DOJ approves XM-Sirius Merger

[thumbslikehotdogs]

Breaking news from CNN : Justice Dept. approves XM-Sirius Merger

[IamFogHat]

link?
Plus there's already a thread for this. So
lockey.

[comp_atkins]

so how's this gonna work? we get a crapload more channels?

[cupcakelove]

Yay! I can't wait for prices to go up!!

[mikeyboy]

link?
Plus there's already a thread for this. So
lockey.

It's still listed only as breaking news on cnn.com (http://www.cnn.com), so there's no direct link yet.

This is pretty big news, so I'll call no locky for now, but may merge the threads later.

[mikeyboy]

so how's this gonna work? we get a crapload more channels?

I think it will be an a la carte kind of setup, similar to cable, where you get to choose the channels you want to a certain agree and pay accordingly.

[hexy68]

are OandA's days numbered? Mel hates them :sad:

[IamFogHat]

I just bought a Helix. I'm not gonna get fucked am I?

[thumbslikehotdogs]

Thanks Mikey,
I heard it the old fashioned way CNN TV.

[Sweaty Beef Curtains]

what do you think it means for AFRO?

[IamFogHat]

are OandA's days numbered? Mel hates them :sad:

Don't be a goose, Mel hates them but loves money more.

[topless_mike]

yay !
i get to keep my sirius and Ferrall and git myself some AFRO

i can finally get rid of ol' big nose hoo hoo hoo

[mikeyboy]

are OandA's days numbered? Mel hates them :sad:

Not necessarily. From a purely business angle, if O&A's worth to the merged company (in subscriber fees, attractiveness of overall content, etc.) is worth more than it costs to put on the O&A show, it would make sense to keep them on. Any business man worth his salt wouldn't let a stupid vendetta get in the way of a good business decision.

[Zorro]

Breaking News >> U.S. Justice Department Approves Sirius-XM Merger

just a headline so far

[Hottub]

This isn't going to happen overnight, guys. Lots of stuff needs to be worked out.

[cupcakelove]

Here's a link:

http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/24/news/companies/xm_sirius/index.htm?cnn=yes

It looks like the FCC still has to approve it as well.

[JPMNICK]

http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/24/news/companies/xm_sirius/index.htm?postversion=2008032415

[mendyweiss]

Mendy Prediction- Hoo-Hoo Announces That He Now Has 15 Million Listeners !!

[mikeyboy]

It sucks for the redundant staff -- for instance, a newly merged company isn't going to two need two completely staffed 80s channels. On the other hand, if it's true that neither company could survive in the long run on it's own, it only makes sense.

Unfortunately, a lack of competition removes the impediment for things like rate hikes. Still, satellite radio is still in competition with terrestrial radio, so terrestrial radio still has the potential to keep rates somewhat in check.

[Hottub]

Mendy Prediction- Hoo-Hoo Announces That He Now Has 15 Million Listeners !!

:clap:

[thumbslikehotdogs]

Link to Department of Justice press release
http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2008/March/08_at_226.html

[Lady Resin]

WASHINGTON -- The Justice Department has approved Sirius Satellite Radio's (SIRI: 3.13, +0.23, +7.93%) $5 billion buyout of rival XM Satellite Radio (XMSR: 13.96, +2.02, +16.91%).


The merger was approved despite opposition from consumer groups and an intense lobbying campaign by the land-based radio industry.


Regulators said the merger is not likely to substantially hurt competition or consumers.

The United States Department of Justice today approved the merger between Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., stating that the evidence does not establish that the combination of the two would "substantially reduce competition."

Official statement:


"After a careful and thorough review of the proposed transaction, the Division concluded that the evidence does not demonstrate that the proposed merger of XM and Sirius is likely to substantially lessen competition, and that the transaction therefore is not likely to harm consumers. The Division reached this conclusion because the evidence did not show that the merger would enable the parties to profitably increase prices to satellite radio customers for several reasons, including: a lack of competition between the parties in important segments even without the merger; the competitive alternative services available to consumers; technological change that is expected to make those alternatives increasingly attractive over time; and efficiencies likely to flow from the transaction that could benefit consumers.

"The Division's investigation indicated that the parties are not likely to compete with respect to many segments of the satellite radio business even in the absence of the merger. Because customers must acquire equipment that is specialized to the satellite radio service to which they subscribe, and which cannot receive the other provider's signal, there has never been significant competition for customers who have already subscribed to one or the other service. For potential new subscribers, past competition has resulted in XM and Sirius entering long-term, sole-source contracts that provide incentives to all of the major auto manufacturers to install their radios in new vehicles. The car manufacturer channel accounts for a large and growing share of all satellite radio sales; yet, as a result of these contracts, there is not likely to be significant further competition between the parties for satellite radio equipment and service sold through this channel for many years. In the retail channel, where the parties likely would continue to compete to attract new subscribers absent the merger, the Division found that the evidence did not support defining a market limited to the two satellite radio firms that would exclude various alternative sources for audio entertainment, and similarly did not establish that the combined firm could profitably sustain an increased price to satellite radio consumers. Substantial cost savings likely to flow from the transaction also undermined any inference of competitive harm. Finally, the likely evolution of technology in the future, including the expected introduction in the next several years of mobile broadband Internet devices, made it even more unlikely that the transaction would harm consumers in the longer term. Accordingly, the Division has closed its investigation of the proposed merger."

[Freakshow]

Mass hysteria. Dogs and Cats living together...

[hexy68]

Mendy Prediction- Hoo-Hoo Announces That He Now Has 15 Million Listeners !!

OandA and RF can say the same too

[topless_mike]

think about it....
all the new cars are coming out with sat radio subscriptions.
what if you already have a sub to one, but the car you are buying comes only with a radio compatible with the other?

win-win, at least for the listeners.

and, on top of this, im sure eyes are going to be closely watching sub rates. as soon as they see a gouge, somebody is going to say something.



oh yeah- fuck howard.

[marcpsych]

Here's a link:

http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/24/news/companies/xm_sirius/index.htm?cnn=yes

It looks like the FCC still has to approve it as well.

From the article:

"The merger would combine the nation's only two satellite radio companies and create a company with about 14 million subscribers. It would bring together Sirius' most well-known content, including Howard Stern and National Football League games with XM's Major League Baseball as well programming from Oprah Winfrey."

Why are O and A (and Ron and Fez, for that matter) hardly ever mentioned in these sorts of articles or press releases? It's like XM is ahsamed of O&A and does a horrible job of marketing them. It's even worse for Ron and Fez. You would think that a very well-known show like O&A would rate more than only being mentioned when they're in trouble and having microscopic pictures and mentions on all the XM literature, advertising posters, etc. Ron and Fez, while less well-known, deserve more than passing mentions (at best) in XM's "publicity."

I'm sure things will only get worse under Mel Shithat, unless his business sense (hopefully) does rule.

[thumbslikehotdogs]

From the article:

"The merger would combine the nation's only two satellite radio companies and create a company with about 14 million subscribers. It would bring together Sirius' most well-known content, including Howard Stern and National Football League games with XM's Major League Baseball as well programming from Oprah Winfrey."

Why are O and A (and Ron and Fez, for that matter) hardly ever mentioned in these sorts of articles or press releases? It's like XM is ahsamed of O&A and does a horrible job of marketing them. It's even worse for Ron and Fez. You would think that a very well-known show like O&A would rate more than only being mentioned when they're in trouble and having microscopic pictures and mentions on all the XM literature, advertising posters, etc. Ron and Fez, while less well-known, deserve more than passing mentions (at best) in XM's "publicity."

I'm sure things will only get worse under Mel Shithat, unless his business sense (hopefully) does rule.

I must say on the original Breaking news report on CNN the reporter mentioned Stern, Oprah and Opie and Anthony.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Cramer has a great bit on his show the other day.

Maybe that was the boot in the ass the DOJ needed.

So is the FCC the final hurdle for this?

[MadMatt]

Cramer has a great bit on his show the other day.

Maybe that was the boot in the ass the DOJ needed.

So is the FCC the final hurdle for this?

I believe so. At least that is what I have read - I don't know if some other hurdle has popped up in the meantime.

I honestly don't know how to feel about this. It's almost like the end of the Civil War when suddenly the North & South had to "play nice."

OK, it isn't really anything like that. However I think you get my drift...

[Furtherman]

I honestly don't know how to feel about this. It's almost like the end of the Civil War when suddenly the North & South had to "play nice."

OK, it isn't really anything like that. However I think you get my drift...

It might be closer to the Nazis and Jews playing nice.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Nobody should panic yet.

As history as shown us - we can't do much to stave off the inevitable. Wait and see and then make a POSITIVE impression.

[Doctor Z]

Money talks.

Big bucks will always override the law.

Welcome to America.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Money talks.

Big bucks will always override the law.

Welcome to America.

What law?

If anything, more money was thrown to try and STOP the merger than to allow it.

There's no monopoly, what "law" are you talking about?

[Tenbatsuzen]

It sucks for the redundant staff -- for instance, a newly merged company isn't going to two need two completely staffed 80s channels. On the other hand, if it's true that neither company could survive in the long run on it's own, it only makes sense.

Unfortunately, a lack of competition removes the impediment for things like rate hikes. Still, satellite radio is still in competition with terrestrial radio, so terrestrial radio still has the potential to keep rates somewhat in check.

They already released a fee schedule that the DOJ is going to make them stick to for a while. That was one of the the rules for the merger to go through.

[Doctor Z]

There's ONE company, in the entire country, supplying one product. Satellite radio... after this merger, there's ONE source for it. It's the dictionary definition of a monopoly. If this isn't a monopoly, then monopolies don't exist.

Why do you think the issue has hung in the balance for literally years? They finally cracked, because there was enough fat cat pull behind the whole thing to keep it alive for this long in the first place. You can pay your way around any law you want, as long as there's enough money to be made in it.

[cartshlepper]

Well, the brain trust at Sirus somehow managed to purchase the big kid on the block, now what? I think it is important to show management (who ever the hell that is as of now) that we want to keep Ron and Fez, and Opie and Anthony. The all Howie network is a bit threatening to our hosts, and who the fuck is Bubba the Love Sponge anyway! SAVE RON & FEZ, if we have to give Howie Earl and Dave well than so be it!:nono:

[Tenbatsuzen]

There's ONE company, in the entire country, supplying one product. Satellite radio... after this merger, there's ONE source for it. It's the dictionary definition of a monopoly. If this isn't a monopoly, then monopolies don't exist.

Why do you think the issue has hung in the balance for literally years? They finally cracked, because there was enough fat cat pull behind the whole thing to keep it alive for this long in the first place. You can pay your way around any law you want, as long as there's enough money to be made in it.

But the business model has proven that two satellite companies can't exist. they are hemmoraging money. They are protecting the rates. Terrestrial radio is a competitor. Ipod is a competitor.

FCC may loosen rules on HD radio. You don't know what could happen.

The NFL is the only game in town for "professional" football. That's not a monopoly.

[SatCam]

This is the beginning of Satellite radio sucking major balls. This is a huge step backwards.

[mendyweiss]

Well, the brain trust at Sirus somehow managed to purchase the big kid on the block, now what? I think it is important to show management (who ever the hell that is as of now) that we want to keep Ron and Fez, and Opie and Anthony. The all Howie network is a bit threatening to our hosts, and who the fuck is Bubba the Love Sponge anyway! SAVE RON & FEZ, if we have to give Howie Earl and Dave well than so be it!:nono:

They Already Announce on XM All News, All The Time-
Bennington Opening A New Whorehouse In Reno
Fed Will Be Opening Comedy Act At Phase II Condos In Lauderdale Lakes Florida.
Gonna Miss Those Guys

[mikeyboy]

Oprah and Opie and Anthony.

I love that show.

[Furtherman]

This is the beginning of Satellite radio sucking major balls..

AND months and months of speculation threads, "what if" scenarios and rumors. Meh.

[cartshlepper]

Well, its not all bad then.


They Already Announce on XM All News, All The Time-
Bennington Opening A New Whorehouse In Reno
Fed Will Be Opening Comedy Act At Phase II Condos In Lauderdale Lakes Florida.
Gonna Miss Those Guys

[Tenbatsuzen]

I almost think a pre-emptive banning of me is gonna be needed, because this could go downhill in a hurry.

All right. Let me put forth a few things:

1) Myth #1: OMG! HOWARD IS GOING TO GAG THEM! THIS IS GONNA BE HORRIBLE.

FACT: O&A's best radio is when it's them vs. "The Man". O&A's best radio came when Howard gagged them.

2) Myth #2: Howard is going to put them under his thumb.

FACT: As long as they are separated, with Howard in his studios and stations and O&A on theirs, I don't foresee a problem.

3) Myth #3: Sirius will make the O&A show suck.

FACT: One of the biggest problems that O&A show has faced was the XM Lawyers stopping bits on the show. Howard allows chicks to be violated by sex robots on his show. If anything, this will open up more bits, including the possible return of the 55 Gallon Drum Challenge.

I really want people to give me long, thought-out reasons why this merger will suck. With DOJ keeping the prices in check, and O&A and R&F keeping their jobs, I don't see what the problem is!

Please, other than pricing and the uncertainty of 202, what will the problems be?

[Heather 8]

Paging Matty Fridays, you are needed at Fark immediately.

[Zorro]

Does anyone know if this frees up one of the two licenses for Satelite?

[mikeyboy]

I almost think a pre-emptive banning of me is gonna be needed, because this could go downhill in a hurry.

All right. Let me put forth a few things:

1) Myth #1: OMG! HOWARD IS GOING TO GAG THEM! THIS IS GONNA BE HORRIBLE.

FACT: O&A's best radio is when it's them vs. "The Man". O&A's best radio came when Howard gagged them.

2) Myth #2: Howard is going to put them under his thumb.

FACT: As long as they are separated, with Howard in his studios and stations and O&A on theirs, I don't foresee a problem.

3) Myth #3: Sirius will make the O&A show suck.

FACT: One of the biggest problems that O&A show has faced was the XM Lawyers stopping bits on the show. Howard allows chicks to be violated by sex robots on his show. If anything, this will open up more bits, including the possible return of the 55 Gallon Drum Challenge.

I really want people to give me long, thought-out reasons why this merger will suck. With DOJ keeping the prices in check, and O&A and R&F keeping their jobs, I don't see what the problem is!

Please, other than pricing and the uncertainty of 202, what will the problems be?

I'm not going to argue too much on this one. If there isn't any way that either company can continue on their own, this may be the only way that satellite radio can survive. If the prices can be kept in check based on the schedule prepared as part of the merger plans, that's good for the consumer, at least in the short term. Long term could be a completely different story if satellite gains true dominance over terrestrial and the merged company is no longer subject to the agreed fee schedule. As I said before, the people it will suck for are the ones with redundant positions. I don't put the employees of 202 in that position -- O&A and Ron & Fez are different enough from Stern that they aren't really what I would consider redundant. O&A and Ron &Fez will be draws to subscribers in some cases where Stern is not. The redundant employees are those currently working at the same genre channels on XM and Sirius.

[MadMatt]

There's ONE company, in the entire country, supplying one product. Satellite radio... after this merger, there's ONE source for it. It's the dictionary definition of a monopoly. If this isn't a monopoly, then monopolies don't exist.

Why do you think the issue has hung in the balance for literally years? They finally cracked, because there was enough fat cat pull behind the whole thing to keep it alive for this long in the first place. You can pay your way around any law you want, as long as there's enough money to be made in it.

But the business model has proven that two satellite companies can't exist. they are hemmoraging money. They are protecting the rates. Terrestrial radio is a competitor. Ipod is a competitor.

FCC may loosen rules on HD radio. You don't know what could happen.

The NFL is the only game in town for "professional" football. That's not a monopoly.

The argument that apparently worked is that Satellite Radio is along the same lines as downloading music from iTunes, streaming on the internet, or subscribing to satellite/cable TV. That is probably why XM has made every effort to supply various podcasts on iTunes and simulcasts on Direct TV - it "completes the circle" so to speak.

This merger seems to be the only way that both companies will survive. Hell, there was an article last week (posted/linked on RF.net [I]somewhere) that surmised that XM would be defunct in the near future if left standing by itself. The amount of debt and lack of fiscal growth was to blame. And XM was standing along side other major entities like Circuit City, Gateway computers, et al. It was a rather daunting picture.

[Earlshog]

From the article:

"The merger would combine the nation's only two satellite radio companies and create a company with about 14 million subscribers. It would bring together Sirius' most well-known content, including Howard Stern and National Football League games with XM's Major League Baseball as well programming from Oprah Winfrey."

Why are O and A (and Ron and Fez, for that matter) hardly ever mentioned in these sorts of articles or press releases? It's like XM is ahsamed of O&A and does a horrible job of marketing them. It's even worse for Ron and Fez. You would think that a very well-known show like O&A would rate more than only being mentioned when they're in trouble and having microscopic pictures and mentions on all the XM literature, advertising posters, etc. Ron and Fez, while less well-known, deserve more than passing mentions (at best) in XM's "publicity."

I'm sure things will only get worse under Mel Shithat, unless his business sense (hopefully) does rule.

MLB, NFL, Howard Stern and Oprah are household names O & A and R & F are not.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Paging Matty Fridays, you are needed at Fark immediately.

Oh crap, what now? Look out for a shout out for me in the threads.

[SatCam]

I almost think a pre-emptive banning of me is gonna be needed, because this could go downhill in a hurry.

All right. Let me put forth a few things:

1) Myth #1: OMG! HOWARD IS GOING TO GAG THEM! THIS IS GONNA BE HORRIBLE.

FACT: O&A's best radio is when it's them vs. "The Man". O&A's best radio came when Howard gagged them.

2) Myth #2: Howard is going to put them under his thumb.

FACT: As long as they are separated, with Howard in his studios and stations and O&A on theirs, I don't foresee a problem.

3) Myth #3: Sirius will make the O&A show suck.

FACT: One of the biggest problems that O&A show has faced was the XM Lawyers stopping bits on the show. Howard allows chicks to be violated by sex robots on his show. If anything, this will open up more bits, including the possible return of the 55 Gallon Drum Challenge.

I really want people to give me long, thought-out reasons why this merger will suck. With DOJ keeping the prices in check, and O&A and R&F keeping their jobs, I don't see what the problem is!

Please, other than pricing and the uncertainty of 202, what will the problems be?

These are three things I don't care at all about. I dont listen to O&A and I havent listened to R&F since Free FM.


But the reason I say this is because a monopoly is never good. And unfortunately Sirius and XM are so far into the game that another company to trying to compete with them would be almost impossible.

And it is this lack of competition that I believe that content will start to suck, they will pretty much give up on doing anything innovative. They already have enough subscribers. Yes, they have to compete against terrestrial radio, but unfortunately sat radio comes out the lesser of the two evils (for now). I didn't know about the price lock, but I doubt that will stop them at some point in the future.


Sirius-XM will become the AOL of satellite radio

[Doctor Z]

But the business model has proven that two satellite companies can't exist. they are hemmoraging money. They are protecting the rates. Terrestrial radio is a competitor. Ipod is a competitor.

As far as I'm concerned, that's a loophole. It's an argument created by lawyers in favor of the merger, and it's bogus. That's like saying Milton Bradley is a direct competitor with Nintendo and Microsoft, cuz they all make games. Satellite radio is a different product from free radio and podcasts, with unique and exclusive features. The bottom line is, if you want satellite radio, there's only ONE company to turn to now. There is zero freedom of choice.

And yes, both companies are failing to turn profits and losing a lot of money, but elimination of competition is only gonna make that worse, if you go by basic logic. It'll put a band-aid on it, and MAYBE get them out of the ditch they're in, but in the long run, total lack of competition hurts business.

[Earlshog]

It sucks for the redundant staff -- for instance, a newly merged company isn't going to two need two completely staffed 80s channels. On the other hand, if it's true that neither company could survive in the long run on it's own, it only makes sense.

Unfortunately, a lack of competition removes the impediment for things like rate hikes. Still, satellite radio is still in competition with terrestrial radio, so terrestrial radio still has the potential to keep rates somewhat in check.

Yes it certainly does. Especially with terrestrial radios still evolving HD technology. As the cost of HD radios inevitably drop and become standard in new vehicle it will give people a vast array of FM listening options and clearer sounding AM stations (without a monthly subscription fee).

Who knows where WI Fi technology will be two, five, ten years down the road. Streaming could eventually prove to be a competitor in this arena as well.

[Hottub]

The redundant employees are those currently working at the same genre channels on XM and Sirius.

Eddie Trunk and Kevin Cash?:glurps:

[Earlshog]

As far as I'm concerned, that's a loophole. It's an argument created by lawyers in favor of the merger, and it's bogus. That's like saying Milton Bradley is a direct competitor with Nintendo and Microsoft, cuz they all make games. Satellite radio is a different product from free radio and podcasts, with unique and exclusive features. The bottom line is, if you want satellite radio, there's only ONE company to turn to now. There is zero freedom of choice.

And yes, both companies are failing to turn profits and losing a lot of money, but elimination of competition is only gonna make that worse, if you go by basic logic. It'll put a band-aid on it, and MAYBE get them out of the ditch they're in, but in the long run, total lack of competition hurts business.

If Satellite radios content starts to succeed at some point you can bet it will be stolen by terrestrial radio in a heart beat. Terrestrial has already set up and initiated plans to minimize the impact of Ipods (successful in some markets not so much in others) and Satellite ( HD technology and Free Fm's come to mind) I don't see how it is much different then free radio, just because it doesn't have commercials on some music channels? Cause they can drop the F Bomb?

[Tenbatsuzen]

These are three things I don't care at all about. I dont listen to O&A and I havent listened to R&F since Free FM.


But the reason I say this is because a monopoly is never good. And unfortunately Sirius and XM are so far into the game that another company to trying to compete with them would be almost impossible.

And it is this lack of competition that I believe that content will start to suck, they will pretty much give up on doing anything innovative. They already have enough subscribers. Yes, they have to compete against terrestrial radio, but unfortunately sat radio comes out the lesser of the two evils (for now). I didn't know about the price lock, but I doubt that will stop them at some point in the future.


Sirius-XM will become the AOL of satellite radio

Sat, this isn't professional wrestling. The only thing that Satellite radio is "innovative" over regular radio is more choices, less commercials, and you can say "fuck". That's it. That's why people like it. It was the SPECIALIZED content that was going after each other, like Sports, Oprah, Dylan, etc. Not the music, which was the bread and butter of both platforms.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Yes it certainly does. Especially with terrestrial radios still evolving HD technology. As the cost of HD radios inevitably drop and become standard in new vehicle it will give people a vast array of FM listening options and clearer sounding AM stations (without a monthly subscription fee).

Who knows where WI Fi technology will be two, five, ten years down the road. Streaming could eventually prove to be a competitor in this arena as well.

Right. WiFi is gonna be the biggest problem here, and the DOJ knows this. That's why this happened.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Goddamn it Peach, now you got me all fucking riled up.

[badmonkey]

Right. WiFi is gonna be the biggest problem here, and the DOJ knows this. That's why this happened.

I can't fucking wait

[Doctor Z]

.FETAL ERROR.

[furie]

So, I have an xm subscription and a 1 year free subscription with sirius. I wonder how that's going to work. I'm guessing i'll keep the sirius and the xm myfi will fall into a family plan type deal.

thoughts?

[Heather 8]

Goddamn it Peach, now you got me all fucking riled up.

http://www.davidstuff.com/usa/lincoln/bush-mission.jpg

[Bulldogcakes]

It sucks for the redundant staff -- for instance, a newly merged company isn't going to two need two completely staffed 80s channels. On the other hand, if it's true that neither company could survive in the long run on it's own, it only makes sense.

Unfortunately, a lack of competition removes the impediment for things like rate hikes. Still, satellite radio is still in competition with terrestrial radio, so terrestrial radio still has the potential to keep rates somewhat in check.

And internet radio. Sites like LastFM (http://www.last.fm/dashboard/) allow you to program the radio station yourself, offering something satellite radio doesn't and making terrestrial just about obsolete. And as the latest handhelds get faster and less expensive over the next few years, cell phone access will approach what you have available online at home. It's redundant and silly to have a XM unit, I-Tunes player and a cell phone when you can get a handheld that does all of the above.

Thats not to say satellite can't still compete and win. Offering things like O+A/R+F, the Baseball package and offering it as an new car option still make it a unique and attractive service. But the playing field will continue to get more and more flat, as it online.

[Zorro]

So, I have an xm subscription and a 1 year free subscription with sirius. I wonder how that's going to work. I'm guessing i'll keep the sirius and the xm myfi will fall into a family plan type deal.

thoughts?

You're fucked

[marcpsych]

MLB, NFL, Howard Stern and Oprah are household names O & A and R & F are not.

I agree with that, but O&A could be household names if they were in any way marketed properly.

They are a major draw on XM and on terrestrial radio, yet XM practically hides them. Have you ever gone into Best Buy and seen the XM and Sirius displays? Stern has a tremendously large entire side of the display, while O&A have a tiny section of one side of the display (Ron and Fez are not even pictured).

Ron and Fez score #2 in the entire NY market during their first ratings book on Free FM, yet they are immediately jettisoned like so much flotsam, and XM continues to ignore them.

I'm looking forward to Ron and Fez live from 2 A.M. to 5 A.M. on the new merged format.

[spoon]

As far as I'm concerned, that's a loophole. It's an argument created by lawyers in favor of the merger, and it's bogus. That's like saying Milton Bradley is a direct competitor with Nintendo and Microsoft, cuz they all make games. Satellite radio is a different product from free radio and podcasts, with unique and exclusive features. The bottom line is, if you want satellite radio, there's only ONE company to turn to now. There is zero freedom of choice.

And yes, both companies are failing to turn profits and losing a lot of money, but elimination of competition is only gonna make that worse, if you go by basic logic. It'll put a band-aid on it, and MAYBE get them out of the ditch they're in, but in the long run, total lack of competition hurts business.

Exactly! Great post by the good doc.

[chubbyknuckles]

It sucks for the redundant staff -- for instance, a newly merged company isn't going to two need two completely staffed 80s channels. On the other hand, if it's true that neither company could survive in the long run on it's own, it only makes sense.

Unfortunately, a lack of competition removes the impediment for things like rate hikes. Still, satellite radio is still in competition with terrestrial radio, so terrestrial radio still has the potential to keep rates somewhat in check.

I , in a possibly stupid move, haven't read through this whole thread yet. But i think the massive overhead is what devastated both satellite company's. The contracts they threw around to howard and eminem , oprah, ellen etc., was just a bad business move. And sirius sucked regardless, I'm just hoping your right mikeyboy, with the whole drop the vendetta thing.

[BigReggie]

Maybe we should mail our poop to the department of justice. Nobody likes poop and thats what this decision does to R/F O/A

[Tenbatsuzen]

Maybe we should mail our poop to the department of justice. Nobody likes poop and thats what this decision does to R/F O/A

OK. Explain your reasoning.

How does it "poop" on R&F and O&A?

[Gvac]

I hope everyone tunes in to Ron and Fez tomorrow.

It will probably be their last show ever.

[mendyweiss]

Is It Just Mendy, Or Does It Seem Every 3 Years Or So, Drama Surrounds The Boys ?
Maybe Just The Nature Of The Business.
And m_b Please Help Mendy Stop Posting Like F_S. It Is a Pain In The Ass,But M_W Cannot Stop !!

[Zorro]

I hope everyone tunes in to Ron and Fez tomorrow.

It will probably be their last show ever.

Your mom's box

[underdog]

I hope everyone tunes in to Ron and Fez tomorrow.

It will probably be their last show ever.

WackbagGvac is the best.

[underdog]

There is zero freedom of choice.

You still have the choice not to get it.

And if its going to be a monopoly, then how come so many other companies are complaining about it and going to be effected by it? If satellite radio isn't the competition for terrestrial radio, why are they so against a merger?

You'll only have one choice for satellite radio, but you'll still have multiple choices for radio. And music. If clear channel bought all of the radio stations and all the satellite radio providers, that would be a monopoly.

Also, if the merger doesn't go through because its a "monopoly", and your concern is that there will be no choice for satellite subscribers, what happens when XM and Sirius both go out of business and there's no choice at all?

[brocklang]

These are three things I don't care at all about. I dont listen to O&A and I havent listened to R&F since Free FM.

Then, I don't really understand why you're posting on this board.

[badmonkey]

Then, I don't really understand why you're posting on this board.

SatCam
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,383

He might have made some friends around here somewhere in the 12 thousand posts over the last 6 years. Just a guess.

[spoon]

SatCam
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,383

He might have made some friends around here somewhere in the 12 thousand posts over the last 6 years. Just a guess.

Satcam?!?!

Hell no, we all hate him!!!

:wink::lol:

[furie]

Then, I don't really understand why you're posting on this board.

I didn't listen to a single WJFK show but i still posted here. This board is not just about the show. It's also about like-minded individuals conversing.

[DolaMight]

I'm not going to argue too much on this one. If there isn't any way that either company can continue on their own, this may be the only way that satellite radio can survive. If the prices can be kept in check based on the schedule prepared as part of the merger plans, that's good for the consumer, at least in the short term. Long term could be a completely different story if satellite gains true dominance over terrestrial and the merged company is no longer subject to the agreed fee schedule. As I said before, the people it will suck for are the ones with redundant positions. I don't put the employees of 202 in that position -- O&A and Ron & Fez are different enough from Stern that they aren't really what I would consider redundant. O&A and Ron &Fez will be draws to subscribers in some cases where Stern is not. The redundant employees are those currently working at the same genre channels on XM and Sirius.

I wonder if Serious has someone better than our 70's on 7 PD. I doubt it.
http://www.dressthatman.net/pics/discoman3.jpg

Speaking of redundant positions does Serious have a black earl equivalent?

[DolaMight]

Cramer has a great bit on his show the other day.

Maybe that was the boot in the ass the DOJ needed.

So is the FCC the final hurdle for this?

Leave it to him to pull it off. I bet he pulled in a favor from Bob Sakamano to make it happen.

[SatCam]

Then, I don't really understand why you're posting on this board.

because I'm a fucking troll!

[SatCam]

Speaking of redundant positions does Serious have a black earl equivalent?

http://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/68/81/22418168.jpg

[NickyL0885]

i remember reading prices would be Ala Carte? so, u pay for only the stations u want. thats the best thing. id only want Howard and a few rock stations. i dont need jazz, religion radio, politics etc.

[NewYorkDragons80]

I don't care as long as my Xpress EZ still works... I just bought a speaker adapter for it this weekend. $50 well spent :(

I really hope they can work out the compatibility issues so that everybody's receivers work

[NewYorkDragons80]

This also means Jim Breuer will be on VERY soon