XM & Sirrius Combine

[Sackett]

I didn't see this posted yet, so thought i'd share the news. I have XM for the MLB, but have heard Sirrius has better country stations. I wonder if they'll combine music stations or just operate as current under one company?

http://investor.sirius.com/ReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=230306

[Outbreaker]

XM and Sirius want it to happen. They will probably combine the Similar formats and keep the distinct. I hope they will keeep Glenn Beck.

Faces a major regulatory hurdle though as the merger needs a change in law and/or FCC approval.

[SirWraithe]

great! wonder if I'll get my NASCAR back! when is it suppose to happen?

[1369]

Can't find the article that I read this morning, but the gist of it was you could carry on with your current programming (It read as "music only") at your current subscription price, or eliminate channels for a reduced price. it mentioned nothing about sports, but bet your backside those will be considered "premium" programs, and you'll have to pay extra for them like the DirectTV folks do for NFL/etc.

[hntndawg]

I like the country stations on XM. With my luck if they combine they will get rid of every thing I like. The MLB is nice though, even more so since Dish Network don't look like it is not going to offer MLB extra innings

[Jamie]

I don't quite understand the merger if they're going to retain both providers....perhaps they have to do that for anti-trust reasons...but seems like they could offer a better product and save more money if they only had one.

[SirWraithe]

I don't quite understand the merger if they're going to retain both providers....perhaps they have to do that for anti-trust reasons...but seems like they could offer a better product and save more money if they only had one.

I agree!

[dennisomfs]

better buy some sirrius stock.....please.....

[Atfulldraw]

there never was enough of a market for two of these providers

the capital outlay for each of them to get off the ground was enormous

now it's all duplication of effort and the FCC has to approve the merger ???

so why is the govt involved anyway? just wondering .....

[Atfulldraw]

howard stern may be the only winner - he had a merger clause that may up his yearly salary if they combine

[Outbreaker]

there never was enough of a market for two of these providers

the capital outlay for each of them to get off the ground was enormous

now it's all duplication of effort and the FCC has to approve the merger ???

so why is the govt involved anyway? just wondering .....

The airwaves are owned by the People of the USA. To broadcast over them you must have permission. When both companies applied for their liscenses the stipulation was that they could not combine and form a monopoly.

They want to merge to one standard and slim costs with the combined client base.

[Snakelover]

Now that they've effectively eliminated the competition factor, they can go ahead and charge you out the wazoo. I don't see the merger as being a good thing for the consumer. You may have more program options, but at what price? I guess time will tell.

[SirWraithe]

I think they can only charge what we are willing to pay, they still compete with FM/AM, CD industry and now the mobile DVD industry. But I agree it does form a monopoly on the satalite provider world and that is why I was surprised it was going to happen at all.

[Videographer]

I got an email (from sirius) back in February that was notifying us about the possible merger.

Here is a link to information that all investors (in sirius stock) should have received.

CLick HeRe FoR ThE InVeStOr NeWs

[Shane77624]

If I could just get:
NASCAR
the SEC football
Old Time Radio
America Right
Talk Radio
and what ever 163 is

I would be alright. That is all I ever listen to on the XM radio now.