Measuring Concentration of Media Ownership: 1976-2009

Researchers have recently begun approaching media ownership concentration studies by viewing the entire media industry holistically, as opposed to measuring concentration within a specific medium. This article builds on this approach by measuring concentration of the media industry over 34 years. The research indicates the industry has consistently been "unconcentrated," and that the period studied has 3 distinct trends-an initial period of declining concentration, a period of relatively stable levels, and a current period of rising concentration.