It’s accepted as gospel these days that Clear Channel Communications is the 800-lb. gorilla of the media world, controlling blocks of radio stations, billboards, and concert venues in nearly every large metro area in the country. But it wasn’t too long ago that Clear Channel was nothing more than a struggling radio group, competing with countless other station owners in a relatively competitive marketplace. Then, back in 1996, Congress passed a Telecommunications Act which legislators swore would increase competition and serve consumers better. As everyone now knows, the opposite happened, and Clear Channel became the face of America’s new corporate media.