MediaWeek: Clear Channel president and CEO Mark Mays said at a luncheon sponsored by the Progress and Freedom Foundation that terrestrial radio is “struggling” against emerging media such as podcasting, Internet radio, and - “perhaps the most alarming” - XM and SIRIUS Satellite Radio.

Why? Because Satellite has over 120 channels, each available in every market, while terrestrial “only” is regulated to 8 stations per market. “If XM is allowed to have 150 channels in each market, it is a competitive disadvantage for us to have only eight,” Mays said.

But… while Mays whines and complains about losing marketshare (to competition? gasp!) the hidden agenda is pretty transparent. Instead of 8 stations, he suggested the ability to buy up to 12 stations in the largest markets. Wow. Such an honest and nobel suggestion…