CASPER
New member
More Twists and Turns on Sat Radio Merger
More twists and turns tied to the ongoing merger effort between XM and Sirius have surfaced inside the Beltway.
For starters, The Associated Press reported that Jonathan Adelstein, one of two Democratic commissioners at the Federal Communications Commission, would support the deal if the companies would agree to an expanded set of conditions. Those conditions include a cap on prices for six years after the merger (instead of a much-talked about three-year cap) and setting aside a quarter of satellite capacity for non-commercial and educational programming (rather than an original 8 percent mentioned in the press).
Adelstein also would like to see a merged satellite radio entity provide capabilities for HD Radio in satellite radio reception equipment, stated news reports. In addition, the FCC commissioner would reportedly want an independent body to ensure that a merged company adheres to any conditions.
Along with that talk came more pushes from consumer advocacy groups on the pending merger.
In a filing made at the FCC late last week, Public Knowledge and the Media Access Project argued that a single satellite radio entity should allow device manufacturers to incorporate technology into satellite radio receivers such as HD Radio, iPod ports and internet connectivity. The merged company also should permit any device manufacturer to develop equipment that can deliver a merged company's satellite radio service, they stated in their joint filing.
The groups also said the FCC should appoint an independent monitor to oversee compliance with any merger conditions.
More twists and turns tied to the ongoing merger effort between XM and Sirius have surfaced inside the Beltway.
For starters, The Associated Press reported that Jonathan Adelstein, one of two Democratic commissioners at the Federal Communications Commission, would support the deal if the companies would agree to an expanded set of conditions. Those conditions include a cap on prices for six years after the merger (instead of a much-talked about three-year cap) and setting aside a quarter of satellite capacity for non-commercial and educational programming (rather than an original 8 percent mentioned in the press).
Adelstein also would like to see a merged satellite radio entity provide capabilities for HD Radio in satellite radio reception equipment, stated news reports. In addition, the FCC commissioner would reportedly want an independent body to ensure that a merged company adheres to any conditions.
Along with that talk came more pushes from consumer advocacy groups on the pending merger.
In a filing made at the FCC late last week, Public Knowledge and the Media Access Project argued that a single satellite radio entity should allow device manufacturers to incorporate technology into satellite radio receivers such as HD Radio, iPod ports and internet connectivity. The merged company also should permit any device manufacturer to develop equipment that can deliver a merged company's satellite radio service, they stated in their joint filing.
The groups also said the FCC should appoint an independent monitor to oversee compliance with any merger conditions.
