pondera

Just got this in my e-mail:

Dear XM Radio Subscriber:

We want to share with you some exciting news: Yesterday, in Washington DC, we announced XM Radio will be merging with Sirius Satellite Radio to form the premier digital audio service.

The merger will create a satellite radio company that will provide consumers across the country with more and better premium radio programming. The combined company will be able to compete better in what has become a very complex and dynamic entertainment market.

Where today our exclusive contracts mean you had to choose between baseball and football or Oprah and Martha Stewart, the new company will seek to ensure that in the future, you will be able to access both companies' programming. And, once we are fully integrated, those of you who have factory-installed satellite radio will no longer be limited to the programming provided by the exclusive satellite radio service chosen by their car manufacturer.

This merger should be completed in late 2007 or early in 2008. Throughout the year, we will provide updates on how the merger is progressing and information will be available at our website, www.xmradio.com.

Between today and the merger date, as well as during the period immediately after the merger date, all of your services will remain the same. The channel lineup, the customer service number, the great music technology, and the XM Radio web site will all remain unchanged and there will be no disruption to service. But, if you have questions, information will be available and maintained on our website, and you can contact our Listener Care team at 800-XMRADIO, with questions and concerns.

XM Radio continues to be committed to providing you the highest quality audio entertainment and customer service available today. After the merger, our new company will be able to offer you the most exciting listening experience in radio.

Sincerely,

Hugh Panero
CEO, XM Satellite Radio

Tigerfootball

so basically we will get BOTH of XM and Sirius' FULL lineups? 300+ stations? if so that would be GREAT! and are they going to increase the monthly rate from 12.95? all this AFTER the merge of course, but that sounds like a cool idea.

Tigerfootball

just read on Sirius' website that the programming may be a pick and choose the stations. or it may just be different packages. I emailed them to answer some questions. all i know is they better not take my Hard Attack or Faction from me.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

WHOA, crazy news!

1145climber

can someone say 'mono-poly'?

they could also start to charge up the @$$

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

how do you think they're gonna pay Howard Stern all that $$$??? I'm sure others have also signed huge multi-million dollar contracts.

New Yorker

There wouldn't be twice the number of stations—one of the reasons they want to merge is to avoid the redundancy. As it stands today, it seems like 85% of the programming is virtually the same.

I bet prices would go up—that's why some don't want the merger to happen. On the other hand I'd LOVE to listen to MLB in my 8.

HeavyMetal699

There can be only one!

zzum-zum

Are there any other satellite radio companies to compete with? I thought Sirius and XM were the only ones.
I hope this isn't going to be like when my bank cut back on their hours so that they could "better serve me".

swoope

iTrader: (5)

and i just upped my xm for 3 more years at 9.99 a year.. yea.

beers

Davey's RX-8

iTrader: (1)

I already have a lifetime Sirius sub. Might work well if I could get XM on my kenwood sirius box. Of course the FTC WILL block this merger anyway but its nice to dream.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

I knew I should have bought stock when I heard this rumor a couple months ago. Oh, and the merger will likely go through. It's great for you XM guys because sirius kicks *** over XM.

MP3Guy

In your opinion.

I wonder what it is about satellite radio that turns it into a Yankees-Red Sox kind of rivalry.

The earlier post is correct. From a music standpoint, most of the content is quite similar, and the other choices, like Stern, Opie and Anthony etc. really just round out both systems. Commercial free music is the chief reason people subscribe. To get the deal through Congress and past the FCC, there will have to be some sort of hold on pricing.

In the meantime, the National Association of Broadcasters has just hired the biggest @sshole in the United States, John Ashcroft, a hefty sum to denounce the deal as "monopolistic."

Pretty sad.

Tigerfootball

i really hope this goes through, especially if it is possible to get the ACC channels on my Sirius and also get Squizz and XM Liquid Metal. More Metal = a very happy Tigerfootball.