IPC media

1. Find out who owns IPC media.

IPC is owned by Time Inc. which is the publishing sector of Time Warner Inc. which is one of the largest content companies in the world.

2. What other 'entertainment' interests does this company own?

It extends into online, television, cable VOD, satellite radio, mobile devices, events and branded products for example blackberry and iphone apps are one of the many components the company is involved in. Television networks, filmed entertainment and publishing are other sections of the industry.

3. Why might this company have bought IPC media? Benefits?

The IPC media company unit in the UK are read nearly 250 million times each month and by approximately 150 adults. It has a consumer market of around 70% of females in the UK and 50% of the men. It also covers around 60% of the online population. As IPC media is so diverse within digital and print, it offers something for everyone. IPC is very much at the heart of the cultural life within the UK. All of these points make them very attractive for companies such as Time Inc. to get involved. Also, IPC media are big in the magazine industry and can offer Time Warner more synergy to advertise their films and other products they may have.

4. Are there any potential drawbacks for the consumer/society when big corporations own a large share of the media market?

There are some drawbacks with big countries such as Time Warner Inc. owning a large part of the media market because they are then more able to dictate the prices that are on the market, there is no competition if they own a majority of the market which may mean standards may drop, and also all the brands under the same company will have a lot of similarities which may get boring for the consumer.