Video Economics [Hardcover]

Bruce Owen (Author), Steven Wildman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1992 | ISBN-10: 0674937163 | ISBN-13: 978-0674937161

"Video Economics" is an analysis of the economics and business strategies of the televison industry. Bruce Owen and Steven Wildman identify the complex chain of programme producers, distributors (networks), and retailers (video stores, cable systems, and broadcast stations), whose objectives are to obtain viewers in order to sell them to advertisers, to charge them an admission fee, or both. Among the concepts the authors explain and apply are those of public good, economies of scale, and price discrimination. Since about 1975 the US television industry has been transformed from a heavily regulated business to a highly competitive one, with new networks, technologies, and markets. "Video Economics" addresses the major issues affecting competitive advantage in the industry, including sequential programme release strategies known as windowing, competition among programme producers, the economics of networking, cable televison, scheduling strategies and high definition television. The authors present the economic tools required to analyze the industry as they take up each new topic. This book will be of particular interest to students of the mass media, communication policy officials, communication lawyers and consultants, and media and advertising executives.

Editorial Reviews

Review

As deregulation loosens government controls and fosters the television industry's competitive spirit, uncharted issues face management in such areas as cable expansion, new networks, technological progress and marketing opportunities. Bruce Owen and Steven Wildman address these emerging situations and outline strategies to assist the industry in its adjustment to a greater freedom, while still preserving its primary role as purveyors of a free flow of information.
--George L. George (Back Stage Shoot )

Video Economics is aimed at those for whom a fundamental understanding of the economics of the video industry is essential to their success in the industry: broadcasting, communication, journalism, cinema, and business students; advertising and media executives; and public policy makers. This book draws on its authors' backgrounds as academics, government officials, and consultants. Their wide-ranging experiences significantly enrich the 'real world' content of the work...The book is commendable for the depth that it provides, [and it] also is steeped with interesting facts and insights.
--Mark Zupan (Journal of Economic Literature )

Video Economics is an ambitious book, and overall, I rate it to be a significant contribution to the literature and a good resource for students.
--David Waterman (Journal of Communication )

Writing as economists, the authors argue for a video marketplace that is not only competitive, but offers the greatest potential for freedom of expression and a diverse exchange of ideas.
--Alan B. Albarran (Journalism Quarterly )

About the Author

Bruce M. Owen is the president of Economists Incoporated, Washington, D.C.

Steven S. Wildman is Associate Professor, Department of Communication Studies, Northwestern University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Harvard University Press (April 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0674937163
• ISBN-13: 978-0674937161
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,266,049 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A benchmark, May 7, 2003

By 

bernie lins (BRASILIA, DF BRAZIL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Video Economics (Hardcover)

In my opinion, one of the best books available on video economics. The text is quite readable for a book on economics, as the models are explained with no advanced mathematics, mostly by examples or simple graphics. But all the relevant information is there.