Radio chains or groups represent an increasing portion of American radio ownership.

Group ownership affects a market’s programming, advertising revenues, technological capabilities and hiring, both with positive and negative effects on a market. The FCC rules limit the number of radio and television stations a group can own in any one market in order to prevent a market monopoly Major players in the mid-1990s were CBS, Evergeen, American Radio Systems, ABC (Disney), Chancellor (the Hicks-Muse companies), Jacor and Clear Channel Communication.