STATEMENT OF 
COMMISSIONER JONATHAN S. ADELSTEIN
APPROVE IN PART, CONCUR IN PART
Re:  In the Matter of Clear Channel Communications, Inc. and Thomas H. Lee, et al. for Consent to 
Transfer of Control of Ackerley Broadcasting Operations, LLC, et al.; and Clear Channel 
Communications, Inc. and Aloha Station Trust, LLC for Consent to Assignment of Licenses of 
Jacor Broadcasting Corp. et al.
Approval of this transaction will result in less consolidation in the radio industry.  While I support 
this Order generally, I concur in part to highlight my concern regarding alleged anticompetitive practices 
with respect to advertising in the radio industry.  I agree with the Order’s conclusion that, in this case, Mt. 
Wilson has failed to establish a prima facie case that Clear Channel has engaged in specific 
anticompetitive sales practices.  I am not convinced, though, that the Commission’s inquiry should stop 
there. 
As I have traveled throughout the country, small and minority broadcasters have complained 
about the dominance of major radio station groups and the use of their size and scope to increase their 
share of local advertising revenue. As the Commission’s own examinations of the radio industry have 
repeated shown, a very limited number of stations command the lion share of advertising dollars in local 
markets across the country.  Based on the Commission’s 2003 and 2007 analyses of the radio industry, 
the largest station in each radio market has, on average, 46 percent of the market’s total radio advertising 
revenue.  The two largest stations in each market command 74 percent of the market’s radio advertising 
revenue.  These figures are troubling, especially in light of the fact that radio advertising rates have nearly 
doubled since 1996.
The claims alleged by Mt. Wilson, coupled with the state of the industry, raise broader issues 
regarding the health of the radio industry as whole, and the Commission should show greater concern.