Started as a takedown of comcast, became explanation of media monopolies. Worth the time to read if you have it. Actually, when the USA gave a crap about keeping companies from becoming monopolies, things were better. Did you know that back in 1934, per the FCC it was illegal for one company to own more than 28 radio stations? In 1996, that was repealed for the pro business approach of letting one company own as many stations as it pleased. Thats why Clear Channel (Rush Limbaugh carriers) now own in excess of 1,200 stations. Why do I mention this regulation? Because in 1996, rules were laid out by the FCC for broadband Internet providers for the very first time. The same pro-business approach was used, so when the first 99 broadband spectrum licenses were auctioned off, sixty four of those went to just three companies. Smaller regional companies were left to fight for the scraps. Under the 1934 rules, perhaps those three companies couldnt own more than just 10 licenses altogether? In 1934, there were severe restrictions on media cross-ownership, too. Radio stations couldnt really own newspapers, for example. T.V. stations couldnt own radio stations, newspapers, etc. This ensured that many voices could be heard in the media sphere and that no one company could gain too much influence. Well in 1996, those rules were also changed. Anyone can own anything, which is why Newscorp owns an assload of newspapers and news networks. Same with Comcast, who also owns a bunch of other stuff besides their well-loved kable network. Under the FCC cross ownership rules of 1934, Comcast and Newscorp wouldnt even exist. Now, 95% of everything you see & hear is owned by 6 networks (unsurprisingly, one of those is Comcast). Also, since nobody ever got around to writing rules to restrict telecoms from becoming monopolies, the 7 baby bells (Ameritech, US West, NYNEX, etc.) that were formed as a result of the 1984 AT&T breakup have re-merged back into T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint -- making the contract cellular/data sphere much less competitive. Worse, smaller companies must usually rent service from these four networks. IN CLOSING: Dont blame the government for this mess. For 60 years, they really had a grip on this media companies not becoming monopolies thing -- and when it was apparent that AT&T was a clear-cut, out-of-control monopoly, it was split. But the game has changed, prices have gone up, competition is minimal, and it has nothing to do with Americans growing media needs. The game changed because corporate lobbying interests rigged it to do so -- and theyre profiting massively from it.
Posted on: Sat, 09 Nov 2013 22:21:56 +0000
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