Telecoms & News - Mapping Digital Media Global Findings

MAJOR TRENDS 1. Convergence or concentration? The essential fact about media convergence is that it helps to spread news and entertainment content. The differences between cable companies, telecommunications companies, and mobile providers have disappeared as cable operators became internet service providers (ISPs) and landline telephony companies add mobile voice and internet services to their offer. Increasing concentration of ownership is complemented by technological convergence, meaning the dissemination of news on similar or partly similar platforms—most notably Direct-to-Home satellite and Internet Protocol Television. 2. Political pressures There is little evidence of pressure on news providers by telecoms, cable, or mobile companies. And no evidence that telecoms companies use news or mainstream television operations for political influence, or influence the editorial policy of media outlets owned by the same group. The ownership structure in developing countries is more scattered, because the companies are smaller. 3. News at the margins The ever-increasing spread of entertainment delivers both the most popular type of content among young, connected users—and is also politically safe. Public interest news content is not a top priority for telecoms companies because it is less attractive to young mobile users. Telecoms and cable companies’ ownership of mainstream and all-news television is dwarfed by their involvement in niche thematic channels such as sports or movies in bundled packages.