Econometrica

Journal Of The Econometric Society

An International Society for the Advancement of Economic
Theory in its Relation to Statistics and Mathematics

Edited by: Guido W. Imbens • Print ISSN: 0012-9682 • Online ISSN: 1468-0262

Econometrica: May, 2018, Volume 86, Issue 3

The Welfare Effects of Vertical Integration in Multichannel Television Markets

https://doi.org/10.3982/ECTA14031
p. 891-954

Gregory S. Crawford, Robin S. Lee, Michael D. Whinston, Ali Yurukoglu

We investigate the welfare effects of vertical integration of regional sports networks (RSNs) with programming distributors in U.S. multichannel television markets. Vertical integration can enhance efficiency by reducing double marginalization and increasing carriage of channels, but can also harm welfare due to foreclosure and incentives to raise rivals' costs. We estimate a structural model of viewership, subscription, distributor pricing, and affiliate fee bargaining using a rich data set on the U.S. cable and satellite television industry (2000–2010). We use these estimates to analyze the impact of simulated vertical mergers and divestitures of RSNs on competition and welfare, and examine the efficacy of regulatory policies introduced by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to address competition concerns in this industry.


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Supplemental Material

Supplement to "The Welfare Effects of Vertical Integration in Multichannel Television Markets"

This appendix contains material not found within the manuscript.