Diversity and Diversification

This special issue of the Journal of Media Economics deals with diversity and diversification. Diversity, especially in broadcast programming, has played a major role in policy discussions on both sides of the Atlantic. The reason for the importance of the construct, however, is not often made explicit. Diversity in media content is important because the greater the variety or breadth of media content the greater the probability that media consumers can obtain utility or gratification from that content. Conversely, low diversity in media content means that consumers encounter fewer opportunities to obtain utility or gratification. Hence, consumer welfare is served by greater rather than lesser diversity