Nine non-profit media organizations, including two of the nation's largest public radio producers and distributors, are asking the FCC for more stipulations on the Sirius and XM merger.
The organizations, which include Public Radio International and American Public Media, said they were "deeply troubled" by the DOJ's decision to approve the merger between Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. They added that the combination of the two satellite radio companies will "reduce the diversity of programming."
Collectively the public radio groups claim to have more than 29 million listeners weekly.
Following, practically in lockstep, with demands made by other broadcasters, the public radio groups are asking the FCC to mandate that:
- All new satellite radio receivers must contain HD Radio chipsets.
- Twenty-five percent of combined Sirius-XM spectrum be set-aside for minority, non-commercial and emergency programming.
- Finally, they ask that a separate FCC rulemaking process should be launched to detail the management of this spectrum set-aside.
"We would be extremely interested in participating in that rulemaking through future filings," writes the groups in a letter to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin.
During this additional 6-12 month period, the groups ask that Sirius-XM "maintain all current content and financial relationships" with non-commercial public service channels and minority broadcasters.
[Read Letter (PDF)]
Good luck bro, E-lo.
Ron & Fez, noon to 3.
Can they just stop with the HD Radio integration already??? Sat Radios don't receive FM signals now... I don't get it!
Heh... that's funny. Whatever they're smoking is got to be the best shit ever.
Sure -- let's string them out a year to see what happens... hmmm... what might happen... bankruptcy? Let's string out Terrestrial the same way then, shall we?
FUCK THIS FUCKING FUCK FUCK FUCKITY FUCK FUCKING BULLSHIT!!!!!
LOL!!!
Are we on an episode of PUNK'D???? Cause this is FUCKING INSANITY???
WHY doesn't this happen with "internet radio" stations like Slacker?
The ultimate goal of the NAB is to drag this out forever until XM and SIrius go bankrupt....and by the FCC AGREEING TO MEET WITH THEM WEEK AFTER WEEK....only means that they are IN ON IT.
The FCC should have ENDED their meetings LAST FUCKING YEAR...then taken a week to DECIDE......END OF FUCKING STORY!!!!
The FCC by continually dragging this out are in TOTAL CAHOOTS with the NAB's plan to KILL SAT RADIO.
IF IT WAS ANY MORE OBVIOUS it would slap you in the face.
If Mel doesn't file a lawsuit soon....he should at least make a public statement about his frustration. Not just a simple statement....but a fucking TIRADE! If thte FCC isn't going to make a decision, The stockholders demand Mel make a statement.
THIS company has so much promise, but it is the most MANIPULATED stock I've EVER seen in my life. In the nearly 3 years I've held it, it has been beaten down repeatedly....EVEN on GOOD news. EVERY other stock in my portfolio has gone UP huge many many times in that same period. Sirius stock has not given me ONE....not ONE chance to get out.....unless you include the 20 seconds after the DOJ approved when it spiked up in a blink before plummeting str8 back down.
FUCK THE FCC.
Why should one business get to dictate the rules of another?
FWIW, had the FCC took every request made by Public Radio and the NAB seriously -- there would still not be satellite radio today. It would still be tied up by their constant demands.
Their ambition is not to "study" the impact by comment periods and such -- they have one goal... and that is to delay the inevitable for as long as they can. And Public Radio is as guilty as the NAB in this. All you need to do is read their history in filings regarding DARS that stretch back 15 years.
-
In six to twelve months there won't be two satrad companies to deal with as one will likely be down for the count. As for the rule making, wouldn't we all like to be on the board of our 'competition' LOL. I hope the RIA is successfull in their request that terrestrial radio pay for each song played. Let's level the ball field a bit!
FUCK YOU
>> # All new satellite radio receivers must contain HD Radio chipsets. >>
Good Lord, why?
What happened to my country?
XM and SIRI only have themselves to blame for this nonsence. If they just managed their money better they wouldn't be subjected to this prostitution. I only hope that merged or unmerged, they stay in business. After everything that has happened since the announcement of this merger, I have no interest in listenting to free radio again. It makes me sick just thinking about it.
WHAAAAAA we spent millions upgrading to HD transmitters and now no one is listening.... this cost us alot of money.... Whaaaaaa.... FCC.. SAVE ME!
Well, they did get one thing right:
"They added that the combination of the two satellite radio companies will "reduce the diversity of programming." "
Any consumer out there thinking differently is nuts. And I disagree completely with the demands being made for HD radio and 25% of the spectrum (which also does nothing for the consumer).
Competition is why we have what we have today. Plain and simple. Once Sirius-XM is the only company, and they aren't competing against each other anymore, there will be less programming options, less specialty programs, and less diversity. That is all but a guarantee at this point.
Look back to when ownership rules were changed for radio (which the NAB loves, so I'm not on their side either) and what it did for consumer choice and competition. AND WE STILL HAVE MORE THAN ONE COMPANY controlling radio!
Right now, we have two of every channel. This creates a drive to compete for which sat radio provider you, as the consumer, pick. This is the reason that Lucy is more diverse, and Lithium is more 90's intensive. This is the reason that Sirius is more hit-based, and XM is deeper, because they each HAVE to be different to get people to pay for it.
And for those of you sitting on the "well, nobody will pay for it if it sucks and is shallow" fence I say this: All it has to be is slightly better than regular radio. I think most can agree that "regular radio" hasn't exactly set the bar high.
So, in a year (assuming the merger is approved), I can see programming being more boring. Half of the music channels will be gone as they acheive "synergies" by getting rid of one of each channel (hope YOURS is the version that sticks around!) so instead of having a choice between Big 80's and 80's on 8, you won't. Same can be said for every other channel. Live talent will be gone. Voicemail feedback will be rampant. And, for at least the next 5 years, if you want NFL AND MLB you will still need dual recievers, or one recieving both, whenever that happens.
It wouldn't surprise me to see some of this big name talent go away with the merger as well. Why provide MLB in the car, who ELSE is going to do it?
So here's a toast to what satelite radio was. Enjoy it now, because I have a feeling either way, its going to change drastically for the worse. Without the merger, financially speaking, both companies are screwed. With the merger, half the people are gone, and the still might head for financial ruin.
So is that why we should prevent the merger? So that we can absolutely ensure that fanatic subscribers have a choice between "Big 80's and 80's on 8"? Now that's what I call competition! Hilarious.
And in the land of 80 Gig iPods, satellite radio has to be a whole hell of a lot more than just "slightly better than regular radio" to survive. But maybe I'm wrong - and if I'm wrong, then quit bitching and just cancel your subscription. I'd be willing to be that you can live a long and fulfilling life without a dedicated Big 80's music channel.
Let's all call public radio and promise to donate money. When the pledge slips come send in monopoly money. Fuck those bastards.
Ok, this HD thing is REALLY starting to get to me.... If combining XM/Sirius makes a monopoly, what does AM/FM/HD have ANYTHING to do with them?
Right?! RIGHT?!
Apparently AM/FM/HD ARE in direct competition, so there IS NO MONOPOLY. Period.
Sorry, this adding an hd chip thing is really pissing me off. Who do these people think they are?! I am Praying, PRAYING that the FCC is smart enough to not listen to these idiots.
Somehow, as screwed up of an organization as they are, I don't see the FCC letting others tell them how to do their job.
Whether or not they can actually do that job on their own is another matter entirely.
Oh yeah, and while there at it? Why doesn't the FCC make sure no one can own more than one radio station? Hmmmm....
Yeah, now I'm just pissed at comcast, pissed at The Planet for my downed server, and now this whole thing with NAB, etc thinking they can control the world.... Ugh....
I'm not having a good day. Next thing that is going to happen is it is going to start raining, and I road my motorcycle in.....
You don't get it mnxmfan....they are still competing with free. Do you know what would happen if your example of dropping MLB from sat. radio occurred? People would stop paying for it. Why pay $13 a month for something that is boring and offers nothing over free radio? You just don't get it.
Your example of competition between XM and Sirius is really false too. As the DOJ pointed out- almost nobody chooses between XM and Sirius now. In fact, when someone gets either XM or Sirius, no one switches. There is no competition for the subscriber because 95% of all new subscribers come through OEM contracts, where the consumer has no choice between XM or Sirius.
And this comment is simply ludicrous- "And, for at least the next 5 years, if you want NFL AND MLB you will still need dual recievers, or one recieving both, whenever that happens."
Yea, you will likely need one receiver that receives both- what's wrong with that? At least with merger you will be able to receive ALL of the content of XM and Sirius on one radio- that's the point of the merger silly. And you can bet that XM/Sirius after merger will have just those type of radios in every car in America as soon as possible.
The reason the NAB, Public Radio, and everyone else is so worried about this merger is for the first time in nearly 100 years, radio will have some competition. This will be great for the consumer. Regular radio will have to up the ante and provide content that is interesting and not laden with ads. They will have to pay for talent--- oh wait, they just did that with Rush Limbaugh's new contract. I guess he doesn't compete with sat. radio? Of course he does.
Good for them. FCC needs to get off their ass and approve this thing now. It is good for the consumer. Otherwise one or both of these companies will fail and radio will again be dull and boring....
Fine if they want them to have HD chipsets then that goes both ways. Traditional radio has to have sat receivers installed and completely ready for activation in all vehicles.
OH and Sirius-XM get to be part of the rule making process for traditional radio then.
You can’t have your cake and eat it too.
"Fine if they want them to have HD chipsets then that goes both ways. Traditional radio has to have sat receivers installed and completely ready for activation in all vehicles."
Great idea...except there is no single company called "traditional radio" and they don't have anything to do with the actual radios.
Look, If there really is a 'reduction' of diversity after a merger... subscribers will just drop the service if they aren't happy with it.
This whole thing is completely nuts.
This is a pay service! I pay $$ every month to get this programming.....on purpose! If I am not happy with what I am getting in the way of 'diversity' after the merger I will take my $$ and spend it on something else.
These groups are not protecting anybody from anything.
It's pretty obvious that the goal of terrestrial radio, is to postpone approval until the companies go bankrupt.
You know, the RIAA should come out and support the merger, seeing that if Satelite Radio doesn't survive, then thats 2 less sources of royalties they get.
KevinW - Yes, a pay service, but look at satellite tv? They are a pay service yet they are mandated to have a percentage of channels as minority/public access. That's why with DISH you get The Brigham Young Channel! :-)
They should have their say.. why not.. but guys, come on.. THE TIME TO COMMENT WAS OVER NEARLY A YEAR AGO... JUST SHUDD UP!!! ok you had your say now let the chips fall where they may and if that means the merger is a yes then there you go.. if the new company offers less and more crappy standards then the subs will cancel and you can say "I told you so" but they shouldn't be allowed to voice opinion any more.. yer to late fellas....
stop whining. This is a last gasp closing argument. They ask for 25% and use a 20% precedent as an example..
They are asking that sirius and xm don't dump the channels sirius and xm graciously provided them....too bad! They should have thought about that from the beginning. It's a last gasp of the dying..
stop whining. This is a last gasp closing argument. They ask for 25% and use a 20% precedent as an example..
They are asking that sirius and xm don't dump the channels sirius and xm graciously provided them....too bad! They should have thought about that from the beginning. It's a last gasp of the dying..
"You don't get it mnxmfan....they are still competing with free. Do you know what would happen if your example of dropping MLB from sat. radio occurred? People would stop paying for it. Why pay $13 a month for something that is boring and offers nothing over free radio? You just don't get it."
Like I said, all it has to be is "slightly better" than FM. Tons of room between what we have now, and what FM offers us. But your probably right, rather than drop it entirely, they will charge twice as much for it.
"Your example of competition between XM and Sirius is really false too. As the DOJ pointed out- almost nobody chooses between XM and Sirius now. In fact, when someone gets either XM or Sirius, no one switches. There is no competition for the subscriber because 95% of all new subscribers come through OEM contracts, where the consumer has no choice between XM or Sirius. "
Yes, and when people don't have to make a choice, they don't make it. In other words, almost half of the people who get sat in their car choose not to keep it. But, for those like me who DID choose a provider based upon what I liked and not what "came with my car" I have been an avid supporter, advertiser (word of mouth), and fan of the service for 6 years and counting now. I tried Sirius, it wasn't for me, and yes, it was boring. But it didn't have commercials and it was "better than nothing" until I found XM and really got passionate.
"And this comment is simply ludicrous- "And, for at least the next 5 years, if you want NFL AND MLB you will still need dual recievers, or one recieving both, whenever that happens."
Yea, you will likely need one receiver that receives both- what's wrong with that? At least with merger you will be able to receive ALL of the content of XM and Sirius on one radio- that's the point of the merger silly. And you can bet that XM/Sirius after merger will have just those type of radios in every car in America as soon as possible."
Yeah, I'm silly to think that these companies, as seperate entities will ever make a dual reciever. Here's a news flash for you....THEY HAVE TO!! Regardless of whether this merger goes through, they HAVE to make dual recievers. Thats not the point of this merger, the point of this merger is to combine two poor companies to make one slightly less poor company. Poor decisions led to overpaying for content so they could both be competitive. Had XM ignored this ignorant approach instead of buying into it, they would have been making money right now, and as you pointed out, since people don't choose their provider, XM could have concentrated on making music the best it could be without sports and Oprah.
You will have to buy a dual reciever, and to get both you will have to continue paying for both, while at the same time not havnig the choice of what format fits you best (deeper vs more hits) plain and simple, and silly. If you really want it all, then do what people do now, pay for both. Because in the short term, you will be anyways. In the long term, half of it is going away so they can put TV in the backseat. Thats good, because I usually go to someone with radio in their name for TV.
"The reason the NAB, Public Radio, and everyone else is so worried about this merger is for the first time in nearly 100 years, radio will have some competition. This will be great for the consumer. Regular radio will have to up the ante and provide content that is interesting and not laden with ads. They will have to pay for talent--- oh wait, they just did that with Rush Limbaugh's new contract. I guess he doesn't compete with sat. radio? Of course he does."
Your not going to see me disagree with NAB being anticompetitive. But here's the kicker, they are already competing with them.
"Good for them. FCC needs to get off their ass and approve this thing now. It is good for the consumer. Otherwise one or both of these companies will fail and radio will again be dull and boring...."
As much of a fan of Sat Radio as I am, our government's job is not to bail out companies who make bad decisions. You made a poor investment. It's not my fault that your financially stupid enough to invest in these companies. Its a risk. You gambled, you lost. My point is that if this merger goes through, the consumer will be the ultimate loser. Competition IS good. Yes, it will still exist with a merged company with free radio, but I can guarantee content will not be as compelling. Regular radio made that same arguement 15 years ago when THEY wanted to merge to make mega companies. Radio is SOOO compelling now, isn't it?
How is it that when two satelite tv providers want to merge the government says no, but when its radio its OK? I have other choices for video providers still, albiet the content of cable is more limiting (like it is with terrestrial radio vs satelite now) but the competition is more prevelant than you'd ever be able to argue here.
Have fun, but cash out soon, because once you get the chance to take this deal home and kick the tires, you'll find out just how good Mel is at selling a lemon.
Ok, who (besides AC) thinks that what this process needed was a longer comment period?!?
"So is that why we should prevent the merger? So that we can absolutely ensure that fanatic subscribers have a choice between "Big 80's and 80's on 8"? Now that's what I call competition! Hilarious."
So, competition to you equals a single entity controlling everything? I'm sorry, but I find that funny. Good thing your not in charge of our internet companies, or we'd all be paying much more than we do now. Yup, taking away choice is always good for the consumer. Because we all know that, if left without competition, that business would just operate out of the goodness of their heart and not to make as much money as possible. Maybe you should move to China, I hear that they don't trouble you with ANY choices there, all made for you!
"And in the land of 80 Gig iPods, satellite radio has to be a whole hell of a lot more than just "slightly better than regular radio" to survive. But maybe I'm wrong - and if I'm wrong, then quit bitching and just cancel your subscription. I'd be willing to be that you can live a long and fulfilling life without a dedicated Big 80's music channel."
How? People are lazy, I mean really who wants to be their own PD to discover new music? I personally do it, because I am a MUSIC fanatic and enjoy being challenged. If I wanted the same songs over and over I would get an I-Pod. In order to beat out the competition, you have to be slighly better at what your competition does. An I-Pod, as great as mine is, cannot introduce me to new music, because there aren't a hundred people behind it picking out songs that they think I should give a chance to.
And I despise 80's music, I was just using it as an example. What I enjoy most about satelite radio is that it's always TRYING HARDER. More content, better music, more choices just to upstage Sirius. Now that they have the goal of being one company, what has happened in the past year? A couple payola channels and some new college sports? Talk about compelling radio.
"The Wonderful World of HD Radio"
"Perhaps it is because it is the American Public that has been paying a large portion of the development costs for HD radio? Yup, that is you and I. An FCC filing from North Carolina’s Public Radio Stations cites: Just a few weeks ago, the House Appropriations Committee approved an additional $40 million to assist public radio stations’ transition to HD radio technology.”
http://tinyurl.com/57ksx6
The CPB/NPR bilking of Congress for HD Radio is now in the news.
"The Wonderful World of HD Radio"
"Perhaps it is because it is the American Public that has been paying a large portion of the development costs for HD radio? Yup, that is you and I. An FCC filing from North Carolina’s Public Radio Stations cites: Just a few weeks ago, the House Appropriations Committee approved an additional $40 million to assist public radio stations’ transition to HD radio technology.”
http://tinyurl.com/57ksx6
The NPR/CPB bilking of Congress for HD Radio is now in the news.
What exactly do they define as 'minority' programming anyway? Do all the channels in the 60s and 90s, and low 100s count, then? They have a primarily minority audience. Or are they looking to have 25% of the spectrum for more clones of "The Power"?
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!
This is beyond fucking ludacrist!
1st off it's way past the point to be against the merger- The time is up- You assholes from public radio had ample time.
This bullshit about HD Radio- Like others have said where are the chipsets for satellite radio on HD Radio's?
The further bullshit about having channels saved for emergency and public access- I am a fucking paying subscriber to satellite radio- Why don't I have a say so- Not these assholes from the NAB, Congress, Georgetown etc...
This merger is long overdue- approve it once and for all!!!
Why don't our concerned AG's and members of congress concentrate on why gas is at an all time high and scrutinize these scumbags, including the station owners that sneak extra fees when paying by credit,! instead of dealing with an issue that is a luxury item and payed for !!!
Hey, I can agree with those saying a vote is needed. Vote one way or the other. We all know by now that Government is bought and paid for, so just vote so we can move on.
Let's get this straight, XMfan:
In your opinion, satrad is a more convenient way to discover music; therefore, they can ignore competition from the slightly-less convenient iPod/iTunes, etc.? Because satellite radio chooses your songs for you, they have a monopoly?
wow! the fcc lets all these pathetic organizations (nab, georgetown, etc.) rape sat radio with hd and minority programming (minories have programming already on there why more?) included in the merger, but when testicle radio raped the listeners when clearchannel, etc. were allowed to suck cities dry of quality radio at that time is pathetic!
F*CK FM/HD RADIO, F*CK THE NAB, and F*CK GEORGETOWN!
"Let's get this straight, XMfan:
In your opinion, satrad is a more convenient way to discover music; therefore, they can ignore competition from the slightly-less convenient iPod/iTunes, etc.? Because satellite radio chooses your songs for you, they have a monopoly?"
Yes, the iPod is competition to Sat radio. I mean when you look at it broadly enough, so is TV, Internet radio, and car horns. All compete for the ear.
I never said that sat radio was a monopoly, but I did say that I didn't want to see a monopoly in satelite radio. There is a big difference, see if you can figure it out.
Yes, I will have other choices, and honestly will use them. I chose XM over Sirius for a reason. Every day that this merger drags on it looks more and more like its going to be XM's delivery platform with Sirius program mentality. XM REALLY let the ball drop on this one. They were first to market with a better product, but took thier eyes off the prize when NFL and Stern went to Sirius. But, now XM has the better delivery platform (and will have the higher sub growth, due to OEM), and has basically STOPPED CARING about anything else. Now, two of the people who were most influential about programming, Lee Abrams on music and Eric Logan on talk, are gone.
And now, investors have banked so much on this merger, that IF it's denied, one or both companies will collapse (I'm betting on Sirius, and at those stock prices, its hard not to LOL). Content deals will come up for renewal, and investors will bail.
Post merger, in the first YEAR alone, Mel claims $400 million in synergies (which he now HAS to get due to refinancing XM's debt). Go figure out where that's coming from and let me know what you come up with. Here's a hint, both will continue to operate seperate radio transmission equipment (most expensive part of it). GO!
Time to boycott ALL output by Garrison Keillor, Bob Edwards, Ira Glass, Michael Feldman, Kai Rysdall (et al, although most people would be hard pressed to name another PRI/APR "star"). I suspect their additional exposure on SatRad has been more help than hindrance in their work . Turn 'em off. If they don't want us, we don't want them.
I'll miss them all.
Bob Edwards works for XM.
END IT TONIGHT!!! PLEASE!!!
GOOD! Way to go everyone but blind, ignorant, satradio, fanboys who are Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin bitches.
GOOD! Way to go everyone but blind, ignorant, satradio, fanboys who are Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin bitches.
Anonymous Coward,
Are you feeling a bit of job insecurity at that 1000 watt AM terrestrial station that you've been working at for the past 25 years or so? You know...coming on here, and then insulting satrad fans isn't going to bring you job security at that crappy AM radio station.
Sorry about my last retarded dyslexic outburst everyone when I’m SCARED SHITLESS my dyslexia kicks in and I repeat myself. What I meant to say is: GOOD! Way to go satradio, fanboys everyone else are blind, ignorant DOUCHEBAGS who are Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin bitches!
Oh! And pocket please plug my socket! I love your mud rocket!
Sorry about my last retarded dyslexic outburst everyone when I’m SCARED SHITLESS my dyslexia kicks in and I repeat myself. What I meant to say is: GOOD! Way to go satradio, fanboys everyone else are blind, ignorant DOUCHEBAGS who are Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin bitches!
Oh! And pocket please plug my socket! I love your mud rocket!
I'm still afeared!! Pocket HOLD ME! (under water til i turn blue)!
i got a great idea
LETS SMASH OUR XM UNITS!that will show them to keep the "b-b-b-boys"
O&A always win in the end
ATTACK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltlApFBjd2A
Well at this point its obvious they can't merge....Sirius should just save all the money they can or make a deal with xm and have xm quit...
What kinda channels are they wanting on XM.
Tree Hugger 23
Mexican rights 9
Latino news...
No offense to you guys but its freaking radio..play damn music
We don't need news channels for every different race,religion.
sure as hell don't want that racist Al sharpton or jesse jackson haveing anything on here.
Also good job jesse jackson with obama....
Ur going to rip his Nutts off??? thats really good of ya..
GOOD! Way to go everyone but blind, ignorant, satradio, fanboys who are Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin bitches.
NO! to Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin's "merge" MONOPOLY scheme.
Hey isn’t this funny? Look what happens when you use google trends to look up the site that Anonymous Douchebag keeps spamming us with. Didn’t that asshole AC claim huge increase of traffic to the spam links? Further proof that AC is a lying sack of shit
“Your terms - www.hdradio.com - do not have enough search volume to show graphs.”
http://www.google.com/trends?q=www.hdradio.com&ctab=0&geo=all&date=all&sort=0
But if you try www.sirius.com or www.xmradio.com they both come back with results. More proof that people couldn’t care less about (H)ardly (D)ifferent radio no matter how free it is. On the other hand both pay services garner enough attention to generate data.