[syphix]

FINALLY: APPROVED
http://siriusbuzz.com/sirius-xm-merger-approved-in-only-493-days.php
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iOz1FYWduExBs1ZzZ6SfJvkPX1DAD925764G0

 

[mhking]

This just crossed my desk (and yes, I've posted it on 11Alive.com already and sent out my breaking news alerts)

http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=119082&catid=8

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Federal regulators formally approved the merger of the nation's only two satellite radio operators Friday, ending a 16-month-long drama closely watched by Washington and Wall Street.

Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.'s $3.3 billion buyout of rival XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. will mean 18 million-plus subscribers will be able to receive programming from both services. Executives say it will mean huge cost savings that will lead to a first-ever profit for the relatively nascent industry.

The Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 to approve the buyout, with the tie-breaking vote coming Friday night from Republican commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate.

Tate had insisted that the companies settle charges that they violated FCC rules before she would approve the deal. The companies agreed this week to pay $19.7 million to the U.S. Treasury for violations related to radio receivers and ground-based signal repeaters.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin confirmed the final 3-2 vote Friday night.

"I think it's going to be, in the end, a good thing for consumers and be in the public interest," he told The Associated Press.

The approval appeared to hit a glitch on Friday when a dispute surfaced between the chairman and Tate over the enforcement issue, but differences between the two were quickly resolved, and the approval went forward.

 

[Steve Mehs]

An extremely sad day for the satellite radio industry. The moment I hear one change I do not like on any station I listen to, I will be canceling my 3 XM subscriptions and 2 Sirius subscriptions.

 

[crabtrp]

So when does the actual merge of the channels happen?

 

[dragonbait]

Goodbye XM 82 The System.

 

[ThunderRoad]

I could be wrong about this years down the line, but as a dual sub, I just don't see any benefit to this merger for me personally.

I can't wait to see how many of these concessions the merged company tries reneging on. One of those I could see is a la carte. Considering they stand to lose money on too many people taking the $6.99 packages and not going with the standard $12.95 packages. Because according to the story tonight, the writing may be on the wall for a la carte: Sirius and XM also have promised to include a limited "a la carte" offering that would be available within three months of the close of the deal and allow listeners to pay only for the channels they want to receive.

I have a feeling "limited" is as far they'll go with it.

 

[Hoxxx]

Goodbye XM 82 The System.

Why would you think that? I see greater selections coming. I welcome this merger.

 

[NewsTechie]

I'm also a dual subscriber, and although I think there will probably be a nice upside in this for me personally (a la carte, being able to listen to MLB games on the Sirius receiver in my car), I think this is a bad, bad, bad decision by the FCC. First, the original rules creating the satellite radio industry and allocating the spectrum specifically precluded the 2 companies from ever merging, and that was done for a reason: they didn't want one company controlling all that spectrum and the entire industry. Over the past 16 months that rule was cast aside by the companies and the FCC as if it didn't even exist. Second, both companies have clearly demonstrated throughout their respective histories that they have no respect for the authority or governance of the FCC. They have flagrantly violated technical requirements and mandates with impunity (until today, when they were levied with a $20 million fine - but $20 million stacked next to a $13 BILLION merger isn't even a rounding error). Third, Mel Karmazin has, throughout his entire career, displayed nothing but disregard (at best) and pure contempt (at worst) for everyone but stockholders - employees, regulators and especially customers. His famous quote - "I'm not really an arts & crafts guy" - demonstrates that he has no interest in content at all beyond having something to sell. For shame, Kevin Martin, for shame.

 

[dragonbait]

Why would you think that? I see greater selections coming. I welcome this merger.

If you check the proposed post merger rate plans and channel lists published months ago (and republished recently) you will notice that The System is not listed. Here is a copy on one site. You will need to scroll to the XM plans, which are after the Sirius plans. The System should be listed between BPM and Chrome; it is not.

In addition, I had seen somewhere months ago, when this list was first published, that The System's program director, Zoltar, had responded that the channel was being dropped as part of the merger when he was asked about The System's fate since the channel was not on the list.

The ony good thing is that The System is operated by WorldSpace so it will continue, but I will lose access to my most listened to channel. Hopefully, The System will find an alternative broadcast option for North America.

 

[Tom Robertson]

An extremely sad day for the satellite radio industry. The moment I hear one change I do not like on any station I listen to, I will be canceling my 3 XM subscriptions and 2 Sirius subscriptions.

"Sorry nose, you're ok, but too closely associated with face. I'm going to have to cut you off..."

 

[Richard King]

"Sorry nose, you're ok, but too closely associated with face. I'm going to have to cut you off..."

Are you saying that Steve will look like the smiley attached to your statement as he drives down the street in his new SUV listening to terrestrial radio?

 

[braven]

"Sorry nose, you're ok, but too closely associated with face. I'm going to have to cut you off..."

That was nicely put.

 

[tkrandall]

If you check the proposed post merger rate plans and channel lists published months ago (and republished recently) you will notice that The System is not listed. Here is a copy on one site. You will need to scroll to the XM plans, which are after the Sirius plans. The System should be listed between BPM and Chrome; it is not.

In addition, I had seen somewhere months ago, when this list was first published, that The System's program director, Zoltar, had responded that the channel was being dropped as part of the merger when he was asked about The System's fate since the channel was not on the list.

The ony good thing is that The System is operated by WorldSpace so it will continue, but I will lose access to my most listened to channel. Hopefully, The System will find an alternative broadcast option for North America.

I like to sometimes listen to the System, too. hope it stays.

 

[aloishus27]

I'm also a dual subscriber, and although I think there will probably be a nice upside in this for me personally (a la carte, being able to listen to MLB games on the Sirius receiver in my car), I think this is a bad, bad, bad decision by the FCC. First, the original rules creating the satellite radio industry and allocating the spectrum specifically precluded the 2 companies from ever merging, and that was done for a reason: they didn't want one company controlling all that spectrum and the entire industry. Over the past 16 months that rule was cast aside by the companies and the FCC as if it didn't even exist. Second, both companies have clearly demonstrated throughout their respective histories that they have no respect for the authority or governance of the FCC. They have flagrantly violated technical requirements and mandates with impunity (until today, when they were levied with a $20 million fine - but $20 million stacked next to a $13 BILLION merger isn't even a rounding error). Third, Mel Karmazin has, throughout his entire career, displayed nothing but disregard (at best) and pure contempt (at worst) for everyone but stockholders - employees, regulators and especially customers. His famous quote - "I'm not really an arts & crafts guy" - demonstrates that he has no interest in content at all beyond having something to sell. For shame, Kevin Martin, for shame.

Bravo sir!!! I have been preaching exactly what you have said to all that I know and no one seems to care. It really amazes me. No one sees to give a rats a** about laws anymore. Why even bother writing them if you have no intent on enforcing them. Such BS!

 

[sticketfan]

will the sirius antenna work to pick up the xm channels

 

[skaeight]

How long before we start to see changes?

 

[davidatl14]

As a dual subscriber I'm fine with it.

All the whiners need to go back to Commercial radio.

 

[Tom Robertson]

How long before we start to see changes?

Depends on how fast the two companies can complete the transaction. I'm rough guessing a month or two for the final corporate paperwork to be complete, then we'll start to see things happen.

On the other hand, some companies can act with lightning speed and could be ready with changes in a few weeks.

So that should give us some sort of range, I hope.

Cheers,
Tom

 

[Doug Brott]

hmm .. interestingly enough I might consider Sat Radio now that there is only one company .. I'm not really in my car enough, though so I still might not. But, from the outside looking in, it makes it more attractive to me .. even if just a little bit.

 

[Tom Robertson]

We have it in one car and in DIRECTV We love it compared to terrestrial fuzzies in a hilly area (you probably can relate...) but HD radio might work well for us too. I have one local station I like alot. (Wish they did the programming for an XM channel.)

Cheers,
Tom