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SIRIUS and XM Merger [COMPLETE]
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h3x
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 Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 4:47 pm Post subject:  |
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Asscroft asks Speedy Gonzales to reject the SIRIUS/XM merger
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Source: Jeffrey Yorke
In an unprecedented move, former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft is asking current Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to reject Sirius and XM satellite radio companies’ notion that they compete with a wide array of audio providers and for the Department of Justice to narrow its market view to just satellite radio.
“The parties, based on all press reports, hope that the Department will define the market so broadly as to include all terrestrial radio and a number of nascent cutting-edge technologies – the potentials of which remain without full development and deployment,” wrote Ashcroft in a three-page letter dated Feb. 27. ”A close examination of the market reveals that Sirius and XM are the only two companies providing their product, which is nationwide mobile multi-channel audio content.” He added that the only way to keep markets free of unnecessary government regulations “is to promote and ensure that vigorous competition is enhanced and fostered.”
Ashcroft, who in May 2005 founded the Ashcroft Group, LLC, a Washington, D.C.-based lobbying firm specializing in strategic consulting, security and internal investigative services, and crisis counseling for countries, corporations and industry and political associations, added that “if these companies merge, no other entity can provide this content.” He reminded Gonzales, who replaced Ashcroft when he left the nation’s top law enforcer’s post after the 2004 election, that in issuing the original licenses for digital audio radio service (DARS), the FCC clearly stated that one operator could not buy out the other. “To create now a monopoly for a single licensee is to create a unitary dominant player who would have both the incentive and ability to use monopoly rents to undermine competition in media and broadcasting,” Ashcroft argued. He also knocks the satcasters for not delivering on their 1997 promise to the FCC to develop and market a receiver capable of receiving both satellite radio services.
Ashcroft points to the failed attempt by the Dish Network to merge with DirecTV in 2004, rejected by both DOJ and the FCC on the grounds that the deal “would have reduced the number of competitor s for many Americans from three to two, and in limited markets from two to one. … A similar analysis should determine that the proposed Sirius/XM merger, which reduces the number of competitors from two to one, raises most serious competitive concerns.” |
"The SIRIUS Guarantee"
Issued to the press:
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SIRIUS unleashed a national print and retail advertising campaign today, which sets forth the "SIRIUS Guarantee" in national and metropolitan publications. The guarantee says clearly that no SIRIUS radios will become obsolete as a result of a merger with XM. SIRIUS has millions of radios in the market, including many that are built into the vehicles manufactured by its automakers.
Customers who sign up now for SIRIUS will have their subscription rate honored by the merged company. As a merged company, SIRIUS expects to be able to offer even more flexibility in subscriptions and programming selection.
Following a merger, SIRIUS will be able to offer the best of both services in a mix of programming that can be accessed by existing radios, including such critically acclaimed SIRIUS programming as:
* 100% commercial-free music
* The best sports line-up including the NFL, NASCAR, NBA and college
sports
* Top personalities, such as Howard Stern, with two dedicated full-time
channels, Martha Stewart Living Radio, CosmoRadio, Playboy Radio, and
Blue Collar Comedy channel, among many others
About SIRIUS
SIRIUS, "The Best Radio on Radio," delivers more than 130 channels of the best programming in all of radio. SIRIUS is the original and only home of 100% commercial free music channels in satellite radio, offering 69 music channels. SIRIUS also delivers 65 channels of sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic, weather and data. SIRIUS is the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the NFL, NASCAR, NBA and NHL, and broadcasts live play-by- play games of the NFL, NBA and NHL, as well as live NASCAR races. All SIRIUS programming is available for a monthly subscription fee of only $12.95.
SIRIUS Internet Radio (SIR) is a CD-quality, Internet-only version of the SIRIUS radio service, without the use of a radio, for the monthly subscription fee of $12.95. SIR delivers more than 75 channels of talk, entertainment, sports, and 100% commercial free music.
SIRIUS products for the car, truck, home, RV and boat are available in more than 25,000 retail locations, including Best Buy, Circuit City, Crutchfield, Costco, Target, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, RadioShack and at shop.sirius.com. |
"The XM Promise"
Issued to the press:
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As you may have heard, XM and Sirius recently announced that they will merge to form the nation's premier audio entertainment service. This new company will be able to provide consumers with even better programming and more choices. This merger should be completed in late 2007. But between now and the merger date, we want to be sure that our 7.6 million customers, and anyone considering the purchase of XM Radio, know all the facts. This is our commitment to all of our customers — whether you are a current subscriber or plan to subscribe in the coming months.
As long as you are an XM subscriber, your XM radio will continue to receive XM's great programming. And following the merger, we expect that these existing radios will be able to receive a mix of programming from both services to bring you even more choices.
XM's programming, including Major League Baseball®, Oprah & Friends™, Bob Dylan, Opie & Anthony and commercial-free music channels, will not be interrupted by the merger. In the future, we will be able to offer the best of both companies' programming.
As the #1 satellite radio service, XM is committed to providing the highest-quality audio entertainment and customer service available today. If you have any questions, please visit our website, xmradio.com, or call XM Listener Care at 1-800-XMRADIO (1-800-967-2346).
There has never been a better time to get an XM radio. Our car, home and portable radios are available at retail stores, online at xmradio.com, and as a factory-installed feature in many new cars and trucks. For special offers on XM, visit xmradio.com today. |
XM Canada raises their prices again, strips free online use for subscribers
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In an email to its subscribers yesterday, XM radio has announced new rate hikes to its customers effective September 1st, 2007.
The announcement comes just six months after the company announced its first price increase and only sixteen months after XM started offering satellite radio service in Canada.
Last September, the company increased the cost of its satellite radio programming 15%, from $12.99 per month to $14.99 per month, for customers who signed up after September 1st, 2006. Customers who signed before last September will see their rates increase on September 1st of this year.
Yesterday the company announced that, effective September 1st of this year, XM Radio Online (XMRO), which previously was free for all XM subscribers, will cost new subscribers an additional $9.99 per month. Existing subscribers will start by paying $1 extra a month this September and the full $9.99 per month in September of 2008.
XM Radio Online (XMRO), which is still free for XM U.S. subscribers, provides a live stream of approximately 60 XM satellite radio stations to any Mac or Windows-based PC with Internet access. The service was made available to XM subscribers last July and was billed as "unique service" that was "free to XM Canada subscribers." |
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h3x
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| Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 4:13 pm Post subject: |
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Mel Karmazin at the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet
I didn't feel like taking any notes, so here is someone else's notes:
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3:30pm: Opening statements by committee members are still being made. It seems there will be quite a few topics addressed by this committee. Some of the topics addressed include: increasing the cap on the number of stations owned by a licensee in large markets, broadcaster licensees should better reflect the population by including more women and minorities, the sampling of music to create mash-ups should not be held to the same copyright standards as a song-writer that duplicates another artist's bass line, local radio provides to the markets they serve local content which satellite does not, technology is out pacing pacing laws that are currently in place and has changed they way consumers gain access to information, will the merger of Sirius and XM result in increased costs, less innovation, and other drawbacks found if there is only one player in the satellite radio market?
3:35pm: We finally finish with the opening statements by the committee members and move to the guest witnesses.
3:45pm: Peter Smyth of Greater Media, Inc and representing the NAB spoke in opposition to the merger claiming that terrestrial radio does not compete in the national market of satellite radio and there would be a monopoly in that market after the merger. Smyth cited FCC violations of the repeaters for XM and SIRIUS and the lack of a device that is able to receive a signal from both services.
3:55pm: Robert Kimball representing RealNetworks and other internet broadcasters spoke in favor of a delay to the merger between Sirius and XM all of the players in the digital audio market can be placed on a level playing field.
4:00pm: Mel Karmazin was allowed to make an opening statment. He made a number of statements about the merger that we've heard before and said that he hoped to be asked a lot of questions.
4:05pm: Gene Kimmelman spoke on behalf of the Consumers Union. He stated there are distinct differences between mobile digital audio devices and terrestrial radio. |
House Panel Told To Reject Sirius' Competition Argument
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By Corey Boles
Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--The satellite radio market is easily distinguishable from other forms of audio media and its participants are therefore distinct, a leading consumer advocate told a panel of House lawmakers Wednesday.
Testifying before the House Commerce Committee's telecommunications subcommittee into the future radio, Gene Kimmelman, a vice president with the Consumers Union, said that the argument put forth by the two satellite radio companies didn't hold water.
"The product and geographic market characteristics of satellite radio are easily identifiable and quite distinct from other mobile and stationary audio products," said Kimmelman in his opening remarks.
As part of their proposed merger, Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. (SIRI) and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. (XMSR), the companies have said they are not competing just against each other but against traditional, HD and Internet-based radio stations as well as technologies such as Apple Inc.'s (AAPL) iPod.
Executives at the company need to convince regulators at the Department of Justice's antitrust unit and the Federal Communications Commission that theirs is more than a market of two players.
Also testifying at the hearing, Robert Kimball, senior vice president at Internet media software developer RealNetworks Inc. (RNWK), said the committee should reject the argument that satellite radio competes with online radio broadcasters.
He said that laws such as the Copyright Act hamper the ability of Internet radio to compete effectively.
"I suggest to you that any XM-Sirius merger that relies upon Internet radio as the justifying competition should be rejected until Congress corrects the Copyright Act's bias against the internet," said Kimball.
In his opening statement to the hearing, Sirius Chief Executive Mel Karmazin repeated his mantra that the two companies compete against the range of audio media.
He also said the company would be willing to enter into binding guarantees over price levels post-merger.
"We are prepared at the appropriate time to discuss each of these issues with regulators and to guarantee these benefits as a condition of our merger approval," said Karmazin. "From our standpoint, these guarantees are not only good for consumers, they are also essential to the long term success of the combined company."
Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., the chairman of the subcommittee, said the merger affected a wide range of issues such as consumer prices and equipment, radio content and the ability of content providers to compete.
Republican Texas lawmaker and ranking member of the overall House Commerce Committee, Joe Barton, acknowledged in his opening comments that it was difficult to define the market in which Sirius and XM operate. |
Sirius, XM To Use Separate Networks Until 2016-CEO
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By Corey Boles
Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--Sirius Satellite Radio (SIRI) Chief Executive Mel Karmazin said Wednesday that his company and XM Satellite Radio Holdings (XMSR) would continue to operate on separate networks for at least 10 years after a successful merger.
Testifying before a House telecommunications subcommittee hearing into the proposed merger between the two companies, Karmazin said that the earliest the two companies could merge their networks would be in 10 to 12 years' time.
He said that Sirius was planning to soon launch three new satellites into orbit, which would be operable until between 2016 to 2018.
Karmazin was responding to questioning from Edward Markey, D-Mass., the subcommittee chairman, about whether or not the merger between the two companies couldn't result in spectrum being freed up for other purposes.
He said that while the two companies would make programming from each others' networks available to subscribers, they had pledged to ensure that no existing customers' radios were rendered obsolete by the merger.
Sirius had previously announced the launch of the three satellites. So far it has said the first will be in the air in the second half of 2008.
Earlier in the hearing, Republican lawmaker Lee Turner, of Nebraska, said that he was skeptical of the benefits to consumers of the merger going forward.
Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va., repeated his statement of last week that he supported the merger as long as there were sufficient attachments to ensure consumer protection.
Separately, the Senate Judiciary Committee's antitrust subcommittee announced earlier Wednesday that it would hold its own hearing into the proposed merger, the third congressional panel to do so since the deal was announced three weeks' ago. |
Merged Satellite Radio Co Would Pay Artists For Music
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By Corey Boles
Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--A merged satellite radio company would continue to pay artists for the right to broadcast their music, Sirius Satellite Radio (SIRI) Chief Executive Mel Karmazin said Wednesday.
Karmazin told lawmakers on the House Telecommunications subcommittee that he was in favor of remunerating artists to allow satellite radio subscribers to record music from their radio.
"We're implementing my viewpoint at Sirius. We have made an accommodation with the various music labels," said Karmazin. "After the merger, I will be the CEO, and all I can say is you know my views on the subject."
Sirius has reached an agreement with the music industry to pay them while rival XM Satellite Radio Holdings (XMSR), which plans to merge with Sirius, has resisted doing so and is currently locked in a court battle with the music industry.
Karmazin said he couldn't comment on XM's legal case, nor did he know whether the matter would be resolved by the time the merger, if approved, would be completed. |
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Wolfeman
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h3x
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| Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 12:31 am Post subject: |
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NAB president David Rehr finally admits that satellite radio is competition
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“The Future of Broadcasting”
The National Press Club – October 4, 2006
Remarks of David Rehr, President and CEO, National Association of Broadcasters
"But even with all of these expanded business opportunities, we must address new competitors.
Who are the newer competitors? ... On the radio side, we have SATELLITE RADIO, Internet radio, iPODs, other MP3 players, cell phones and others. How will we compete?" |
So David, you're telling us that Satellite Radio is a monopoly when Satellite Radio faces the same competition from Terrestrial Radio, Internet Radio, MP3 players, and cell phones?
If anything, Clear Channel is a monopoly.
Way to backpedal, Mr. Rehr. 
Legacy (current) radios will continue to work until at least 2016
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If the two satellite radio companies merge, they would need to support two separate technology platforms until about 2016.
This is key, as Wall Street analysts have been debating how much money Sirius and XM might save by merging and how far down the road those benefits would be realized.
The 2016 date is from Sirius President/CEO Mel Karmazin, who testified before the House Telecom and Internet Subcommittee this week in a hearing about the future of radio. The satcasters don’t want to make current receivers obsolete, he said.
In other words, Sirius signals can’t transmit and be received by XM radios and vice versa.
When asked by Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey, D-Mass., if a merged company might be able to give up one of its two chunks of 12.5 MHz spectrum space, Karmazin said that using compression technology, each company could “squeeze more channel capacity” out of their respective services to add some more programming, but could not give up a big swath of spectrum.
Yet, he left the door open by saying. “We’re not spectrum hogs” and “would be open to other ideas.” |
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Tholek
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| Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 5:16 pm Post subject: |
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I'm somewhat relieved, but the constant ups and downs in this process is leading me to hit the bottle. Pepto, that is. 
I'm not even a shareholder... |
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| Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 5:35 pm Post subject: |
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Hey, here's a Sirius (ha!) question:
Do the Sirius comedy channels have as much annoying advertising as XM's? I love XM and all, but when I joined I was under the very wrong impression that all of it was commercial-free. Apparently that only applies to the music channels. I love comedy and listen to it almost as much as music, but it is incredibly annoying to hear the same droning commercials after every 2-3 bits of standup. It's a non-stop barrage of Debt Relief-Tax Relief-Real Estate Investment-GotoMyPC-GotoWebinar-Adam&Eve commercials. 60 seconds per spot, 4 spots minimum at a time. Which is quite aggravating when you're driving 10-20 minutes at a time and only get to hear half that in comedy routines. |
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Tholek
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| Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 5:58 pm Post subject: |
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| dmorris68 wrote: |
Hey, here's a Sirius (ha!) question:
Do the Sirius comedy channels have as much annoying advertising as XM's? I love XM and all, but when I joined I was under the very wrong impression that all of it was commercial-free. Apparently that only applies to the music channels. I love comedy and listen to it almost as much as music, but it is incredibly annoying to hear the same droning commercials after every 2-3 bits of standup. It's a non-stop barrage of Debt Relief-Tax Relief-Real Estate Investment-GotoMyPC-GotoWebinar-Adam&Eve commercials. 60 seconds per spot, 4 spots minimum at a time. Which is quite aggravating when you're driving 10-20 minutes at a time and only get to hear half that in comedy routines. |
Are you referring to the Clear Channel programmed channels? If so, XM got screwed when doing a deal with them, as they got to add commercials, and XM went and created new channels of their own to compete against them.
Then again, there are commercials during O&A too, which I didn't expect way back when, but it's a helluvah lot less than FM. A cross to bear, for sure, but I'm already in deep. |
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dmorris68
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| Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 6:04 pm Post subject: |
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I don't think Clear Channel does XM's comedy channels, but I could be wrong.
And the music channels I typically listen to (Flight 26, 90's, 80's) don't have any commercials other than the brief DJ/station ID spots every once in awhile. I love that compared to FM music, I just wish the comedy channels were that way. |
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h3x
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| Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 6:11 pm Post subject: |
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The SIRIUS comedy channels don't even come close to being as bad as the comedy channels on XM when it comes to commercials...
There are call sign plugs (i.e. You're listening to Raw Dog, comedy uncensored... SIRIUS 104) after 2-3 skits...
Jim Breuer Unleashed is on right now and I've been listening for the last hour and I've only heard one commercial break (2 quick advertisements for other SIRIUS channels [Laugh Break and The Catholic Channel], 1 commercial and 1 call sign plug). |
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| Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 6:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Actually, come to think of it, the breaks during the FM O&A show are due to it being simulcast on FM too. Thankfully, they fill with uncensored material, and go long without break during their XM-exclusive show. I'm not sure how long the breaks are on the other XM comedy channels are though. (Oh, and all the CC ones are music. I just checked) |
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h3x
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| Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 7:00 pm Post subject: |
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The way I see it, with talk channels, commercials are to be expected... Try talking 5 hours straight without a quick break.
Also, channels like CNN will have more commercials than exclusive non-music channels since they are simulcast on television (which obviously have longer commercial breaks).
As long as the music is 100% commercial free and there are limited commercials on the talk channels, I'm content. |
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dmorris68
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| Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 8:11 pm Post subject: |
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Well, the comedy channels aren't exactly the same as live talk channels. The comedy bits are pre-recorded and repeated, so it's not like they need a break, and they're not simulcast. Aside from the occasional special show, the only thing live is the "DJ" person who comes on every so often, just like with the music channels, to remind you of the station and to tell you what's coming up later.
I was just wondering if the equivalent Sirius channels were similarly commercialized.
And my gripe is not necessarily that there are commercials, but the type, length, quality, and frequency of them. For a pay service I'd expect much less. It's like paying $15.00 for a movie ticket and popcorn, then having to sit through 15 minutes of Coke and Levi's commercials at the theater. Something else that gets on my nerves... |
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h3x
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| Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 8:34 pm Post subject: |
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| dmorris68 wrote: |
Well, the comedy channels aren't exactly the same as live talk channels. The comedy bits are pre-recorded and repeated, so it's not like they need a break, and they're not simulcast. Aside from the occasional special show, the only thing live is the "DJ" person who comes on every so often, just like with the music channels, to remind you of the station and to tell you what's coming up later.
I was just wondering if the equivalent Sirius channels were similarly commercialized.
And my gripe is not necessarily that there are commercials, but the type, length, quality, and frequency of them. For a pay service I'd expect much less. It's like paying $15.00 for a movie ticket and popcorn, then having to sit through 15 minutes of Coke and Levi's commercials at the theater. Something else that gets on my nerves... |
Short answer, SIRIUS has less commercials than XM and overall I think you'll enjoy the SIRIUS experience if you give it a shot.
Like I said about the comedy channels, most of the commercials broadcast are from SIRIUS themselves (i.e. quick plug for CNN on SIRIUS 132. or announcements of upcoming events on the channel you're listening to). |
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| Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 1:31 pm Post subject: |
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No longer a monopoly? SIRIUS/XM has competition.
Slacker Radio
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Q. What is 'Beta' about the Slacker music service?
A. We are still working to ensure that you have the best music experience when you visit Slacker.com. Please enjoy the free music service. If you have any comments for us, let us know through the 'Feedback' option. We are adding new music, features and updates almost daily and look forward to your input to make Slacker the best service.
Q. Do I need anything special to listen to Slacker Personal radio on the web?
A. All you need is a web browser and an Internet connection to play Slacker personal radio. We are constantly testing various browser and system configurations to ensure that playback is as seamless as possible. If you encounter any issues, try reloading the Slacker.com website. Also check your browser for any messages about updates or necessary installations. Please send us feedback if you have any issues.
Q. What is 'Artist Radio' and why do I hear different artists than the one(s) that I chose?
A. When you play an 'Artist Radio' station, we create a great radio station based upon the artist(s) that you choose AND other artists that are related to that artist. If you have comments about the selection of music that we play for you, please use our "Feedback" option below the web player.
Q. I selected an artist to play, but that artist never appears on the station when I play it. What's wrong?
A. During our Beta period, we will constantly be adding new music to the Slacker service. There may be times during this period when our library has information about the artist but no available music for that artist. You still can build stations that will play music by related artists and when our library is updated, songs by that artist will appear. Our library will be very dynamic, so keep trying. Your artists are likely to appear and begin playing as soon as we add them.
Q. I don't see the genre station that I would like to play. Are more stations coming?
A. We are working to provide just over 100 expertly programmed stations for to you choose from. We will always be looking to add unique genres that you want to hear. If you have a suggestion for a station you would like to see, please let us know through our "Feedback" section below the web player.
Q. How do I rate songs to let you know what I like and what I don't like while my stations are playing? A. There are two buttons to the right of the volume setting in the web player, one with a heart icon and one with a 'ban' icon. While you are listening to a station, if a song appears that you love, press the heart button. We will mark that as a favorite on that station. If a song plays that you don't like, press the 'ban' button. We won't ever play that song on that station again.
Q. I just received a message telling me that I have reached my skip limits. Why did this happen and what do I do?
A. While all of our content and stations are available in our free service, there is a 6 song skip limit for each station per hour. If you reach the limit, you can switch to another station, where you will have a fresh start on your skip limits. The initial station will regain those six skips over the next hour, whether or not you listen to that station. Also, very soon we will be offering a premium radio service which will eliminate the skip restrictions for all stations. For more information on this, please check out our Products section.
Q. I accidentally marked a song as a favorite (or accidentally banned a track that I like) on one of my stations. What do I do now? A. While you are playing the station that you would like to modify, look for a drop down arrow near the station (or artist station) name. When you click on this arrow, you will see a menu featuring an option to "Edit" your station. Slacker radio displays a screen where you can modify all of your favorite or banned songs. And you can rename your station to whatever you choose.
Q. I have created new stations (or modified an existing one). How do I rename it to something different? A. While you are playing the station that you would like to modify, look for a drop down arrow near the station (or artist station) name. When you click on this arrow, you will see a menu featuring an option to "Edit" your station. Slacker radio displays a screen where you can modify all of your favorite or banned songs. And you can rename your station to whatever you choose.
Q. I was listening to music and I received an error and/or the web player stopped responding. What do I do?
A. First, try to refresh the web page to allow the web player to reload and see if you are able to resume playback. In addition, if you receive an error (or other message), please send us the information in the 'Feedback' area. We are constantly releasing updates to the beta web player to reduce the chances that you will see this in the future. If you do encounter a problem and choose to send us your feedback, please include the type (and version if possible) of the web browser that you were using. We are testing many configurations with our web player to ensure that you have the best experience possible.
Q. I've heard that there is a device coming that will allow me to take my stations with me wherever I go. Where do I learn more about this?
A. A Slacker portable device is coming soon. For information on availability and features, please check out our Products section.
Q. Will I still be able to maintain my free music experience even with a Slacker portable device?
A. Yes. While a Slacker device will be able to take great advantage of the premium radio service features, you are not required to upgrade your service to take your music with you on a Slacker portable music player.
Q. I've heard that you have satellite technology. Is this true and when is it available?
A. That is correct. We have a unique way to deliver the Slacker personal radio experience over satellite through our Slacker satellite car kit. It will work together with your Slacker portable device so that you can receive new music while you drive. And it plays through your car stereo. Please check out our Products section.
Q. Are there premium upgrades to the free radio service that will give me more features and less limitations?
A. Yes. Soon we will have a premium radio service that will eliminate the skip limits of free radio, eliminate any advertising, and allow you to play the tracks you mark as 'favorites' whenever you like, either on your PC or on your Slacker device. Please check out our Products section.
Q. How will I know when new features or products arrive from Slacker?
A. You can visit our News section to stay up to date on Slacker releases.
Q. I am having trouble sending my stations to friends, why does Outlook (or other email clients) open after I click "Send to Friend"?
A. When you click "Send to Friend" we will open your default email client so you can easily add names from your address book. If you prefer to use another application to send your station, you can cut and paste the URL we create for you. With this URL you can use web mail, instant messaging, or other email clients to share your station. |
http://www.slacker.com (Free online player is on the front page) |
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dmorris68
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| Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 6:03 pm Post subject: |
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| How is that considered competition? It's just another internet radio service, with a paid service to remove ads. Not exactly the same market as a satellite broadcast that is available everywhere, not just where you can get an internet connection. |
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Tholek
FiPG Contributer
Skinflint
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| Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 6:11 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
Q. I've heard that you have satellite technology. Is this true and when is it available?
A. That is correct. We have a unique way to deliver the Slacker personal radio experience over satellite through our Slacker satellite car kit. It will work together with your Slacker portable device so that you can receive new music while you drive. And it plays through your car stereo. Please check out our Products section. |
Sounds like competition to me.  |
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dmorris68
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| Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 6:14 pm Post subject: |
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| Tholek wrote: |
| Quote: |
Q. I've heard that you have satellite technology. Is this true and when is it available?
A. That is correct. We have a unique way to deliver the Slacker personal radio experience over satellite through our Slacker satellite car kit. It will work together with your Slacker portable device so that you can receive new music while you drive. And it plays through your car stereo. Please check out our Products section. |
Sounds like competition to me. |
Ah, my bad. I was skimming through and apparently missed that one. I saw them talking about a "portable player" being produced and figured it would just cache an internet feed for later playback.
Interesting indeed, then... |
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h3x
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| Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 6:25 pm Post subject: |
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| I hear it's going to be transmitted on the Ku band. |
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h3x
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| Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 6:48 pm Post subject: |
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Mastercard is not happy with the NAB and their "mock ads" against SIRIUS/XM
It seems that the often-parodied MasterCard commercials are off limits to the NAB. The trade group's full-page "Priceless" ads in a few Capitol Hill publications (asking Congress to oppose the Sirius-XM merger) brought the complaint of copyright infringement from MasterCard. The ad showed a giant "Credit Card" with XM-Sirius over MasterCard's familar red and orange circles. Below the giant credit card, the copy read as follows:
Howard Stern = $500 million for five years
Major League Baseball = $650 million for eleven years
National Football League = $220 million for seven years
Oprah Winfrey = $55 million for three years
Martha Stewart = $30 million for four years
Asking for a government bailout after making bad business decisions... PRICELESS.
In a memo sent today to some 40 board members and NAB's senior staff, Executive VP/Marketing & Communications and Regulatory Affairs Michelle Lehman said the original plan was to utilize the ad in numerous ways. "In fact, it has already garnered a buzz on Capitol Hill and some earned media hits -- reporters really got a kick out of it!" she wrote. But, Lehman added that "MasterCard was not so amused" and NAB assured them that "the ad would go no further."
Since the merger plans were announced, NAB has run a series of full-page print ads asking Congress to oppose the merger.[/quote] |
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Wolfeman
Manwhore
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| Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 9:55 am Post subject: |
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| The ads are super lame to boot... |
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h3x
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| Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:54 am Post subject: |
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New SIRIUS/XM Ad promoting the merger
Also, there is a Senate Subcommittee meeting going on right now... More on that later on today. |
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h3x
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 6:42 pm Post subject: |
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Senator questions SIRIUS-XM merger
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WASHINGTON (AP) -- The chairman of a Senate antitrust panel expressed skepticism Tuesday regarding claims by two satellite radio companies that their merger would not eliminate competition or lead to higher prices.
During a hearing on the proposed combination of Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wis., questioned assertions by Sirius's chief executive that the combined company would still face significant competition with land-based radio, iPods and Internet radio.
"We must view these claims with a healthy degree of skepticism," Kohl said. "Over-the-air radio does not come close to duplicating the impressive array of program offerings of satellite radio."
Mel Karmazin, chief executive of Sirius, nevertheless stuck to his argument that a combined Sirius-XM would face heavy competition from other sources of music, sports and news.
"There is no question that there is robust competition in this area," he said. Karmazin testified before the Senate Judiciary subcommittee on antitrust, competition policy and consumer rights, which Kohl chairs.
Sirius offered to pay $4.7 billion in stock for XM when the transaction was announced Feb. 19.
Karmazin said that Sirius has not raised monthly subscription price in the five years it has been in business. "The reason the price has not been raised is because we are competing with free," he argued.
The combined company would be able to pass on some cost savings to consumers, Karmazin said, and would charge a lower rate of $8.95 to $9.95 per month for basic service. Both XM and Sirius currently charge subscribers $12.95 per month for basic service.
Kohl pressed Karmazin on whether the combined company would raise prices in the future, expressing concern that a single satellite radio company could sign exclusive contracts with sports leagues or popular entertainment providers and then hike rates.
"And, you have no competition ... Man, what a business," Kohl said.
Karmazin said he was open to regulatory oversight of price increases as a condition of the merger.
Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, the senior Republican on the panel, appeared to be more receptive to Karmazin's argument that the company would face competition from broadcast radio and other sources.
"I personally don't believe that there will be a lack of competition if you're successful," he said.
But Mary Quass, who testified for the National Association of Broadcasters, said that over-the-air radio doesn't compete nationally with satellite radio. Broadcast radio cannot offer the bundle of services that Sirius and XM offer, she added.
"XM and Sirius want government permission to take two competitive companies and turn them into a monopoly," Quass said.
Kohl's subcommittee is the third congressional panel since Feb. 19 to consider the competitive impact of the planned merger although so far there are no congressional plans to prevent the transaction.
The proposed merger still faces what observers say could be challenging antitrust reviews by the Federal Communications Commission and the Justice Department. When the FCC created the satellite radio industry in 1997, it did so on the condition that the two companies would not merge. XM and Sirius execs say the industry has changed so much since then that a merger should be allowed.
Shares of XM Satellite fell 5 cents to $13.49 in aftermarket trading after gaining 10 cents to close at $13.54 on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Sirius shares rose a penny to $3.32 in aftermarket trading after finishing up 2 cents to $3.31, also on Nasdaq. |
SIRIUS filed Form 8-K with the SEC... The form is available here |
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EatChex89
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 9:47 pm Post subject: | | |
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