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Justice Dept. Approves XM/Sirius Merger

Ripit writes "Just yesterday the Justice Department approved the merger of Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Radio, a Sirius takeover to the tune of $5 billion. The transaction was approved without conditions, despite opposition from consumer groups and an intense lobbying campaign by the land-based radio industry. 'In explaining the decision, Justice officials said the options beyond satellite radio -- digital recordings, high-definition radio, Web radio -- mean that XM and Sirius could merge without diminishing competition. "There are other alternatives out there," Assistant Attorney General Thomas O. Barnett said in a conference call. "We just simply found that the evidence didn't indicate that it would harm consumers."'"

2 of 232 comments (clear)

  1. since Satellite radio has so few consumers by Culture20 · · Score: 3, Funny

    "We just simply found that the evidence didn't indicate that it would harm consumers."
    ...since Satellite radio has so few consumers...

  2. Re:Took them long enough... by bugnuts · · Score: 3, Funny

    XM & Sirius asked the justice department for approval over a year ago. Why on earth did it take them so long to approve this? The FCC had to make sure the offer was Sirius.