A New Film by Kevin McKinney & Jill McKeever about the striking and alarming effects that the Telecom Act had on radio. Be surprised by not only the the extent of the damage that deregulation has wrought to commercial radio, but how deeply it threatens public and college and community radio as well. Worse yet, the FCC is still trying to consolidate even more, despite overwhelming 99% opposition feedback it receives from citizens. It may not surprise you that each of the past four FCC commissioners has at some point made money off of the industry that they are here to regulate.
The internet didn’t kill radio, commercial radio is killing itself. Ever wonder why über-corporations like Clear Channel can take over local radio stations, fire your favorite DJ and ignore the local music movements? How can they make money when fewer and fewer people listen? Corporate FM reveals how buyout firms such as Bain Capital have changed radio and made handsome profits along the way.
Clear Channel isn't as well off as most believe. They are struggling to pay off their multi-millions in debt they collected by collecting all those stations no one is listening to.
CC makes most of their income via national advertising over their nationally syndicated programs over the Premiere Networks which CC owns. On top of that...they still are retaining that so called "EIB" fella that did a EIB fumble over the college student calling her a $!^(, making dozens of national advertisers jump ship and causing CC and Premiere to loose even more.
"It may not surprise you that each of the past four FCC commissioners has at some point made money off of the industry that they are here to regulate."
It isn't about serving the public interest anymore even at the FCC level. They turned the radio spectrum into real estate lots and auction them off in high level competitive auctions which can only be done with huge amounts of capital on hand to even get a foot in the door in bidding, plus other factors forced into place that again has nothing to do with serving the public interest.
It's all about profit before people...in many areas besides the radio industry..otherwise we would have all of our core industry jobs still here and not overseas.
"Worse yet, the FCC is still trying to consolidate even more, despite overwhelming 99% opposition feedback it receives from citizens."
Though there is opposition feedback, the number of that in the whole grand scheme of things is miniscule because of the alternatives the people have..ie internet/iPod/mp3/Smartphone etc etc.
After awhile, no matter how loud the shouting can become..eventually the shouters get tired and just move on to better alternatives....and they have.
RFB
Conversations that I trust have spoken very favorably about the movie Corporate FM.
Reports indicate the movie accurately spells out exactly what is taking place with the hoarding and milking of the licensed stations.
Will report again after seeing it.
It looks like they are selling the movie on DVD directly from that website. 🙂 Just in case wanting to see the movie.