Perhaps CNN, MSNBC, Fox, etc. have to stop reporting on local situations as well. No more national weather, because it competes with the local tv channels. No more sports highlights, because it competes with the local reporters. Let's look at the big picture....geez...

yes to what pricing restictions? Not changing the price or price structure at all?
or
"No, we won't change the price for 'basic service', but we will charge the consumer extra for packages which will contain content they currently get as part of basic service now, therefore in the end for someone who wants all those stations they get now, we will charge them more?"

Ol' chiclet teeth needs to be staight about the answers and not generalize to hide the fact that he wants to fuck the consumer.

Sheila Jackson Lee called Mel "Mr Karmoozin".

I accept the fact that Mel is the new face of this merger but give us more concrete statements. Say three years and no price hike. That's not asking alot.

it is called a merger right. there are other people in the merger. hello.

Let's all face it now. We will be paying more than 12.95 a month for everything we get now. We should all go get sirius lifetime subscriptions now while we have the chance.

"Let's all face it now. We will be paying more than 12.95 a month for everything we get now."

This statement could not be further from the truth. Mel today told Congress that you would be paying $12.95 for your current XM or Sirius service and additional content (from the other service) that you don't currently get. In other words you will be getting more for your $12.95 than you get now. AND he would agree to a price freeze. The individual from Public Knowledge suggested three years, and I think if that's what the DOJ says, then that's what Mel will agree to. Did you all watch the hearing?

Adam said:

"No, we won't change the price for 'basic service', but we will charge the consumer extra for packages which will contain content they currently get as part of basic service now, therefore in the end for someone who wants all those stations they get now, we will charge them more?"

EXACTLY what I think will happen, Adam. You beat me to the punch on this one.

The new combined company is going to nickle-and-dime the subscriber to death, while reducing the number of channels overall. Oh, and hundreds of people will be out of work, too. Good luck to them with finding a job in the terrestrial radio industry, which is already "consolidating."

"The new combined company is going to nickle-and-dime the subscriber to death, while reducing the number of channels overall. Oh, and hundreds of people will be out of work, too. Good luck to them with finding a job in the terrestrial radio industry, which is already "consolidating.""

And you think the industry would do better if one of the companies have to declare bankrupcy?

I am really getting sick of the "one of them will declare bankruptcy" statements being ballied around all the time.

Both XM and Sirius management have stated that both will be viable services if this merger goes through. If that's the case, neither company worries about filing Chapter 11 or Chapter 7.

So, why do people believe the management when it comes to the Merger's positive features, but don't believe them when they state "we will be fine without the merger"?