“Concentration of media ownership”

 The concern surrounding the concentration of mass media ownership is hardly a  new topic. In 1970, the Davey Committee on the Mass Media was the first to sound  the alarm bell. Daily newspapers in particular were falling into fewer and fewer  concentrations of corporate hands.(Media Ownership) Through a history of mergers and acquisations, companies have taken control over what we see, hear and read. In many cases, these companies are vertically intergrated, controlling as stated before, both the production and final distribution. Today, media companies have been more concentrated than ever, for the past 40 years, thanks to a continual loosening of ownership rules by Washington. These huge media companies now own not only broadcast networks and local stations; they also own the cable companies  that pipe in the signals of their competitors and the studios that produce most of the programming. Currently, the largest companies in the world are Time Warner, Walt Disney, CBS, Rupert Murdoch network, NBC and Viacom. Below will display what sets Viacom apart from other companies, its subsidiaries and the good and bad aspects of media consolidation.

A strong connection to their audiences is what sets Viacom apart from other companies. This focus has brought them into the hearts and minds of our consumers across every demographic and every platform. Through television, film and a diverse range of digital media, they deliver the world’s well- known, best-in-class brands, and continue to evolve and renew these brands in an effort to keep their relationship with their audiences around the globe strong. They believe their creative culture and desire to seek creative excellence is what drives their success.

 Viacom forms a joint venture with Warner Communications Inc. and Warner Amex Cable Communication. (About Viacom) I had no idea that Viacom owned so many companies. Viacom is a media and entertainment company.However, to my surprise, Viacom has acquired approximately 66 percent of MTV networks.  This company owns and operates some of the worlds best known media and film production studios. It reaches over 520 million households worldwide in over 160 countries and territories. (About Viacom) It is no wonder why such companies, with such a varied grasp, have economically flourished, but for many critics, deteriorated the art and individuality of media itself.  Viacom’s television holdings include CBS and UPN television networks, King World Productions , and Parmount television. Infinity Radio owns and operates wealthy radio stations. The gist of it all is that Viacom is one of the most successful conglomerates and their only competition is Time Warner and Walt Disney.

What are the positive and negative aspects?   The positive aspect is that Viacom and many other media conglomerate companies is that it has the power to educate, inspire, entertain many individuals all over, A negative aspect would be the over exposure to Viacom’s media that could cause many health problems. The advertisements that are shown in between shows can have a great impact on the way people feel about themselves. Being the fact Viacom owns Nickelodeon, which is targeted toward kids, the content in those shows can influence kids to do different things, violent and non- violent. The over exposure to media makes them behave more aggressively, which could jeopardize their future also. Also, the market power possessed by these media conglomerates allows them to capture economic value that is created by television prodiction. The strong power held  by these media conglomerates allows them to make increasing demands on the talent in the community. As a result, writers are expected to do more work for less pay and are not given necessary funds in return.

Therefore,the only way for media companies to survive is to own everything they can down the media chain–from broadcast and cable networks to the sitcoms, movies, and news broadcasts you see on those stations; to the production studios that  make them; to the cable, satellite, and broadcast systems that bring the programs to your television screen; to the social networks you visit to read about those  programs; to the way you log on to the Internet to view those pages. Big media today wants to own the faucet, pipeline, water, and the pool. The rain clouds come next. We can either be weak to what the media feeds us or we can be smart critics and go out and analyze and study what we want to get from it.