Speculation Thread: Sirius buying-out XM soon?

[SOS]

There were several hints on today's show of the possible Sirius-XM buyout.

Does anyone have any info?

[UsedLadBag]

Christmas... you heard it here first on Speculation Tuesday!

P.S. I don't need facts, I have a keyboard.

[Dr. Hoffman]

FMQB is reporting something;

http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=471907

Sounds like Howie is trying to cash in his stock options and purchase XM. Who knows.

[Jimmy's Junk]

Damn you Hoffman! A friend of mine works for the little doggie said they where told it is going through. Of course this was told to me over many adult beverages so take it as you will.

[UsedLadBag]

FMQB is reporting something;

http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=471907

Sounds like Howie is trying to cash in his stock options and purchase XM. Who knows.

I saw that same article, can't remember where. Fark maybe? THink you could find the link?

[Freese]

Damn you, now meatspin.com is logged on the server at work. I hate you all.

[EvilHomerJ666]

Damn you, now meatspin.com is logged on the server at work. I hate you all.

Your not alone, I was had too.

[ChrisH]

Until the FCC and FTC (Federal Trade Comission) bless the merger, it can't happen. There have been indications recently that the FCC may be leaning towards allowing the merger, and both XM and doggie released poll results yesterday saying essentially that the public wants a merger:

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/DC0265210092007-1.htm

EDIT: Just found this one as well: http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/09/11/xm-xmsr-sirius-siri-merger-decision-expected-shortly/

None of this is proof, however.

p.s. I fell for meatspin at work too.

[SwimConnerSwim]

Something happens this week with "regulatory hurdles" being cleared or not this week.

http://wackbag.com/showthread.php?t=71751
A post from over the summer about this.

[cigarsandscotch]

I was assuming the merger was dying the other week when O&A were putting the boots to Howie, and Elo had called in too during the Fox thing and that hadn't happened for a while either. But I got the feeling from Opie's tone today that meeting is about the meger happening. Shit, I do not want it to happen.

[cokelogic]

I was assuming the merger was dying the other week when O&A were putting the boots to Howie, and Elo had called in too during the Fox thing and that hadn't happened for a while either. But I got the feeling from Opie's tone today that meeting is about the meger happening. Shit, I do not want it to happen.QFT

[richwithhatred]

if this shit goes through, it'll definitely become time to be 100% internet radio listener. I will NOT let my money be spent to fulfill the contracts of Howie or fuckin' Bubba the Cum Sponge. that just can't happen!

[UsedLadBag]

if this shit goes through, it'll definitely become time to be 100% internet radio listener. I will NOT let my money be spent to fulfill the contracts of Howie or fuckin' Bubba the Cum Sponge. that just can't happen!

do what I did, cancel your sub and buy a used unit on ebay. I bought two to make destruction videos during the suspension and they we both still active. I've been listenning for free since.

[Kris_LTRMa]

The FCC has 180 days to make a decision. Today, 9/11 is Day 95. According to this article: http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=470161
a decision is due within the next 60 - 90 days.

I'm hoping it's all speculation and that it's not going to go through. The NAB presented some very valid questions that weren't answered by the poll's alleged results showing that consumers were in favor of an a la carte pricing plan.

[SteveFromBayshore]

Oh, Poo on Toast.

HEIL CUMIA!

[WOWmagnet]

People are saying that Hoo Hoo is buying XM for the sole purpose of FIRING ONA!!!!

All HEIL K-ROCK.

[Sct Ptersns Twn]

People are saying that Hoo Hoo is buying XM for the sole purpose of FIRING ONA!!!!

All HEIL K-ROCK.

Are they, are they really.

[cigarsandscotch]

XM (XMSR) - Sirius (SIRI) merger decision expected shortly
Posted Sep 11th 2007 11:41AM by Brent Archer
Filed under: Analyst reports, Deals, Good news, Industry, XM Satellite Radio (XMSR), Sirius Satellite Radio (SIRI), Options, Technical Analysis

XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: XMSR) is higher this morning and has climbed recently as current investor buzz is that the merger with Sirius (NASDAQ: SIRI) looks more and more likely to succeed. Analysts have said the Department of Justice could make a ruling on the merger within the next month, and they believe there is a better than even money chance the merger will be approved.

[LiddyRules]

See, Congress does listen.

[WOWmagnet]

Are they, are they really.

Ouch. I've been pwned. :icon_roll

[Stalker2]

If it happens I`m cancelling.

[Big Dick Mcgee]

As long as I have O and A and Ron and Fez I'll stay.

[fandango86]

Do any of you folks with inside info of O&A know if their current contract protects them from being silenced as they were 5 years ago?

A scenario I see is Mel terminating the CBS contract because he's already said he doesn't want to share talent, and then waiting for the boys to do something outrageous, cancel the show, and make them sit out the balance of their XM contract. Is this scenario possible?

[Hog's Big Ben]

The FCC has 180 days to make a decision. Today, 9/11 is Day 95. According to this article: http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=470161
a decision is due within the next 60 - 90 days.

I'm hoping it's all speculation and that it's not going to go through. The NAB presented some very valid questions that weren't answered by the poll's alleged results showing that consumers were in favor of an a la carte pricing plan.

That poll sucked bags of dicks.

Did they tell the people they polled that the $6.99 a la carte plan only lets you pick from certain channels to make up your custom list of 50 choices? Did they tell you that the plan that lets you get channels from the other company for less than subscribing to both only includes 11 fucking channels from the other company (and they also aren't among the better choices)? Fuck Mel in his horse-toothed ass.

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/5452/xmpostmergerlineup3ia3.th.gif (http://img521.imageshack.us/my.php?image=xmpostmergerlineup3ia3.gif)http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/4349/siriuspostmergerlineup3kz5.th.gif (http://img521.imageshack.us/my.php?image=siriuspostmergerlineup3kz5.gif)

[krisko]

here's what i think:
speculatespeculatespeculatespeculate :action-sm

[BaLZaC~308]

As long as I have O and A and Ron and Fez I'll stay.


I would too except i pay 6.99 a month with a family plan and I fucking guarantee they will fuck with that too... I dont have 3 subs to pay 12.95 a month on each!

Fuck this

[krisko]

Oh, Poo on Toast.

HEIL CUMIA!

i like toast



i'm not sure what will happen if this goes through, if the boys and the buddays stay on i don't really care what service they're on. if it won't fuck with the show then i don't care

[LiddyRules]

If anything happens to fuck O+A OR R+F, I am through.

[Your_Moms_Box]

Two thoughts

1- if the merger goes through, then they need to go back and let the dish network/directv merger go through also.

2 - krisko looks like she'd give a great blowjob

[BaLZaC~308]

If anything happens to fuck O+A OR R+F, I am through.

fixed

[Southtown]

i'm not sure what will happen if this goes through, if the boys and the buddays stay on i don't really care what service they're on. if it won't fuck with the show then i don't care


Agreed. I have to admit I did not like hearing Opie say they are not going back to the XM studio because they are going to be where Hoo Hoo is. If true, I see nothing good coming out of it.

[Your_Moms_Box]

It could be good for the boys, Let's say it goes through....

Sirius is obviously better at advertising, and I highly doubt Stern will get another payday... I believe he has two years left......

Maybe the merged company would start pushing the boys as the big thing forwhen they finally tell grandma to go spent her fortune and stop doing radio....

[NH_Living]

I hear ya, merger kind of scares me with what I am going to get for my dollar as far as programming. The more I hear about the tiers the more I think of cable TV and how much it costs to get the good channels. Time will tell I guess.

[Stalker2]

As soon as Karmazon and Hoo hoo get their hands on O and A its over for them...These souless bastards have been waiting for this and the second I hear the merger is approved I cancel my subscription and I hope everyone else does.Mel and Hoo hoo will be in charge...don`t delude yourselves about everything will be okay.

[LiddyRules]

It could be good for the boys Pessimism is a lot easier. But I'm still going to wait to see what Emperor Karmazine and Darth Howard do against Ope Skywalker and Ron Solo.

[South Jersey]

Two thoughts

1- if the merger goes through, then they need to go back and let the dish network/directv merger go through also.

2 - krisko looks like she'd give a great blowjob

Good point, that can open the door for a huge lawsuit. :icon_wink

[Southtown]

It could be good for the boys, Let's say it goes through....

Sirius is obviously better at advertising, and I highly doubt Stern will get another payday... I believe he has two years left......

Maybe the merged company would start pushing the boys as the big thing forwhen they finally tell grandma to go spent her fortune and stop doing radio....


I hope so but I am still nervous. It seems nowadays CEOs run the company like they own them. They think they know better then the customers and push what they like and fuck what everyone else thinks.

[Tryaluckystrike]

So how long can the FM show be extended to? 10 a.m.? 10:30 a.m?

Howie and his pet dildo will put an end to O&A's fun. Motherfuckers!

[LastDeadMouse]

That poll sucked bags of dicks.

Did they tell the people they polled that the $6.99 a la carte plan only lets you pick from certain channels to make up your custom list of 50 choices? Did they tell you that the plan that lets you get channels from the other company for less than subscribing to both only includes 11 fucking channels from the other company (and they also aren't among the better choices)? Fuck Mel in his horse-toothed ass.

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/5452/xmpostmergerlineup3ia3.th.gif (http://img521.imageshack.us/my.php?image=xmpostmergerlineup3ia3.gif)http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/4349/siriuspostmergerlineup3kz5.th.gif (http://img521.imageshack.us/my.php?image=siriuspostmergerlineup3kz5.gif)

If I'm reading it right, that's fucking awful. AWFUL! I have a friend that has Sirius for the NFL and Stern. Now if he wants to keep them he has to pay the $6.99/month base plus another $11/month? And those of us with XM that want O and A along with MLB need to pay the $6.99 base plus $9? Plus, unless we want to pay a little more, we lose all those $.25 channels.

**EDIT** I just noticed that 7 or so of my favorite channels are on the $.25 list, so this is really gonna fuck me if it happens.

[MelissaY1]

Of course most people they polled the tier option sounded good to them. Guaranteed these people are either a) idiots or b) don't have either service and because of that it sounds like a good deal to them or c) both. I can't see how this would be good for subscribers of either company. I have 3 subscriptions in my family for XM. I could give a rat's ass about Sirius' programming. I knew someone who had both services and hence I had a good amount of exposure to each service. If I had wanted Sirius I would've bought Sirius. I bought XM 50% for O&A and 50% for the music programming which I found I liked better. I will go wherever O&A goes as of right now, but if this merger comes to light and the boys get screwed or just fired off of XM, I'll cave and buy an Ipod (yeah I still don't own one) and get the shows from online and listen that way.

[LiddyRules]

Here's a problem with the additional charges for O+A and R+F. It might make it a bit easier for them to skew the numbers against them.

[gilpdawg]

If I'm reading it right, that's fucking awful. AWFUL! I have a friend that has Sirius for the NFL and Stern. Now if he wants to keep them he has to pay the $6.99/month base plus another $11/month? And those of us with XM that want O and A along with MLB need to pay the $6.99 base plus $9? Plus, unless we want to pay a little more, we lose all those $.25 channels.

**EDIT** I just noticed that 7 or so of my favorite channels are on the $.25 list, so this is really gonna fuck me if it happens.
Um, why don't you guys just keep on paying $12.95 and get what you get now, then? You do have that option. You don't have to take any Sirius programming, and you don't have to do a-la-carte crap either. They are just options.

[pure_waves]

ok im really bad at math and dont get broad market issues. also i am responding to unsourced speculation.

but isnt xm worth like 4 billion or something? that would mean howie would need to come up with 2 billion and change in order to get 51% ownership.

sirius costs like $3 a share. does he have enough shares to sell to come up with the cash? doesnt sound realistic to me.

[MelissaY1]

Um, why don't you guys just keep on paying $12.95 and get what you get now, then? You do have that option. You don't have to take any Sirius programming, and you don't have to do a-la-carte crap either. They are just options.

Well I will certainly stick with what I have, but I'm wondering how long they'll have THAT as an option? :( I'm guessing eventually they'll want us to buy new equipment, make something we already have not compatible, force the Sirius programming on us at some point...

[King Jumungus]

If I truly get worried, I'll extend all my contracts to 5 year contracts, that way they honor them, then if they fuck with O and A or R and F, I'll cancel them all, and get my funds back.

[WOWmagnet]

If I truly get worried, I'll extend all my contracts to 5 year contracts, that way they honor them, then if they fuck with O and A or R and F, I'll cancel them all, and get my funds back.

Brilliant! :icon_roll

[psyduck]

I hope so but I am still nervous. It seems nowadays CEOs run the company like they own them. They think they know better then the customers and push what they like and fuck what everyone else thinks.

If the merger goes through and it actually benefits consumers (i.e. lower cost, better service, etc.); it will be the first time in modern times that a "major" merger has worked for the consumer. Major mergers ALWAYS reduce competition and thus ultimately ALWAYS increase the cost and reduce the quality of service; good examples being the airline and telephone industries.

It does look like the merger has an increasing chance of being approved. If it is, I hope that it doesn't effect ONA or R&F. With Mel the Ass and Hoo Hoo the toothless fuck being on the "other side", I'm not comfortable.

:icon_eek::icon_eek::icon_eek:

[frankw]

Do any of you folks with inside info of O&A know if their current contract protects them from being silenced as they were 5 years ago?

A scenario I see is Mel terminating the CBS contract because he's already said he doesn't want to share talent, and then waiting for the boys to do something outrageous, cancel the show, and make them sit out the balance of their XM contract. Is this scenario possible?

Mel cannot terminate an existing contract with CBS, Renewing is another thing

[Hog's Big Ben]

If I'm reading it right, that's fucking awful. AWFUL! I have a friend that has Sirius for the NFL and Stern. Now if he wants to keep them he has to pay the $6.99/month base plus another $11/month? And those of us with XM that want O and A along with MLB need to pay the $6.99 base plus $9? Plus, unless we want to pay a little more, we lose all those $.25 channels.

**EDIT** I just noticed that 7 or so of my favorite channels are on the $.25 list, so this is really gonna fuck me if it happens.

No, they say you can keep what you have now for the same $12.95/month, because they are allegedly going to keep the channel lineups untouched indefinitely. If that's true, then they don't need to merge to offer these "wonderful" new service plans. You have to buy a new radio to use any of these new plans anyway, so what's stopping them from offering them without merging? They're acting like the only way they can provide all this horseshit to The Valued Customer is if they merge. Bullshit. There is NOTHING stopping them from offering these new plans as two separate companies. NOTHING!!! Think about it!!! There is nothing stopping anyone from making radios now that can receive channels from both companies. Every reason they offer for this merger that allegedly benefits the consumer is something that they could do as two separate companies RIGHT NOW. :mad4::mad4::mad4:

They're also not being honest with the people they're polling. They're making it sound like you can pick any 50 channels when you decide to go cheap and do the a la carte plan, so of course all the polltakers think it's great, because who listens to more than 50 channels? It's the same scam the cable companies pull. You have different plans available, but the best channels are spread out over several different plans.

For example, look at XM's "News, Sports & Talk" plan: it's only $9.99, so you probably think that's a good deal if you use an iPod for your music and only want XM for O&A/R&F and the baseball games. But look closer. The "News, Sports & Talk" plan doesn't include O&A or any of the fucking live games! They're a bunch of dishonest cunts.

http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/1241/xmpostmergerlineup7yi4.th.gif (http://img392.imageshack.us/my.php?image=xmpostmergerlineup7yi4.gif)

http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/xms-postmerger-line-up.html

[frankw]

If I'm reading it right, that's fucking awful. AWFUL! I have a friend that has Sirius for the NFL and Stern. Now if he wants to keep them he has to pay the $6.99/month base plus another $11/month? And those of us with XM that want O and A along with MLB need to pay the $6.99 base plus $9? Plus, unless we want to pay a little more, we lose all those $.25 channels.

**EDIT** I just noticed that 7 or so of my favorite channels are on the $.25 list, so this is really gonna fuck me if it happens.


You are reading it wrong

You do not have to change ANYTHING :icon_roll

[CM Mark]

Steve Kingston

[Hydrosludge]

You are reading it wrong

You do not have to change ANYTHING :icon_roll
For now

If the merger goes through and it actually benefits consumers (i.e. lower cost, better service, etc.); it will be the first time in modern times that a "major" merger has worked for the consumer. Major mergers ALWAYS reduce competition and thus ultimately ALWAYS increase the cost and reduce the quality of service; good examples being the airline and telephone industries.

It does look like the merger has an increasing chance of being approved. If it is, I hope that it doesn't effect ONA or R&F. With Mel the Ass and Hoo Hoo the toothless fuck being on the "other side", I'm not comfortable.

:icon_eek::icon_eek::icon_eek:


It is going to be great with all the new choices my XM units will get with no degradation in sound quality. The consumer is going to make out like a bandit because look at how low the prices are going to be especially for the people who sign up ala carte for everything with the new dual chip units. Mel is being completely honest about everything and everything is going to be great under his control.

[boardrmjimsass]

I think that all the trouble that they got in a few months ago is directly tied to the merger. I believe that Mel is calling the shots and wanted to see what would happen to subscriptions if he let them go. That is why they let them back on because it would hurt the company. Mel is a business man, so I do not think that he would let them go now that they have information on what it would do to the XM side. Once the merger is official the change will be fast, but I think they will pull through. If not he will lose a lot of people (and sponsors!)

[Your_Moms_Box]

If the merger goes through, I don't see the boys staying long.

From hints dropped on the show since day 1 on XM, it sounds like their contract with XM INCLUDED the ability to syndicate the show to FM, because that was what the boys wanted to do from the get go (They originally tried with citadel befrore the Krock deal went through)

Mel has stated that he will "honor all contracts" but I guarantee that as soon as there current contract expires the new renogotiation will take syndication off the table.

At that point I think the boys would choose to go with terrestial radio unless they get an insane contract like hoo hoo.


I know there contract was extended shortly after the FM deal, has anyone calculated how long they have left vs. how long howard has left?

[BigSickDaddy]

That poll sucked bags of dicks.

Did they tell the people they polled that the $6.99 a la carte plan only lets you pick from certain channels to make up your custom list of 50 choices? Did they tell you that the plan that lets you get channels from the other company for less than subscribing to both only includes 11 fucking channels from the other company (and they also aren't among the better choices)? Fuck Mel in his horse-toothed ass.

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/5452/xmpostmergerlineup3ia3.th.gif (http://img521.imageshack.us/my.php?image=xmpostmergerlineup3ia3.gif)http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/4349/siriuspostmergerlineup3kz5.th.gif (http://img521.imageshack.us/my.php?image=siriuspostmergerlineup3kz5.gif)

I like how Emergency Channels aren't included for free. :icon_roll
:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:

[TEXAS TRUCKER]

Xm stock took a wild ride today based on speculation that merger approval may be near. It was up as much as $1.15 at one point. No official word from the FCC yet so there is still time to hit another round of calls and messages to them to KILL the deal. I see nothing good in the merger for XM listeners. We still won't have NFL or NASCAR access. and Mel worries the shit outa me.

http://www.forbes.com/markets/2007/09/12/xm-sirius-radio-markets-equity-cx_er_0912markets19.html?partner=aoltix

[Turfmower]

HMMM 6.99 + 6.00 for the baseball is the same what service is now for everything. How much is the full service going to be?

[the far side]

People are saying that Hoo Hoo is buying XM for the sole purpose of FIRING ONA!!!!

All HEIL K-ROCK.Well thats the only way he can shut the boys up

[FredThe4thMic]

Wait so
Sirius is buying XM?
How does that not go in?

[20minorchange]

If I'm "Larry Late" then don't flame me, but how many think OnA will eventually be just on CBS after the merger. I hope not, but have a bad feeling w/ them vs. Mel

[Dickieboy]

I hope not because I wont be able to listen to O & A if they arent on XM anymore . They arent on in any stations that come in clearly in my area .

[WOWmagnet]

If I'm "Larry Late" then don't flame me, but how many think OnA will eventually be just on CBS after the merger. I hope not, but have a bad feeling w/ them vs. Mel

Bingo.

HEIL K-ROCK.

[Jimmy's Junk]

If it does ends up that the boys are just on CBS then I guess it's back to Sydication Underground for me.



P.S. - How hot is Krisko

[Dr. Hoffman]

If it does ends up that the boys are just on CBS then I guess it's back to Sydication Underground for me.



P.S. - How hot is Krisko

Don't ever refer to the hotness of my girlfriend again.

[Jimmy's Junk]

Don't ever refer to the hotness of my girlfriend again.


Calmo, Calmo........It is meant as a compliment sir. You should be proud to even breath the same air as such a fine creature.

[Dr. Hoffman]

Calmo, Calmo........It is meant as a compliment sir. You should be proud to even breath the same air as such a fine creature.

It's actually a joke. Sorry, forgot this...:action-sm

I only wish I was dating her.

[BuffaloTom]

Sirius buying out XM IS THE SAME THING AS A MERGER. The FTC still needs to approve it. It's not like Sirius buying XM doesn't create a monopoly where a merger would create a monopoly.

[Jimmy's Junk]

I knew it was a joke but I took the oppertunity to stress just how lovely Krisko is.

[Dr. Mengele]

All dem maffmatics and ecomonomical talkin makes me soooo sleepy. I need Boardroom Jimmy to 'splain to me what all this shit means.

[Hog's Big Ben]

If the merger goes through, I don't see the boys staying long.

From hints dropped on the show since day 1 on XM, it sounds like their contract with XM INCLUDED the ability to syndicate the show to FM, because that was what the boys wanted to do from the get go (They originally tried with citadel befrore the Krock deal went through)

Mel has stated that he will "honor all contracts" but I guarantee that as soon as there current contract expires the new renogotiation will take syndication off the table.

At that point I think the boys would choose to go with terrestial radio unless they get an insane contract like hoo hoo.


I know there contract was extended shortly after the FM deal, has anyone calculated how long they have left vs. how long howard has left?


Their XM contract ends in Oct 2010, and Howie's ends in Jan 2011.

Back when the merger was announced in February, O&A mentioned their CBS contract but didn't say exactly when it ends. If it's full years at a time then they meant Apr 2008. Of course, they could have added time since then. And for the speculating Sallys, there's two ways to take them talking about not doing a Virus Tour next year.

Also, CBS isn't the only one syndicating them. Buffalo, Syracuse and 7-8 others are Citadel, but CBS is who gets them into half a dozen top 10 markets.

[SOS]

XM, Sirius Shares Drop on Downgrades (http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/apwire/D8RON8D00.htm)
XM, Sirius Shares Drop on Downgrades
XM, Sirius Fall After Analyst Downgrades, Says Deal Has 50-50 Chance of Falling Through
September 19, 2007: 03:08 PM EST

NEW YORK (Associated Press) - Shares of XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. and Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. dropped Wednesday after an analyst downgraded the satellite radio broadcasters, adding their planned combination has a 50 percent chance of falling through.

UBS Investment Research analyst Lucas Binder downgraded the companies to "Neutral" from "Buy."

In afternoon trading, XM shares fell 73 cents, or 4.9 percent, to $14.09. The stock has traded between $9.91 and $17.70 during the past 52 weeks.

Sirius shares dropped 16 cents, or 4.6 percent, to $3.34. During the past 52 weeks, the stock has traded between $2.66 and $4.37.

The companies' stocks have been volatile recently as investors await a decision on antitrust issues by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Sirius and XM are the only satellite broadcasters in the country, so their proposed merger faces extra scrutiny from the Justice Department and Federal Communications Commission. New York-based Sirius announced in February that it would acquire Washington-based rival XM in a deal valued at $4.7 billion at the time.

Earlier this month, shares of XM and Sirius rallied after an RBC Capital Markets analyst said the possibility of antitrust approval was better than 50 percent.

On Wednesday, Binder reaffirmed his positive subscriber growth outlook for both XM and Sirius and raised his price targets for the companies. However, Binder said the current stock prices reflect most of the fundamental upside.

"Without greater certainty on a deal closing, we believe current levels reflect a fair value on fundamentals and the merger outlook," Binder wrote.

Binder anticipates a final decision on the deal by late November or December.


Wisconsin Seeks To Block Satellite Radio Merger (http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/09/wi_sirius.html)

Wisconsin is trying to block the proposed XM-Sirius satellite radio merger.

“The proposed merger would eliminate competition in the satellite radio industry and the combined XM-Sirius companies would be free to raise prices, stifle innovation, and reduce program diversity,” Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen warned.

Van Hollen has written to United States Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust Thomas O. Barnett asking that the United States Department of Justice block the proposed merger between XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. and Sirius Satellite Radio.

Barnett heads the United States Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, which has the authority to challenge acquisitions and mergers.

Van Hollen says the proposed merger is anti-competitive and anti-consumer and its impacts will be felt in Wisconsin, particularly in rural communities, where he predicts a significant reduction in the availability of sports and other programming.

Van Hollen urged that the Justice Department to block the merger, saying it presents a real threat to competition and is a clear violation of the Clayton Act’s prohibition on merger-to-monopoly.

The proposed merger got a boost earlier this month when former Federal Communications Commission chairman Mark Fowler said the deal would enhance competition. His comments came in a column in the New York Sun, whose parent company, Hearst Corporation, owns a stake in XM.

"In spite of the fact that satellite radio constitutes only 3.4 percent of radio listening today, traditional over-the-air radio operators have understood the potential threat and have had no choice but to compete, and have been dragged, albeit kicking and screaming, into the digital age," Fowler wrote.

The main argument that may prevent the current commissioners from allowing the merger is that it would create what critics say would be a monopoly. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), an industry group that lobbies on behalf of terrestrial radio broadcasters, has been by far the most vehement opponent.

"The national satellite radio market currently is a two-company duopoly trying to become a government-sanctioned monopoly," NAB president and chief executive officer David Rehr said at a House hearing in March. "The fact is, this monopoly would reduce innovation for services and equipment for consumers since there will be no competition in their defined market."

[PattysGlasses]

Wow...this is scary.

Is there any other option or is A La Carte it?

I could be reading it wrong but it seems like it would cost $40.99 for everything I get now for $12.95 if I wanted every channel.

The sheet lists 176 stations
50 (50 you pick)= 6.99
36 (Sports pkg)= 6.00
1 (OnA)= 3.00
1 (Oprah)= 3.00
16 (Add a chan chans)= 4.00
17 (remaining)= 18.00

[coolyellowbus]

Wow...this is scary.

Is there any other option or is A La Carte it?

I could be reading it wrong but it seems like it would cost $40.99 for everything I get now for $12.95 if I wanted every channel.

The sheet lists 176 stations
50 (50 you pick)= 6.99
36 (Sports pkg)= 6.00
1 (OnA)= 3.00
1 (Oprah)= 3.00
16 (Add a chan chans)= 4.00
17 (remaining)= 18.00

you're reading wrong. It's been stated atleast half a dozen times in this thread as well as the four or five satellite radio board and countless blogs that you can keep what you have now and pay 12.95 a month.

actually I don't think its that you read wrong, its that you didn't bother to read.

[HummerTuesdays]

you're reading wrong. It's been stated atleast half a dozen times in this thread as well as the four or five satellite radio board and countless blogs that you can keep what you have now and pay 12.95 a month.

actually I don't think its that you read wrong, its that you didn't bother to read.

So let me get this right. Current subscribers are grandfathered in to keep what we have at the same price. But if a new subscriber wanted everything, they would have to pay $40.99/month?

Even if my above assumption is true, I don't know if that would actually happen. That leaves a lot of room for "buy this, get that for free" kind of promotions.

[PattysGlasses]

Guess you didn't bother to read either!

[FishinForBabies]

got good news from my local Dimocrap. contact your senators and congresspersons bitches!

Dear Mr. Pierce:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the proposed merger between satellite radio companies, XM and Sirius. I appreciate hearing from you, and I welcome the opportunity to respond.

On February 19, 2007, the nation’s only two satellite radio providers, XM and Sirius, announced their intention to merge into one company. The companies claim the merger would help them achieve greater operational efficiencies, which would allow them to reduce costs and increase choice for the consumer. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the agency that regulates broadcast media, is currently reviewing the merger.

I do not believe that the proposed merger is in the best interests of consumers, and I have written FCC Chairman Ken Martin and the Antitrust Division of the Justice Department asking them not to approve it. While I understand that merging might help the companies reduce costs, it would transform satellite radio from a competitive industry into a monopoly. Without competition, the new company would not have strong incentives to offer consumers more choice or better pricing. The FCC recognized this in 1997 when it granted the original satellite radio licenses, and it explicitly forbade the license-holders to merge.

Thank you again for contacting me. I hope you will continue to reach out with your thoughts and advice.

All best,
Senator Claire McCaskill

[SOS]

Sirius and XM met with the FCC (http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/sirius-and-xm-met-with-the-fcc.html)
Top management from both Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.and XM Satellite Radio Holding Inc. met with the Federal Communications Commission this week according to separate ex parte filings made with the agency.

From XM, four representatives attended the meeting: Gary Parsons, Eric Logan, Mark Vendetti, and Jeff Blattner. Latham & Watkins LLP (counsel for XM) also attended the meeting. XM met with the FCC on Wednesday, September 26th.

On Sirius' side, five representatives attended the meeting: Mel Karmazin, Scott Greenstein, David Frear, Patrick Donnelly, and Terry Smith. Representatives from Wiley Rein LLP (Sirius' counsel) also attended the meeting. Sirius met with the FCC on Thursday, September 27th.

During the meeting, both XM and Sirius discussed various aspects of the satellite radio business, including the topics of subscribers and service, content and advertising, technical issues, and business relationships with automobile manufacturers and retail outlets (so pretty much... everything).

[notalentassclwn]

I heard E-lo is buying out Sirius , so as to just play The Sam and Than show reruns