XM + Sirius

[Sandman]

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7489290

I don't get it... in an age where a company like ClearChannel can own such a large percentage of radio stations, how can there be an anti-trust issue if XM and Sirius merge?

[Mustaine]

probably because there would be no other competing satellite carrier.

even though clearchannel owns alot, there are independent stations out there, 1 really good one here in Milwaukee.

[Sandman]

I don't think the signal source should be relevant.

It may be sophisticated, but it's still just a radio.

[Mustaine]

I wouldn't call it the "signal source" only because it is more than that.

you would not be able to receive anything other than their programming with a "satellite" radio, there is the antitrust.

if you were able to get another providers signal then it would not be an issue.

it's kind of like TV, you can get multiple satellite types, cable, and plain over the air, but a choice of what to pay for or not to pay for.

personally though I'd say time warner has more of a monopoly on "pay" TV and a bigger issue than satellite radio, but that will never change I have come to believe.


anyway, back to the topic at hand, yes our society has gotten "used" to paying for content, and it is a new type of situation with "pay" radio (and personally I can't see paying for radio ever) but I have to say, there needs to be some sort of competition in the market, or it might as well be like the BBC

[Mr No Name]

I do not like the idea of a merger.  New subscriptions to XM are higher than Sirius because of XMs larger amount of programming channels.  Sirius just wants this to prop up its' huge expense (Stern) using XM revenues.

Competition is always best for the customer, when that ceases to exist all of the subscribers to both networks will get screwed.

[storch]

no they won't get screwed, someone else will saddle up a new venture.

[lasersailor184]

Originally posted by Mr No Name
I do not like the idea of a merger.  New subscriptions to XM are higher than Sirius because of XMs larger amount of programming channels.  Sirius just wants this to prop up its' huge expense (Stern) using XM revenues.

Competition is always best for the customer, when that ceases to exist all of the subscribers to both networks will get screwed.

Everyone fears monopolies like the coming of an Anti-Christ.  Even monopolies are subject to the laws of supply and demand.

[DREDIOCK]

Unless your a trucker or otherwise spent ALOT of time on the road.
I dont see why anyone would be willing to pay for radio

Howard Stern is yesterdays news. I've heard him on Sirius. and he still isnt as good as he was 20 years ago. Not even close.

Music. You can get online.

I just dont see why anyone would pay extra for radio other then to be able to say they have the latest gadget

[storch]

I like the convenience of XM.  I have separate receivers installed in three vehicles plus I pay for my dad's.  I don't like hassling with MP3 players and since I don't steal stuff, even intellectual property for me XM is the best thing going.

[Reschke]

I would only do it in a situation where I was constantly on the road like my dad. He drives all over the southeast doing construction and there are when he wants to listen to something other than whatever local crap channel there might be out there. I still can't understand why my sister has it and she only drives 20 minutes in Tampa to work one way and then does nothing when she gets home.

[Xargos]

What will happen is every one will start listening to XM and radios will no longer be made.  Then the government will seize control of all communications.  Sense radios will no longer be made the masses won't be able to hear radio free programs that broadcast the truth.

[storch]

Originally posted by Xargos
What will happen is every one will start listening to XM and radios will no longer be made.  Then the government will seize control of all communications.  Sense radios will no longer be made the masses won't be able to hear radio free programs that broadcast the truth.

not a chance, there will always people too broke to even pay attention, let alone pay for radio.

[lasersailor184]

Yeah.  If I didn't listen to my CD's as much I'd go in for Satellite Radio.  The radio stations around me suck.  

For example, the stations love to talk about 40 minutes of non-stop rock.  But half the time during the block of non-stop music they are playing sound bites telling you that you are listening to non-stop music.  I'd be surprised if they got in 20 minutes worth of music an hour.

That's not even mentioning the talk radio they do over the times that I'd likely be listening to the radio (rush hour, lunch...).  It's just a room full of handsomehunkes with a collective IQ of about 50 talking about the stupidest stuff and laughing at their own idiotic prowess half the time.

THIS IS WHY REGULAR RADIO IS FAILING.



Then you have to take into consideration how little new music they play.  I was listening the other night to the radio to try to get to sleep.  For three songs they claimed that this was the newest from So-And-So, but each song was at least 4-5 months old and definately not the newest song from them.

[Mickey1992]

2007 was to be the year that Sirus and XM finally turned a profit.  I figured if they were going to merge they would have done it a long time ago.  Not sure why they are doing it now.

I think along with satellite radio you will see a decrease in the number of radio stations because of HDRadio.  Radio stations are now able to broadcast 3 stations on one frequency.  The cost savings in licensing and transmitting are huge.  ClearChannel is pushing this hard and I bet they start to consolidate different frequencies soon.

[RightF00T]

I just hope this won't mean more commercials....XM already has too many and they only play maybe 1 per 30mins.  "Beyond AM.  Beyond FM....XM"  yah I know ya tards!  Thats why I subscribe I'm not the one you should be advertising to!