Media Economics

"Hoskins, McFadyen and Finn de-dismalise economics. Their book is clearly written, full of cogent and apposite examples and analyses persuasively what makes media and communications like, and unlike, other economic sectors. From network externality to public good, from experience goods to superstars, from dumping to quotas they lucidly guide the reader through the tangles of the new economy and why it now matters less if maids burn books. Eat your heart out Thomas Carlyle."

-Richard E. Collins, The Open University, U.K.


How does the Internet affect the supply of information-based entertainment and cultural goods? Why do telephone companies have peak and off-peak prices for long-distance calls? Why is broadcasting, but not newspaper publishing, usually regulated and sometimes subsidized? Media Economics: Applying Economics to New and Traditional Media provides a thorough foundation of the microeconomic principles and concepts needed to understand media industries and issues in the converging media environment.

Media Economics differs from ordinary media economic texts by taking a conceptual approach to economic issues. As the book progresses through economic principles, authors Colin Hoskins, Stuart McFadyen, and Adam Finn use cases and examples to demonstrate how these principles can be used to analyze media issues and problems. Media Economics emphasizes economic concepts that have distinct application within media industries, including corporate media strategies and mergers, public policy within media industries, how industry structure and changing technologies affect the conduct and performance of media industries, and why the United States dominates trade in information and entertainment.

Key Features



Chapter opening vignettes introduce the issues analyzed in each chapter
Concise definitions of key terms for a clear understanding of basic microeconomic and managerial economic concepts
Examples from a variety of media industries including those in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia
A concept-driven approach enabling a longer shelf-life as technologies, structures, and revenues change
A recognition of the reality of convergence and consolidation in media industries rather than addressing each media outlet individually

Media Economics assumes no prior background in economics and is designed for undergraduate and graduate students studying media economics and media industries. The book is an ideal text for public policy and the media as well as media and society courses with an economic perspective taught in Media Studies, Communication, Business, Journalism, Film Studies, Political Studies, and Economics programs.