March 12, 2007

Number of TV Stations Held by Top Companies

Fox Viacom/CBS TV* NBC ABC Tribune Gannett Hearst Sinclair Belo Cox
1995 13 12 9 11 10 15 7 14 7 6
1996 24 11 11 10 16 18 7 22 19 8
1997 24 17 13 10 18 20 15 35 20 9
1998 24 19 13 10 18 21 29 50 50 9
1999 25 19 13 10 23 22 31 55 18 15
2000 25 40 13 10 23 22 31 55 18 15
2001 42 41 35 10 23 22 32 54 20 14
2002 38 39 39 10 25 22 33 58 20 15
2003 39 40 41 10 32 23 36 60 20 17
2004 37 39 42 10 30 21 35 52 21 14
2005 37 41 37 10 27 23 36 54 21 14

Following deregulation of the industry in the late 1990s, the television news business saw significant consolidation. In 2005, The Sinclair Broadcasting group is the biggest player with 54 stations.

 

Source: BIAfn Media Access Pro

Note: *In 2006, Viacom spilt and saw the creation of CBS TV. Top 10 companies determined by average revenue of local TV stations.

Date Posted: March 12, 2007