XM or SIRIUS????

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  #11  
Old 02-19-2007, 07:31 AM
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It appears that the co's have merged, hopefully they will merge their progamming in the future.

http://today.reuters.com/news/articl...src=rss&rpc=23
 
  #12  
Old 02-19-2007, 09:21 AM
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Nice to see as I just got a Sirius radio Saturday night. :?

The problem they will face of getting the merger thru the FCC is that the National Association of Broadcasters will put a hurting on the FCC to deny it. This could potentially destroy regular old free radio if they merge. This group has been putting major pressure on the FCC ever since the first hints of a merger deal were in the works.
 
  #13  
Old 02-19-2007, 10:11 AM
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I hope this doesn't mean that we have to go out and buy new receivers.. ops:
 
  #14  
Old 02-19-2007, 11:02 AM
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don't you even breathe that out loud! :P

i'm still waiting for my $70 vehicle kit rebate from sirius. :roll:
 
  #15  
Old 02-20-2007, 09:32 AM
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Per Sirius and XM's emails today, your good till at least Jan. 1st, 2008. After that, IF it passes all hurdles still left, we will have to wait and see.
 
  #16  
Old 02-20-2007, 10:50 AM
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Here are the facts:

1. The receiver you have now will still work - they plan to use BOTH companies satellites to broadcast the same programming.

2. The price won't change because of the merger. They discussed adding some premium content (like area-specific traffic, marine weather, etc.) that the customer will be allowed to "pick and choose".

3. The programming will be merged. Meaning, some of your favorite stations will go away, if they deem that the other service has a better station suited for it.
 
  #17  
Old 02-21-2007, 05:12 AM
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Here's the email I received from XM:

February 20, 2007


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


Forward Looking Statements
This letter contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements
include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the
business combination transaction involving Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.
and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., including potential synergies and
cost savings and the timing thereof, future financial and operating
results, the combined company's plans, objectives, expectations and
intentions with respect to future operations, products and services; and
other statements identified by words such as "anticipate," "believe,"
"plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "will," "should," "may," or words of
similar meaning. Such forward-looking statements are based upon the
current beliefs and expectations of SIRIUS' and XM's management and are
inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive
uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are difficult to predict
and generally beyond the control of SIRIUS and XM. Actual results may
differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking
statements.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to
differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations
expressed in the forward-looking statement: general business and economic
conditions; the performance of financial markets and interest rates; the
ability to obtain governmental approvals of the transaction on a timely
basis; the failure of SIRIUS and XM shareholders to approve the
transaction; the failure to realize synergies and cost-savings from the
transaction or delay in realization thereof; the businesses of SIRIUS and XM
may not be combined successfully, or such combination may take longer,
be more difficult, time-consuming or costly to accomplish than
expected; and operating costs and business disruption following the merger,
including adverse effects on employee retention and on our business
relationships with third parties, including manufacturers of radios,
retailers, automakers and programming providers. Additional factors that could
cause SIRIUS' and XM's results to differ materially from those
described in the forward-looking statements can be found in SIRIUS' and XM's
Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, and
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2006, June
30, 2006 and September 30, 2006 which are filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and available at the SEC's Internet
site www.sec.gov The information set forth herein speaks only as of the
date hereof, and Sirius and XM disclaim any intention or obligation to
update any forward looking statements as a result of developments
occurring after the date of this press release.

Important Additional Information Will be Filed with the SEC This
communication is being made in respect of the proposed business combination
involving SIRIUS and XM. In connection with the proposed transaction,
SIRIUS plans to file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4
containing a Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and each of SIRIUS and XM
plan to file with the SEC other documents regarding the proposed
transaction. The definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus will be mailed
to stockholders of SIRIUS and XM. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF
SIRIUS AND XM ARE URGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND
OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY
BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT
THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.

Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of
the Registration Statement and the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus (when
available) and other documents filed with the SEC by SIRIUS and XM
through the web site maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Free copies of
the Registration Statement and the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus
(when available) and other documents filed with the SEC can also be
obtained by directing a request to Sirius Satellite Radio Inc., 1221 Avenue of
the Americas, New York, NY 10020, Attention: Investor Relations or by
directing a request to XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., 1500 Eckington
Place, NE Washington, DC 20002, Attention: Investor Relations.

SIRIUS, XM and their respective directors and executive officers and
other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of
proxies in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding
SIRIUS' directors and executive officers is available in its Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, which was filed with
the SEC on March 13, 2006, and its proxy statement for its 2006 annual
meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 21,
2006, and information regarding XM's directors and executive officers is
available in XM's Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December
31, 2005, which was filed with the SEC on March 3, 2006 and its proxy
statement for its 2006 annual meeting of shareholders, which was filed
with the SEC on April 25, 2006. Other information regarding the
participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and
indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained
in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other relevant materials to
be filed with the SEC when they become available.

Please note: this is not a promotional e-mail. As an XM subscriber,
you will periodically receive service notices via e-mail. These service
notices are intended to provide you with helpful information that will
facilitate and enhance your XM listening experience.


You are receiving this email because you previously indicated that
you'd like to receive email updates from XM Satellite Radio. To
unsubscribe, please visit unsubscribe.xmradio.com
 
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  #18  
Old 02-21-2007, 07:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Rev.Vassago
Here are the facts:

1. The receiver you have now will still work - they plan to use BOTH companies satellites to broadcast the same programming.

2. The price won't change because of the merger. They discussed adding some premium content (like area-specific traffic, marine weather, etc.) that the customer will be allowed to "pick and choose".

3. The programming will be merged. Meaning, some of your favorite stations will go away, if they deem that the other service has a better station suited for it.
Not arguing with you, REV, but please cite your source.

1) Receivers are set to receive a certain downlink frequency. Each company owns a separate frequency band. USA Today mentioned a NEW "next generation" receiver that MIGHT be needed to receive both signals. The major technology question (in my mind) is whether ONE group of satellites can be "retuned" without MANUAL alteration, to downlink on the other's frequency and vice versa. Otherwise, ALL receivers will have to be UPGRADED or replaced.

Most likely scenario is the addition of a small box comprising a "sub band tuner." Let's say XM downlinks on 1.1 ghz, and Sirius is on 1.3 ghz. [I have not researched this and have NO idea what the freqs are!] Your "antenna" can receive a spread of at least 5 ghz. A simple "in line" subband tuner, can be plugged in between your antenna wire and your receiver, that would "re-tune" the IMMIGRANT signal by .2 ghz to the one your receiver is tuned to.

I've been out of the "satellite" community for a number of years, but I believe this should be an easy fix.

2) A la Carte programming choices (and pricing) would be nice, since MOST of the stuff is CRAP anyway! However.... BOTH companies are highly in debt and have not made a profit. Hard to see how the price won't increase unless fully HALF the costs, and then some, can be eliminated.

3) This may be true, but is most likely unnecessary. Obviously, some channels are carried by both, and won't be duplicated. However, digital bandwidth is virtually FREE, and there should be no real reason that the combined 300+ stations couldn't be offered for the same operating costs, other than to cut out some of the ridiculous fees paid to some of the providers like Oprah and Stern!

For the record, I currently have Sirius. I have not read up on the specific technology for satellite radio. I will do so in the near future. I have not received any emails that I am aware of from my provider. I just happen to have about 8 years in Signals analysis technology, 4 of them being from satellites.
 
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  #19  
Old 02-21-2007, 08:24 AM
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Originally Posted by Rev.Vassago
Here are the facts:

1. The receiver you have now will still work - they plan to use BOTH companies satellites to broadcast the same programming.

2. The price won't change because of the merger. They discussed adding some premium content (like area-specific traffic, marine weather, etc.) that the customer will be allowed to "pick and choose".

3. The programming will be merged. Meaning, some of your favorite stations will go away, if they deem that the other service has a better station suited for it.
Thats basically the same thing I have heard, simulcasting Sirius on XM and XM on SIrius. (O&A played the conference call between Sirius and XM yesterday morning) Thats about the only way this merger could be approved, it has to benefit the consumer. Making all the customers buy new radios would be crazy.... ie Monopoly. If the FCC and the Dept of Justice even smell a hint of a Monopoly they will reject the merger in a heart beat.

This isn't even close to being a done deal, going to be along time till we see whats going to happen.
 
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  #20  
Old 02-21-2007, 09:39 AM
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Originally Posted by golfhobo
Originally Posted by Rev.Vassago
Here are the facts:

1. The receiver you have now will still work - they plan to use BOTH companies satellites to broadcast the same programming.

2. The price won't change because of the merger. They discussed adding some premium content (like area-specific traffic, marine weather, etc.) that the customer will be allowed to "pick and choose".

3. The programming will be merged. Meaning, some of your favorite stations will go away, if they deem that the other service has a better station suited for it.
Not arguing with you, REV, but please cite your source.
My source is the transcript of the conference they had after the merger was announced.
 

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