Less likely. The consumer knows that two incompatible services are merging, and that there are no radios on the market currently that will be applicable for the new service. The consumer doesn't want to buy an Inno or Stiletto that might be obsolete by early next year.

All these merger stories.

Having fun yet, Ryan?

Less likely...if it was confusing for the casual listener then this will keep them away for the short term. Everyone will be waitingo for the new dual recievers and how they will look (myself included).

For better or worse...this will be a painful growing process in the near future but who know what possible good might come out of it (hey I'm trying to be positive).

You're right. It will be painful and growing! So willthe bills that you pay to keep satellite radio. This deal is completely bogus. It will not only stifle innovation, but also jack up prices and lessen selection. This is a lose, lose situation for consumer. Yeah, the CEOs and shareholders will be laughing all the way to the bank, but what about us? What are we to do? Just sit around and wait while they try to win over an already reluctant FCC? This will not attract customers, but will send them running for the hills. Who wants to start a service when the companies involved are in major legal battles for streamlining an industry? Personally, I enjoy that I have freedome of choice between the two. Competition is good for everyone involved.

The satellites can send to both receivers, they just don't, and the receivers can receive from both satellites, again, they just don't. I would hope that by releasing (tested) firmware upgrades, that the old receivers can be compatible with the new company.

Less likely. I seriously doubt a firmware upgrade will allow a current XM radio to receive a Sirius transmission. I think the SatRad subscriptions will level off over the next couple of months, and dwindle until this thing settles up. Overall it will be great for the industry, but for now, folks will run.

I've got Sirius but I was just about to add XM (for baseball and tony kornheiser) and now I don't know what to do. I want baseball for this season, but the idea of buying another set-up that will be obsolete in a year makes me leery (hello? I've bought 3 different Sirius sets all incompatible with the other). Yet there's a good chance the merger wont' go through (even Mel K said 50-50). So I'm totally on the fence.

Speaking forward, when the deal is completely done, I plan on adding Howard 100 and Howard 101 to my new "Insert name here" Satellite Radio account.