Today, the Committee continues its series of hearings exploring the consolidation of ownership in the media marketplace. I continue to be disturbed by the statistic frequently cited in these hearings that five companies control 85% of our media sources.
This being our fourth hearing on this topic, I don’t see the need for a lengthy opening statement, and therefore will simply describe the focus of today’s hearing, and reserve my time to question today’s panel.
The hearing today will continue the Committee’s exploration of the broadcast television media ownership rules under review by the Federal Communications Commission, and broaden our review to also examine how the potential relaxation of these rules (and the cable ownership rules) might affect the diversity of programming available to television viewers.
As well, the Committee will learn more about News Corp.’s proposed purchase of DirecTV, the second largest provider of video programming to Americans. News Corp. is the owner of the FOX national broadcasting network, and several cable programming channels, including 20 regional cable sports channels, FOX News, FOX Sports Net, FOX Movie Channel. As well, FOX owns three movie/television studios (including 20th Century FOX); 35 local broadcast television affiliates; the Los Angeles Dodgers Major League Baseball team; the New York Post newspaper; HarperCollins Publishers; and a majority interest in the TV Guide magazine and cable channel. This is an example of one of those five companies controlling the majority of outlets.
· Consumer advocates and others have called for strict government oversight of News Corp.’s proposed purchase of DirecTV due to its perceived dominance in the media marketplace. Today, we welcome Mr. Murdoch, CEO of News Corp. to discuss his proposed transaction in light of these antitrust concerns.
I welcome the witnesses, and look forward to their testimony.