Let's hope Radio Margaritaville stays with satellite merger

Soraya · Post by **Soraya** » February 19, 2007 9:06 pm

moeron wrote:I got sirius so I won't have to listem to stern. That would be 1 reason to cxl my service contract.

Ah...Stern is on Sirius. I always say I got Sirius in spite of him...not because of him. In 2 and half years I' ve managed quite easily to never had heard him.

ragtopW · Post by **ragtopW** » February 19, 2007 9:35 pm

Quiet and Shy wrote: Is there a limit to the number of chanels they can receive?

maybe not receive.. But if they share the satelite there is a
limit on how many can broadcast.

from what I know the receivers can handle more
than the satelites can broadcast..
and with the two having some channels
that would be twins that will cut down the number of stations played anyway.

Tiki Torches · Post by **Tiki Torches** » February 19, 2007 9:42 pm

Soraya wrote:
moeron wrote:I got sirius so I won't have to listem to stern. That would be 1 reason to cxl my service contract.
Ah...Stern is on Sirius. I always say I got Sirius in spite of him...not because of him. In 2 and half years I' ve managed quite easily to never had heard him.

Yeah, you have to actually tune in the channel he's on to hear him. Not too hard to avoid.

ragtopW · Post by **ragtopW** » February 19, 2007 9:49 pm

NorthernConch wrote:I would think it would be alrigth as XM prgramming was the worse of the lot

do you say this from reading the list ?
or listening to the channels??
the rare times I choose to tune in
I have really loved the Xcountry as well as the 40s and 50s
stations...

Soraya · Post by **Soraya** » February 19, 2007 9:55 pm

Tiki Torches wrote:Yeah, you have to actually tune in the channel he's on to hear him. Not too hard to avoid.

LOL....to hear some you have Stern running naked through all the channels hijacking them!!

I've also avoided Martha Stewart and the new NASCAR channel (though if that new idi....I mean DJ on RM doesn't stop mentioning it now that the race is over down there I will scream!!

gingerbreadman · Post by **gingerbreadman** » February 19, 2007 10:17 pm

dean_siu wrote:With The New York Post and other sources reporting that Sirius and XM will announce a merger, lets hope that Radio Margaritaville remains a part of the lineup when their programming is merged.

In order for RM to be removed, that means that total the number of satellites will be reduced? Merger doesn't necessarily make the satellites fall from the sky. Or maybe they can just turn them off? Don't know that much about it. The article says the merger will save 7 billion? I wonder where all the savings are coming from?

ragtopW wrote:
Quiet and Shy wrote: Is there a limit to the number of chanels they can receive?
maybe not receive.. But if they share the satelite there is a
limit on how many can broadcast.

from what I know the receivers can handle more
than the satelites can broadcast..
and with the two having some channels
that would be twins that will cut down the number of stations played anyway.

Right, so on the other hand, if you keep the same number of satellites, and merge all the duplicated channels, you have even MORE room for MORE channels!

But possibly somewhere down the line lots of people are gonna need a receiver upgrade?

ragtopW · Post by **ragtopW** » February 19, 2007 10:23 pm

gingerbreadman wrote:
But possibly somewhere down the line lots of people are gonna need a receiver upgrade?

I really don't know that...
in Theory they could keep transmitting on their own
transponders/Satelites and just share channels
but I have not read the news, I do not know the plan.

UpstateNYPH · Post by **UpstateNYPH** » February 20, 2007 10:04 am

This is the email I received:

February 19, 2007

To: SIRIUS Subscribers

Today is a very exciting day for SIRIUS customers. As you may have heard, SIRIUS Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio are merging to form the nation's premier audio entertainment provider.

This combination of our two offerings will benefit you - our loyal listeners. As a single company, we'll provide superior programming to you every day with the best of both SIRIUS and XM. Currently, XM and SIRIUS broadcast a wide range of commercial-free music channels, exclusive sports coverage, news, talk, and entertainment programming. Howard Stern. Oprah and Friends. The NFL. MLB. NBA. ESPN. CNBC. Fox News. Additionally, the combined company will be able to improve existing services such as real-time traffic information and rear-seat video as well as introduce new ones.

After shareholder and regulatory approvals, we anticipate that the combination will be finalized by the end of 2007. Until then, both companies will continue to operate independently. We will continue to provide you with the uninterrupted service - as well as the outstanding customer support - that you have come to expect and enjoy from SIRIUS. We do not anticipate any changes in your service during the merger process, however, please call our customer care team on 1- 888-539-7474 should you have any questions.

We look forward to the many benefits this combination will offer and continuing to make your listening experience an enjoyable one - offering more of the Very Best Radio on Radio.

Stay tuned,

Mel Karmazin, CEO

Tiki Torches · Post by **Tiki Torches** » February 20, 2007 11:49 am

Soraya wrote:
Tiki Torches wrote:Yeah, you have to actually tune in the channel he's on to hear him. Not too hard to avoid.
LOL....to hear some you have Stern running naked through all the channels hijacking them!!

I've also avoided Martha Stewart and the new NASCAR channel (though if that new idi....I mean DJ on RM doesn't stop mentioning it now that the race is over down there I will scream!!

I very rarely "surf" the channels but do so on occasion, mostly I use my channel presets so there's a lot of stuff on XM I've never heard that simply doesn't interest me.

Quiet and Shy · Post by **Quiet and Shy** » February 20, 2007 12:51 pm

It'll be interesting if they're able to convince the Justice Dept and FTC that this merger doesn't constitute a monopoly. The key to that will be convincing regulators that their primary competition hasn't just been each other but in fact all other radio. Offhand, I'd give the merger maybe a 50/50 of succeeding based on that criteria.

And, I'm sure the merger could save a lot of money. If it's done right, there are a lot of duplicate services, processes, etc. from two companies that could be streamlined in one. Also, there's royalties and programing expenses that could be saved in a merger, and this is where RM comes in.

If XM has a very similar station and Sirius has RM, why carry both after the merger? They'd just be doubling up on royalty payments. So, what makes sense is to have one station for each niche/genre/audience need. It certainly makes sense to keep RM, as that carries the Margaritaville and Buffett "brand," but there's no guarantee unless RM can show it has something more to offer for the money (in management's view) than an XM "equivalent" (e.g. live shows).

That's why I'd asked about ratings...they would be a very helpful management tool in deciding what stations to keep vs. ditch. The other option they have -- besides a political free-for-all between stations like RM vs. XM "equivalent" competing for management's favor -- is to do some market research. For example, each company would survey a sample of subscribers asking "What programing brought you to Sirius (or XM)?" limit the number of responses (to 3-5) and see how many mentions RM gets vs. an XM "equivalent".

Alternatively, new management could throw customers out-the-window and look at which one is cheaper to keep on board. And that's a great example of where this merger potentially screams "monopoly." The decisions may become about cost vs. quality programming. Since there's no longer any direct competition to stay ahead of Sirius/XM will need to convince regulators that standard radio will remain a sufficiently strong competitor to keep Sirius/XM focused on quality vs. cheap imitations. Of the two, I'd bet RM is higher cost to Sirius than an XM "equivalent" is to XM, so in a cost-driven scenario RM would be very vulnerable.

If management takes the "quality" road, I would think RM vs. an XM "equivalent" would be one of the easier choices (since RM carries the Buffett brand, and one JB is also a very savvy businessman who's good at building relationships), but all that will be part of the merger process.

LIPH · Post by **LIPH** » February 20, 2007 1:00 pm

Quiet and Shy wrote:It'll be interesting if they're able to convince the Justice Dept and FTC that this merger doesn't constitute a monopoly. The key to that will be convincing regulators that their primary competition hasn't just been each other but in fact all other radio. Offhand, I'd give the merger maybe a 50/50 of succeeding based on that criteria.

One of the things they're hanging their hat on is that they're not just competing against each other. They claim their competition includes terrestial radio, iPods (which I don't think existed when Sirius and XM started), online music services, pretty much any vehicle people have for listening to music. I think their argument is bogus - bottom line, they're still the only two satellite providers.

SharkOnLand · Post by **SharkOnLand** » February 20, 2007 3:40 pm

ragtopW wrote:
NorthernConch wrote:I would think it would be alrigth as XM prgramming was the worse of the lot
do you say this from reading the list ?
or listening to the channels??
the rare times I choose to tune in
I have really loved the Xcountry as well as the 40s and 50s
stations...

I don't listen to that type (country/geezer music

) of music, but the rock channels on XM (compared to Sirius) leave a lot to be desired.

XM's talk seems to be a tad better than Sirius, but if they mess with Sirius' Rock/Pop channels, I may well cancel my subscription.

And of course, if RM goes (which I don't see happening, I'm sure there's a contract in place), I will definitely cancel.

Capt. Ron DB · Post by **Capt. Ron DB** » February 20, 2007 4:21 pm

Last conversation I had with the RM people indicates there is no way RM is leaving Sat radio. Their listening audience has gone 100 fold or more.

ColdWaterConch · Post by **ColdWaterConch** » February 20, 2007 4:29 pm

Capt. Ron DB wrote:Last conversation I had with the RM people indicates there is no way RM is leaving Sat radio. Their listening audience has gone 100 fold or more.

Sirius says that they don't monitor those numbers...how does RM?

Tiki Torches · Post by **Tiki Torches** » February 20, 2007 4:33 pm

SharkOnLand wrote:
ragtopW wrote:
NorthernConch wrote:I would think it would be alrigth as XM prgramming was the worse of the lot
do you say this from reading the list ?
or listening to the channels??
the rare times I choose to tune in
I have really loved the Xcountry as well as the 40s and 50s
stations...
I don't listen to that type (country/geezer music ) of music, but the rock channels on XM (compared to Sirius) leave a lot to be desired.

XM's X-Country channel plays Buffett (past and present) on a fairly regular basis.

Capt. Ron DB · Post by **Capt. Ron DB** » February 20, 2007 4:51 pm

The only way RM gets any idea of listeners is the feedback from the call in lines, emails, requests, etc. All indications say that more people are listening to RM than ever did when it was internet only.

Also the addition of the Sirius studio at Margaritaville Orlando is another good indication.

Oh, another one, when you buy a siruis thru the link on RM web site, it gets counted.

Interesting note, my sirius has been stuck on 31 and I can't change channels for the last 6 months. Still not time for a new receiver yet.

SharkOnLand · Post by **SharkOnLand** » February 20, 2007 4:56 pm

Tiki Torches wrote:
SharkOnLand wrote:
ragtopW wrote:
NorthernConch wrote:I would think it would be alrigth as XM prgramming was the worse of the lot
do you say this from reading the list ?
or listening to the channels??
the rare times I choose to tune in
I have really loved the Xcountry as well as the 40s and 50s
stations...
I don't listen to that type (country/geezer music ) of music, but the rock channels on XM (compared to Sirius) leave a lot to be desired.
XM's X-Country channel plays Buffett (past and present) on a fairly regular basis.

Too bad I wouldn't be able to hear it, as I would have gouged my eardrums out waiting for them to play JB

ParrotHead Elm · Post by **ParrotHead Elm** » February 21, 2007 6:17 pm

Two facts here:

1. Opie & Anthony is a hilarious show.
2. It is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too early to tell anything about the merger yet. This will take a long while to pan out...and absolutely NOTHING has been decided yet. As of this moment, they are still complete rivals.

Opinion? The 2 companies, combined, have a helluva lot of money they can throw at the merger hurdles. Add in that 2008 is an election year and the companies can apply a lot of pressure [read as campaign donations] to their candidates of choice.

Now go buy some stuff at my stores, below!!

Bwana Paul · Post by **Bwana Paul** » February 22, 2007 8:15 pm

I'm certainly no expert, but I think it would be foolish for a merger to cut Radio Margaritaville!

What station can offer what Radio Margaritaville offers? NONE.

Bar none, it is one of the most well-flowing, FUN, interesting and thoroughly good channels out there.

Furthermore, look at who listens to Radio Margaritaville. PARROT HEADS.

One of the most dedicated fan groups. How many Parrot Heads/Buffett Fans subscribed to Sirius JUST BECAUSE of Radio Margaritaville? Probably A LOT.

So, it doesn't make sense to me. Then again, what do I know!

GulfCoastPirate · Post by **GulfCoastPirate** » February 26, 2007 10:33 am

Agreed, I cannot see RM being eliminated if the merger goes through.

My concerns are the "ala cart" comments I've heard from both CEOs. I figure if you want RM, it will be a Premium channel. Same holds true for Sirius NFL Radio (which these are basically the main stations I listen to) and if you want other stations like Playboy Radio (which is really good!), Blue Collar Radio, etc., these will all cost extra.

Hopefully this won't happen, I think they will lose a lot of subscribers if they raise the monthy fee over $13.

BuffettNews.com

Let's hope Radio Margaritaville stays with satellite merger

Hmmmm