The XM-Sirius merger, yet another story that refuses to go away. Whoops—it might go away today, actually. A recent Bear Sterns report suggests that the Department of Justice may give the merger its blessing as early as today. Once the DoJ gives the go-ahead, it’s largely expected that the FCC will do the same.
So break out the popcorn and keep your eyes and ears open for any merger news that might break today. Now that there’s really no opposition to the merger (the National Association of Broadcasters, aka “regular radio,” was recently exposed as a bunch of tricksters), it’s completely up to the feds as to whether or not it will happen. So long as the merger doesn’t mean the end of Opie & Anthony I’m fine with it.
Is today the day? [Orbitcast]
I’ve done some work with NAB, and I think there is actually a lot of legitimate consumer opposition to this merger. Just last week a bunch of consumer groups spoke out in opposition to the merger. If you missed it, here is an excerpt:
“The Consumer Federation of America, Consumers Union and Free Press today urged the Federal Communications Commission to reject the proposed XM-Sirius merger. In their report filed with the Commission, the consumer groups argue that joining the two satellite radio companies would eliminate competition and negatively impact American consumers.
“The proposed XM-Sirius merger is not in the interest of American consumers,” said Dr. Mark Cooper, director of research for the Consumer Federation of America and lead author of the report. “Leaving one company to monopolize the satellite radio industry would result in higher prices and fewer choices — with no foreseeable public benefit.”
He’s right dude! You’re brainwashed. Satelite radio is only 5% of the entire radio/iPod media. With so many choices available to consumers, satelite radious would not be able to abuse the consumer. In fact, the satelite radio as is currently is unprofitable. With the merger, some analysts predict the companies will save about 7 billion. Oh, I almost forgot the most important thing, ..a la cart options to consumer. I wish my cable company did that.
If anything, the merger is not in the interests of special interest groups like NAB.
Dude, you’re brainwashed.
In order for this merger to impact consumers in a negative way it would have to result in limited choice for the same type of programming. Their are tons of choices……..if you will check it out for youreself.
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