2020/02/28 by Annika Sehl, Richard Fletcher, Robert G. Picard · 1 voice · 1 citation
Social Sciences · Business, Management and Accounting · #Media Studies and Communication #Media Influence and Politics #Political Influence and Corporate Strategies
paper · doi:10.1177/0267323120903688
openalex publication_date 2020/02/28 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/08
The impact of public service media (PSM) on media competition has become a topic of debate in many European countries. Some argue that PSM could starve commercial media, or discourage them from entering markets in the first place because they shrink commercial audiences, lowering both advertising income for free commercial television and willingness to pay for commercial products. Despite its prevalence as a policy argument, there has been limited research about the crowding out concept – and almost no research that is independent, comparative, and considers broadcasting as well as online markets. This article addresses these shortcomings by examining whether there is any evidence to support the crowding out argument by analysing national broadcast and online markets in all 28 European Union countries. More specifically, we focus on data on market resources, audience performance and payment for digital news. The analysis reveals little to no support for the crowding out argument for broadcasting and related online markets.