User:JadaQuin/sandbox

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 impact on the music industry is still felt today by musicians and the general radio listening public. The legislation eliminated a cap on nationwide station ownership and allowed an entity to own up to 4 stations in a single market. Within 5 years of the act being signed, radio station ownership dropped from approximately 5100 owners to 3800. Today, iHeartMedia is the largest corporation with 855 radio stations under its name across the nation. The Telecommunications Act was supposed to open the market to more and new radio station ownership, instead, it created an opportunity for a media monopoly. Larger corporations could buy out smaller independent stations, which affected the diversity of music played on air. Instead of DJs and music directors having control of what is played, market researchers and consultants are handling the programming, which lessens the chance of independent artists and local talent being played on air. This is a primary reason so many artists on air have the same sound. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 deregulation of the radio industry has had a negative impact on the public and musicians. It has promoted less competition and variety in programming. “Deregulation has damaged radio as a public resource”.