The merger is approved

[Fredog]

http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/mar...logy/xmsirius/

[GMAN]

Prepare for higher prices. :evil:

[Uturn2001]

I would expect to see a 20-30% increase in prices and if the customer base doesn't have major cows about that it going to a 50% increase within a year.

[Rev.Vassago]

I would expect to see a 20-30% increase in prices and if the customer base doesn't have major cows about that it going to a 50% increase within a year.

And here I thought both companies have said over and over that prices will not go up. I guess Uturn knows something they don't.

[ben45750]

And here I thought both companies have said over and over that prices will not go up. I guess Uturn knows something they don't.

He probably does? Part of the conditions of approval included a 3 year price freeze but these day global warming is getting bad. lol er er er

I would expect to see a 20-30% increase in prices and if the customer base doesn't have major cows about that it's going to a 50% increase within a year.

[Jimbpard]

Prepare for higher prices. :evil:

I THINK I read something that the prices will remain the same for atleast the next 5 years.
Key words: I THINK.

[Fredog]

one of the ridiculous stipulations was a 6 year price freeze

why do people think they can just raise the price and we will have to pay it?
it's a voluntary thing, if I think it's not worth it, I can cancel at anytime.

[Fredog]

Prepare for higher prices. :evil:

sounds like someone who has never tried satellite radio

[GMAN]

Never tried it. I have considered it. Perhaps later.

[Fredog]

Never tried it. I have considered it. Perhaps later.

I figured because about a hundred times a day, they promised not to raise prices if they merge. you really should try it. you can get a radio for 20 bucks and just subscribe for a month 12.99 if you dont like it, no big deal just cancel. no hassle, no penalties.

[skier]

http://money.cnn.com/2008/07/25/tech...2008072520#TOP


Washington, D.C. (AP) -- Federal regulators formally approved the merger of the nation's only two satellite radio operators Friday, ending a 16-month-long drama closely watched by Washington and Wall Street.

Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.'s $3.3 billion buyout of rival XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. will mean 18 million-plus subscribers will be able to receive programming from both services. Executives say it will mean huge cost savings that will lead to a first-ever profit for the relatively nascent industry.

The Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 to approve the buyout, with the tiebreaker coming Friday night from Republican commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate.

Tate had insisted that the companies settle charges that they violated FCC rules before she would approve the deal. The companies agreed this week to pay $19.7 million to the U.S. Treasury for violations related to radio receivers and ground-based signal repeaters.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin confirmed the final vote Friday night. "I think it's going to be, in the end, a good thing for consumers and be in the public interest," he told The Associated Press.

The approval appeared to hit a glitch on Friday when a dispute surfaced between the chairman and Tate over the violations, but differences between the two were quickly resolved, and the approval went forward.

The long-running regulatory review was watched closely by exasperated investors anxious for a resolution as well as satellite radio customers with questions about what impact the merger would have on their service.

The approval was a major blow for the land-based radio industry, which lobbied hard against the buyout. It was also opposed by consumer groups, various members of Congress and state attorneys general, all of whom argued a satellite radio merger would hurt consumers and was not in the public interest.

"They kept each other on their toes," Democratic commissioner Jonathan Adelstein said of the two companies. "I hope they keep their edge and don't become a fat and happy monopoly." Adelstein voted against the buyout as did fellow Democrat Michael Copps.

Joining Martin and Tate in approving the deal was Republican commissioner Robert McDowell. The companies said the combination would create hundreds of millions of dollars in cost savings and lead to greater choice in programming for subscribers and flexible pricing options. T

ate released a statement Friday night praising the commission's decision to punish the companies for rules violations before acting on the merger and supporting pro-consumer conditions imposed on the deal.

Under the terms of the consent decree, XM will pay $17.5 million and Sirius will pay $2.2 million to resolve interference complaints and violations related to land-based signal repeaters the companies operate to deliver programming.

The final merger agreement did not require the combined company to include a chip in its radios that will allow customers to receive digital signals from land-based radio stations, which would have helped the land-based radio industry. Tate, who was lobbied intensely by the industry in the final weeks, said she "could not in good conscience support a government-mandated requirement on the backs of American consumers at this time."

Martin said the agreement is nearly identical to what he circulated among other commissioners when he first recommended approval for the deal a month ago.

The companies first applied for permission to combine in March 2007. The Justice Department approved the deal in March of this year without conditions, saying the companies don't really compete because customers must buy equipment that is exclusive to either XM or Sirius, and subscribers rarely switch providers.

DoJ also agreed with the companies' argument that they compete with other forms of audio entertainment, including digital radio, Internet-based radio stations and even devices like Apple Inc.'s iPod. FCC approval faced a steeper climb because the companies were prohibited from combining under terms of their licenses.

The agency struggled to come up with a way to show that allowing a satellite radio monopoly was in the public interest. The companies voluntarily agreed to a set of conditions, including a three-year price cap and an 8 percent set-aside of "full-time audio channels" for public interest and minority programming.

They will also adopt an "open radio" standard that may lead to a greater variety of features in radios and greater competition among manufacturers. Sirius and XM also have promised to include a limited "a la carte" offering that would be available within three months of the close of the deal and allow listeners to pay only for the channels they want to receive.

First Published: July 25, 2008: 8:46 PM EDT


__________________

[countryhorseman]

Ok, word of advice! Do not go out and buy a XM or Sirius radio right now!

Wait until around Christmas when the new dual mode radios come out! With them, you will be able to purchase al a carte from both side, picking and choosing which channels you want! They have been saying that the new radios would not be available for at least a year, to a year and a half, but a good friend with Motorola has stated that the technology have been finished and has been in testing mode for several months. I would expect to see the dual mode, programable radios by Christmas!

As it is now, Sirius has NFL, NASCAR, and Howard Stern

XM has NBA, NCAA, Hockey, and the best trucking channel on the air!

With the new radios and programming, which insiders say will be about $14.00 a month for 50 hand picked channels and some freebies! If you are are a basketball and NASCAR fan, you will be able to have that on one radio, and not buy two like some of us have!

Current subsribers will not see any price increases with their current plans, and with the merger comeplete, I doubt you will see much of an increase, even without the stipulations.

The ones I feel sorry for are the ones that have purchased cars and trucks with it built in, and will have to spend a load of money to upgrade if they choose to do so!

Have a great weekend!