A merger between the two players in the US satellite radio market, Sirius and XM Radio, came a step closer to reality today when the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) informed the companies that it had ended its investigation into the pending deal without taking action to block the transaction. "Competition in the marketplace generally protects consumers and I have no reason to believe that this won't happen here," Justice Department antitrust chief, Thomas Barnett, told a conference call with reporters.
This decision means the DoJ has concluded that the merger is not anti-competitive and will allow the transaction to proceed. However, one more obstacle remains: the merger is still subject to approval of the Federal Communications Commission, which in 1997, issued an order forbidding either company from acquiring the other. A source at the FCC, however, said the organization could be strongly influenced by the Justice Department's decision, stating: "I think it would be hard to go in the complete opposite direction (from the Justice Department)."
View: Further Reading at Reuters
Thanks for the tip, RangerLG!
This decision means the DoJ has concluded that the merger is not anti-competitive and will allow the transaction to proceed. However, one more obstacle remains: the merger is still subject to approval of the Federal Communications Commission, which in 1997, issued an order forbidding either company from acquiring the other. A source at the FCC, however, said the organization could be strongly influenced by the Justice Department's decision, stating: "I think it would be hard to go in the complete opposite direction (from the Justice Department)."
View: Further Reading at ReutersThanks for the tip, RangerLG!
Does it really matter? There is a rumor going around the new company will be called SiriusXM (As in serious music) duno who came up with that...
wrong
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23781933/
WASHINGTON - The Justice Department on Monday approved Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.’s proposed $5 billion buyout of rival XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., saying the deal was unlikely to lessen competition or harm consumers.
wrong
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23781933/
WASHINGTON - The Justice Department on Monday approved Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.’s proposed $5 billion buyout of rival XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., saying the deal was unlikely to lessen competition or harm consumers.
Well look there, I CAN be wrong! Who knew?
Interesting, because I have XM in the car and the quality difference between XM and even 192MP3 is easily noticeable; this really is starting to disappoint me. Is this just because my decoder is a little old (2004)?
Interesting, because I have XM in the car and the quality difference between XM and even 192MP3 is easily noticeable; this really is starting to disappoint me. Is this just because my decoder is a little old (2004)?
No, the quality through DirecTV is just better. I've heard it in the car and I wouldn't pay for it, it's so bad in my opinion.
sorry
How could anyone possibly think that this might result a loss of competition?
2. Sometimes, it doesn�t make sence to compete. Example: two subway lines running between same two stations.
Approving or not approving will have the same result, one company survives! The difference being that when/if one of company goes down, lots of people will lose money in the process, all those shareholders will be left with shares that are worth nothing.
The merger will benefit consumers, just to name a few:
Both companies proved that by merging they will be able to cut billions of dollars in operation costs, and have agreed to lower prices if the merger goes through.
By not having to share the spectrum, they will be able to offer greater quality and other products (like video).
Radio satellite owners will be able to finally get baseball and football on the same service ( XM has the Baseball deal, and Sirus the Football deal).
This has taken way to long, politicians are caching-in in all directions, no-one cares about due diligence anymore, sad.
Last edited by Ivo Silva on 25 Mar 2008 - 04:19
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=627495
At first I was opposed to this "merger" but now I think it will be better with the two combined if they combined some music channels.
I mean if there is none, and they raised there rates to "cover the merger costs" what stop them from keeping the price up there?
I am an XM subscriber and I was not for this merger. I don't see anything that will keep prices in check for the future.
they had to include a-la-carte plans, etc, in the merger proposal. if you only want the radio for specific content (ie. Howard Stern on Sirius or something on XM) you can exclude content and it may actually lower the price for you somewhat.
XM: http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/xms-postmerger.html
Sirius: http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/sirius-postmerg.html
Notice the * next to the two A La Carte Packages. That means a dual sub receiver is required to get these packages. The sports have not been ironed out yet due to the contracts involved with each sport, but from what I read, you will need to get both "Everything" packages to get all the sports.
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