The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) president and CEO, David Rehr, sent a 3-page letter to Sirius Satellite Radio CEO Mel Karmazin over comments made at a conference last week.
Karmazin had called the NAB "disgraceful" because of its opposition to the merger, and added that the NAB paid organizations and individuals to write letters urging regulators to block the combination.
The resulting letter from Rehr said that he was "disappointed" by the comment, adding that the NAB "serve the public interest with distinction." (Keep in mind that the purpose of the NAB is not to serve the public interest, it's sole purpose is to advocate for its members.)
Rehr continued to explain to Karmazin how the technology of satellite radio works, and that Sirius and XM use "incompatible delivery systems." The NAB president proclaimed to Karmazin that "the laws of physics would seem to prohibit a monopoly Sirius/XM from being able to free up any channels," apparently because Rehr knows the inner-workings of Sirius better than Mel does.
The rest of the letter simply parrots the NAB's rhetoric, which is likely why it was made public to begin with.
Hollywood Reporter points out that it's unusual for the head of a major trade organization to send a personal communication during a merger dispute.
"Mr. Rehr's actions speak more clearly than his words. Anyone so determined to stop the Sirius-XM merger must fear the competition that will result," Sirius spokeswoman Kelly Sullivan said. "We're thrilled to have the support of such a wide range of diverse groups, representing rural, African-American and Latin consumers. Given how traditional media has historically underserved these constituencies, it is disappointing but not surprising that NAB would try to be dismissive of the significance of their support."
[Read the full letter here (PDF)]
Ryan is 100% correct that the NAB does not exist to represent the interests of the radio listening public.
When Rehr says, "[T]he laws of physics would seem to prohibit a monopoly Sirius/XM from being able to free up any channels," he's correct, though.
A combined XM/Sirius would have to maintain both broadcasting systems and both sets of satellites. Unless, of course, they suddenly announced that one of the systems was going dark, which would piss millions of subscribers off BIG TIME.
its hard to watch someone with mental illness in such a high profile position completely melt down. but it is funny! ROTFLMAO
You would think that a dude with a Ph. D. could write a fucking letter.
1. He points out Sirius and XM FCC violations while never mentioning the number of NAB members that are currently having the same types of issues with the FCC.
2. Lifesaving broadcasts during Katrina? Yeah, right.
3. Isn't the whole Amber Alert thing a law? I mean, I live in Kentucky and I seem to recall a LAW being passed that required broadcasters to form a group to get these alerts issued and on air. Am I wrong that the dude wants a pat on the back because NAB members followed the law?
4. He points out that members of Congress oppose the merger. Would these be the same members that own radio stations and belong to NAB or are there others?
5. They did produce an inter operative receiver which was the requirement. They were not required to SELL it which was an oversight by the FCC.
Rehr is a pecker and the NAB sucks. Even if both satellite services go away never again will I ever, ever tune a radio to a broadcast station. Ever. I am not anti merger but neither am I pro merger. I guess I am too concerned about the outcome to go either way, but this guy needs a major tune up.
Rehr, go sit and spin. Take all of your Clear Channel friends with you.
Ok, is there ANY other pic of this guy available? ;-)
Haha! ok Pete. Good point.
@Pete: How's this one...better? :)
That works! ;-)
Actually, the original pic would have been appropriate for looking like he's "lashing out", but it's been used so many times before that I just had to say something...
You don't think he's lashing there? He looks lashing to me. Finger-pointing, and with a furrowed brow. Damnit, that's lashing!
He looks like he's trying to squeeze one out.
Its been interesting to watch this merger debate unfold. They just hit every major topic to debate about and then move on to something else. I wonder whats next.
They need to keep the spotlight on how sneaky and corrupt the FCC and NAB are. They need some hard evidence and run with it. Hopefully some people will lose their jobs.
Ok, I corrected. The finger IS being pointed...
He's doing the "IMCRUSHINGYOURHEAD IMCRUSHINGYOURHEAD" thing.
He needs a yo-yo... Everybody needs a yo-yo... But he really needs a yo-yo...
I'm not in favor of the merger, but I know something XM/Sirius could do to fuck with the NAB.
Sirius and XM should run full-page ads in major newspapers saying the following:
"The NAB says that if XM and Sirius, which have a total of approximately 300 channels between them, merge, that would constitute a monopoly.
"We would like to ask Clear Channel and all other members of the NAB to sign the pledge below, promising not to merge any of their companies at any time over the next five years.
"Clear Channel alone owns over 1000 radio stations in America, dwarfing both XM and Sirius combined. Clearly, any expansion of the existing license holders' holdings would constitute a 'monopoly' of the airwaves, using the same logic the NAB employs with respect to the proposed XM/Sirius merger.
"We feel that the members of the NAB should demonstrate to the public that they are sincere in their opposition to 'monopolies.'
[Here there would be a pledge not to merge, to be "signed" by the execs of the NAB member companies]
If nothing else, the ad would force the NAB to issue a statement about why THEY won't promise not to merge, which would be VERY funny to read.
Dude you're a genius.
So, Ryan, you agree that that ad would seriously make the NAB's head spin?
Like I said, I'm less than enthusiastic about an XM/Sirius merger, but the NAB is so full of shit, their eyes are brown.