In this work, business concepts and analyses are broadly applied to the understanding of the operations and activities of media firms and of the forces and issues affecting them.;The book is a wide-ranging and general survey of the financial structures of various media companies, including their marketing and distribution systems. The author focuses on American companies but draws in European companies that own brands with which US readers have familiarity. The author discusses product life cycles, as well as outside forces - such as the global and local economies, interest rates, trade barriers - that impact a company's financial health.;Intended primarily as a textbook, this should prove a valuable resource not only for students but also media professionals who need a better understanding of the financial forces affecting their industry.