Comments on: An XM-Sirius union: Yea or nay?

Federal regulators want the public's feedback on whether to waive a 1997 rule that would frown upon the proposed combo.

Yay
by eps408 June 27, 2007 4:00 PM PDT: The Prius isn't enabled for Sirius, but it is for XM. Howard's not on XM. The FM modulator option stinks in the bay area.; Like this Reply to this comment

It's "Yea or Nay" not "Yay"

by RoutinelyCalled June 27, 2007 4:03 PM PDT

Yeah but 'Yay' sounds so much better
by gsmiller88 June 28, 2007 4:02 AM PDT: Don'tcha think?

Anyway, I really don't see how the FTC can allow XM and Sirius to
merge. Aren't they the only two satellite radio operators in the
country? If not they both make up 98.99% of the market!; Like this

The FCC should chuck this merger out of the window
by eurobloke June 28, 2007 12:59 AM PDT: I am not American so I can't be consulted, but the FCC should kick this merger out of the door.

If this was in Europe, the European Commission regulators would not give this merger any support what so ever. This is due as it will make a monopoly of satellite radio, and the fear is it will cause fees to go up, quality to go down and consumers will lose out in the end. We have seen this before in the merger between Sky and BSB and Canal+Satellite and TPS.; Like this Reply to this comment

Nay!
by petcircus June 28, 2007 7:26 AM PDT: I invested in Sirius radio because I preferred their channel lineup. Sirius seems to be more open to various programming, I didn't get that impression with XM.

I don't want to see this merger take place. If it does, I may have to reconsider my monthly subscription.; Like this Reply to this comment

Yay, Sort Of
by vtqn June 28, 2007 8:39 AM PDT: The FCC could approve the merger with a condition that the bandwidth can be leased if a company wants to provide its own content.; Like this Reply to this comment

at least one will fold without the merger
by jewel942 July 24, 2007 8:52 AM PDT: My company supplies hardware for both XM & Sirius. Subscription rates had leveled off even before the merger announcement, due to other viable competitors (mainly traditional radio, HD radio, internet radio, and iPod/MP3 players).

Neither company has ever turned a profit, and given the current environment, it is hard to project that either will be able to do so consistently. We have been advised that it is very possible one of the two will be liquidated within months, should the merger not be approved.

The FCC and Congress need to look beyond their traditional near-sightedness on this merger.; Like this Reply to this comment