Structural Changes in Small Media Markets

Abstract

This article addresses the structural changes in the local broadcast television, radio, and daily newspaper industries in small media markets. Specifically, the study explores the consequences of shifting from a managed structure of regulation to an open-market structure of deregulation in markets with a population of 125,000 or less. Overall, the statistical analysis suggests a limited impact on the number of local owners when considering the gradual change from regulation to deregulation. However, the analysis suggests that there has been a negative impact on ownership diversity in some local media industries in the small markets since the Telecommunications Act of 1996.