XM-Sirius merger heads to home stretch

After more than a year of kicking the tires on a proposed merger between XM Satellite Radio Holdings and Sirius Satellite Radio, the Federal Communications Commission has reached a tentative deal with the companies, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.

The report, however, notes that FCC commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate, seen as the swing vote, has yet to vote on the proposed merger, but is expected to take the plunge shortly.

According to the Journal, Tate is expected to vote to approve the deal, provided that a consent decree is drafted that would call for a fine of roughly $20 million and address several enforcement issues, such as complaints revolving around satellite radio receivers surpassing the FCC power limit.

If she signs off on the deal, Tate will join two other commissioners, also Republicans, who have already given their blessing to the deal. The two remaining commissioners, both Democrats, from the five-member board oppose the deal.

[cwp29]

The fiasco behind this merger plrocess is an example American politics at its worst. It should have been approved months ago.. The evidence of its non monopoly status is the amount of money satellite's competitors (NAB, for example) have poured into lobbying against it. It can only benefit the consumer. I have Sirius and love it. However, I would like to get some of XM's broadcasts as well without buying another radio for my car. This delay is absolutely shameful and the dishonest bureaucrats and politicians should be ashamed of themselves. Craig W. Penrod, consumer.

[cwp29]

The fiasco behind this merger plrocess is an example American politics at its worst. It should have been approved months ago.. The evidence of its non monopoly status is the amount of money satellite's competitors (NAB, for example) have poured into lobbying against it. It can only benefit the consumer. I have Sirius and love it. However, I would like to get some of XM's broadcasts as well without buying another radio for my car. This delay is absolutely shameful and the dishonest bureaucrats and politicians should be ashamed of themselves. Craig W. Penrod, consumer.

[martin_c_e]

CWP29 is absolutely right on the politics of this. I will never have either of these services; but I love my HD2 stations that satellite radio competition created. The consumer gets a great deal: not having to have 2 services, buffet - not take it or leave it programming, lower prices on the a la carte choices. The democrats on the FCC claim to be protecting the consumer; but, in reality they are trying to bankrupt one or both of these for the benefit of the NAB and their terrestrial radio stations. If they get their way, I lose my HD2 stations or become inundated by ads that I won't be able to listen to any commercial stations (just the way it was before HD2).

[martin_c_e]

CWP29 is absolutely right on the politics of this. I will never have either of these services; but I love my HD2 stations that satellite radio competition created. The consumer gets a great deal: not having to have 2 services, buffet - not take it or leave it programming, lower prices on the a la carte choices. The democrats on the FCC claim to be protecting the consumer; but, in reality they are trying to bankrupt one or both of these for the benefit of the NAB and their terrestrial radio stations. If they get their way, I lose my HD2 stations or become inundated by ads that I won't be able to listen to any commercial stations (just the way it was before HD2).