State AGs propose conditions for Sirius-XM merger

Shut Up DA's Go play Law and Order Somewhere

FUCK THEM! THESE GUYS ARE ALL SO FUCKING CORRUPT THEY MAKE ME SICK!

kill those fucking aliens.....fucking reptilians from the lower fourth dimmension

How in the world do these AG's sleep at night? They believe HD Radio should be included in every radio? Well, you just showed your cards. You are just another political arm of the NAB and you should be ashamed of yourself. AG's should uphold the law of their respective state, not lobby the FCC on behalf of their favorite fund raiser.

They all got together and said "Let's go fuck some whores AND satellite radio".

I still canlt believe this shit!! I have run out of words for these disdos. charles m scott

There's like 10 problems internal to this document most notably:

THIS ISN'T AN ANTITRUST OR COMPETITION CASE ANYMORE. IT'S ABOUT THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CONSUMER.

HD radio not in the interests of the consumer... nothing but extra cost

They did just show their cards as nothing more than NAB surrogates

sorry i'm starting to sound likethem.. Its DILDOS not disdos!! charles scott

Are these same DOUCHES going to lobby for the inclusion of Satellite radio chipsets in HD radios? Testicle radio is already petitioned the FCC for the ability to Charge for sideband content if they are going to an HD pay service in the future then MEL should sue the NAB for inclusion of the SAT standard/s in all future Tradio’s.

“Another such conflict arises from the extra "free" programs available today. iBiquity is seeking FCC approval for "conditional access," that is, enabling the extra programs to be available only by paid subscription (on future models of HD Radio). NDS, a maker of digital media encryption technology, has a deal with iBiquity to provide HD Radio with an encrypted content-delivery system called RadioGuard.[40] NDS claims that RadioGuard will "provide additional revenue-generating possibilities." iBiquity has stated that RadioGuard will become a standard feature of the HD Radio system.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_Radio#Criticisms

not a educated comment yet. Just more blind, ignorants satradio fanboys who are desperate to see the demise of the complete sat radio industry. Wake up blind, ignorants satradio fanboys, a education is a terrible thing waste or not get.

The state AG's and the FCC are doing their JOBS.

This deal is falling apart at the seams.

It was a huge mistake for XM to begin with. It is getting huger by the week.

Hi Kevin!

I knew I was poking you in a tender place because you moan like a porn star. You better watch out or I might just fall in love with you. From what I see of your picture a tender young Nancyboy like you wouldn’t have lasted a minute in my old cellblock. You’d have been bendin’ and fendin’ from day one. I could see you playing a rousing game of “put it where it don’t belong” all that sitting you do works your ass muscles. I bet you can sit on “stuff” for hours you’ve sat on the merger as long as the Iranian hostage crisis! “Mr FCC” is a fine safety word but I don’t believe in them I’m sorry you’ll just have to thrash and scream like everyone else.

Clearly Blumenthal et-all are not qualified in business, because if they were they would not be making such ludicrous demands.

Mr.”FCC” Martin this is your pharmacist I’ve been trying to reach you all week your office said you were frittering away you time on orbitcast so I thought I’d try here, I’m sorry I’ve had to resort to this but your penis cancer medicine is ready.

.I don’t have penis cancer.

It’s for the one in your ass.

Be right over

FUCK HIM in his fucking fuckhole

no disrespect

Bababooey

"HD radio should be included because it'll benefit the consumer!!!!" lol , what the fuck are they talking about? Why would consumers want to pay for a chipset for a service that sucks?

You know guys initially, my reaction was to say "FUCK THAT," but thinking about it, as long as SIRI and XM doesn't have to pay for the additional chips, as an investor I don't have a problem with the HD chips need in every interoperable unit. That is if by allowing HD in we get SIRI and Xm merged. The only ones I see getting the short end of the stick here are the consumers

Isn't satellite radio digital which already makes it HD radio. So why do you need HD radio to go with your HD radio.

I now see Mel walking away ,every two weeks ,he has that chose. XM won't last the year ,he can do a reverse stock split and then raise prices and then telll the FCC to go sit on it.The FCC is doing Mel a favor.I think Mel will only wait to the end of June and then pull out, it be to late for XM to come back.

Other than one or two bright spots there is still not a educated comment yet. Just more blind, ignorants satradio fanboys who are desperate to see the demise of the complete sat radio industry. Wake up blind, ignorants satradio fanboys, a education is a terrible thing waste or not get.

The state AG's and the FCC are doing their JOBS.

I hope not

Well, I just went back and read the DOJ approval, and it was with no conditions, so I go back to my origional stance, and say "FUCK THAT"

Hey wait a second. Don't the State AG's work for the DOJ? By coming out in support of conditions after the DOJ has come out and said No conditions, aren't they being a little careless? Good thing this isn't Milatary live because that's called insordinate, they'de be court martialed.

They wanted ten percent earlier now it's twenty.. next month it will be thirty.. they want a hotdog, no a cheeseburger... they're like little kids.. slap 'em...

Nope....

In the Federal Government of the United States, the Attorney General is a member of the Cabinet and as head of the Department of Justice is the top law enforcement officer and lawyer for the government. The attorney general may need to be distinguished from the Solicitor General, a high Justice Department official with the responsibility of representing the government in the Supreme Court. In cases of exceptional importance, however, the Attorney General may choose to represent the government himself or herself in the Supreme Court.
The individual U.S. states also have State Attorneys General with similar responsibilities. The majority of state Attorneys General are chosen by popular election, as opposed to the U.S. Attorney General who is a presidential appointee.

= State Attorney Generals serve the citizens of the State they are elected to. State Attorney Generals, are the highest ranking law enforcement officer for the State, responsible for representing the state and its residents in legal matters.

Again the FCC, NAB and the Attorney Generals are DOING THEIR JOBS. No need for blind, ignorant, satradio fanboys to show their lack of education, and to make orbitcast look bad.

thanks for the info

If XM had taken care of it's business instead of playing frat boy party, they may have been sucessful. It's a big buddy system here, XM deserves what they get.
Worst management ever at all levels!!!!

Don't these M'fker's have anything else to do but focus on a merger of two companies that would control 4% of the music listeners? If the FCC cannot see through these AG's then the FCC needs to be shut down.

I love what they're doing. Finally, some people on the side of the consumers. I have zero problem with HD chip-sets going into SDARS receivers. It gives me as a consumer more listening options. And how exactly does it fuck XM/Sirius? I'm already getting fucked in the merger as I'll be forced to replace several radios at a major cost to me. If I have to shell out more $ why not get the added value of HD radio reception? If you're a shareholder you get what you deserve, fuck you all in your fucking fuckhole.

State AG’s are easier to buy (right AC you should know) Most of them need to run in an election or pay their call girl service so they need the bribe money. The Federal AG is appointed so he doesn’t need to shill to buy his hookers.

Don't worry we hope to be paid to lobby for the inclusion of Satellite radio chipsets in HD radios in the future. Testicle radio is already petitioned the FCC for the ability to Charge for sideband content if they are going to an HD pay service in the future then Satellite should sue the NAB for inclusion of the SAT standard/s in all future Tradio’s. Like the inclusion of HD our interest in a subject can be bought.

“Another such conflict arises from the extra "free" programs available today. iBiquity is seeking FCC approval for "conditional access," that is, enabling the extra programs to be available only by paid subscription (on future models of HD Radio). NDS, a maker of digital media encryption technology, has a deal with iBiquity to provide HD Radio with an encrypted content-delivery system called RadioGuard.[40] NDS claims that RadioGuard will "provide additional revenue-generating possibilities." iBiquity has stated that RadioGuard will become a standard feature of the HD Radio system.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_Radio#Criticisms

(H)ardly (D)ifferent radio …. Commercials make it free lots of commercials make us rich More commercials up after this extended commercial break.

We conclude our examination of the remaining unknowns of IBOC with a look at RadioGuard, the conditional access system proposed by Ibiquity Digital for use on HD Radio subscription services, which if the FCC’s final IBOC rules permit, could be the primary mechanism for radio subscription service delivery.

http://www.rwonline.com/pages/s.0054/t.8141.html

pfreak is again CORRECT the FCC and AG's work for consumers if that means mandating Interoperable radios then so be it. Since the media companies seem to be too stupid to figure out that not only are Interoperable radios pro-consumer, Interoperable radios are also pro-media company since it makes it possible for all consumers to chose. AM/FM/HD/Sirius/xm it's all about consumer choice. Lets not forget all the media companies use public spectrum to do business (why the FCC is in charge to begin with)

It really makes you wonder why some satradio fanboys continue showing their blind ignorance fighting something which is pro-consumer with rude, crude and ignorant posts.

HD Radios: A Clear Choice
Posted by cromalin June 06, 2008 14:56PM

Consumers are quickly finding out what HD, high definition, radios have to offer

By Carly Romalino
cromalino@sjnewsco.com

The competition is on between high-definition and satellite radios, and although satellite was leading out of the gate, consumers are quickly finding out what HD radios have to offer.

Satellite radio receivers like XM and Sirius had a head start with personalities like Howard Stern moving exclusively to satellite stations to beat the Federal Communications Commission's censoring, but some radio listeners, according to Tweeter salesman in Deptford Mike Lewis, are looking for clearer audio and better sound without the hiss and static of traditional radio or the subscription fee of satellite.

"It's not even really kicking off yet," Lewis said, with radio stations only making the switch to HD broadcasting about a year-and-a-half ago. Prior to that time, satellite and standard radio were the only options.

"There are two benefits," Senior Vice President and Regional Manager of Greater Media New Jersey Daniel Finn said. "The quality of sound and the additional stations that are available."

Static-filled AM stations sound as clear as FM stations with HD radio, and FM stations have CD-quality sound. Radio static is caused by signals bouncing off of objects in its path, but HD radio receivers installed in homes and vehicles are built to sort through the signals, reducing disruptions. Broadcasting as groups of signals, both analog and digital, transmit song and artist information to the HD receivers, and allow non-HD users to pick up the standard station and HD users to pick up the enhanced stations as well as new secondary sister channels. Secondary channels, Finn said, will be in the type of format that are currently unavailable on the standard dial, channels that will be "left of center," he said, like more female-focused rock channels, artists unplugged, or exclusive interviews.

"Right now, it's strictly an investment. When we roll out the secondary channels there will be limited commercial loads," Finn said.

The digital nature of the broadcasting also allows a listener to tag songs using iTunes. The iTunes Tagging functions only comes with certain HD radio receiver, and with the push of the button stores the song in memory, and will automatically download the song and load it to an iPod as soon as it is connected to the computer.

Currently, Greater Media and other broadcasting companies are part of the HD radio alliance, an organization with a goal to generate exposure of HD radio. Right now with the alliance, Finn said, the secondary channels will be commerical free.

Although converting to HD can cost a radio station hundreds of thousands of dollars, Finn said, HD radio receivers are much more affordable.

"When people most listen to the radio is in the car," Lewis said.

HD radio receivers for the car can be picked up at area vendors like Best Buy, Tweeter, Circuit City, Target and Wal-Mart, and start at $79, with some models ranging to about $500. BMW, Ford, Lincoln, Hyundai, and other car manufacturers have started offering HD radio receivers as optional, if not standard, features in new vehicles.

Tabletop radios and alarm clock radios are also available, as well as home stereo systems with high-end models costing over a thousand dollars, Lewis said.

"This is the most exciting thing that has come to local radio in a long time," Finn said. "We are living right now in a digital world, so it only makes sense that the radio industry participates, and offers better products."

http://blog.nj.com/southjerseylife/2008/06/hd_radios_a_clear_choice.html

June 4, 2008
Pumping Up The Volume: HD Radio Touts Price Cuts
By PATRICK SEITZ
The mandatory conversion to digital TV is fairly well known among the U.S. populous, but not so the voluntary conversion from analog to digital AM and FM radio.

Though digital AM-FM radio — branded HD (for high-definition) Radio — has been available for a few years, conversion has moved at a glacial pace. That could change, though, as recently prices for HD Radio receivers have come down to affordable levels, as low as $79.

The conversion offers an opportunity to boost revenue for radio broadcasters, radio receiver makers, music companies and even Apple's (AAPL) iTunes online music service.

"We're converting an industry that's been around for 100 years and there are a billion radio receivers in this country, so that conversion obviously isn't going to happen overnight," said Bob Struble, chief executive of iBiquity Digital, which developed the standards for HD Radio. Companies that own stakes in privately held iBiquity, which makes money by licensing its technology, include many of the largest radio broadcasters and media companies, such as Clear Channel Communications, (CCU) Cumulus, Gannett (GCI) and ABC.

HD Radio boasts high-quality audio, without the static or hiss of analog. Digital AM sounds like FM stereo and digital FM sounds like CDs. Digital signals are broadcast over the same frequencies as analog signals, so stations remain in the same place on the radio dial.

HD Radio also allows for FM, but not AM, multicasting. So, FM broadcasters can offer one or two extra channels of music or news alongside the main channel. If, say, 97.1 FM did so, its extra channels would appear on the radio dial as 97.1-1 and 97.1-2.

Plus, HD Radio stations can broadcast data services, such as text-based information — artist name, song title, weather or traffic alerts, school closings and more — that scroll across the receiver display.

And unlike digital satellite radio services XM (XMSR) and Sirius, (SIRI) HD Radio is free to listeners who buy the necessary gear.

About 60 HD Radio receivers are on the market from Sony, (SNE) Harman International Industries, (HAR) D&M Holdings and others. Those items, including table-top radios and car radios, are available at 12,000 retail outlets, such as Best Buy, (BBY) Circuit City (CC) and Wal-Mart Stores. (WMT) Car makers, including BMW, Ford (F) and Hyundai, are installing HD Radios in their vehicles.

Radio stations nationwide are broadcasting over 1,600 regular channels in HD Radio plus more than 800 multicast channels. Those multicast channels serve overlooked demographics. For example, Clear Channel Radio is now offering a country music channel in New York City where there wasn't one before. Stations in Seattle and Austin, Texas, have launched digital channels devoted to local performers and bands.

"We're making some pretty good progress," said Jeff Littlejohn, executive vice president of distribution development for Clear Channel Radio, a unit of Clear Channel Communications. Clear Channel is the No. 1 radio company in the U.S., with about 1,000 stations nationwide.

Many radio broadcasters have done their part by making digital programming available, he says. Local stations also have been actively promoting HD Radio, he says. And more stations are adding HD Radio broadcasts daily.

The transition to HD Radio is a matter of when, not if, observers say. The technology is being added to more new cars and as a feature in table-top radios. Plus, the development of low-power chipsets will allow for portable and handheld HD radios as soon as this fall, but more likely next year, Struble says.

Consumers bought more than 300,000 HD radios in the U.S. last year, Struble says. That's a drop in the bucket compared with total annual radio sales of 70 million.

"Clearly to be in the mass market we need to be selling in the millions," he said. "And we're working to get there."

The availability of extra channels through multicasting is a big selling point for HD Radio. But what's really going to drive adoption is listeners of popular analog radio stations deciding to upgrade to hear their favorite DJs and music formats in crystal-clear high-definition sound, says Steve Koenig, an analyst with the Consumer Electronics Association.

But the price has to be right, says Susan Kevorkian, an analyst with market research firm IDC. Most HD Radios are still pretty expensive, at $100 or more.

HD Radio competes not only with traditional analog radio, but with satellite radio, Internet radio and music on portable music players and PCs. "There are a lot of digital audio and entertainment options that consumers can choose from," Kevorkian said.

The lack of a cutoff date for analog radio means consumers won't be in a rush to upgrade, she says. Compare that with over-the-air TV. Consumers will lose their TV programming when stations move to digital-only broadcasts after Feb. 17, 2009, unless they get digital TVs, subscribe to cable or satellite, or get a special converter box.

Broadcasters are touting HD Radio as the radio you love, only better. "While you're hearing a lot about satellite radio and iPods, terrestrial radio is still a very-much-in-demand media for consumers," Clear Channel's Littlejohn said.

HD Radio also is innovating with features like iTunes tagging. Select HD radios have a button that listeners can press when they hear a song that they might want to buy from the iTunes online music service.

"The transition to HD Radio is a matter of when, not if"

http://www.investors.com/editorial/IBDArticles.asp?artsec=17&artnum=2&issue=20080604

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ESPN Radio to Launch HD Radio Network on June 7

ESPN will launch the ESPN HD Radio Network on Saturday, June 7 to coincide with the beginning of the UEFA Euro 2008 tournament. The HD Radio sports network will make available content for any outlet currently broadcasting in HD via an Internet and satellite-based delivery system. Subscribing stations will also be able to customize and program their own ESPN HD Radio stations.

A network content server will allow a station to pre-program their content on the Internet from one easy-to-use interface. It will also allow affiliate stations to pick and choose from an array of sports content options -- both live and pre-recorded. Additionally, the content server will also give HD Radio outlets unique sports data-casting abilities such as bottom-line data, clock and score information and other non audio services.

"Offering content by utilizing new technologies and new distribution channels is part of our overall strategy of serving the sports fan," said Senior VP Traug Keller. "Euro 2008 on HD Radio multicast broadcasting is an opportunity to deliver world class soccer to our ESPN Radio listeners while still providing regularly scheduled ESPN Radio programs on the main channel."

ESPN's HD Radio networks debut June 7 with the live broadcast of the UEFA Euro 2008 tournament made available to its ESPN HD Radio FM affiliates. (06-03-08)

http://news.radio-online.com/cgi-bin/$rol.exe/headline_id=b10927

Mexico goes with digital HD Radio

Digital HD Radio - an amazing technological breakthrough will be moving south of the border soon, following a decision last week by Mexico's Federal Telecommunications Commission to allow Mexican stations within 200 miles of the border to begin HD transmissions.

Stations must be individually authorized to start the digital broadcasts and must assist the commission in evaluating the technology.

In the United States, fans of HD Radio - which sends a digital signal on the same frequency as a station's regular analog signal - like to point out increased sound quality as static is removed and dynamic range increases.