XM / Sirius Merger

finsup2k · Post by **finsup2k** » April 10, 2007 12:10 am

Anyone heard about this proposed merger? As an XM customer (that's all I could get in my new Honda), I have been interested in hearing whether the merger will result in a combined programming opportunity and possibly, dare I say, access to Radio Margaritaville in my XM-rigged car. If I had wanted Sirius on day one, rest assured I would have opted for that provider instead of XM.

Post by **SMLCHNG** » April 10, 2007 8:16 am

There's some info here:

http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=56553

finsup2k · Post by **finsup2k** » April 11, 2007 11:38 pm

My understanding, if anyone cares, is that the "forward looking" plan is to offer satellite radio "users" an a la carte menu of programming.

In my estimation, this would be good news for RM seekers.

AlbatrossFlyer · Post by **AlbatrossFlyer** » April 11, 2007 11:42 pm

the republican chairman of the FCC who is very pro business / free markets has issues with the merger. i'd give it about 0% chance of happening.

tikiwoman · Post by **tikiwoman** » April 12, 2007 9:00 am

I hope it happens- I have XM and hope the stations I like stay but I would love to get RM in my car.

Val

LIPH · Post by **LIPH** » April 12, 2007 9:10 am

When XM and Sirius were granted their licenses to operate, a new FCC regulation was enacted that specifically prohibits them from merging.

BottleofRum · Post by **BottleofRum** » April 12, 2007 10:05 am

I hope it happened only for the fact XM has MLB, besides that I really don't care. Sirius is good enough.

Tiki Torches · Post by **Tiki Torches** » April 12, 2007 2:47 pm

LIPH wrote:When XM and Sirius were granted their licenses to operate, a new FCC regulation was enacted that specifically prohibits them from merging.

Then, they're not going to be merging?

7lords · Post by **7lords** » April 12, 2007 3:03 pm

Tiki Torches wrote:
LIPH wrote:When XM and Sirius were granted their licenses to operate, a new FCC regulation was enacted that specifically prohibits them from merging.
Then, they're not going to be merging?

I would say the chances are slim and none. Just like when it was announced that DirecTV and Dish Network were merging.

LIPH · Post by **LIPH** » April 12, 2007 3:10 pm

Tiki Torches wrote:
LIPH wrote:When XM and Sirius were granted their licenses to operate, a new FCC regulation was enacted that specifically prohibits them from merging.
Then, they're not going to be merging?

I'm not the Commissioner or a Board Member of the FCC so I can't answer that question.

ragtopW · Post by **ragtopW** » April 15, 2007 12:59 am

LIPH wrote:
Tiki Torches wrote:
LIPH wrote:When XM and Sirius were granted their licenses to operate, a new FCC regulation was enacted that specifically prohibits them from merging.
Then, they're not going to be merging?
I'm not the Commissioner or a Board Member of the FCC so I can't answer that question.

anyway don't they have fewer vacation days then you do??

trojan_sixtyone · Post by **trojan_sixtyone** » April 15, 2007 2:06 am

LIPH wrote:When XM and Sirius were granted their licenses to operate, a new FCC regulation was enacted that specifically prohibits them from merging.

There were some rumors floating around that the FCC is trying to prevent that to ensure an eventual failure of satellite radio. Doesn't sound that irrational given that we all know how much the FCC hates modes of radio/television/etc. that they can't regulate.

I think we're entering the last few years of cable TV as we know it in America, too. That is, unless someone steps in and hip-checks the FCC. All you have to do to see how restricted US television really is is to go to pretty much any other Westernized country and turn on the TV during prime time or later.

I think it's a shame that so much good music, film, and television is left out because of what a group of people THINKS is best for us all to be exposed to. They don't think we are capable of knowing enough about our own best interests to turn off something that's offensive to us, so instead they keep everything they deem 'offensive' banned and don't even give you the opportunity. We need to enjoy it while it lasts, because once they take control of the freedoms of communication that are left, there will be little the average citizen can do to reverse it (outside of demanding our elected officials to do something about it).

And now my rant on the FCC is finished. I'll wait for the stones to be cast in my direction; there's always at least ONE person in a group that feels differently about organizations like the FCC.

trojan_sixtyone · Post by **trojan_sixtyone** » April 15, 2007 2:07 am

LIPH wrote:When XM and Sirius were granted their licenses to operate, a new FCC regulation was enacted that specifically prohibits them from merging.

There were some rumors floating around that the FCC is trying to prevent that to ensure an eventual failure of satellite radio. Doesn't sound that irrational given that we all know how much the FCC hates modes of radio/television/etc. that they can't regulate.

I think we're entering the last few years of cable TV as we know it in America, too. That is, unless someone steps in and hip-checks the FCC. All you have to do to see how restricted US television really is is to go to pretty much any other Westernized country and turn on the TV during prime time or later.

I think it's a shame that so much good music, film, and television is left out because of what a group of people THINKS is best for us all to be exposed to. They don't think we are capable of knowing enough about our own best interests to turn off something that's offensive to us, so instead they keep everything they deem 'offensive' banned and don't even give you the opportunity. We need to enjoy it while it lasts, because once they take control of the freedoms of communication that are left, there will be little the average citizen can do to reverse it (outside of demanding our elected officials to do something about it).

And now my rant on the FCC is finished. I'll wait for the stones to be cast in my direction; there's always at least ONE person in a group that feels differently about organizations like the FCC.

Landlocked Sailor Surfer · April 15, 2007 11:24 pm

I bought Sirius for my car, only because they have Radio Margaritaville, and the channel never gets changed. I do still play CDs now and then though. If there was a merge, it would be nice if the subscriber could choose their preferred stations from both.

chrisintampa · Post by **chrisintampa** » April 16, 2007 5:16 am

all the press from xm/sirius seems to say overlaping content will be consolidated unique content will be maintained so i will get rm as a xm subsriber i hope if not as long as it is free online

tikiwoman · Post by **tikiwoman** » April 16, 2007 8:36 am

chrisintampa wrote:all the press from xm/sirius seems to say overlaping content will be consolidated unique content will be maintained so i will get rm as a xm subsriber i hope if not as long as it is free online

The consolidation is what concerns me. I love the classic rock stations and Highway 16 on XM and from what I have heard they dig a little deeper than Sirius even though they are not the "deep" channels. I hope the quality remains.

Val

BottleofRum · Post by **BottleofRum** » April 16, 2007 10:23 am

Over the weekend some expert was saying he doubted the merger would get approved. He said Clear Channel was really pushing the FTC to block any merger and Clear Channel has a lot of clout right now with this administration.... Then he said if the merger fails look for XM to be bought out by....Clear Channel

he said CC is trying to block a merger so they can buy XM which will be much cheaper to purchase in a year or two.

Clear Channel owns Ticketmaster so that tells you how they run their business.

tikiwoman · Post by **tikiwoman** » April 16, 2007 10:53 am

BottleofRum wrote:Over the weekend some expert was saying he doubted the merger would get approved. He said Clear Channel was really pushing the FTC to block any merger and Clear Channel has a lot of clout right now with this administration.... Then he said if the merger fails look for XM to be bought out by....Clear Channel he said CC is trying to block a merger so they can buy XM which will be much cheaper to purchase in a year or two.

Clear Channel owns Ticketmaster so that tells you how they run their business.

Clear Channel will be the death of XM. They manage six channels I think which due to some agreement XM has to give them and they all have commercials. Bye Bye commercial free music.

Val

trojan_sixtyone · Post by **trojan_sixtyone** » April 16, 2007 10:56 am

tikiwoman wrote:
BottleofRum wrote:Over the weekend some expert was saying he doubted the merger would get approved. He said Clear Channel was really pushing the FTC to block any merger and Clear Channel has a lot of clout right now with this administration.... Then he said if the merger fails look for XM to be bought out by....Clear Channel he said CC is trying to block a merger so they can buy XM which will be much cheaper to purchase in a year or two.

Clear Channel owns Ticketmaster so that tells you how they run their business.
Clear Channel will be the death of XM. They manage six channels I think which due to some agreement XM has to give them and they all have commercials. Bye Bye commercial free music.

Val

Sadly, listening to XM as it progressed from its inception until now, it gets less and less commercial-free every day. The more appropriate term would be 'commercial-reduced' radio.

BottleofRum · Post by **BottleofRum** » April 16, 2007 11:21 am

trojan_sixtyone wrote:
tikiwoman wrote:
BottleofRum wrote:Over the weekend some expert was saying he doubted the merger would get approved. He said Clear Channel was really pushing the FTC to block any merger and Clear Channel has a lot of clout right now with this administration.... Then he said if the merger fails look for XM to be bought out by....Clear Channel he said CC is trying to block a merger so they can buy XM which will be much cheaper to purchase in a year or two.

Clear Channel owns Ticketmaster so that tells you how they run their business.
Clear Channel will be the death of XM. They manage six channels I think which due to some agreement XM has to give them and they all have commercials. Bye Bye commercial free music.

Val
Sadly, listening to XM as it progressed from its inception until now, it gets less and less commercial-free every day. The more appropriate term would be 'commercial-reduced' radio.

I wouldn't say Bye Bye to commericial radio altogether if CC bought XM, Sirius is still 100% commerical free music.

I was able to find a link re: my prior post:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18074473/

About 1/2 through it:

I'm seeing that there will be a merger. It just probably won't be between XM and Sirius. It will probably be a larger player, such as News Corp. (NYSE: NWS) or Clear Channel (NYSE: CCU), that gobbles up one or the other. I expect names like that to hover like hungry vultures if or when the attempted XM-Sirius combination hits the obituary page.

The report I saw on TV said there was very little chance that Sirius would merge with CC as long as Mel Karmazin is CEO of Sirius.