Media Ownership by Corporations: Industry Landscape
December 7, 2023 by JoyAnswer.org, Category : Media
What corporations own media? Explore the corporations that own various media outlets. Gain insights into the landscape of media ownership dominated by corporate entities.
What corporations own media?
Media ownership is a dynamic landscape, and the ownership of media corporations can change over time. Additionally, the media industry is vast and includes television, radio, print, digital media, and more. Here are some of the major media corporations that were known for their significant ownership and influence:
The Walt Disney Company:
- Owns a wide range of media properties, including ABC, ESPN, Marvel, Pixar, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century Studios.
Comcast Corporation:
- Owns NBCUniversal, which includes NBC, Universal Pictures, Telemundo, and various cable channels.
ViacomCBS:
- The result of a merger between Viacom and CBS Corporation, it owns MTV, Nickelodeon, CBS, Showtime, and other networks.
AT&T Inc.:
- Owns WarnerMedia, which includes HBO, CNN, Warner Bros. Entertainment, and Turner Broadcasting.
News Corporation / Fox Corporation:
- Split into two entities in 2013. News Corporation focuses on publishing, while Fox Corporation includes Fox News, Fox Broadcasting Company, and Fox Sports.
Sony Corporation:
- Owns Sony Pictures Entertainment, which includes Columbia Pictures and various television networks.
Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA:
- A German multinational corporation that owns Penguin Random House, one of the world's largest publishing companies.
Discovery, Inc.:
- Owns various cable channels, including Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, and Animal Planet.
National Amusements (ViacomCBS controlling shareholder):
- A holding company that has significant stakes in ViacomCBS and was founded by Sumner Redstone.
Amazon.com, Inc.:
- While known primarily for its e-commerce, Amazon owns Amazon Studios, which produces and distributes original content.
Alphabet Inc. (Google):
- Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet, is a major player in digital media through platforms like YouTube and Google News.
It's important to note that the landscape of media ownership can change due to mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and other business developments. Additionally, regional and international variations exist, and the list provided is not exhaustive. For the most current and detailed information, it's recommended to refer to recent reports on media ownership and corporate structures in the media industry.
Which major corporations have ownership or control over various media outlets?
Several major corporations have significant ownership or control over various media outlets, leading to concerns about media consolidation and its impact on diversity of information and viewpoints. Here are some notable examples:
1. AT&T: After acquiring Time Warner in 2018, AT&T owns a vast media empire, including:
- Warner Bros. studios: Producing films and television shows (e.g., Harry Potter, DC Comics movies, Game of Thrones).
- HBO: Premium cable television network with original programming (e.g., Westworld, Succession).
- CNN: Global news organization with multiple television channels and websites.
- Turner Broadcasting System: Owns networks like TBS, TNT, and Cartoon Network.
- DirecTV: Satellite television provider.
2. Comcast: The largest cable TV provider in the United States also owns:
- NBCUniversal: Film and television studio, including Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation.
- NBC television network: Broadcasting network with popular shows like The Voice and Saturday Night Live.
- Telemundo: Spanish-language television network.
- Comcast SportsNet: Regional sports networks.
3. Disney: Through various acquisitions, Disney owns a wide range of media outlets:
- ABC television network: Broadcasting network with popular shows like Grey's Anatomy and The Bachelor.
- ESPN: Sports television network.
- Disney Channel: Cable television channel for children and families.
- Marvel Studios: Film studio producing superhero films (e.g., Avengers, Spider-Man).
- Pixar Animation Studios: Animation studio known for films like Toy Story and Finding Nemo.
- Lucasfilm: Film studio producing Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises.
- Hulu: Streaming service with a large library of content.
4. News Corp: Owned by Rupert Murdoch, this corporation owns:
- Fox News Channel: Conservative-leaning cable news network.
- Fox Sports: Sports broadcasting network.
- The Wall Street Journal: Financial news publication.
- New York Post: Daily tabloid newspaper.
- HarperCollins: Book publishing company.
5. ViacomCBS: This merged company owns:
- CBS television network: Broadcasting network with popular shows like CSI and The Big Bang Theory.
- Paramount Pictures: Film studio with a long history (e.g., Mission: Impossible, The Godfather).
- MTV: Music video television network.
- Nickelodeon: Children's television network.
- Comedy Central: Stand-up comedy and satire channel.
6. Sony: This Japanese conglomerate owns:
- Sony Pictures Entertainment: Film studio with franchises like Spider-Man and Jumanji.
- Sony Music Entertainment: One of the largest music companies in the world.
- PlayStation: Video game console and gaming platform.
- Crackle: Streaming service with original programming.
7. Amazon: This e-commerce giant has also ventured into media:
- Amazon Prime Video: Streaming service with original series and films (e.g., The Boys, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel).
- Amazon Studios: Film and television production company.
- Twitch: Live streaming platform for gaming and other content.
This list is not exhaustive, and the media landscape constantly evolves through acquisitions and mergers. However, it highlights the significant concentration of ownership in the media industry, raising concerns about the potential for bias, limited diversity of viewpoints, and stifled competition.
