July 22, 2001
Twin Cities Music Monopoly
source: Minneapolis Star Tribune

An anonymous conglomerate virtually controls the music business in the Twin Cities. Seven of its radio stations hype concerts promoted by its entertainment division. A news anchor from its TV station sits in on the morning show at one of its corporate-cousin radio stations. It operates Target Center, where rotating outdoor billboards promote many of its radio stations. The Twin Cities entertainment world has grown considerably smaller in the past year, thanks to three letters: SFX. Two weeks ago, the big picture became clearer when SFX changed its name to Clear Channel Entertainment (CCE). Last August, Clear Channel Communications, a broadcasting concern that operates 1,170 radio stations and 17 TV stations nationwide, bought SFX, the leading presenter of live entertainment in the world, for $4.4 billion. (see story link for details)

posted on July 22, 2001 11:36 AM