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The probability that XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio will attempt to merge within the next 18 months is 75%...

Always thought this was inevitable, just not so soon. If it happens, I hope the live concert broadcasts aren't affected.

More at Barron's Online

Interesting.

chippewa wrote:

The probability that XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio will attempt to merge within the next 18 months is 75%...

Always thought this was inevitable, just not so soon. If it happens, I hope the live concert broadcasts aren't affected.

More at Barron's Online

I don't think it will go through yet because there are only two satellite providers here in the US and I think the FTC would not allow this because it would create a monopoly.

aeroparrot wrote:

chippewa wrote:

The probability that XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio will attempt to merge within the next 18 months is 75%...

Always thought this was inevitable, just not so soon. If it happens, I hope the live concert broadcasts aren't affected.

More at Barron's Online

I don't think it will go through yet because there are only two satellite providers here in the US and I think the FTC would not allow this because it would create a monopoly.

The analyst gave a 55-60% chance of approval from the FCC & Justice Dept. It would be interesting to see if broadcast stations and corporations would band together to fight it. If XM/Sirius merged, there would be an awful lot of overlapping content that would be gone in cost-cutting measures. They would even have an extra set of satellites in orbit, but might need both to provide service for the two different technologies.

aeroparrot wrote:

chippewa wrote:

The probability that XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio will attempt to merge within the next 18 months is 75%...

Always thought this was inevitable, just not so soon. If it happens, I hope the live concert broadcasts aren't affected.

More at Barron's Online

I don't think it will go through yet because there are only two satellite providers here in the US and I think the FTC would not allow this because it would create a monopoly.

also one has a deal with Dish and the other has a deal with DTV.

chippewa wrote:

aeroparrot wrote:

chippewa wrote:

The probability that XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio will attempt to merge within the next 18 months is 75%...

Always thought this was inevitable, just not so soon. If it happens, I hope the live concert broadcasts aren't affected.

More at Barron's Online

I don't think it will go through yet because there are only two satellite providers here in the US and I think the FTC would not allow this because it would create a monopoly.

The analyst gave a 55-60% chance of approval from the FCC & Justice Dept. It would be interesting to see if broadcast stations and corporations would band together to fight it. If XM/Sirius merged, there would be an awful lot of overlapping content that would be gone in cost-cutting measures. They would even have an extra set of satellites in orbit, but might need both to provide service for the two different technologies.

Even if it gets by the FCC and Justice Department, it still needs other regulatory approvals.

ragtopW wrote:

aeroparrot wrote:

chippewa wrote:

The probability that XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio will attempt to merge within the next 18 months is 75%...

Always thought this was inevitable, just not so soon. If it happens, I hope the live concert broadcasts aren't affected.

More at Barron's Online

I don't think it will go through yet because there are only two satellite providers here in the US and I think the FTC would not allow this because it would create a monopoly.

also one has a deal with Dish and the other has a deal with DTV.

That I didn't know.

Let's not forget the various deals that the two companies have with auto companies, electronic manufacturers and a host of competeing business, such as Avis (XM) and Hertz (Sirius) that would have to be reworked.

I'm not sure that it will be a merger but rather one company buying the assets of the other bankrupt company. I'm just not sure which one will go first.

The Lost Manatee wrote:Let's not forget the various deals that the two companies have with auto companies, electronic manufacturers and a host of competeing business, such as Avis (XM) and Hertz (Sirius) that would have to be reworked.

I'm not sure that it will be a merger but rather one company buying the assets of the other bankrupt company. I'm just not sure which one will go first.

I would bet XM goes down first. Even tho they have better technology, they are not advertising as heavily as Sirius, nor are they expanding their membership base.

now.. the other consideration: even if they merged, and you discount the rental company subscriptions because they are not really investments by listeners but by corps as a selling point; you are still looking at maybe 2 million listeners nation-wide? Monopolies like Clear Channel merging with someone need examination; not this one.

Kinda scary, but as long as my Dish Sirius and my Sirius in my car aren't disturbed or changed in any way, why not? Of course, I expect my car Sirius cost to go down. Just because. ?

RinglingRingling wrote:

The Lost Manatee wrote:Let's not forget the various deals that the two companies have with auto companies, electronic manufacturers and a host of competeing business, such as Avis (XM) and Hertz (Sirius) that would have to be reworked.

I'm not sure that it will be a merger but rather one company buying the assets of the other bankrupt company. I'm just not sure which one will go first.

I would bet XM goes down first. Even tho they have better technology, they are not advertising as heavily as Sirius, nor are they expanding their membership base.

now.. the other consideration: even if they merged, and you discount the rental company subscriptions because they are not really investments by listeners but by corps as a selling point; you are still looking at maybe 2 million listeners nation-wide? Monopolies like Clear Channel merging with someone need examination; not this one.

uh XM picked up 15+ million customers last year..

ragtopW wrote:

RinglingRingling wrote:

The Lost Manatee wrote:Let's not forget the various deals that the two companies have with auto companies, electronic manufacturers and a host of competeing business, such as Avis (XM) and Hertz (Sirius) that would have to be reworked.

I'm not sure that it will be a merger but rather one company buying the assets of the other bankrupt company. I'm just not sure which one will go first.

I would bet XM goes down first. Even tho they have better technology, they are not advertising as heavily as Sirius, nor are they expanding their membership base.

now.. the other consideration: even if they merged, and you discount the rental company subscriptions because they are not really investments by listeners but by corps as a selling point; you are still looking at maybe 2 million listeners nation-wide? Monopolies like Clear Channel merging with someone need examination; not this one.

uh XM picked up 15+ million customers last year..

Actually, I don't think there's even 15+ million satellite subscribers overall....XM just reported earlier this month they are up to 7.2 million subcribers which is a growth rate of 43% over last year (an addition of just over 3 million subs this year)

http://www.onxm.net/2006/11/13/xm-subscriber-count/

I don't think they'd ever get the clearance to merge the two companies....however, if they did, Radio Margaritaville better not disappear from the channel lineup!

dean_siu wrote:

ragtopW wrote:

RinglingRingling wrote:

The Lost Manatee wrote:Let's not forget the various deals that the two companies have with auto companies, electronic manufacturers and a host of competeing business, such as Avis (XM) and Hertz (Sirius) that would have to be reworked.

I'm not sure that it will be a merger but rather one company buying the assets of the other bankrupt company. I'm just not sure which one will go first.

I would bet XM goes down first. Even tho they have better technology, they are not advertising as heavily as Sirius, nor are they expanding their membership base.

now.. the other consideration: even if they merged, and you discount the rental company subscriptions because they are not really investments by listeners but by corps as a selling point; you are still looking at maybe 2 million listeners nation-wide? Monopolies like Clear Channel merging with someone need examination; not this one.

uh XM picked up 15+ million customers last year..

Actually, I don't think there's even 15+ million satellite subscribers overall....XM just reported earlier this month they are up to 7.2 million subcribers which is a growth rate of 43% over last year (an addition of just over 3 million subs this year)

http://www.onxm.net/2006/11/13/xm-subscriber-count/

I don't think they'd ever get the clearance to merge the two companies....however, if they did, Radio Margaritaville better not disappear from the channel lineup!

Dean.. I was making a Pimp to the fact that XM is now Directvs' Music provider..

ragtopW wrote:

dean_siu wrote:

ragtopW wrote:

RinglingRingling wrote:

The Lost Manatee wrote:Let's not forget the various deals that the two companies have with auto companies, electronic manufacturers and a host of competeing business, such as Avis (XM) and Hertz (Sirius) that would have to be reworked.

I'm not sure that it will be a merger but rather one company buying the assets of the other bankrupt company. I'm just not sure which one will go first.

I would bet XM goes down first. Even tho they have better technology, they are not advertising as heavily as Sirius, nor are they expanding their membership base.

now.. the other consideration: even if they merged, and you discount the rental company subscriptions because they are not really investments by listeners but by corps as a selling point; you are still looking at maybe 2 million listeners nation-wide? Monopolies like Clear Channel merging with someone need examination; not this one.

uh XM picked up 15+ million customers last year..

Actually, I don't think there's even 15+ million satellite subscribers overall....XM just reported earlier this month they are up to 7.2 million subcribers which is a growth rate of 43% over last year (an addition of just over 3 million subs this year)

http://www.onxm.net/2006/11/13/xm-subscriber-count/

I don't think they'd ever get the clearance to merge the two companies....however, if they did, Radio Margaritaville better not disappear from the channel lineup!

Dean.. I was making a Pimp to the fact that XM is now Directvs' Music provider..

the question is.. how many of those are actual subscribers who actively signed up and bought the radio and the like; and how many are getting it as part of the package with one of the TV providers? Not that makes a lot of difference, but I'd think the folks who signed up have more invested in it than the folks who get it as part of a package deal.

RinglingRingling wrote:

ragtopW wrote:

dean_siu wrote:

ragtopW wrote:

RinglingRingling wrote:

The Lost Manatee wrote:Let's not forget the various deals that the two companies have with auto companies, electronic manufacturers and a host of competeing business, such as Avis (XM) and Hertz (Sirius) that would have to be reworked.

I'm not sure that it will be a merger but rather one company buying the assets of the other bankrupt company. I'm just not sure which one will go first.

I would bet XM goes down first. Even tho they have better technology, they are not advertising as heavily as Sirius, nor are they expanding their membership base.

now.. the other consideration: even if they merged, and you discount the rental company subscriptions because they are not really investments by listeners but by corps as a selling point; you are still looking at maybe 2 million listeners nation-wide? Monopolies like Clear Channel merging with someone need examination; not this one.

uh XM picked up 15+ million customers last year..

Actually, I don't think there's even 15+ million satellite subscribers overall....XM just reported earlier this month they are up to 7.2 million subcribers which is a growth rate of 43% over last year (an addition of just over 3 million subs this year)

http://www.onxm.net/2006/11/13/xm-subscriber-count/

I don't think they'd ever get the clearance to merge the two companies....however, if they did, Radio Margaritaville better not disappear from the channel lineup!

Dean.. I was making a Pimp to the fact that XM is now Directvs' Music provider..

the question is.. how many of those are actual subscribers who actively signed up and bought the radio and the like; and how many are getting it as part of the package with one of the TV providers? Not that makes a lot of difference, but I'd think the folks who signed up have more invested in it than the folks who get it as part of a package deal.

you Bet.. I was just being funny..
But there is some Revenue from DTV that cannot be overlooked..

RinglingRingling wrote:

The Lost Manatee wrote:Let's not forget the various deals that the two companies have with auto companies, electronic manufacturers and a host of competeing business, such as Avis (XM) and Hertz (Sirius) that would have to be reworked.

I'm not sure that it will be a merger but rather one company buying the assets of the other bankrupt company. I'm just not sure which one will go first.

I would bet XM goes down first. Even tho they have better technology, they are not advertising as heavily as Sirius, nor are they expanding their membership base.

now.. the other consideration: even if they merged, and you discount the rental company subscriptions because they are not really investments by listeners but by corps as a selling point; you are still looking at maybe 2 million listeners nation-wide? Monopolies like Clear Channel merging with someone need examination; not this one.

You know, I could bring this up to one of the senior level managers (I mean as high as Senior VP). Seriously, one of them is a alum of my college and have met him when I used to live in DC. I took a tour of the XM Satellite's studios and I was impressed. I could pass along this on how people feel.

I finally got my wife talked into getting me sirius for Christmas, so I can listen to RM more than just all day at work and a little at night at my desk. Does anyone know which is the "best" economical radio to go with. I'm looking at the Plug and play radios so I can take it from the car to my home stereo and someday a boom box. Looks like the Stratus is the cheapest one with "Univeral Connection" that will hook-up to my home stereo with a $50 kit. Anyone have any suggestions?

I have the Sirius S50, which you can now get for $129 with the rebates at Best Buy, it records up to 60 hours of content, if you can afford a few extra bucks, it's a great deal. It also comes with Sirius Studio, for your PC.

my husband and i have portable XM that goes in the car and can be brought in and hooked through our stereo in the house. i post on the XM fan site, and many people that have both say that they get better reception with the XM over the Sirius. i do wish i got RadioMargaritaville, but i am very happy with my XM. i like all kinds of music and there is a little bit of everything, just wish we hadn't lost the NASCAR contract. i really am glad we found our units at Wal-mart, they were on sale for $79 each. Long live XM!!

As long as my Sirius stock doesn't go in the tank, they can do whatever they want.