1. The Business of News
News Literacy

2. Today’s media must balance:
Changing profit models
Changing ownership models
Changing consumer expectations

3. Media concentration/conglomeration
Today’s media companies are combining forces, or concentrating their efforts. Major media companies, like those listed here, are buying up other media, creating giant media conglomerates that own diverse media types and wide media content.

4. Media concentration:

5. A few companies own most media:
Here’s an infographic that shows just how consolidated media companies have become. This infographic was created in 2012, and since then, there have been some changes. So I’ve edited the chart slightly.
source: Affordableschoolsonline.com

6. Media companies grow in two ways:
1. Mergers: They join forces with another company, and often resume as a single entity
2. Acquisitions: They acquire other companies that often continue operating on their own

7. How is this possible?
The FCC, of Federal Communications Commission, decides what rules apply to media ownership. Here’s an excerpt of the most current legislation.

8. Why do media companies consolidate?
Synergy: the ability to accomplish more together than they could alone
Branding: because another company fits or boosts their image
Profit: to increase return

9. Synergy
books
movies
soundtracks
games
toys =

10. Effects: positive and negative
Because of the new profit models, some newspapers are closing up shop entirely. Watch the final video of the rocky mountain news at