So, Clear Channel owns something like 1200 radio stations and its next nearest competitor owns like 60. They also own the largest concert promotion company in the world - formerly Pace Concerts. They also own Gannett Outdoors, the largest billboard company in the US. All this is bad enough given that they've essentially cornered the market on music booking and promotion, but this is really creeping me out. Recently, they have been buying up amphitheaters, theaters and various clubs and small arenas. They own almost 50 amphitheaters and more than 50 theater/music venues. Even weirder is that they own or jointly own clubs in every major city. In Houston, they control much of the booking for places like The Engine Room, The Meridian and now the Rhythm Room. They will supply the club with PA, advertising, etc. as long as they can book their acts in there at the rates they set. The clubs go along with it because it means increased business on those days. But, it also invariably means increased ticket prices and less opportunity for local artists because CC swallows up dates. They could easily own most of the big radio stations, most of the outdoor advertising, most (if not all) of the concert promotion and even a fair share of the music venues in any given city. How messed up is that?
And they'll decide what music to support based on a marketing study of demographics... ...and then blame file-sharing when cd sales do not keep pace with projections.
Clear Channel CEO named radio executive of the year For the second year in a row, Radio & Records Magazine has named Clear Channel Radio CEO John Hogan as the Radio Group Executive of the Year. Hogan leads the largest owner and operator of radio stations in the United States. Clear Channel Radio stations collectively have 110 million listeners each week. "It is an honor to be recognized by Radio & Records," Hogan says. "These awards underscore the hard work, dedication and leadership of the professionals at Clear Channel Radio. Most importantly, these awards highlight the incredible career opportunities and achievements that the radio industry offers." The magazine also presented awards to 30 Clear Channel radio personalities, managers and individual stations. Clear Channel Radio is a division of San Antonio-based Clear Channel Communications Inc. (NYSE: CCU), a leading global media and entertainment company. Clear Channel Radio CEO John Hogan seen here leaving CC Board meeting.
It's horrible. You can usually get out of the ridiculous "fees" that make up such a large part of ticket prices these days by buying your tickets at the venue, but if they own the venue... This is the result of the Republican mania with deregulation. There's another word for what Clear Channel is trying to do. Monopoly.
Unsaid is the fact that he won the award by default since he's the only radio executive left. This is the result of the Republican mania with deregulation. There's another word for what Clear Channel is trying to do. Monopoly. I know, if only that Republican Bill Clinton hadn't approved of the massive deregulation, saying at the signing of the bill that led to the currect deregulation that this "landmark legislation fulfills my administration's promise to reform our telecommunications laws in a manner that leads to competition and private investment, promotes universal service and provides for flexible government regulation." While I personally prefer less regulation to more, when you're dealing with a limited natural asset (the broadcast airwaves), regulations have to be in place to allow for the public's asset to be used by a wide variety of the public. By allowing for such massive consolodation, the public's airwaves aren't as diverse in ownership as they should be.
mrpaige, you're letting facts get in the way! What's wrong with you?? I'll control myself and not bring this thread into D&D territory. There's a little more to the story. This was one of those times that Bill blew it. We all know that Bill could blow it, even if he was the greatest President of the last 12 years.
Monopolies are the end result of the natural order of sucession in a capitalistic system. What we need now is a good ol' republican trust buster like Teddy Roosevelt. (it's strange to consider how the focus of the two political parties has changed over time) But if it's any consolation the natural response to tyranny is subversion and revolt. I don't think it will be long before there is a revolution in the entertainment industry where people turn their backs on the mainstream, force-fed pablum. It happened when Amerrican auto makers got complacent in their monopoly in the 70's. It happened punk fought back against disco and pop. And with the uncontrolable nature of the internet, freedom real creativity will prevail again.
I think a lot of people who supported the Telecom Act didn't realize what they were unleashing in the radio business, including some Republicans. But the Act was one of the early Republican initiatives following the take-over of Congress in 1995. The Republicans put it on the agenda and, clearly, there were some powerful Republicans who were pushing for the deregulation that we ended up with (and more, actually). They just aren't the only ones to blame, in my opinion. I would really like to see a rollback of the 1996 regs. They've clearly failed. And if you take away the radio stations, the power in the other areas the company has gotten into would lessen, I believe.
No joke, they also own the ticket scalping businesses that mysteriously get access to great seats at a huge markup. The performers do not get a slice of that cake - CC gets the full markup. I will take them down.
Jeff is right. We're all facing a contant stream of their advertising. We hear what they want us to hear. Clear Channel owns your soul. I am embarrassed that my nearest "major metropolitan area" is the home of this corporation. Especially considering how much influence that music has on the culture in general. Though I don't think they're doing anything subversive right now - just putting out lots of mediocre stuff for us to listen to. The sad thing is, often I'm guilty of it myself. I'm sure there are bands I would like more if I knew where they were. I don't have a lot of money for experimentation. I'll try to look into online radio and (legal only) samples of stuff on the Net.
While Clinton did sign the Telecom bill of 1996 into law, it bears noting that the Bush Administration's FCC appointees led by Michael Powell have been rather proud to proclaim, publically, that "regulation is the enemy" and have used the FCC's rulemaking authority to this end brazenly and openly, and have done serious damage in that area.
Not exactly. For all you know I might not even be in the city. And there are a lot of schools around here. I do collaborate with Trinity and was there for a conference Friday... (boring; we found an excuse to leave as soon as we could think one up)
Jeff, you knew I had to comment..... I am not disagreeing with the main premice of the post. However, I need to correct a few parts of your post. Infinty Radio (parent company of Howard Stern & CBS Radio) owns about 180 radio stations. Entercom owns 105 stations all in top 100 markets. As of 2002 ABC/ Disney owned 53 stations, however in the past few years ABC has increased their number stations owned buying many AM's for Radio Disney & ESPN Radio. And ABC owns all of their stations in Top 100 Markets. A smaller rising radio company NextMedia already owns 60 stations, and they are still looking to buy more stations. Nationwide there are over 12,000 radio stations licensed, so Clear Channel owns about 10% of the stations. Also, Clear Channel owns many stations in markets ranked below market 100. The other "big" companies choose not to buy stations in the smaller markets, so they are effectively shutting themselves out from legally owning more stations. Finally, like it or not, but every other company since 1996 has had equal opportunity to amass a portfolio like Clear Channel has. The deregulation in 1996 threw everything wide open. Infinity Radio owns many billboards in large and medium sized cities. In fact Clear Channel, Lamar, & Infinity fight it out for outdoor advertising. Next time you're driving on I-45 look at the bottom of the billboards and usually you'll see the company logo of the owner on there. Infinity and Clear Channel own a ton of the billboards on the highways in Houston. On the concert venue issue, I am suprised that the FTC hasn't stepped in and made a difinitive ruling on media companies owning concert venues, but right now it is legal to do.
Thanks for starting this thread Jeff. Clear Channel is killing the music business. They must be stopped.
you might want to look into live365 radio... hundreds of online radio stations that play every conceivable style of music. another way I have of checking out new/different acts that I normally wouldnt get to hear is by browsing the newsgroups...I'll admit that most people that use newsgroups are just flatout taking the music...but if you actually decide to buy a album you download and enjoy and delete anythig you dont like....what's the harm? just a thought. oh yea.....Clear Channel is the Debil! bad/mediocre music.....horribly expensive concert prices....ugh.
