Assignment: Mapping Media Ownership

Objective:
The objectives of this assignment are:

To increase awareness of the ways economic forces shape media organizations and media products.

To understand how economic goals and financial relationships help define the media industry landscape.

Directions:
For this assignment, you will work in groups of five maximum.

Step 1: Choose a Company
Select a company from the list below:

beIN, choose this one please

Step 2: Research the Company
Find the company’s website: Start with the official website. Note that some companies might have a larger parent company; pay attention to this detail. Use the “About” or similar sections for foundational information.

Investigate recent developments: Look for news releases or updates on the company’s website. Identify recent or upcoming changes, such as acquisitions, mergers, expansions into new industries, or divestments.

Step 3: Create an Ownership Map
Develop an “ownership map” listing all companies, products, and media outlets owned by the corporation.

Group the holdings by media type (e.g., television, radio, digital, print).

Refer to Figure 3.3 in Chapter 3 of your textbook as a model for this map.

Step 4: Analyze Using Key Concepts
Using the concepts from your readings, analyze the company’s structure and operations. Key concepts to address include:

Conglomerate

Concentration of ownership

Vertical and horizontal integration

Self-promotion

Synergy

In your analysis:

Explain how the company illustrates these concepts.

Reflect on any concepts that are not represented and analyze their absence.

Discuss the consequences of conglomeration and integration, considering their impacts and effects on media content and the industry.

Submission Guidelines:
Ownership Map: Include a detailed and organized list of the company’s holdings.

Analysis: Write a one-page (500-600 words) analysis that draws on key concepts from the course readings.

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