ABSTRACT
Media economics is the study of how economic and financial pressures affect a variety of communications activities, systems, organizations, and enterprises, including media and telecommunications. The area of inquiry has developed strongly since the 1970s, has more breadth and depth than many who are unfamiliar with its literature assume, and is based on a variety of economic theories and a wide range of analysis methods. This chapter reviews the development of the field of inquiry, its differing approaches, touchstones in its literature, and changing patterns in the focus of its research.
