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FCC Nixes Satellite Radio Merger
a_nonamiss writes "Doesn't look like Sirius and XM are going to merge any time soon. I'm not sure how I feel about this one. Logically, I know that competition is a good thing for consumers, and monopolies are generally only good for companies. Still, I don't like having to choose a car based on which satellite radio service comes pre-installed, or considering whether I'd rather have Howard Stern or Oprah, because there is no practical way to get both. Frankly, it's probably all this exclusivity that has caused me not to purchase either system." From the article: "Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin told reporters after an FCC meeting that the Commission would not approve a merger between satellite radio rivals Sirius and XM Radio... When the FCC initially licensed the two satellite radio companies in 1997, there was language in the licensing barring one from acquiring control of the other... Even if the FCC were to have a change of heart..., it would still have to pass antitrust scrutiny by the Department of Justice."
Sirius growth rate is much higher than XM. Sirius is looking good. Sirius is a success. All the experts said that Sirius needs about 1 1/2 million subscribers to be a success - they have 6 or 7 million. The company is doing well - out of the red.
Many people in here are complaining, saying they won't buy Sirius because of Stern - They don't know what the fuck they are talking about. They are just pissed off that he is off the 'free' air - now they have to pay to listen to him. Not buying a satellite system because of one of the channels? What about cable TV? There are porn channels if you want them! There are a lot of people here that think porn is a sin and will have nothing to do with it, yet they still PAY a cable company for service (a company who makes money off porn). This is totally on-topic --- can't you read between the lines?