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While many are well aware of Clear Channel and the 1200 stations they own as well as their very close connections to the GOOP and the Bush cabal, however, there's a second large broadcast corporation that appears to be moving in a different direction.
Infinity Broadcasting is the second largest broadcast chain and has many of the best properties in the largest markets. It's the merger of the former CBS, Group W, Infinity and several other medium sized groups. In addition it's a division of Viacom, who owns CBS-TV, Blockbuster Video, MTV, VH-1, Showtime, Sony Music and publishing houses galore. It's a very profitable and independent company. Both Viacom chairman Sumner Redstone and Infinity President, Mel Karmazin are Democratic donors and it appears they may be using their media empire to help bring down the current regime.
This isn't an altruistic enterprise, it has a lot to do with Infinity's battle with Clear Channel and whose going to dictate the future of radio broadcasting. There's a lot at stake right now and who dontrols the Executive...appointing the FCC Commissioners...will face some big decissions in the next four years. Both companies know it and are putting their lobbying power in that direction. At stake is control of the new digital broadcast mediums and in whose favor future legislation works for.Infinity has also been hurt the past 3 years due to the poor economy that shrunk up broadcast advertising revenues that have been slow to recover. These have not been the best days at the old Black Rock.
The first salvos appear to be on the publishing front where many of the best selling "Liberal" books have come from Viacom-owned publishing houses...including the very impoortant Richard Clarke book. To promote it, Clarke appeared on CBS's 60 Minutes...but is that any different than an author of a book published by one of Rupert Murdoch's operations (like a Newt Gingrich) and then appearing on an interview show on Faux News? Or even worse, being billed as a "Faux Consultant". Let's put things in a better perspective when this type of cross promotion comes up.
This also came on the heels of the FCC "getting tough" on broadcasting based on the CBS/MTV/Janet Jackson "wardrobe malfunction"...where the commission came alive after years of dormancy to become the moral gatekeepers of the airwaves. CBS appeared to be target #1...and Clear Channel took advantage, both by booting Stern from it's stations and then lining up with the Repugnicans...who they've been with all along. It was not only a bone to make the FCC look like they were being "effective", but also a shot from Clear Channel at Infinity to watch their step.
Instead of rolling over, two of Infinity Radio's biggest guns appear to be ready to fight back. First and foremost is Stern. He's alluded to the behind the scene politics involved here that he fears could pull him off the air, and if you look at it from this perspective, you can understand why. Stern's audience...25-54 males (the "NASCAR Dads") are coveted by the GOOP to counteract any large turnout by women and "minorities"...these people are best left to listen to Rush or Hannity than some loose cannon like Stern.
Fortunately instead of putting a leash on Stern (as if anyone really can), it appears Karmazin and Infinity are fully behind his fight back against those attacking him and it appears to be paying off for both. Stern's ratings have been going up in many of Infinity's markets...mostly at the expense of Clear Channel stations. The GOOP picked on the wrong guy when it got on Stern's bad side. He's one of the few who reach the same audience Rush & Hannity do...and pissing him off made Clear Channel look good in front of that House panel, but could backfire in the long-run.
Now it appears another Infinity power could be coming forward...Don Imus. Yes, Imus has endorsed Kerry (mostly based on Kerry being a regular "contributor" on his show and their long friendship) but he maintained a pro-GOOP stance on most issues. Kerry was treated as "special" for a long time and Clinton-hate remained a regular diet of the program. That's changed of late...Imus, whose no friend of Stern, appears to be bothered by what's going on as well and has been speaking out frequently against the * regime...subtly moving away from the right that appears to be a threat to his program as well. In many markets Imus is in Clear Channel and now Salem, another Right Wing broadcast group, are putting up big names (Bill Bennett, Laura Ingraham) to go for Imus' audience.
With the insertion of tiny Air America, talk radio is going to be a battleground this year and its intermingled with corporate greed and politics as well. Infinity has an FM talk network (Stern, Phil Hendry, Don & Mike, Tom Lykais), but it's not organized like Clear Channel's Premier network. But it could be quickly. It'll be interesting to see how the other broadcast groups...most notably Disney (that owns ABC and its radio networks) reacts as well.
Stay tuned and thanks for letting me vent.
Cheers!
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