"Marketplace" Commentary in Favor of Media Concentration

["Laurence Glavin" <lglavin@lycos.com>]

During the Friday, Jan. 25th edition of PRI's "Marketplace" (that I
heard on NH's WEVO, but that was also broadcast on WGBH-FM at 6:30),
a commentary was aired by Michael Richards (no not THAT Michael Richards;
this one was described as a lawyer spacializing in media issues).
After a story on "Marketplace" about the Radio-TV Program Directors 
meeting that seemed to decry monopolization of media outlets, Mr.
Richards gave an opposing point-of-view, focusing more on radio than TV.
He claimed that multiple-station ownership by one entity was GOOD for 
diversity.  Such a company, let's say owning 4 outlets will devote them
to 4 niches so they can be sold as a portfolio appealing to several audiences.
Under single owner limitations, multiple stations would seek to appeal
to a maximum number of listeners with its one outlet, and the only way
to do that is with a batch of stations all doing the same thing!  
(This within weeks of Cox dropping "classical" for a pounding-beat "dance"
format.)  Doers this make sense to you?  Did any of you in the 
BRIG hear the commentary?  "Marketplace" often follows up with 
audience e-mail or even recording s from listeners.  It could get
interesting.


Laurence Glavin
Methuen, MA