Clear Channel Communications

From OAPedia.com

One can't really talk about the radio industry in America without bringing up Clear Channel Communications. Clear Channel is THE biggest radio company in the United States, owning over 1200 radio stations in America (about 1/14) and 40 television stations. The company is located in San Antonio, TX, as is their flagship radio/TV station: WOAI. Being the biggest radio company in the country, Clear Channel has a lot of control over the state of radio today, and has been the source of numerous controversies thanks to new broadcasting strategies they've pioneered.

And to keep this O&A related, the boys were almost hired by Clear Channel's WKLS-FM in Atlanta to do mornings. Opie turned down the offer though, and the station settled for The Regular Guys.

History

Clear Channel Communications purchased its first FM station in San Antonio in 1972. They purchased the second "clear channel" AM station WOAI in 1975. In 1986, the company purchased its first stations outside of San Antonio. In 1992, the US Congress relaxed radio ownership rules slightly, allowing the company to acquire more than 2 stations per market. By 1995, they owned 43 radio stations and 16 television stations. In 1996, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 became law. This act de-regulated media ownership, allowing a company to own more stations than previously. Clear Channel went on a buying spree, purchasing more than 70 other media companies, plus individual stations.

In a few cases, following purchase of a competitor, Clear Channel was forced to divest some of their stations, as they were above the legal thresholds in some cities.

Mergers

Since the FCC has relaxed media ownership limits in the 90s, Clear Channel has purchased stations from or merged with the following companies:

• The Ackerley Group
• AMFM
• Apex
• Chancellor
• Clark Broadcasting
• Dame Media
• Eastern Radio Assets
• Gulfstar
• Jacor
• Nationwide Communications
• Quad City
• Roberts
• Taylor Broadcasting
• Trumper Communications