Media and Communications: Introduction
Segments
Cable and Other Program Distribution
Companies broadcast television programs for free to the public and for cable subscribers. Broadcasts and programming, production, and post-production services are major sources of revenue.
Cellular and Other Wireless Telecommunications
Companies in this segment operate and maintain switching and transmission facilities in order to provide telecommunications services via airwaves.
Movies and Television Production
Companies in this industry primarily produce, or produce and distribute, television programs, television commercials, or videos.
Music
Companies in this industry produce, sell, and license musical recordings; they may also own and license musical copyrights.
Printed Media
Companies in this industry publish newspapers, magazines and other periodicals, books, directories, and mailing lists, as well as items such as calendars, greeting cards, and maps.
Satellite Telecommunications
Communications satellites are used to relay and amplify radio telecommunications signals via a transponder to create a communication channel.
Telecommunications Reseller
Companies in this segment purchase network access and capacity from telecommunications carriers and resell wired and wireless telecommunications services to businesses and households.
Wired Telecommunications Carriers
In this segment, companies provide services including local and long-distance calling, Internet access, and TV program distribution over fixed-line telecommunications networks.
The Media and Communications industry is Highly Concentrated. The production in this industry is dominated by a small amount of large firms that are able to shape the industry’s direction and price levels.
Primary Demand Drivers
- Purchases from businesses, telephone companies, cable companies, data communications providers, and TV and radio broadcasters
Profitability Drivers
- Technological innovation
- Ability to secure high-volume contracts from large customers
From the Blog 
Historically, foreign investment in African nations has tended to do more harm than good for the country's people. Africa’s many developing nations are rich in natural resources and host an abundant workforce, but reliance on markets like petroleum and mining has led to more exploitation than profits. In many cases, these industries have been foundational causes of civil unrest, disease, and violence. In recent years, however, the growth of one innovative industry puts Africa in a position to draw investments of a much safer and more valuable nature: telecommunications.
Telecommunications companies worldwide have invested hundreds of billions into the development of 5G expecting to recoup that investment with further benefits. However, this process has taken longer than expected and has brought a dilemma on what to do next. These large companies, including Alphabet, Amazon, and Microsoft, are hoping that high-tech industries will depend on this new development that will allow them to make a profit. 5G market revenue forecasts worldwide predict that revenues will reach $58.8 billion this year and $1.69 trillion by 2030. Will these predictions hold or will have these telecommunications companies invest in a losing project?
Sources
- Hoovers (Date Accessed: 6/1/2017)