Did You Know? Congress insider trading

Is this the end of XM/Sirius? I've been seeing these slacker devices popping up everywhere and coudn't quite understand the need for them until today. I just got a new blackberry storm from Verizon Wireless and noticed while searhing for apps online, that Slacker released a blackberry storm version of their application. I also noticed it was 100% free, so I installed it and to my amazement, the software/service rocks! I am so impressed that it's got me contemplating cancelling my xm service all together.

Let's be realistic... since the merger of XM and Sirius, the channel selections went to crap. I personally have been less than thrilled with the programming changes and miss some of my favs. I'm also finding that channels like Lithium and Octane must have playlists now because when listening every afternoon, I hear the same Janes Addiction song every afternoon. That's really annoying, I mean with that much music out there, I shouldn't hear the same song one day after another. I'm not talking about 1 - 2 day periods of back-to-back plays.. this happened everyday last week and pretty much the week before.

The only thing making me hesitate a bit is the mlb offering on XM/Sirius. Now if I can get the Mets somewhere on the net for free,  through slacker, I'm completely sold of cancelling XM. I've been a loyal XM subscriber since they opened their doors back in 2001, but I'm tired of the high pricing, the problems with radios losing activation, the abrupt changing of quality programming, etc... XM/Sirius, if you're listening, you need to make your servicemore appealing to people. You've simply "lost that loving feeling" among most of your subscribers. It's simply evident by forums such as the XM Defections discussion over at slacker.com.

Does anyone out there know of any alternatives to XM's offering of MLB so I can listen to the ball games, or even NFL games for next season? Please help a fellow "slacker" out :)

Advocates for the XM/Sirius merger are signing an online petition urging that US Congress and the FCC endorse the XM Radio/Sirius merger deal. This adds another dimension to the XM/Sirius battle: now Congress must deal with consumer interests as well as economic interests. As the undersigned number grows, hopefully Congress and the FCC will allow the deal to pass in order to benefit the most important people of all: the subscribers.

Fear of XM-Sirius Monopoly

The FCC’s greatest fear is a satellite radio monopoly, which would hypothetically give Sirius complete economic control over the satellite radio industry. However, I along with others tend to disagree.

A combined Sirius and XM would not, under any definition, be a monopoly. Satellite radio is primarily a consumer-driven, paid-subscription alternative to free radio across the nation. The fact that well above ten million consumers have elected to pay for satellite radio when terrestrial radio remains free and readily accessible nationwide speaks volumes about what consumers want – unfortunately for the NAB and its members, consumers have tired of the pervasive, bland content provided on thousands of radio stations, for free, nationwide. (Source: XM/Sirius Petition)

For satellite radio customers (and former customers like myself), one satellite radio provider would simplify the annoying dance of choosing the right service. During the summer of 2006, I only subscribed to XM radio to listen to the World Cup 2006 via the world cup channel. Once the World Cup ended, I canceled my service because Sirius possessed a much better channel lineup at the time. But why should we as subscribers have to choose between Sirius or XM radio in the first place? I want to enjoy the NFL and Major League Baseball on the same network for goodness sakes!

Should The Merger Go Through?

What do you think? Should Congress give the merger two thumbs up?

Break out the party hats, even if that means dusting off the cobwebs. A resolution in the painstakingly long merger approval process between XM Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: XMSR) and Sirius Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI) may finally be on the way.

Speaking on CNBC yesterday, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said of the satellite-radio hookup that his regulatory agency "will hopefully be able to do something on it soon.”

Soon? Really? I'll believe it when I see it. The cynic in me is skeptical, especially when it comes to the relative usage of "soon" by someone who has taken nearly 16 months to drum up a decision. Yes, it really has been that long since the two deficit-saddled radio providers originally agreed to join forces.

How soon is now?
I opened up the floor yesterday, asking readers to submit their calls for when the FCC will hand down a decision. The responses were all over the map, with some readers offering up a few humorous zingers.

"My FCC prediction date is July 24th," BeagleBrigade offered up. "I am not sure if I want to say 2008 or 2009 yet."

"It seems the FCC has more important things to do like fight the war on terror or figure a solution to world hunger," batg20 serves up, waist-deep in sarcasm. "Oh wait, I forgot. The FCC doesn't do any of that stuff. Their job is to regulate Communication. So why are they wasting tax payers time and money with a lengthy process of a simple decision? Yes or NO."

However, a few of you seem to think that Martin means it this time. Why would he be on CNBC -- the same network where TheStreet.com's (Nasdaq: TSCM) Jim Cramer has raked Martin's agency over the coals for the drawn-out courtship -- unless a decision is about to be reached?

That is gtw1077's logic in expecting the FCC to hand down a decision as early as this afternoon. Morey08 also suggests that the announcement will come after the market closes today.

That may be a bit ambitious, but fans of the merger may warm up to the FCC's ultimate decision.

Martin didn't reveal which way his agency is leaning, but he did point out how XM and Sirius have already agreed to concessions that include capping subscriber prices "for an extended period" of time and allowing listeners to subscribe to individual channels.

Why is that a good sign that the FCC will sign off on the deal? Well, you don't brag about the fact that the subjects of your inquiry are bending over backwards in agreeing to concessions, only to pull the rug out from under them. That isn't a negotiation. That's a snuff film.

Be careful what you wish for
The amusing side note in all of this is that the concessions being raised may work against the thinning pool of objectors to the deal. Beyond select lawmakers and terrestrial-radio lobbyists, few people are still speaking out against the proposed merger.

What does FM and AM radio have against the deal? Well, XM and Sirius are reporting mounting losses as they try to turn their growing subscriber counts into profits. At least one Wall Street model-cruncher -- Citi analyst Eileen Furukawa -- has noted that the merger could bring about cost savings of $7.2 billion. The synergy should transform two money-losing businesses into a larger, profitable entity. Terrestrial and satellite radio compete for commuter eardrums.

Conventional radio operators like Clear Channel (NYSE: CCU), Cox Radio (NYSE: CXR), Beasley Broadcasting (Nasdaq: BBGI), and Cumulus Media (Nasdaq: CMLS) would be better off with an unchecked merger, where XM and Sirius can raise prices. By capping subscription rates and offering even cheaper a la carte plans, satellite radio will actually be positioned to take even more listeners away from terrestrial radio.

The concessions are still important. They show that the merger will benefit consumers' wallets, even if that comes at the expense of satrad's competitors.

An FCC decision; concessions that terrestrial radio will regret; and the backlash over a regulatory body taking so long to pass or nix a planned merger. What do these things have in common? If we're to believe Martin this time, they're all coming soon.  

source: http://www.fool.com/investing/high-growth/2008/06/06/xm-and-sirius-coming-soon.aspx

XM Radio Suspends Opie & Anthony

XM Radio announced today that the company has suspended Gregg "Opie" Hughes and Anthony Cumia, hosts of "The Opie & Anthony Show" and ceased broadcast of the show for 30 days, effective immediately

Well, we all knew it was coming... those corporate richards have done it again!

What has this world come to! I personally have 4 xm radios... guess what? They are alll getting cancelled!! How can you suspend these guys for "free speech" that we, the consumer, pay to listen to?

Hit XM hard in their pockets.. cancel now!!!

also go to www.peopleagainstcensorship.org and voice your opinion!

Who's with me ?

The New York Times is reporting that FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has - in private conversations - questioned Mel Karmazin's statements about price increases, at last week's Congressional hearings.

In question is Karmazin's promise to not raise prices beyond what subscribers currently pay. What was not clear to the FCC Chair is whether Mel meant beyond the $12.95 pricepoint, or the combined cost of $25.90/month.

When the New York Times questioned Mel Karmazin, he stated that his testimony was not misleading and that he meant to say two things: subscribers wanting to keep their existing service would not face a price increase, and listeners who wanted the best of both services would pay less than the combined rate of $25.90.

Mr. Martin was also contacted by the New York Times and said that he was not questioning the motives or candor of Mr. Karmazin but that there was “a need for greater clarity” over what was being proposed for fees and programming. Mr. Martin added that the hearing left those issues unclear. “When they talk about freezing rates and lowering rates, are they talking about it in terms of the current rate of $12.95 for each service, or are they referring to the combined rate of $25.90?”

The two people who had the private conversation with Mr. Martin (and apparently leaked this information to the NY Times) said that Martin seemed skeptical about both the deal, and how it was being sold to Washington.

Karmazin told the New York Times that he thought he had been clear that to get the best of both XM and Sirius, consumers would have to pay more than the monthly rate of $12.95, but less than the combined rate of $25.90. Consumers who just want to stay with their existing lineup would be guaranteed the same price, he said.

“If the merger is approved there will be lower prices and more choice,” Mr. Karmazin said. “If the merger is not approved, there is no discussion on price and there is no discussion about more choices.”

Mel Karmazin is scheduled to appear before a second Congressional panel today.

Personally I feel a little awkward about the merger... I have been an XM Subscriber from the start and been with it through it's ups and downs, but ultimately I love it. I especially love that fact that XM is carrying Opie and Anthony

Anybody have any thoughts on this or am I just being overly concerned?

Update: It seems as if the networks might try and let both Opie and Anthony and Howard Stern live on the merged network. XM message boards are going crazy with rumors of a gag order by Howard Stern, but then other boards are saying both companies realize how powerful their networks are with these 2 shows and will accomodate the listeners by keeping them around. As much as I dislike Howard Stern, I think that's a great idea! Competition is Healthy!