The big get bigger. That’s been the story of the past three years in television as the 5 largest companies now control 37% of all TV stations in the U.S., according to Pew Research. With a FCC that is relaxing ownership rules, and a major acquisition of the 42 Tribune stations by Sinclair Broadcast Group on the horizon, the numbers will only increase.
Look at the growth. In 2004, the top 5 companies controlled roughly 15% of the stations. By 2014, that number grew to 31% and in 2016, the top 5 owned 37%. With the pending acquisition by Sinclair, the top 4 companies will now own approximately 42.5% of stations.
In the final reporting for 2016, the five largest TV companies took in $8.3 billion dollars in advertising revenue.
Paul Dughi.com 