The Situation and Trends of the U.S. Media Industry

Abstract

Since the 1980s, the. United States has served as a laboratory for studying the combined effects of economic, political, technological, and sociological forces on the structure and behavior of media industries. During that period, the U.S. experienced important changes in its economy, demography and political philosophy, even as the media industry was being transformed by new technologies. This chapter examines how these changes have intersected and transformed the U.S. media economy. It also looks at how the changing structures and strategies of U.S. media companies may affect media industries in other countries at both the local and global levels. Finally it maps out emerging trends in the U.S. media economy and the research issues they raise.