Potential XM and Sirius Merge

[BarTopDancer]

Link (http://www.nypost.com/seven/02192007/business/heavenly_deal_business_peter_lauria.htm)

Not sure the merger will go through since Dish and DirectTV weren't allowed to merge.

[mousepod]

Yipee! Howard Stern and MLB together!

(no sarcasm - I'm serious)

[mistyisjafo]

I heard that it was just a rumor.

[BarTopDancer]

I've seen it in a few media sources. It has been a rumor for awhile and it's not likely to happen (since the two satellite tv companies were denied permission to merge).

[Kevy Baby]

I heard that it was just a rumor.That's just a rumor.

[Alex]

It's been a rumor for a long time but most people thought it wouldn't happen because this merger is almost explicitly prohibited by law and regulation (they were essentially granted a duopoly with protections against any other entrants into the market but at least this much competition was considered necessary).

But they've announced their plans to try anyway, with hopes of success hinging on a new interpretation of the market in which they compete (saying not "we compete with each other" but "we compete with every means of listening to music in existence."

Even combined they are nowhere near profitable for another 5 years or so (until the existing monstrous contracts start to expire).

[mistyisjafo]

I'm surprised it will happen but now my concern (being a Sirius owner) is that will cost rise? I read that part of what will happen is that you'll get a "menu" of radio stations that you can pick from much like many cable companys do now. I'm not complaining about what I've paid for it because I feel I'm getting a great deal for all the stations I get but what does it mean in the future? What kind of cost breakdowns are they going to come up with? It just makes me nervous!

[BarTopDancer]

Justice Dept approves XM and Sirius merger. Link here (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aSqu7.uCDzAk&refer=home)

Still needs to be approved by the FCC.