 18% to formats," said Jennifer Toomey, the the coalition found audiences unhappy 58%. coalition's executive director. with radio today, as evidenced by declining amount of time listening and The study also found that, while "Format variety is not a substitute for a desire for fewer ads and longer nearly 4,000 radio owners remain, true format diversity." playlists. virtually every geographic market is dominated by four radio companies Since media conglomerates began The credibility of Miss Cleo controlling 70% of market share and, buying radio stations after the 1996 The coalition's research was ridiculed in most small markets, by companies Telecommunications Act removed by the NAB in a point-by-point controlling 90% or more. The top four limits on the number that one rebuttal debunking the study's firms nationwide--Clear Channel, company can own, there has been a "myths." Said NAB spokesman Viacom, Cox and Entercom--now hold proliferation of formats, with only Dennis Wharton, "This study has less 49.3% listeners, and nearly every slight variety in their actual playlists, credibility than Miss Cleo. Their format is dominated by a four- the coalition argues. A merger wave findings were directly contradicted by company bloc comprising those or has put two-thirds of industry the FCC." An FCC study released in other big station groups. October found that radio playlists FMC Press Clippings: Radio Consolidation 14 Coalition Says Consolidation Has Decreased Competition, Diversity Of Playlists by Bill Holland Billboard, November 30, 2002

A new report the Future of Music consolidation complaints into its Arbitron/Edison Research that found Coalition (FMC) filed with the ongoing review of current ownership listeners satisfied with the current Federal Communications Commission rules, which chairman Michael Powell state of radio. The NAB mocked the (FCC) Nov. 18 has riled the giant calls the "most comprehensive small sampling of listeners in the National Assn. of Broadcasters (NAB) undertaking in the area of media FMC study. It did not address the trade group and prompted the ownership in the commission's independent promotion payment issue. Recording Industry Assn. of America history." (Powell's FCC tilts heavily (RIAA) to take issue as well. The toward further deregulation.) FMC co-founder Michael Bracy report concludes that consolidation of maintains, "The 500 in our survey is a the radio industry in the past decade, Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., however, perfectly valid sample size. We've following deregulation of FCC is expected to reintroduce a bill next been very public about our [small] ownership rules, has led to less year that calls for the FCC to critically margin of error. I'm not sure what competition, less programming look at whether consolidation has their concern is." diversity, and unsatisfied listeners. resulted in diminished diversity and programming choices for citizens. The report's data analysis concludes The RIAA took issue with the report's that the U.S. radio industry is an finding that the five major record The FMC report analyzes current "oligopoly," reporting that every companies have limited their industry data compiled from Billboard geographic radio market in the U.S. is promotion efforts due to shrinking sister publication Airplay Monitor and dominated by four companies, which playlists, creating "a double other trade magazines, finding "format control 70% or more of market share. bottleneck" for artists trying to get redundancy" as well as "considerable It also finds that 10 parent exposure. format homogeneity-playlist overlap corporations of broadcast companies between supposedly distinct formats control two-thirds of both listeners An RIAA spokesman comments: [by] as much as 76%." and revenue nationwide and that two "Record companies of all sizes are of them-Clear Channel constantly pushing for more diverse The report also includes the results of Communications and Viacom and expanded playlists. The focus a survey it commissioned with 500 combined-control 42% of listeners should not be on a record industry that radio listeners, which gives big radio a and 45% of industry revenue. It also makes and markets more than 30,000 black eye. Eighty percent of finds that in 28 of the 30 major new CDs a year but [on] a radio respondents support action to prevent markets, four companies or fewer promotion system that, as this report further consolidation; most want less control more than 50% of listeners, finds, needs to be reformed." repetition of songs and longer with even higher percentages in The NAB charges that the study uses playlists with more variety. A majority smaller markets. flawed methodology and calls its of respondents, 68%, say they support assertions "myths." "This survey," an congressional involvement to curb the As a result, the FMC report says, a NAB spokesman says, "has all the use by big radio companies of payola- small number of companies control credibility of Miss Cleo," referring to like systems in which independent the news on the radio, and format the TV psychic recently discredited by promoters pay huge fees for their consolidation has also produced a the Federal Trade Commission for client's product to be considered for negative impact on the music industry, deceptive advertising. airplay. leading to control of specific formats, shorter playlists, and fewer Concerned members of Congress, as A written NAB statement says the opportunities for record companies well as the NAB and the FMC, will be FMC survey flies in the face of the and indie artists to get airplay. watching closely to see if the FCC positive results of a larger recent incorporates the study and other anti- survey of 3,000 listeners conducted by

FMC Press Clippings: Radio Consolidation 15 FCC Preparing to Overhaul Telecom, Media Rules If All Proposals Are Enacted, Major Firms in Field Will Be Less Regulated and More Free to Expand By Jonathan Krim Washington Post, January 3, 2003

Over the next few months, a single programming of television and radio Michael K. Powell will prevail, federal agency will begin to news and entertainment to owning marking a definitive turn from the fundamentally alter the nation's the pipes that connect people to the policies of the FCC during the communications and mass-media Internet. Those pushing for the Clinton administration. landscape, rewriting a broad swath of changes argue that the old rules fail Powell and Republican rules that affect the choices to account for emerging technologies commissioners Kevin J. Martin and consumers have for getting online that can provide a wealth of diverse Kathleen Q. Abernathy have a 3 to 2 and the variety of television and information and means of majority, and while they don't always radio programming they watch and communication. Burdensome vote in lock step, they are in general hear. regulation has stunted their philosophical agreement that less deployment -- particularly of high- regulation is beneficial. If all of the changes being reviewed speed Internet access -- these people by the Federal Communications say, and this in turn has hampered Meanwhile, Powell's most powerful Commission are enacted as proposed, recovery of the battered technology and ardent critic, Sen. Ernest F. major telecommunications and media sector. Hollings (D-S.C.), lost control of the corporations will be less regulated, Senate Commerce Committee when and more free to grow, than at any "We've teed up a lot," said Michael J. the Republicans won a Senate time in decades. Copps, one of two commission majority last month. Democrats. "It's high noon at the The rules in question govern how FCC." At one hearing last summer, Hollings much telephone companies need to all but called Powell a shill for big open their lines to competitors for With the stakes high, the corporate business in general and the large local phone and high-speed Internet owners of three of the nation's major regional telephone companies in service, set restrictions on how many TV networks came together particular. Although the FCC is an TV and radio stations can be owned yesterday to call on the FCC to independent agency, Congress by one company, and determine abolish its ownership rules. Viacom controls its purse strings. Taking over whether a company can own both Inc., which owns CBS and the the Commerce Committee is Sen. newspapers and TV stations that Paramount movie studio, joined with John McCain (R-Ariz.), who serve the same community. News Corp., owner of the Fox TV championed Powell's nomination to network and the 20th Century Fox the commission in 1997 and who FCC officials say they expect to studio, and NBC/Telemundo in shares his deregulatory instinct. begin making decisions as early as arguing that the regulations are no McCain has promised hearings on February, after more than a year of longer needed given the "wealth of several of the issues the FCC is intense debate and lobbying over media available to virtually all grappling with. sharply different visions of the best Americans." way to spur growth and competition "The political environment has in the country's information Proposed rules often are modified shifted significantly," said Nancy economy. through negotiations among the Kaplan, a Bethesda-based commission's five members, and telecommunications consultant. Opponents of the proposed rules fear FCC officials insist that final "We'll see just how strong Powell that, taken together, they ultimately decisions have not been made. But really is." could lead to a few powerful analysts are increasingly convinced conglomerates controlling the flow of that, for the most part, the The commission's existing regulatory electronic information, from deregulatory agenda of Chairman regime also has been under attack by

FMC Press Clippings: Radio Consolidation 16 FCC Preparing to Overhaul Telecom, Media Rules continued

the courts, which have issued key But industry experts, consumer For example, a company that owns a rulings challenging the commission's groups and several major technology movie studio and provides Internet requirements on the sharing of companies aren't convinced. connections might restrict the telephone networks and its limits on "The most important thing the downloading of movies produced by media concentration. Powell commission will do is rival studios. eliminate all the rules that In an interview, Powell rejected the proactively prevent Amazon wants the FCC to add a rule notion that he seeks mindless telecommunications and media that would require high-speed deregulation, or that the companies from entering new lines Internet providers to agree to refrain contemplated changes would of business," said Blair Levin, an from content discrimination or to be necessarily shift the media and FCC official in the Clinton required to give at least three telecommunications balance in administration who now analyzes competing Internet providers the dramatic fashion. regulatory policy for the investment ability to offer service on their firm Legg Mason Wood Walker Inc. systems. "No industry is so fraught with impassioned histrionics as this one," "We are clearly going to have a lot of Consumer groups have called on the he said. Congress requires the consolidation. The question is, is the FCC to require the cable and phone commission to review many of its nature of technology such that we companies that provide broadband rules every two years, Powell said, can still get the vibrant competition connections to be required to allow and to toss out those that cannot be that you would want?" other Internet service providers -- justified as providing benefit. such as EarthLink Inc. or United Paul Misener, vice president of Online Inc. -- onto those systems But Powell said he is determined to global public policy for Amazon.com under any circumstance. keep the Internet relatively free from Inc., who also worked at the FCC, the decades-old, tightly regulated said it is "an operating assumption" The pipe owners want no such framework of local telephone in his industry that there will be requirements, although America service. He also disparages claims fewer Internet access providers in the Online Inc. and Time Warner Inc. that changing FCC rules will mean future. had to accept them as a condition of open season for consolidation that merger approval in 2000. will stifle competition. Misener said the direction the FCC is headed creates the likelihood that Powell said that providing choice for "That assumes that the antitrust while consumers will have a choice Internet service is vital for consumers division takes a pill and goes to between high-speed Internet and that the commission is still sleep," said Powell, who once technologies -- via cable or souped- mulling the issue. But the question, worked in that Justice Department up telephone service known as DSL - he said, is whether the pipe owners division. He added that the FCC will - there will be only one or two should be required to allow other continue to evaluate mergers to Internet providers within each providers on their systems, or determine whether they are in the technology. whether they will have enough public interest. He cited the agency's market incentive to negotiate deals recent rejection of the proposed That prospect has Amazon, Microsoft with other providers on their own, as buyout of Hughes Electronics Corp.'s Corp. and a coalition of other some have. DirecTV by satellite competitor technology companies worried that EchoStar Communications Corp. as those gatekeepers could prevent users That question is at the heart of the one example. from looking at certain content. broader argument over how best to

FMC Press Clippings: Radio Consolidation 17 FCC Preparing to Overhaul Telecom, Media Rules continued

nurture and encourage competition in lowered. Meanwhile, many start-up Other competitors have gone out of the digital world. companies were swept away in the business or don't serve residential collapse of the telecom sector. customers. Proponents of deregulation say that Recently, however, several states owners of existing infrastructure, have moved aggressively to lower The phone companies want to be such as cable and telephone the lease rates, and long-distance treated in the same fashion as the networks, cannot be expected to companies have made significant cable operators, which are not invest in new technologies and ultra- inroads into local-service markets, required to offer competing services fast fiber-optic lines if they are winning customers from the former on their broadband networks. Only forced to share their facilities with or regional Bell companies. Nationwide, then, the phone companies say, will lease them to potential competitors. the regional competitors provide they have the incentive to extend the about 8 million customers with local "last mile" of fiber-optic lines to The other side argues that only by phone service, up about 40 percent homes. requiring owners of monopoly from a year ago. As a result, costs to networks to compete will they have consumers have dropped as the Bells Commissioner Martin agrees. He incentive to invest in new services have been forced to compete. said he fears that the current 2-to-1 and expand their revenue subscription advantage that cable opportunities. To do otherwise would In states where those rates are low, broadband enjoys over DSL will force many competitors out of such as Michigan and Wisconsin, widen, threatening competition business, these people say. AT&T Corp., WorldCom and Sprint between the two platforms. Corp. have been particularly In passing the landmark successful in offering package rates But David Baker, head of public Telecommunications Act of 1996, to consumers for long-distance and policy at EarthLink, sees a possible Congress forged a patchwork filled local phone service. windfall for the Bell phone with compromise. But it required the companies if they are not at least regional phone companies to open The FCC is considering changes in required to allow other Internet their networks to competitors to the rules specifying which parts of service providers onto the networks. provide local service and high-speed the network the Bells must make DSL Internet access. available. The changes also might The FCC commissioners "are preempt the states' rate-setting considering a lot of potentially very On the local-service side, the results authority, in light of court decisions good things for the Bells and very have been mixed. that have questioned the fairness of, bad things for everybody else," among other things, rates varying Baker said. "Hopefully, cooler heads Under the Telecommunications Act from area to area. will prevail." states have the power -- based on FCC rules -- to set the lease rates that Similarly, the FCC is examining how The newest commissioner, Democrat the phone companies can charge much telephone networks should be Jonathan S. Adelstein, said that competitors to use the equipment opened to competition for high-speed "competition is key to deployment" needed to provide local service. Internet access, or broadband, which of high-speed lines and revitalizing the phone companies also provide. the telecommunications industry, but But states were slow to act, faced in Some competitors successfully offer he declined to state a position on part with heavy lobbying from phone service, but they have accused the how best to achieve it. companies arguing that they would phone companies of stalling in fail to recoup their costs if rates were making needed equipment available. Powell called much of the Telecom

FMC Press Clippings: Radio Consolidation 18 FCC Preparing to Overhaul Telecom, Media Rules continued

Act "an experiment" from which the owning or controlling TV stations Broadcasters, the Future of Music FCC is learning what works and that reach more than 35 percent of Coalition and the Caucus for what doesn't. households nationwide, and ending Television Producers, Writers & the ban on the major networks being Directors, have attacked some or all It is clear, though, that Powell wants merged. of the studies as flawed. companies to compete by building their own facilities and networks, A limit that bars one company from Like most large media companies, rather than relying on piggybacking. owning more than eight radio The Washington Post Co., which Moreover, he sees emerging stations in the largest metropolitan owns this newspaper along with six technologies, such as voice-over- areas also is under review. TV stations and the Cable One cable Internet, cable telephony and "This is public property we're talking system, would be affected by the rule expanded wireless, as providing new about," said Copps, speaking about changes. Officials of many major avenues of competition. the airwaves. The changes have "the radio, cable and broadcast networks potential to change media choices, argue that the ownership limits, That is the argument the large phone for better or for worse, for years to designed to ensure some measure of companies have been making come. And what I keep asking is, programming diversity and local aggressively, lobbying hard both in what if we make a mistake? How do control of media outlets, fail to Congress and at the FCC. you put the genie back in the bottle?" account for today's technological advances. Satellite TV, satellite radio, Commissioner Copps worries about A wide range of consumer groups cable TV and the Internet all provide changing the broadband rules, but he have objected to the proposals, alternatives, they say. is so incensed about the proposals noting that a handful of major media that would ease limits on media companies, most prominently Walt For opponents of Powell's agenda, ownership that he has threatened to Disney Co., Viacom, AOL Time time is growing short. They are hold public hearings, on his own, Warner Inc., News Corp. and Clear hoping that the chairman's cautious around the country. Powell agreed to Channel Communications Inc., nature will lead him to move slowly one hearing in Richmond in already own the country's biggest and to compromise on key issues. February, but a senior FCC official online service; hundreds of television Indeed, Powell has been so deliberate said that it is unlikely to change any stations; more than 1,000 radio that many conservatives have minds. stations; three of the country's four accused him of indecision and national TV networks; and most of timidity, openly wondering whether Under the proposals, a newspaper the largest U.S. movie and TV he will ever pull the trigger. and a radio or TV station in the same production studios, cable networks This is the year, Powell says. market could be owned by the same and magazines. These include CBS, company. The commission also is ABC, Fox; Time, Fortune and People considering lifting rules that bar one magazines; and MTV, HBO, CNN company from owning more than one and ESPN. of the top four TV stations in a market, raising the cap from 30 The FCC recently released 12 pieces percent to as much as 45 percent on of research that its officials say the number of total viewers shows that diversity is growing in nationwide that one cable system can radio and TV programming and serve, raising or abolishing the cap ownership. But several organizations, that prevents one company from including the National Association of

FMC Press Clippings: Radio Consolidation 19 Effects of consolidation of radio stations by Jon Heasman Music and Media (UK), November 30, 2002

A US lobbying group called The who will all try to cluster their listener choice by airing similarly- Future of Music Coalition (FMC) stations around the centre-ground to formatted stations in the same has just published a report which maximise their audience. But the market. What consolidation appears ought to set alarm bells ringing loud FMC, which has been studying the to equal is slightly different mixes of and clear among record companies in effects of consolidation on the US essentially the same canon of music, Europe--particularly those in the UK, radio market, says statistical all derived from music research Spain and Italy, whose governments evidence shows that although carried out by just a few big radio are currently considering permitting a consolidation has nominally groups. further liberalisation of radio increased the number of music ownership laws. formats present in each market, there The FMC also claims that radical isn't more musical diversity on US consolidation of radio station US radio giants such as Clear radio--in fact, there's less. ownership in the US has stifled Channel and the big radio groups in localism, competition and innovation Europe such as NRJ, Capital and The FMC says consolidation has led in radio. GWR have argued that greater to playlists that are remarkably consolidation of the radio sector similar across formats. For example, True, the FMC's study isn't the only equals more choice for listeners. the report says 76% of the 50 most- one to look into the effects of Their point is simple--if one played songs on stations labelling consolidation on US radio. Others company is allowed to own a number themselves as Rhythmic CHR are have come up with different results. of stations in the same market, also among the 50 most-played songs Nevertheless, coming a week after commercial logic dictates that they'll on stations considering themselves the UK government has seen fit to want to make those stations sound as Urban. allow the possibility of having just distinct from each other as possible two commercial radio operators in to avoid cannibalising the audience. FMC claims that format "overlap" in local marketplaces (no matter how This contrasts to the alternative the US has increased by 18% over big), the report makes sobering scenario of a market populated by a the past four years, and that the reading. number of competitor companies, biggest radio groups are limiting

FMC Press Clippings: Radio Consolidation 20 Television & Radio; AROUND THE DIAL; Surveys seem to conflict by Steve Carney Los Angeles Times, January 3, 2003 http://www.latimes.com/business/custom/cotown/la-et-carney3jan03.story

Which is correct?: (a) Americans Among those surveyed, 56% said local music being broadcast," the love radio and say it gives them their favorite local radio stations coalition said. everything they want and need, or (b) "play the music they like at least they're fed up with homogenized most of the time," while only 13% A survey that the group radio playlists and yearn for more said local stations play their preferred commissioned earlier in the year, and diversity. music rarely or never. And only 17% included in the November report, of respondents said that radio stations said that of the 500 people polled, Well, it's both, according to dueling are providing less variety than they 52% said "radio would be more studies released recently by the were five years ago, while 29% said appealing to them if it offered more National Assn. of Broadcasters and it was more variety and 21% said it new music, less repetition and more by a nonprofit advocacy group, the is about the same. music of local bands and artists." results of which seem to jibe perfectly with the aims of the Those results fly in the face of a And six out of seven respondents organizations behind them. report released six weeks ago by the expressed preference for "a long, Future of Music Coalition, a group rather than a short, playlist that Earlier this week, the National Assn. of musicians, independent record provides them a greater variety of of Broadcasters, the trade group of executives and consumer advocates, songs and less repetition during the the nation's 13,000 radio stations, which said that the consolidation of week." published the findings of a poll it ownership among radio stations in commissioned of 1,000 Americans. the United States has shrunk the At the time, the National Assn. of And the results are bound to please variety of programming. Their report Broadcasters contested the findings membership: 65% of those surveyed said that two companies now control of the report, saying its are satisfied with the job their local 42% of the nation's radio listeners, methodologies were flawed and that radio stations are doing, and 78% and that even though more music it was skewed against broadcasters. "believe that radio stations play an formats are available now, the important role providing news and differences between them are so The coalition barked back, citing information their community." In slight that they duplicate many of the surveys claiming that radio addition, reported pollster Mark same songs. listenership has declined, and Mellman, president of the Mellman challenging the association's Group, Americans "believe radio "Radio consolidation has resulted in assertions, saying, "it's not surprising provides them with the music they less variety of music being played on that an industry-conducted survey want to hear." the radio, shorter playlists, found results favorable to the homogenization of playlists, and less industry."

FMC Press Clippings: Radio Consolidation 21 Consumer Groups, Unions Ask FCC to Retain Ownership Restrictions by Brigitte Greenberg Communications Daily, January 6, 2003

Docket for FCC's rulemaking on to merge. (5) Commonly owned pressure" from networks not to broadcast ownership showed media would be required to maintain preempt network programming and consumer groups and unions separate newsrooms and editorial that such preemptions had declined generally pitted against companies. staffs. significantly. Comments were due Thurs. (CD Jan 3 p1), and FCC's Web site, which NAB joined Network Affiliated NAB and NASA complained that generally runs behind, had logged Stations Alliance (NASA) in urging with repeal of financial interest and 1,669 filings as of Fri. afternoon. Commission to retain 35% TV syndication (fin/syn) rules and other audience reach cap. NAB also had its developments, networks now CWA said it had drawn upon views own, separate filing. NASA, on its supplied most of their own prime- of its 100,000 members to come to own, advocated retention of dual time content, dominated syndication conclusion that media concentration network rule. Together, NAB and market, increasingly were re- already has diminished quality of NASA said national TV ownership purposing broadcast fare and had newsgathering and diversity of cap was necessary to maintain incentives to favor their own viewpoints. "They [union members] "balance between national programs. find it harder to practice their craft in programming excellence and local- an environment of reduced staffing community responsiveness." Disney/ABC said public interest and fewer resources," union said. would be served by "broad and "They know that who owns the (Note: We've learned that NAB is principled deregulation of broadcast media outlet is the final arbiter as to paying "substantial part" of NASA's ownership." Company cited what gets printed, broadcast or legal expenses in affiliates' all-out examples of its purchase of WJRT- posted on an Internet news site." drive to convince FCC to retain 35% TV Flint, Mich., and WTVG Toledo, CWA said some labor issues weren't cap on viewers. It's reported NAB O., both in 1994, saying that in both covered and some outlets wouldn't already has reimbursed NASA about cases, network significantly accept ads from unions. It also $600,000. It was NAB's continued increased local news coverage, in quoted TV columnist who said he support of cap that caused CBS, WJRT's case more than doubling was expected to write big story if co- NBC and Fox TV Networks and their hours of local news. Disney/ABC owned TV station's ratings were up owned stations to withdraw as NAB complained that preemptions often and "to bury the story" if ratings members.) weren't for local news or other local were down. CWA proposed alternate specials, but instead for movies, framework for unified local media Economic study they included by syndicated programming, telethons, ownership rule: (1) Newspaper, TV Profs. Marius Schwartz of sports or paid religious programming and radio would be considered Georgetown U. and Daniel Vincent and infomercials. separate and distinct local markets. of U. of Md. found national TV (2) Concentration would be analyzed ownership rule was necessary Consumer groups said current limits in each of those markets separately. because programming decisions of on media concentration were "fully (3) Combinations would be banned affiliates were more closely attuned supported by decades of academic where market already was to local viewers than network owned research and analysis." In 280-page concentrated or would result in stations. NAB and NASA said they filing, Consumer Federation of concentrated market. (4) had gathered nearly 1,000 examples America, Consumers Union, Center Combination would be allowed in of preemptions by independent for Digital Democracy and Media unconcentrated markets, putting affiliates that better served their local Access Project said their research burden of proof that merger was in communities. Survey showed and FCC's own studies showed there public interest on those who wanted independents were "experiencing was little substitution between media

FMC Press Clippings: Radio Consolidation 22 Consumer Groups, Unions Ask FCC to Retain Ownership Restrictions continued

forms as sources of news and and Gay Task Force and Women's Music Coalition that found information, previous decisions to Institute for Freedom of the Press consolidation in radio had led to relax rules had "already resulted in urged FCC to generally retain, with decrease in diversity of music an alarmingly high level of some modification, existing locally. Groups said research showed concentration," cross-ownership ownership limits as "necessary in the people got their news from affected newsgathering, often public interest." Groups said amount complementary sources, so loss of reducing coverage and tailoring and diversity of news and public one entity would "lead consumers to content to "the lowest common affairs programming on TV had been get significantly less news generally." denominator." CU Senior Dir.- Public decreasing. "Other media outlets Groups also said they had examples Policy & Advocacy Gene such as cable, DBS and the Internet of local news stories' being "killed" Kimmelman said not preserving rules provide little additional diverse or because corporate management could distort election results: "There local content to the public," they wanted them dead. is clear evidence of news and wrote. Contradicting NAB (CD Jan 3 information that are presented in p1), they said retention of duopoly Hearst-Argyle TV said ways that reflect the bias of those rule was "particularly important to newspaper/broadcast cross- who control the media. That bias preserve local viewpoint diversity." ownership rule should be repealed influences elections." Groups filing What's more, retaining national and duopoly rule should be relaxed cited June 2002 article in American audience reach limits is necessary, to benefit stations in small and Political Science Review that found groups said, because not doing so medium markets. Gray TV also newspaper articles slanted in favor of would allow 4 Big Networks to buy urged repeal of duopoly rule. Media Senate candidates endorsed on most of their affiliates. General said time was "long editorial pages. Groups also cited 3 overdue" for repeal of TV network news shows that groups AFTRA and Writers Guild of newspaper/broadcast cross- said failed to adequately inform America-East (WGA-E) told FCC ownership rule, and Cox Enterprises public about govt. decisions that that restrictions should remain for made similar argument. Cox asked benefited media companies. each of rules being considered for FCC to keep 35% national TV cap, revision. Filing focused on what citing pressure on its local stations Coalition of United Church of Christ, groups called lack of adequate and not to preempt network Black Citizens for Fair Media, Civil appropriate research by FCC and programming. Rights Forum, Philadelphia Lesbian highlighted study by Future of

FMC Press Clippings: Radio Consolidation 23