Representative Edward Markey (D-MA) said the FCC should go beyond the requirements that
Chairman Kevin Martin has proposed for the merger between Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc.Markey, who is chairman of the House Subcommittee on
Telecommunications and the Internet, wrote in a letter to Martin on Tuesday urging the
agency to require that all new satellite radios be
built to receive HD Radio.
The Congressman also said the FCC should extend the price caps to six years and increase the number of channel set-asides.
Markey claims these conditions are necessary to protect consumers and to help ensure that terrestrial radio remains a viable business.
"Only through such a mandate will the commission adequately ensure that competition in digital radio services is as robust as possible and that free, over-the-air radio remains a vibrant marketplace alternative for consumers well into the future," Markey wrote.
Edward Markey is the third longest serving member of Congress from New England, since 1976, behind Ted Kennedy and Patrick Leahy.
[Reuters]
The Congressman also said the FCC should extend the price caps to six years and increase the number of channel set-asides.
Markey claims these conditions are necessary to protect consumers and to help ensure that terrestrial radio remains a viable business.
"Only through such a mandate will the commission adequately ensure that competition in digital radio services is as robust as possible and that free, over-the-air radio remains a vibrant marketplace alternative for consumers well into the future," Markey wrote.
Edward Markey is the third longest serving member of Congress from New England, since 1976, behind Ted Kennedy and Patrick Leahy.
[Reuters]
BULLSHIT!
As reported on Sirius News and Rumors, he also received $33,000.00 from the National Association of Broadcasters, including $8,000 just this year. Another politician whose opinions are bought and paid for- thank you Mr. Markey for selling your votes for cash. What a joke.
http://opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.php?cid=N00000270&cycle=Career
Good! Representative Edward Markey, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet is doing his JOB and pointing out the TRUTH. Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin's desperate "merge" scheme is full of lies as he is desperate to pump and dump, desperate to line his pockets with the dollars of the ignorant one more time before he retires.
Go Representative Edward Markey, keep on fighting for the MAJORITY of consumers and citizens of the United States, against Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin's "merge" scheme.
Uh...kind of late don't you think? 500 days is August 1st.
No AC, what he just did was write a letter which mimics the NAB's talking points. Just a coincidence that the NAB paid him $33,000? Obviously not.
What's sad is that the chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications can be bought by the people he is supposed to be overseeing. There should be ethics rules which prohibit such an obvious conflict of interest.
He could have at least came up with an idea of his own so it was so obvious that he was doing the NAB's bidding. I wonder if he even wrote the letter himself or simply received it from the NAB with a place for his signature.
AC you are persistent. No scheme, just business. lol...2 down one to go. HAHA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conflict_of_interest
"A conflict of interest is a situation in which someone in a position of trust, such as a lawyer, insurance adjuster, a politician, executive or director of a corporation or a medical research scientist or physician, has competing professional or personal interests. Such competing interests can make it difficult to fulfill his or her duties impartially."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conflict_of_interest
I just don't gt why they are pushing HD radio. Most people have no idea what the hell it is. Someone I work with was all excited becasue it's High Def radio. They had no idea HD stood for Hybrid Digital. Scam.
YAWN.
its FREE radio!!!
HELLO!!!!
Who doesn't see the ABSURDITY in this bribed biased NAB lover?
What a joke. I am sick and tired of FREE radio trying to get a FREE ride on the backs of hard working companies and shareholders who've taken all the risks.
Whats next? Suppose for arguments sake the NAB wins and either blocked the merger or stole spectrum. Do they THEN go after ALL the internet radio stations?
FUCK EM.
First of all they are FREE....so if they dont deserve ANY sympathy or special consideration. If anything, Sirius does. THEY have had to convince 18 million people to PAY for music.
The NAB is doing the SAME exact thing that regular tv did when cable tv showed up. They are trying to demonize sat radio,
IF terrestrial radio's advertising based model is failing, it's their fault. What they've done to try to stop this merger is criminal. If they took all that energy and tried to make their product better....they'd be in a better situation.
Heck...by trying to stop this merger, they are PROVING they compete with sat radio. Their whole argument in the beginning was that they DIDN'T compete, and that sat radio was a monopoly.
its ALL BULLSHIT!!!
You would think with the extra $33k this fuck is getting he'd get a better haricut. Fucking sellout, typical politician. Way to show up at the last minute, you pathetic flunky.
Another asshole speaks- because he is being paid off by the NAB- He could give a rat's ass about protecting the consumer- How does having a HD chipset installed on a sat radio receiver protect me?- Who's gonna fit the bill?- This is such bullshit- at this point in time- all the documentation has been submitted- all this last minute bullshit is just that bullshit!
Merge already!
Mr. Markey can be reached here-
http://markey.house.gov/index.php?option=com_email_form&Itemid=124
I hear if you include a check he will write a letter for you too!
do these guys even try to look impartial?? His request for HD free inclusion to every new sat receiver just shows who he is on the payroll for--(NAB)
Moments after the NAB's attempt to derail the Sirius / Xm merger fell short, another democratic representative not concerned with high oil, a mortgage crisis, high job losses or a weak dollar has decided instead to turn his attention to a radio merger affecting less than 1 % of the US population.
Reuters reports that Rep. Edward Markey, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, said the Federal Communications Commission should go beyond requirements that FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has already proposed the agency impose on the companies.
Seemingly understanding that the merger will in fact be approved, Markey is asking for more concessions than have been agreed to already by the companies, as well as FCC Chairman Martin and Commissioner McDowell. The new push is for HD to be incorporated into all satellite radios. Mr. Markey would like to turn the United States into a Chinese state apparently, by compelling auto manufacturers to install radios of the governments choosing. There is a fundamental problem with this man and others like him running our Congress and our nation.
The people of Massachusetts should be outraged! Fortunately, it does appear that these communistic demands will not be considered in light of the fact that open access will provide the market with an opportunity to decide if it wants HD radio. We the people, do not need a government ordering us what to listen to.
ANOTHER...bleeding heart liberal democrat from Mass.
Look forward to more of the same with Obama in the Blackhouse.
Obama's liberal views will make Ted look like a consrvative.
It is indeed f'ing ponderous that the NAB is trying to push this HD thing.
What does it tell you about HD radio that Ibiquity and the NAB are unable to market a free, multi-cast channel that they plug constantly on every FM and AM station. It's completely free and they can't get people interested!!!!
Hey NAB - I can't get Sirius in my office at work most of the time. I was actually thinking about getting a cheap FM radio/Ipod dock thing that had HD included. Forget it.
Fuck that corrupt bastard and fuck HD Radio.
I hope that the blog owner is keeping all of the names of these politicians who have opposed this merger. We need to unite and to punish them at the polls. I suggest we form a Sirius/XM revenge PAC.
Here's my letter to the weasel...
Congressman Markey,
I read with great interest your letter echoing the NAB's desperate attempt to delay the XM/Sirius merger.
When the NAB prepared those talking points, did they tell you how overwhelmingly we, the subscribers, want this merger? Take a look at the comments on the FCC website for yourself.
Did the NAB tell you Boston Red Sox fans from your home state would also love to have Boston Celtics games on one, single receiver, with the ability to enjoy a la carte programming? Something your committee should be working on with cable TV.
I hope the $8000 you've received from the NAB this year was worth it.
http://opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.php?cid=N00000270&cycle=Career
As a longtime member of Congress, I would think you'd be above this type of thing.
The people of your state are tired of lobbyists and politicians holding up this merger with much more important issues at hand.
Thanks for your time.
Nice one gregg. I'll send him one when I get home.
Markey is a Traitor.
Mr. Markey doesn't seem to know about Struble's little plan to make "free HD Radio" pay-for-listen through RadioGuard - iBiquity has already asked the FCC for approval. What a fucking farce.
"Only through such a mandate will the commission adequately ensure that competition in digital radio services is as robust as possible and that free, over-the-air radio remains a vibrant marketplace alternative for consumers well into the future," Markey wrote.
How the F*CK will FREE radio ever go under as a result of PAY radio! Is there anyone dumber that a politician that receives the equivalent of a "monetary reach around"?
Whether you are for or against the merger, this reasoning is B#LLSHIT! Free radio makes revenue from advertising, doesn't have to pay artists, and comes in d@mn near every car, boombox, alarm clock, shelf system, walkman, Home receiver, & is even available online. It may be archaic technology & have limited choices, but the vast majority of people are cheap and will always take something for free over paying for a superior product.
Hey Markey for every 100 gallons of gas you buy you should give 20 gallons to a minority whoever is in line behind you
Hey Markey for every 100 gallons of gas you buy you should give 20 gallons to a minority whoever is in line behind you
Hey Markey for every 100 gallons of gas you buy you should give 20 gallons to a minority whoever is in line behind you
Markey responds:
Thank you for sharing your views with my office. I appreciate your taking the
time to write. Due to the high volume of email messages my office receives, we
are unable to respond to messages from outside the 7th district of
Massachusetts.
Maybe the FCC should respond to Markey by saying that they cannot respond to people from the 7th district .
What a fuckin wet tampon this douche is
Markey, why don't you go to an airport and tap someones foot you suckjob
Not even some automobile manufacturers want HD radio. Namely...Toyota and GM. They don't want it in their cars!! Now the government wants to ram this HD crap down their throats.
Why is it legal for politicians to accept "campaign contributions"
when this is clearly not in the best interest of the citizens they
are suppose to be representing? When a police officer accepts
"contributions" it is called a bribe and they go to jail.
Is it any wonder that all of our politicians are already rich and
influential? Why would they even care about the quality of life for
the average citizens unless in some way it helped their pocket book.
They can not even relate to a middle class family.
For instance, John McCain was quoted as saying, "Now, my friends, I'll offer anybody
here $50 an hour if you'll go pick lettuce in Yuma this season and
pick for the whole season. So -- OK? Sign up. OK. You sign up. You
sign up, and you'll be there for the whole season, the whole season.
OK? Not just one day. Because you can't do it, my friend."
We all know for a fact there is a large percentage of the lower and
middle income class that work extremely hard for nothing near fifty
dollars an hour. There would be riots for jobs picking lettuce if
the pay amounted to $104,000 per year. We all know this, but not the
politicians that are suppose to be representing us. Something needs
to be done, now.
Goldman Sachs is Obama's number one contributor, buying him off with
$632,830.
John McCain accepted a bribe from Goldman Sachs in the amount of
$166,470, putting them as the fifth largest contributor.
Hilary Clinton received a bribe in the amount of $645,470 from Goldman
Sachs.
Even John Kerry received $305,750 in bribes from Goldman Sachs.
If you are wondering where Goldman Sachs gets all of this money for campaign contributions, I'll tell you. If you couldn't stand the pain of the big drop in
Sirius stock which was caused by Goldman Sachs recently and had to sell your
shares for a loss, it's your money they are buying our government
officials with. Goldman Sachs stole your money and bribed government
officials with it to work for them. So now, no matter who we elect
President, Goldman Sachs will be well represented, unlike the citizens of the United States. See how that works?
Something smell like poo poo to me.
Gregg,
You only speak for one blind, ignorant satradio fanboy yourself.
"Did the NAB tell you Boston Red Sox fans from your home state would also love to have Boston Celtics games on one, single receiver,"
Yeah and they are, on good old, NAB represented, AM/FM/HD Radio the radio of the MAJORITY of consumers.
Celtics - AM 850 WEEI
Socks - FM WRKO 680, SBN 1150 (Sp.)
Patriots - (can't forget them) ALSO available on one, single receiver:
FLAGSHIP STATION : 104.1 WBCN-FM - BOSTON
Massachusetts
WBCN Boston 104.1 FM
WAQY Springfield 102.1 FM
WBEC Pittsfield 1420 AM
WEIM Fitchburg 1280 AM
WNAW North Adams 1230 AM
WBSM New Bedford 1420 AM
WPVQ Greenfield 95.3 FM
WSAR Fall River 1480 AM
WSBS Great Barrington 860 AM
WWFX Worcester 100.1 FM
WXTK Hyannis 95.1 FM
Maine
WBLM Portland 102.9 FM
WEBB Augusta 98.5 FM
WWMJ Bangor 95.7 FM
WEGP Presque Isle 1390 AM
Connecticut
WCCC Hartford 106.9 FM
WINY Putnam 1350 AM
WXLM New London 102.3 FM
New Hampshire
WGAM Nashua 900 AM
WKBR Manchester 1250 AM
WVRR Lebanon 101.7 FM
WPKQ North Conway 103.7 FM
WSAK Hampton 102.1 FM
WSHK Portsmouth/Dover 105.3 FM
WTPL Concord 107.7 FM
WWHQ Laconia 101.5 FM
Vermont
WBTN Bennington 1370 AM
WXZO Burlington 96.7 FM
WEXP Rutland 101.5 FM
WIKE Newport 1490 AM
WKVT Brattleboro/Keene 92.7 FM
WSNO Barre 1450 AM
WSTJ St. Johnsbury 1340 AM
WMXR Woodstock 93.9 FM
Rhode Island
WSKO Providence 790 AM
WSKO Providence 99.7 FM
New York
WEAV Plattsburgh 960 AM
Good! Representative Edward Markey, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet is doing his JOB and pointing out the TRUTH. Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin's desperate "merge" scheme is full of lies as he is desperate to pump and dump, desperate to line his pockets with the dollars of the ignorant one more time before he retires.
Go Representative Edward Markey, keep on fighting for the MAJORITY of consumers and citizens of the United States, against Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin's "merge" scheme.
HD Digital Radio • IT’S TIME TO UPGRADE!
HD Digital Radio. It's here. It's local. It's free. DISCOVER IT!
www.hdradio.com/
Edward Markey is an absolutely worthless human being. He is as CORRUPT as they come!
www.hdradioblowshard.com
Let me get this straight; Representative Malarky wants to protect consumers and ensure that terrestrial radio remains a viable business. First things first, and where do I even start, you panzy ass, spineless, gutless, plagiarizing mouthpiece for the NAB. The consumers in this country don't need to be protected from satellite radio, you dumb ass; they need to be protected from sleazy, depraved politicians like you. By the way, your hair looks like you combed it with an egg beater. Why is our government so worried about terrestrial radio, and whether it stays "viable". Companies, banks, corporations, etc. are going out of business every day, and the government doesn't bat an eyelash. They couldn't give a shit! Then there's the unique connection that the NAB and terrestrial radio have with thousands of politicians; you show any support for satellite radio......you lose our support in the form of ads, commercials, air time, promotion in general. Pretty much blackmail. Our elected and appointed officials are, for the most part, so easily bought and paid for that it makes one lose faith in the human race. What's going on here is unconscionable. You too, Mr. Markey, are unconscionable. What our government has done to these companies is truely disgraceful. It is sad that nobody has the balls to blow the whistle on these never ending delay tactics. We are in the midst of amazing technological advances, especialy in the last decade. To think that satellite radio doesn't compete with the dozens of other music and entertainment distribution systems is a viewpoint of delusion and ignorance. To even suggest that satellite radio's include built in HD radio is preposterous! What's next; all GM cars have to have VW engines installed. Only in America, as they say! A six year price freeze? My cable, insurance, utilty, and phone companies raise my rates at least once a year, but that's OK with you, Mr. Markey. No problem with any of that, as long as you protect me from a service that less than 4% of the people in this country subscribe to. I feel so secure knowing that you, rerpresentative Malarky, have my best interest as your top priority.
Ryan, where DO YOu get these unflattering pictures... I'm LOLing here.... love them!
Is this Buckey the Beaver or Markey?
Did someone just wake him up BTW? .... between his hair and this timing.....
Never in the anals of mankind have so many assholes resided in one place: Congress.
Was he a munchkin, in the movie Wizard of Oz?
Anonymous (idiot)coward you listed am/fm channels that
carry Red Sox games.
But, ignorant douchebag , those stations are only carred in 7 eastern states.
The american consumer wants the REDSOX and the
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS in all 50 states on the same receiver.
I can only get that from a MERGED SIRIUS/XM
Thank God Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin will allow me this luxury via the
merger in the very near future.
What a fuking tool. Wonder if changed his diaper before he made his statement?
And these automobile manufacturers don't want HD radio in their cars. Toyota and GM do not want this garbage.
If this goes through XM and Sirius should get the memo approving the merger, a list of the free handouts to Reverand Dr. Jessie Jackson, a picture of each member of the FCC, and all of the cry baby letters from the NAB. Put them in a pile in Times Square and let subscribers take a shit on the whole pile.
And then say 'fuck off to all of you'. We aren't merging. We aren't giving Jessie anything for free. We aren't kissing the ass of the FCC. We are re-doubling our effort to dominate and destroy terrestrial piece of shit radio and make sure all minority owned stations that nobody listens to get absolutely nothing free from us and go the fuck out of business.
Mrs Tate ,do your job and vote .You had this two week review for a month now,what 's with that can't you decide,let me help you,flip a coin.
A pretty detailed thread at Yahoo shows this guy to have rec'd 33.3K from NAB
I would like to see Cramer call this "Ass Clown," out on Mad money.
I believe that because of the merger Ipods/Mp3 players should be forced to have Sat. radio added
A couple of reality checks.
1) crfceo, Congress is supposed to look at the little picture as well as the big picture. Stop complaining about the big issues in the world. Congress has time to look at big and little interests. Thousands of these types of decisions are decided each month. There is a serious need to figure out if this merge is fair.
2) AC who calls people "blind ignorant fanboys"...when you say the NAB represents the majority, what does that have to do with a merger? Pointing out how many radio stations exist in New England. Satellite Radio competes with them. Wouldn't it be welcome to them if there was one less competing radio station. I'm sorry, why I agree the merger is bad, you seem to be trolling this site rather than producing a good argument. Your listing of radio sites actually proves that there is effective competition and nothing for the NAB to worry about. (And you really ignore how many of those stations are represented by Clear Channel). I would agree with you on some points but you seem to spend more time insulting fellow posters (and hiding behind anonymity in posting even though people can tell by your slogans who you are), and trying to hype HD radio which doesn't seem to hold anything interesting to the Satellite Radio Fan.
What happend to letting the free market decide what stays and what goes?
GO BACK TO BED
GO BACK TO BED
@Markey: go shit in your hat. You must wear one ofter with that 'do.
Pandora now available on iPhone. That plus AOL radio=who needs satrad.
thj
This is about citizen's and consumers FIRST and Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin's "merge" MONOPOLY scheme last. The MAJORITY could care less about hearing a redsox game in all 50 states on the same receiver pixie, desperate and wrong, but nice try. The MAJORITY (including educated consumers) continue to see right through Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin's BS and have the basic understanding that for the MAJORITY of consumers 2 satellite radio companies are better than one. One satellite radio company shutting the other to kill direct competition between the 2, taking the radio spectrum meant for 2 companies, and becoming a MONOPOLY is bad for consumers. The DOJ screwed up on this on IF Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin's "merge" scheme is allowed and the satradio industry gets a government bailout (for years of mis-management and breaking FCC agreements) the MAJORITY of consumers lose AND the satradio industry also loses any chance of being viable long term.
The FCC is correct, the NAB is correct, Georgetown partners are correct, the senator's and congressmen are correct and they all are stepping up and pointing out whats best for the MAJORITY of citizens and consumers not whats best for the minority and Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin trying to line his pockets on a failed industry.
NO! to ignorance and cheerleading
NO! to government bailing out satradio and Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin's "merge" scheme
NO! to Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin's "merge" scheme
HD Digital Radio • IT’S TIME TO UPGRADE!
HD Digital Radio. It's here. It's local. It's free. DISCOVER IT!
www.hdradio.com/
Hi NAB Troll!
Why are all democrats weird looking?
"ABSOLUT.. that's my drink of choice".. says the man in this picture.. "sober?? what me?? never..."
If they want HD Radio on Satellite Radios. It should be REQUIRED for all HD Radio's to have Satellite radio.
WHAT AN UGLY FvCKER
Cherry Stem Cherry-lol
If SIRIUS and XM included even a regular FM radio on their players, everyone would know how incredibly shitty music sounds on satellite radio.
All you crying little bastards would always have the option to not listen to HD Radio if if were on your player. Seriously, get girlfriends, and fast.
NO! to ignorance and cheerleading from AC
NO! to NAB and ronald Mcdonald rehr and his blind ignorant schemes
NO! to stale HD radio
HD Digital Radio • IT’S TIME TO TRASH IT!
HD Digital Radio. It's weak. It drops out more then sat radio. It's a waste . forget about IT!
www.AC-IS-A-FRAUD.com/HD-RADIO-BUTT-PIRATE
NO! to ignorance and cheerleading
NO! to government bailing out satradio and Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin's "merge" scheme
NO! to Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin's "merge" scheme
HD Digital Radio • IT’S TIME TO UPGRADE!
HD Digital Radio. It's here. It's local. It's free. DISCOVER IT!
www.hdradio.com/