Public-interest groups Public Knowledge and Media Access Project want to make sure the FCC understands their position on the Sirius-XM merger in light of a recent letter from Chester Davenport the Managing Director of Georgetown Partners.While they confirmed that they did indeed meet with Georgetown Partners, the groups reiterated that they "take no position with respect to [Georgetown Partners'] specific proposal that 20% of the merged XM/Sirius company's spectrum capacity be leased on an arms-length basis to an independent entity."
"This approach could be a useful supplement to, but not a substitute for, the 5% non-commercial, educational set aside," they state in their letter to the FCC.
Should the Federal Communications Commission determine that Georgetown's proposal is in the public interest, both Public Knowledge and Media Access Project support the minority-owned group's proposal to assist non-commercial, educational programmers.
Both Public Knowledge and Media Access Project have proposed that roughly 5% of broadcast capacity from a merged Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. be dedicated to non-commercial and educational programming, of which Sirius-XM have no editorial control.
Georgetown stated in its letter to the FCC that they would agree to the proposal to set aside 5% of their own capacity for non-commercial, educational programming. Additionally, they stated that there might be "technical barriers" that would hinder this content from being delivered to a merged entity and proposed a plan to overcome these so-called barriers.
In the filing, the public-interest groups conclude:
"In the interest of clarity, [Media Access Project and Public Knowledge] wish to state that neither they nor any person or organization associated with them have requested or received consideration of any kind from [Georgetown Partners] or any person or organization associated with them in exchange for their willingness to submit this letter of support."
[View FCC Filing (PDF)]
"take no position with respect to [Georgetown Partners'] specific proposal that 20% of the merged XM/Sirius company's spectrum capacity be leased on an arms-length basis to an independent entity."
haha that's just the polite way of saying that Georgetown Partners is "full of shit." or "dreaming"
Did anyone hear Gigi on Ryan's show the other night? It didn't sound like she liked Georgetown's proposal very much. I think mitchman79 is right.
It doesn't matter what Gigi thinks. It matters what Mel thinks, so let's get the deal worked out already for criminy sakes!!!
Now or then, it doesn't matter what "Mel Thinks." Not even a tiny little bit. The problem is that Mel opened up this Pandora's Box of problems. Now, he'll live with them.
give them 20% and let's get on with it. Or maybe wait and let them admit they don't have any money and just trying get something for nothing. Then take it all and create a great company.
I feel like Sirius and XM have gotten no sympathy. It is bad enough that they need to merge because things aren't going well. They are having difficulty even with substantial growth. It is as if the FCC would be pleased to see two failing companies go under. I hope all these AG's and Georgetown partners are happy. They have BLOOD on their hands now. They are destroying American investors investments. The FCC is participating in this murder as if a father killed his own child. Our government has allowed this torture treatment with no end insight. At least set a date and make a decision. This will set a precedent for the future on how the FCC should not be. I love all the people that pray for the satrad down fall instead of trying to be helpful and try and help your brothers and sisters in a horrific economic conditions. Stab us in the heart and spit in our face. Treat sirius/xm like the turks treat the kurds in Turkey. Heartless, ruthless and careless to say the least. Oh well lets just chaulk up another set of companies to go under. Thank You FCC,NAB, Georgetown Partners.
Hi, I'm new here!
Anyhow, have you seen this article? It's crazy, and there are pictures!