COMM 345 – MEDIA INDUSTRIES STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST
UPDATE 2026
Media Industries - Answers Create content (intellectual property) and distribute it.
Intellectual Property - Answers Creative works protected by copyright.
Non-utilitarian Media - Answers Media consumption is not a basic survival need but fulfills
psychological, emotional, and cultural roles.
Content Creators vs. Content Distributors - Answers Historically distinct, but now blurred (e.g., Netflix
creates and distributes content).
Mass Media - Answers Targets broad, undifferentiated audiences (e.g., network TV, major
newspapers).
Niche Media - Answers Targets specific groups (e.g., specialized magazines, podcasts, indie films).
Public Sphere (Habermas) - Answers A space for public debate facilitated by media.
Circumscribed Agency - Answers Limited freedom due to corporate control.
Ideological Uncertainty - Answers Media's message impact is unpredictable.
Cultures of Production - Answers Industry norms shape content.
Organizational Hierarchies - Answers Can hinder journalists' independence due to corporate agendas.
21st-century Media Characteristics - Answers Shift from physical to digital media.
Domestic vs. Global Media - Answers Media reaches international audiences.
Mass Production vs. Mass Customization - Answers Tailored content for niche audiences.
Just-in-Time Production & Distribution Windows - Answers Rapid content turnaround (e.g., streaming
services).
Industrialization of Culture Framework - Answers Five levels: Culture, Social Trends, Tastes, Traditions,
Mandates, Conditions, Practices.
Commercial Mandates - Answers Profit-driven (ads, subscriptions).
Non-Commercial Mandates - Answers Publicly funded (e.g., PBS, NPR).
Conglomeration - Answers One company owns many diverse media outlets.
Consolidation - Answers Small number of companies dominate the industry.
Economic Factors in Media - Answers Sunk Costs, Public Good, Artificial Scarcity, Bundling.
Sunk Costs - Answers High upfront costs before knowing success.
Public Good - Answers Media can be consumed without depletion.
Artificial Scarcity - Answers Limited availability to drive demand.
Bundling - Answers Selling media in packages (e.g., cable channels, streaming bundles).
Vertical Integration - Answers One company controls production & distribution (e.g., Netflix).
Horizontal Integration - Answers One company owns multiple similar businesses (e.g., Disney's
ownership of ABC, ESPN).
Known Talent - Answers Familiar actors/directors.
Known Products - Answers Sequels, franchises.
Known Formats - Answers Genre consistency.
Media Mandates Questions - Answers Who pays for the media? Who does the media serve? What
determines success?
Commercial Mandates Funding - Answers By advertisers & consumers (via subscription fees, product
pricing).
Dual-Product Market in Media - Answers First product: Media content. Second product: Audience sold
to advertisers.
Most Valuable Demographic in Media - Answers 18-34 years old, college-educated, $75K+ income.
Types of Non-Commercial Mandates - Answers Public (PBS, NPR) - Funded by taxes/donations. Mixed
(BBC) - Funded by taxes + commercial revenue. Community/Alternative (Public Access TV) - Local or
grassroots media. Government-Controlled (Authoritarian States) - Serves ruling party's interests.
U.S. Radio Commercial Mandate Evolution - Answers It was more financially sustainable than a purely
public service model.
Early Radio Sponsorship Model - Answers Early radio had single sponsors, then shifted to multi-
advertiser model.
Media Regulation in the U.S. - Answers FCC (Federal Communications Commission) - Controls
radio/TV. FTC (Federal Trade Commission) - Regulates ads & internet commerce.
Broadcasting Regulations vs. Cable/Streaming - Answers Broadcasting uses public airwaves, requiring
more oversight.
UPDATE 2026
Media Industries - Answers Create content (intellectual property) and distribute it.
Intellectual Property - Answers Creative works protected by copyright.
Non-utilitarian Media - Answers Media consumption is not a basic survival need but fulfills
psychological, emotional, and cultural roles.
Content Creators vs. Content Distributors - Answers Historically distinct, but now blurred (e.g., Netflix
creates and distributes content).
Mass Media - Answers Targets broad, undifferentiated audiences (e.g., network TV, major
newspapers).
Niche Media - Answers Targets specific groups (e.g., specialized magazines, podcasts, indie films).
Public Sphere (Habermas) - Answers A space for public debate facilitated by media.
Circumscribed Agency - Answers Limited freedom due to corporate control.
Ideological Uncertainty - Answers Media's message impact is unpredictable.
Cultures of Production - Answers Industry norms shape content.
Organizational Hierarchies - Answers Can hinder journalists' independence due to corporate agendas.
21st-century Media Characteristics - Answers Shift from physical to digital media.
Domestic vs. Global Media - Answers Media reaches international audiences.
Mass Production vs. Mass Customization - Answers Tailored content for niche audiences.
Just-in-Time Production & Distribution Windows - Answers Rapid content turnaround (e.g., streaming
services).
Industrialization of Culture Framework - Answers Five levels: Culture, Social Trends, Tastes, Traditions,
Mandates, Conditions, Practices.
Commercial Mandates - Answers Profit-driven (ads, subscriptions).
Non-Commercial Mandates - Answers Publicly funded (e.g., PBS, NPR).
Conglomeration - Answers One company owns many diverse media outlets.
Consolidation - Answers Small number of companies dominate the industry.
Economic Factors in Media - Answers Sunk Costs, Public Good, Artificial Scarcity, Bundling.
Sunk Costs - Answers High upfront costs before knowing success.
Public Good - Answers Media can be consumed without depletion.
Artificial Scarcity - Answers Limited availability to drive demand.
Bundling - Answers Selling media in packages (e.g., cable channels, streaming bundles).
Vertical Integration - Answers One company controls production & distribution (e.g., Netflix).
Horizontal Integration - Answers One company owns multiple similar businesses (e.g., Disney's
ownership of ABC, ESPN).
Known Talent - Answers Familiar actors/directors.
Known Products - Answers Sequels, franchises.
Known Formats - Answers Genre consistency.
Media Mandates Questions - Answers Who pays for the media? Who does the media serve? What
determines success?
Commercial Mandates Funding - Answers By advertisers & consumers (via subscription fees, product
pricing).
Dual-Product Market in Media - Answers First product: Media content. Second product: Audience sold
to advertisers.
Most Valuable Demographic in Media - Answers 18-34 years old, college-educated, $75K+ income.
Types of Non-Commercial Mandates - Answers Public (PBS, NPR) - Funded by taxes/donations. Mixed
(BBC) - Funded by taxes + commercial revenue. Community/Alternative (Public Access TV) - Local or
grassroots media. Government-Controlled (Authoritarian States) - Serves ruling party's interests.
U.S. Radio Commercial Mandate Evolution - Answers It was more financially sustainable than a purely
public service model.
Early Radio Sponsorship Model - Answers Early radio had single sponsors, then shifted to multi-
advertiser model.
Media Regulation in the U.S. - Answers FCC (Federal Communications Commission) - Controls
radio/TV. FTC (Federal Trade Commission) - Regulates ads & internet commerce.
Broadcasting Regulations vs. Cable/Streaming - Answers Broadcasting uses public airwaves, requiring
more oversight.
