TV Broadcast & Cable Networks

Brief Excerpt from Industry Overview Chapter:

Companies in this industry broadcast television programs for free to the public and for a fee to cable subscribers. In the US, major broadcast TV networks are ABC, NBC, and Paramount, while leading cable networks include ESPN, Fox News, MSNBC, and USA Network. Other leading companies outside US include ITV (UK), Mediaset (Italy), NHK or Japan Broadcasting Corporation (Japan), and RTL Group (Luxembourg).

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Business advertising, program popularity, and consumer demographics drive demand. The profitability of individual companies depends on advertising volume, programming mix, and efficient operations. Large companies have advantages of market dominance, often owning the only TV stations in a geographic area. Small companies can compete effectively with special programming that attracts a targeted audience.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major industry product lines television airtime for national and regional advertising, accounting for 40% of the industry's revenue. Other product lines include television air time for network compensation (20%) and television air time for local advertising (15%).