The song remains the same : ownership concentration and format homogeneity in the radio industry

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Bertram O'Neal Montgomery (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Kenneth Allan

Abstract: "Radio stations tend to repeat existing formats, inhibiting diversity of musical broadcasting. Musical format homogeneity is problematic, because music conveys knowledge and ideas; therefore, an absence of musical diversity among radio stations indicates limits on knowledge dissemination. I contend that concentration of ownership contributes to the pattern of format redundancy in the radio industry. I tested two hypotheses. My first hypothesis is that both radio industry ownership concentration and format homogeneity are higher after 1996 when telecommunications regulation changed than from 1994-1996. My second hypothesis is that as ownership concentration increases, format homogeneity will also increase, regardless of year. I coded and analyzed data from The Gale Directory of Publications and Broadcast Media. I utilized means comparisons and ordinary least squares regression to test my hypotheses, finding a positive and strong relationship between ownership concentration and format homogeneity. My research confirms the danger of loosely regulated radio station ownership for promoting a pluralistic American society."--Abstract from author supplied metadata.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 2007
Keywords
Radio station, formats, nhibiting, diversity, musical, broadcasting, homogeneity
Subjects
Radio stations--United States--Management
Radio broadcasting--United States

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