DOJ approved the merger today with no conditions. Now gotta wait for the FCC, who can set terms and conditions.

Do you think this will fuck the consumer or make satrad competitive? Are you happy or upset? Do you think your favorite station, talk radio personality, etc. is going to be cut? Discuss.

3/24/2008 8:15:46 PM

im happy
i dont see sat. radio as a monopoly when you have the options of hd and normal radio still

3/24/2008 8:26:35 PM

seriously this was a fucking joke that it took this long to approve.

3/24/2008 8:27:43 PM

I agree. I just hope "synergies" doesn't just mean gut XM like a fish and keep a couple channels.

What I reall hope out of all of this is that if the FCC allows them to keep the spectrum then maybe we can get some higher quality feeds on the channels, so maybe they will sound CD quality.

Also the Clear Channel agreement ends this year, which gives back to XM control of 409.6kbps of spectrum that currently is running craptastic commercial filled radio run by CC. That should help free up more bandwidth to optimize channels or bolster their channel lineup.

[Edited on March 24, 2008 at 8:44 PM. Reason : ]

3/24/2008 8:36:47 PM

as long as sirius doesn't fuck me on my "lifetime" subscription i don't care what happens

3/24/2008 8:46:10 PM

As I understand it, you will be fine. But they will only let you transfer that sub to a max of 3 units total before it cancels out. So as long as you don't break that one or upgrade more than 2x, your good. Read this though:

Quote :

"Subscribe for the lifetime of your radio! Yes really, we're not kidding. Pay $499.99 once, forget about bills altogether, and enjoy SIRIUS for a long, long time to come. Transfer Fee: If you wish to transfer your Subscription to a different Sirius Receiver during the term of a prepaid subscription or committed subscription period, we may charge you a transfer fee of up to $75.00. You may not transfer a lifetime Subscription to a different Sirius Receiver."

That might be an older ToS though. Others say it is good to transfer 2 times, and then its all over baby.

[Edited on March 24, 2008 at 8:53 PM. Reason : ]

3/24/2008 8:48:16 PM

what does this mean content-wise? does it mean i will be able to get some sirius channels now as well?

3/24/2008 8:54:04 PM

Yes. Because of the merger Sirius will have all the content a la carte. You will end up picking and choosing what you want. I would assume their basic package that would include most of the music channels and howard stern (since he is Sirius's biggest draw). Then you can add in sports, comedy, playboy, etc. at extra charges. I would also assume the basic cost would be cheaper than the price now. I'm actually a little surprised there wasn't a stipulation about cost to consumer.

[Edited on March 24, 2008 at 9:16 PM. Reason : grrr]

3/24/2008 9:14:12 PM

as long as O&A stay exactly where they are, i'm happy


they joke just about every day about being kicked out when this goes through

[Edited on March 24, 2008 at 9:17 PM. Reason : about their new studio being for him, heh]

3/24/2008 9:17:26 PM

Ron & Fez FTW

3/24/2008 9:55:28 PM

Quote :

"Because of the merger Sirius will have all the content a la carte."

Now all we need is that for cable and meesa happy.

3/24/2008 10:19:15 PM

You will need a new interoperable, and yet unavailable at retail, unit for a-la carte pricing. Here is the exact breakdown on what packages will be offered:

Quote :

"There will be two a la carte options: A La Carte 1 - Customers can choose 50 channels from either XM or Sirius, for $6.99/month. That's a 46% reduction from the current price of $12.95. Additional channels will cost you only $0.25/each, but no one choosing this package will pay over the $12.95 price. A La Carte 2 - Allows subscribers to choose 100 channels for $14.99/month. Will let Sirius customers select from some of "the best" of XM's programming and vice versa. "Best of Both" packages will be available on existing radios. In addition, there will be other plans made available: Best of Both package - Continue to receive your current existing Sirius or XM programming, plus get the option to add the "best of" channels from Sirius or XM, for only $16.95/month. That's a 34% savings to subscribing to both services today. Two Family-Friendly packages: An "XM Everything" or "Sirius Everything" family-friendly package - but with adult content filtered out - comes in at $11.95/month. This also allows you to block adult-themed programming and, for the first time, receive a price credit as a result. Add on a "Best of" package from either Sirius or XM, and the price goes up to only $14.95/month (a $2 savings from the regular "best of" package). Several other new programming packages: Sirius Mostly Music, or XM Mostly Music - $9.99/month for, well, mostly music. Sirius News, Sports and Talk programming or XM News, Sports and Talk programming - again, also $9.99/month and pretty self-explanatory. XM Everything or Sirius Everything - $12.99/month gets you a similar package to what you're receiving today. The current $6.99 multi-receiver packages will still continue. All the new plans, in total there will be 8 new packages, will range from $6.99 - $16.99/month. "

http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/xm-and-sirius-d.html

I hope that the "best of" packages basically give XM listeners NFL, NASCAR, H100 & 101, and the other sports/exclusive offerings, and Sirius users get MLB, NHL, 202 (O&A and R&F), and college sports or whatever else is XM exclusive. I'd hate to have to get a new unit and go balls out just to get the couple channels I'd like from Sirus.

I think I may end up going Top 100 on ala carte II when I get a new portable unit. Then I can pick the hot shit from both and fuck the other bullshit I don't listen to.

[Edited on March 24, 2008 at 10:27 PM. Reason : ]

3/24/2008 10:20:26 PM

I was just skimming

how much is everything a month for a new contract?

3/24/2008 10:25:34 PM

Satellite still has to compete with HD radio as well as standard FM... Something like this should have happened a lot sooner.

3/24/2008 10:28:24 PM

Currently its $12.95 a month for each service. All stations on that carrier for one flat price.

Its going to get confusing for many with the new pricing structure, but if you know what your doing, you can get everything you want from both for a bit less, or around the same.

^The fucked up part is iBiquity wants XiriuM to be forced to put that clunky HD shit in all of their radios, and pay them the $50 royalty. Wow, talk about a free money train.

[Edited on March 24, 2008 at 10:30 PM. Reason : ]

3/24/2008 10:29:07 PM

They must give jobs to anyone:
http://blogs.moneycentral.msn.com/topstocks/archive/2008/03/24/xm-plus-sirius-doesn-t-equal-monopoly-feds-say.aspx

3/25/2008 9:19:34 AM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080616/ap_on_go_ot/fcc_xm_sirius;_ylt=AgOoru0IHQm0lFrsi9jsNRus0NUE

you can read it for yourself i'm too lazy at 4:10am to copy paste etc etc etc

6/16/2008 4:09:25 AM

FRICKIN FINALLY!

6/16/2008 5:23:49 AM

Also made its way to orbitcast:
http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/fcc-chair-backs-approval-of-sirius-xm-merger.html

[Edited on June 16, 2008 at 5:24 AM. Reason : -]

6/16/2008 5:24:20 AM

Interesting. I'm not against the concessions that are being asked for. I actually think they are pretty fricking good. I have no problem with the price freeze (for obvious reasons), I think the A la Carte is a nice option that I may take up in a year or two, and with synergies on music channels and the end of the Clear Channel deal on XM, that bandwidth will be a minor concession to keep those dirty fucks at Georgetown from getting 20% of the spectrum for shitty commercial radio. And for open device access, that is going to be a pretty nice feature to allow manufacturers to try some new things and not just limit the devices to Sirius/XM and their development teams.

6/16/2008 7:39:20 AM

O&A should be worried. I wonder if Stern will let them clean his pool?

6/16/2008 12:57:28 PM

heh they joke about how the studio that got built for them a few months back was actually built for stern.

it will definitely make for interesting radio once this finally happens

6/16/2008 8:09:05 PM

Fuck him. They are alright. He only has a few more years left before he hangs his wig up. I think they have enough room for both groups. In fact, I'm sure that O&A pull in alot more subs and listeners than Bubba or Ferrall. Those guys and probably R&F may need to worry.

I still think they will become an "extreme" talk block with 3-4 channels. Stern might not like them, but Mel is CEO, not Howard, and Mel loves $$ a lot more than Howard. As I understand, Howard is looking to get another contract for the same amount of cash but this time only working 3 days a week. So it would seem Howard is moving towards getting out of the business, and Bubba isn't exactly the big name to succeed Stern. Nobody has his immediate recognition, but I think O&A are still the next biggest thing in the "shock jock" genre.

[Edited on June 16, 2008 at 9:56 PM. Reason : ]

6/16/2008 9:56:11 PM

I wish I could get Opie and Anthony on my Sirius radio

Now I just gotta figure out how to actually do it

6/17/2008 12:30:52 AM

Actionpants, what will probably happen with your current radio is the Sirius Everything + Best of XM package would give you access. The total on that package is $16.99/month and gives you like the top 10 channels on XM. As I understand it, O&A would likely be under that package, since they have one of the biggest channels on XM by listeners.

Now down the road when they roll out the Ala carte offerings, your supposed to be able to pick 50 or 100 channels from either network and pay a flat rate. I will probably do this when they have a nice interoperable portable to replace my Inno. After several years of XM, they have a lot of things available that frankly I don't care about and would rather pick and choose the rock and talk stations from both companies. But that will only be available on new unreleased radios.

6/17/2008 5:55:55 AM

^ What he said.

6/17/2008 6:17:03 AM

Quote :

" In fact, I'm sure that O&A pull in alot more subs and listeners than Bubba or Ferrall. Those guys and probably R&F may need to worry. I still think they will become an "extreme" talk block with 3-4 channels. Stern might not like them, but Mel is CEO, not Howard, and Mel loves $$ a lot more than Howard. As I understand, Howard is looking to get another contract for the same amount of cash but this time only working 3 days a week. So it would seem Howard is moving towards getting out of the business, and Bubba isn't exactly the big name to succeed Stern. Nobody has his immediate recognition, but I think O&A are still the next biggest thing in the "shock jock" genre."

As an avid Stern fan, that is pretty much the most fair thing I've ever heard an O&A fan say regarding anything Howard, though I seriously doubt that Stern cares if OA works within his company. I listen everyday and don't think he has mentioned them more than 5 times in 10 years. I've never heard an single OA show(never had a chance to), but I agree based on word of mouth they would be an upgrade over Bubba. (who is awful) I hope to God they keep Ferrall around.

I'm just ready for the chance to finally listen to Stern in the morning and the Cubs in the afternoon!

6/17/2008 11:42:02 AM

Merger finally approved. Maybe Monday we will get some more info on the future of the companies, and more importantly the content that will be staying and going.

7/27/2008 10:19:04 AM

I can see both companies now scrambling to get some more info to their customers. Everyone's kind of curious on what they're going to do first.

If not Monday, then sometime this week.

7/28/2008 4:24:40 AM