After nearly a year and a half in the making, the XM/Sirius Satellite merger looks like it will finally become a reality. The merger was first announced back in February of 2007, but has faced a number of business and regulatory hurdles.
The U.S. Department of Justice gave the merger the green light in March, leaving only a Federal Communications Commission approval in the way of the deal. That last hurdle appears to be cleared as three of the five members on the Federal Communications Commission announced on Thursday that they plan to vote in favor of the merger.
Sirius and XM have both agreed to pay $19 million for FCC compliance issues, as well as meet certain voluntary commitments. The voluntary commitments include 24 channels reserved for noncommercial and minority programming, a plan to cap pricing and the availability of “a la carte” programming, according to Automotive News.
The auto industry has a vested interest in the merger as more and more buyers are opting for satellite radio in new cars.
07/24, 11:43 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
So I’m drinking something tonight called Milwaukee’s Best Ice that I brought across the line this morning. 5.9%. Good beer and $3.29 a 16oz 6 pack. Do you have any idea what this would have cost in Canada? We pay like $10 for a 12oz 6 pack. And I don’t give a poop about what anyone else says, US beers rock in the summer.
07/25, 12:27 AM
posted by:
beatusmongous
Nice, Johnny. I’ll send you some beer if you send me some candy. Our beer may be good, but our chocolate sucks.
07/25, 12:41 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
mmmmmmm, beer and chocolate. **** the peanut butter thing.
07/25, 1:22 AM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
Funny how much importance the FCC (and the entire federal government) seems to be putting on this admittedly low priority merger while they let oil companies and banks monopolize, yet nobody here seems to give a flying f***.
07/25, 8:29 AM
posted by:
HemiRoadRunner
Ever been to Herschy PA? I heard you can get your snack on there.
07/25, 9:07 AM
posted by:
RaineMan
Wait a minute. Johnny… you’re drinking THE BEAST ICE? That stuff is barely filtered horse piss. Get some real beer… even if it is more expensive. Sheesh.
On a related note… not that I care much about XM & Sirius… but I don’t see the only two companies that offer any service teaming up as such a good idea.
07/25, 11:27 AM
posted by:
Need4SSpeed
So does that mean my XM radio will get Sirius channels? Probably not…
07/25, 11:53 AM
posted by:
RaineMan
Nope… no Howard Stern or Playboy network for you.