Does Clear Channel run an advertising cartel in LA?
DOES CLEAR CHANNEL RUN AN ADVERTISING CARTEL IN LA?
[SOURCE: Lasar's Letter on the FCC, AUTHOR: Matthew Lasar]
Clear Channel Communications has filed papers with the Federal Communications Commission denying charges that its eight affiliated Los Angeles radio stations require regional advertisers to do all their business with the broadcasting giant. The firm calls Mt. Wilson FM Broadcasters Inc.'s allegations "vague and baseless" and "substantively meritless." On January 19th, Mt. Wilson, which owns two radio stations in Los Angeles, filed a statement with the FCC accusing Clear Channel of anti-competitive behavior. Specifically, Mt. Wilson charges that Clear Channel demands a "quid pro quo" relationship from advertisers. "The Clear Channel modus operandi allows the advertiser to utilize any one or all of the Clear Channel stations and, further, to receive discounts," Mt. Wilson's filing claims: "The 'quid pro quo,' however, requires the advertiser to devote all of its radio advertising budget to Clear Channel stations and to refrain from placing advertisements on any other Los Angeles radio market stations."
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Does Clear Channel run an advertising cartel in LA?