In early November, Sirius Satellite Radio applied with the FCC to place repeater towers in Alaska and Hawaii. If granted the towers in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau (for Alaska), as well as Honolulu (for Hawaii), would allow Sirius to reliably broadcast outside of the continental United States.

But Alaska radio broadcasters are opposed to the plan. They don't oppose Sirius covering the region mind you, just the repeater towers. Because, well, because they just do.

Scott Smith, president of the Alaska Broadcasters Association, told the Anchorage Daily News it would be unfair for the satellite radio company to be allowed to set up an over-the-air system.

"We don't care if they want to bring the service into the area, but if they're a satellite service, then they should put the bird up," said Smith.

...and who can argue with logic like that?

FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell told investors at the Credit Suisse conference Tuesday that a satellite radio merger could be "an intriguing idea" and that he'd "be happy to look at it."

The sentiment didn't seem to extend towards Satellite TV and the merger of DirecTV Group and EchoStar Communication. McDowell only referred to recent comments made by FCC chairman Kevin Martin, who had said he hasn't seen enough evidence to justify a satellite merger.

When asked about media ownership rules, the commissioner said he sees a need for change, joking that "I have a hunch it is no longer 1975."

[The Hollywood Reporter]

While both Sirius and XM have gone through extensive steps to resolve over modulating FM transmitters, NPR says they have not seen an improvement.

In fact, NPR believes that the issue is even worse and has asked the FCC to take steps to remove non-compliant devices from the streets.

A refreshing change (at least from the NAB-fueled whining over the FM modulators), NPR is calling into question all wireless FM modulators - from iPods, Satellite Radio, and other devices - and is asking for a review of the certification process.

CEA spokeswoman Meghan Henning said that "XM and Sirius had their FM modulators redesigned and re-certified," by the FCC, and would support a "rational and reasonable approach of ensuring compliance on an ongoing basis rather than recalling products already in the retail chain."

I would tend to agree. I can understand NPR's frustration (especially since many affiliates broadcast on 88.1 - the most common default FM transmitter setting), but a mass recall is simply not the solution.  

[Radio World Online]