Georgetown Partners continues to push hard in its efforts to have the FCC require that Sirius-XM hand over 20% of spectrum to the company, should the two satcasters merge.
Below is what Georgetown has been doing at the FCC, in only the past two-weeks:
- January 31st - Chester Davenport (pictured), Managing Director of Georgetown Partners, and other members representing the company met with several members of the FCC. [Link (PDF)]
- February 6th - Chester Davenport met with Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein and Rudy Brioché. [Link (PDF)]
- February 7th - Chester Davenport and the Rev. Jesse Jackson, met with Chairman Kevin Martin and Daniel Gonzalez.
- February 7th - On that same day, Chester Davenport and the Rev. Jesse Jackson, met with Commissioner Copps, Commissioner Adelstein, and Scott Deutchman. Then in a separate meeting, Davenport and Jackson met with Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate and Amy Blankenship. [Link (PDF)]
- February 11th - David Rivkin, a Partner at Georgetown Partners, met with Commissioner Robert McDowell. [Link (PDF)]
Meanwhile, Georgetown also received some additional support from the National Caucus and Center on Black Aged, who filed with the FCC (PDF) to express their "concerns" over the merger between Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc.
The NCBA on Black Aged subsequently provided their support to Georgetown Partners' plan, stating that it "squarely resolves the problems at the heart of this issue."
It can be argued that handing over a portion of Sirius-XM's broadcast infrastructure is in the "public interest" - but Georgetown Partners has absolutely no prior experience with satellite radio.
Then again, Georgetown Partners had no prior experience in telecommunications. But that didn't stop Davenport when he made a deal with GTE to buy half of Ameritech's wireless business back in 1999. [New York Times]
Is that Nate Davis or Vernon Irvin?
Kiddies...you won't want this merger to occur. Look at what you'll have, 150 channels, since the FCC will force the merged companies to hand back half of the spectrum, then drop the 150 down to 120 channels, since the boys at Gorgetown will control 30 channels; many genres of music presently on the birds will be eliminated, for there isn't enough bandwidth for all the current music channels along with the talk/sports channels/play by play channels; then after a couple of years of price control, SiriXM will raise prices.
Kids take it from Lil' Boardroom Jimmy, this merger deal isn't going to be sweet for the consumer. Monopoly is what we'll have...where the consumer always loses. No choice! How can only one choice of services rendered be good? Never has been, never will be. You know who this sweet deal is for, Mel and Gary, as well as most of those greedy stockholders who are to blame to began with allowing both companies to spend, spend, and spend some more.
The DOJ and FCC should in the public interest turn this down. But foremost, both companies need to walk away from this.
I got a choice "Boardroom Jimmy" and it's an easy one... if they raise prices, I'll just stop subscribing.
HOLY MOTHER OF PEARL! WHAT AN AMAZING IDEA!!
Is Georgetown also demanding 20% of ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and of terrestrial radio? WHO ARE THESE FREAKS ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Damnit, I want something for free too!!!!! I'll take a few percent.
Leeches.
"Leeches." Posted by: Mat
Mat my lad how right you are! This is why XM and Siri should walk away now, or a good thing will be flushed down the crapper forever.
Black people ARE different. They think they can demand part ownership of private companies for free. Isn't that the definition of CRAZY? They have this way of just GLOMMING off the fruits of everyone elses labor. Why don't we all just demand our own little part of the Sirius/XM spectrum? Is this how capitalism works? Furthermore, why is Georgetown only interested in the merged Sirius/XM? Why not just demand part of their spectrums independent of the merger? This business with "Georgetown" simply make no sense whatsoever.
What right do they have over anybody else? Why did they loose out at the start?
Now that all the hard work has been done they want in?
So lets say that they get 20% they should have to do the same thing Sirius and XM did and that is build and launch satellites for there service. As far as radios they should have to do what Sirius and XM did and that is design chips and have someone build the radios.
Earth station to uplink to the satellites they should have to do that also. Patents are they going have to pay for any patents they will use?
They should and nobody should be able to use Sirius or XM Satellites.
Direct TV and Dish do not use the others satellites and some are located in the same spot in orbit.
It's the satellite radio companies that opened up this kettle of fish, and now they are going to have to live with the results. If they want a merger, it's not going to be all take and no give.
Get used to it.
Hey Boardroom Jimmy,I just read your comments along with the GP wanting 20%.
http://www.talesofbalboa.com/soundsofbalboa/laughinglady.htm
Digg this story - either here or on my website, and send those bastards a message.
We won't tolerate gangster or third world tactics.
bloopity boop
WTF are you talking about? What do you think about the demands of HD waiting a place on satrad receivers? I guess these are some other ethic group looking for a hand out. Why can't the G'town group just be some company trying to make some money out of this situation. I bet you are one of those guys who blame high guys prices on the Middle Easterners but wil ignore the fact the US refinery folks are making 11 bilion a quarter. I am willing to bet you there are some white men and women hoping to make alot money off merger and most have not risked a dime nor have a satrad sub. But thats just my opinion.
>>>> It's the satellite radio companies that opened up this kettle of fish, and now they are going to have to live with the results. If they want a merger, it's not going to be all take and no give.
Exactly right. They are wanting a monopoly, under which they can set pricing for satellite radio without any direct competition to hold pricing down.
Is the Georgetown proposal the "right" outcome? Maybe not. But it is no more outrageous than what XM and SIRI are proposing.
Stack Pointer, you are out of your mind or in the pocket of the NAB.
Georgetown is nothing but a shake down gang.
XM and Sirius are two companies trying to merge so one or both doesn't go under.
This is like sharing a watermelon patch with sharecroppers...
This story is on digg now
http://digg.com/business_finance/More_merger_related_activity_by_Georgetown
I am so glad that the commissioners of the FCC can take the time to hold all these meetings with the hate mongering blackmailers of Georgetown and Jesse "pay me" Jackson. They have no time to ask broadcast TV about the actions of Jane Fonda.
BTW, what public interest is being serve by Jesse these days?
Another Jesse Jackson SHAKEDOWN. What a joke.
>>> XM and Sirius are two companies trying to merge so one or both doesn't go under.
Both companies have said this isn't the case. They are either (a) correct, and not going under, or (b) lying through their teeth. Should companies in either category be given the substantial benefit of a monopoly?
Stack, that's not the point. Ryan even (somewhat) agrees with you:
"It can be argued that handing over a portion of Sirius-XM's broadcast infrastructure is in the "public interest" - but Georgetown Partners has absolutely no prior experience with satellite radio."
But why Georgetown?
Why not use Public Knowledge's suggestion of making 20% of bandwidth for un-edited PUBLIC use?
>> But why Georgetown?
Hey, I don't have a preference -- I think it would be fine if the 20% or whatever was auctioned off to the highest bidder -- Clear Channel would be fine with me.
The point is that all of the spectrum should not be in the hands of a single provider. A monopoly does not serve the consumers' interests, and ANYTHING is preferable. If they're going to give XM/SIRI a monopoly, XM/SIRI ought to have to give something up in exchange.
I'm not suggesting that Georgetown or anyone else in particular should be the beneficiary. Rationally, however, creating a monopoly is the least desirable alternative. If there are others who want to make a case for it, they should do so.
To be clear, if Georgetown is acting out of some sense of entitlement, their actions are misplaced. And I'm not suggesting that Georgetown's proposal should be accepted. Only that it is reasonable and others who want to put forth similar (or even dissimilar) proposals should be encouraged to do so.
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is like all of my other activities. Contribute nothing and demand handouts.
Oh yeah Ryan, in addition I want 20% of the revenue generated by the satellite radio blogs.
Jesse