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.

On Mar 18, 7:32�am, dave wrote:
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 thatHD Radiocapabilities 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.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Satellite radio is fast becoming a bust, as is digital radio around
the world:

"Directed Electronics elects not to give guidance, because of
satellite radio"
Monday, March 17, 2008 at 4:49 PM

While it's of little surprise that either Sirius or XM would elect not
to give investors guidance for the year, it looks like Directed
Electronics has gone done the same thing.

The company cited a number of factors, including "the historical
volatility of satellite radio sales" as well as the pending merger
between Sirius and XM. That, coupled with the slowing economy, was
enough for Directed to hold off on predicting sales and earnings for
the year.

That "volatility" that Directed is referring to might have a little
something to do with satellite radio sales being in the toilet.

In the fourth quarter of 2007, gross sales of satellite radio products
dropped a whopping 51% to $56.2 million - that's down from $114
million in the fourth quarter of 2006. And for the full year?
Satellite radio sales fell 46.4% to $117.9 million, compared to $220.1
million for 2006.

The good news, for Directed at least, is that amended agreement with
Sirius will lead to a "reduced risk" in satellite radio business.

http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/di...ite-radio.html

The FCC could mandate digital radio all they want, but it is still
going to be a failure.