If the FCC lets the merger of Sirius and XM move forward, Spanish-language broadcaster Entravision says the FCC should force the satellite radio companies to “relinquish their spectrum so that competition can be renewed.”
Entravision then offered to lead a consortium of terrestrial radio broadcasters to take over the remaining spectrum and to offer programming based on their individual "programming qualifications." In the name of competition of course.
But they don't stop there.
Entravision continues to "request" that in order to expedite the "resumption of competition" that Sirius-XM should be required to sell the terrestrial consortium the satellites, equipment and facilities of the of the SDARS license holders. At a depreciated value, of course.
"All of this is intended to promote competition," Entravision writes in their comment to the FCC. How noble.
[via Inside Radio]
Thanks Matt!
Read the full FCC comment after the jump...
If the above embedded PDF isn't working, you can read the FCC comment here (PDF).
NO MERGER! This deal is getting worse all the time.
I guess it never hurts to ask.
and to promote competition testicle radio must give up 50% of the stations in EVERY market to the merged sat radio company.
I think Clear Channel should get the spectrum to go along with their 90% market share of the worldwide billboard business. That would be the kind of competition that Clear Channel would want. They could double the PAYOLA coming in, double their PAC money and inhibit technology twice as much.
What the hell is this?!! A free for all?! This isnt a garage sale...clowns
Agreed,
Terrestrial should give Satellite some spectrum for use with the Satellite network.
Is the terrestrial radio industry serious? This just gets crazier and crazier.
Next they will want 50% of the exclusive talent to do shows on their stations, 50% of the revenue, 50% of this, 50% of that. When will it stop!!!
>>>>>> I think Clear Channel should get the spectrum to go along with their 90% market share of the worldwide billboard business. That would be the kind of competition that Clear Channel would want. They could double the PAYOLA coming in, double their PAC money and inhibit technology twice as much.
Clear Channel, the great nemesis.
But the "Clear Channelization" of satellite radio by permitting the merger is just fine?
Hey, I sure wouldn't support this arrangement, but the argument is a reasonable one -- when XM and Sirius agreed a priori, as a condition of licensure, that the licenses must be held separately, shouldn't others have a shot at the license if they violate that agreement?
XM and SIRI need to walk away from this royal mess Mel has created and get back to the business of competing independently and trying to win listeners the old-fashioned way -- through quality programming and innovation.
Dear Entravision:
Go. To. Hell.
More mexicans acting like something is owed to them.
This is really sick. First, Sirius discovered (literally discovered it) that unused spectrum and XM filed a rushed, leech patent demanding half of it to ensure competition, hence NAB's anti-monopoly argument today. NOW THEY HAVE TO GIVE IT UP?
I had the idea a long time ago that they could rent out a bit of the spectrum to ensure another competitor be able to offer some business, but I meant a tiny slice, like 3-5%. That token bit of spectrum handed off to some mess like Slacker would protect competition, but HALF is bullshit. What exactly do they want? Sirius and XM to abandon their video R&D, or just close one company down entirely, which makes a merger kind of pointless.
Of course, it has a snowball's chance in hell, but I bet NAB will jump on it somehow.
Sure... what the hell, give them the satellites and the music, and half the subscribers.. It's only fair... I mean they are after all saying that they are not competition... They want half?? This must not be Clear Channel.. They would find a way to screw the entire pooch somehow... god I'm tired of this...
How about giving it all to the stock holders.