During this decade, many large publishing companies were acquired by even larger media conglomerates, leading to a concentration of power and resources in the industry. In 1971, Random House was acquired by RCA, which also owned NBC. In 1979, Bantam Books was acquired by the communications giant, Gulf+Western.

These mergers and acquisitions were often controversial, as many feared that the homogenization of the industry would lead to a narrowing of perspectives and a decline in quality. However, others argued that these moves were necessary for the survival of the industry, as publishers needed to adapt to new technologies and changing consumer preferences.