The impact of technology, government regulation and the growing global economy have all focused attention on the importance of the media, not only as information and entertainment resources, but also as economic entities. Students, professors and media practitioners need an understanding of how economics - and economic concepts - impact media companies and industries. This is the goal of Media Economics: Understanding Markets, Industries and Concepts. Readers are first introduced to important terms and concepts used in explaining media economics in the opening chapters. Individual chapters that follow examine specific media industries, including radio, television, cable, premium cable/pay-per-view, motion pictures, audio and video recordings, newspapers, magazines and books. Among the topics explored are the market, the concentration and barriers to entry, the impact of regulation and technology, and the economic future of each industry. By understanding the economic activities of media industries, readers will better understand and appreciate the roles, functions and purposes of media in society.