D Peter Maus wrote:
RHF wrote:
On Mar 17, 11:51 am, D Peter Maus wrote:
Note the last CCU Requirement.

If granted, Step One has been taken.

From AllAccess.com
************************************************** *************

Clear Channel Outlines Sirius-XM Merger Concessions

CLEAR CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS outlined its most detailed concession
requirements in a filing with FCC posted TODAY, should the Commission
approve the merger between SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO INC. and XM SATELLITE
RADIO HOLDINGS INC, reports ORBITCAST.COM. While earlier FCC filings
have essentially reiterated CLEAR CHANNEL's prior argument that granting
the merger would permit for too much spectrum control for a single
entity, the filing posted online TODAY gives the most level of detail
about merger concessions.

"Were the Commission inclined to approve the merger, nonetheless, it
should, at a minimum, impose the following conditions that would be
essential to remain even remotely faithful to Commission precedents and
policies regarding competition, spectrum and preservation of a viable,
locally-oriented, free, over-the-air radio broadcast system," the
company wrote in an ex parte filing.

The merger conditions that CLEAR CHANNEL is requesting include:

* No less than 50% of broadcast capacity be made available for lease to
create "a viable competitive alternative" to the merged company.
* No less than 5% of capacity be set aside for public interest
programming, modeled after the 4-7% requirement for DBS services.
* That Sirius-XM be subject to indecency regulations. Because, "one of
the primary potential dangers to free, over-the-air radio posed by this
merger is siphoning popular, including 'edgy' content, with consequent
loss of advertising revenue."
* Sirius-XM be prohibited from broadcasting local content.
* Sirius-XM be prohibited from receiving local advertising revenue.
* The FCC require that HD Radio capabilities be built in to all
satellite radio receivers.

DPM,

The two key things i see here are :

XM-SIRIUS 'you' can have a Monopoly -provide- That 'we'
can buy into your Direct Radio Satellite Service "At Cost";
and you have to set-a-side 50% of your capability for 'us'
to use "At Cost". Other Non-Satellite Audio Content
Providers get to Ride-A-Long on the XM-Sirius Satellites
"At Cost".

Basically all 'new' US Type Approved Radios will eventually
be "All Mode" {Digital} AM/FM/DS Radios.

we are doomed ~ RHF
.


No doubt....it's gonna suck.

Interestingly, both XM and Sirius, having created a loyal, if small,
customer base by appealing to those who do NOT want to suffer through
CCU style programming, may be indundated with CCU style programming
anyway...by CCU's insistenence...not XM or Sirius'. Meaning that, now, a
competitor can directly dictate a company's content by mandate? Bull****.

Further, if an indecency mandate should be part of the merger decree,
one of the key selling points for moving away from the overhomogeninzed
pap and pablum of terrestrial radio evaporates. Ending most uneditied
comedy channel content, and re-shackling Howard Stern.

But the key provision is an FCC mandate that all satellite radios
include HD terrestrial reception. First step to an all digital
broadcasting conversion....a stated goal of both iBiquity AND Powell's FCC.

If CCU prevails here...XM and Sirius in trouble.

And iPod sales will spike.


XM and Sirius are becoming less relevant by the minute. They were nice
to have around for a while, and I still have Sirius in my 3 vehicles,
but there are much better choices for music and talk lovers at home and
at work.