Chris Blount
01-09-04, 06:34 AM
XM Satellite Radio's plans to roll out a traffic and weather service have roiled the relationship between the company and the National Association of Broadcasters.
During the holidays, both XM and NAB announced an agreement concerning the operation of repeaters supporting satellite radio, proposing to restrict their use only to support the complete programming slate transmitted by satellite. (Story: http://www.skyreport.com/viewskyreport.cfm?ReleaseID=1281). NAB President Eddie Fritts said XM's move to provide traffic and weather information, services announced this week at CES, "violates the spirit of a terrestrial repeater agreement" recently negotiated between the sides.
"XM Satellite Radio's announcement to provide weather and traffic reports to select major markets represents an appalling back-door attempt to bypass the FCC's intent to limit satellite radio to a national service only," Fritts said.
He added, "NAB will explore the legality of XM offering this program service. But there is no doubt the 175 million daily listeners of local radio stations know that the best and most reliable source for news, school closings, and weather and traffic alerts continues to be their local broadcasters."
In response to the NAB comments, XM's Chance Patterson said, "There is no regulatory issue here. We are well within our rights to deliver this compelling, nationwide service."
Patterson said the traffic/weather service - delivered nationally - will debut in March.
http://www.skyreport.com (Used with permission)
During the holidays, both XM and NAB announced an agreement concerning the operation of repeaters supporting satellite radio, proposing to restrict their use only to support the complete programming slate transmitted by satellite. (Story: http://www.skyreport.com/viewskyreport.cfm?ReleaseID=1281). NAB President Eddie Fritts said XM's move to provide traffic and weather information, services announced this week at CES, "violates the spirit of a terrestrial repeater agreement" recently negotiated between the sides.
"XM Satellite Radio's announcement to provide weather and traffic reports to select major markets represents an appalling back-door attempt to bypass the FCC's intent to limit satellite radio to a national service only," Fritts said.
He added, "NAB will explore the legality of XM offering this program service. But there is no doubt the 175 million daily listeners of local radio stations know that the best and most reliable source for news, school closings, and weather and traffic alerts continues to be their local broadcasters."
In response to the NAB comments, XM's Chance Patterson said, "There is no regulatory issue here. We are well within our rights to deliver this compelling, nationwide service."
Patterson said the traffic/weather service - delivered nationally - will debut in March.
http://www.skyreport.com (Used with permission)