For those of you (like myself) who want the best of Sirius Satellite Radio in the comfort of your beloved E, I just heard on the news that the Department Of Justice approved the merger of the two satellite companies. Hopefully the FCC will follow suit (and they probably will – though maybe with conditions). Ironically I was in the waiting room of my local Honda dealer watching TV when I heard the news… I was waiting for the installation of body side molding to be completed (which, by the way, looks fantastic)…

Again, if FCC approved, I am pretty sure that it would mean that no invasive mods will be needed on or in your E to receive Sirius broadcasts; at least I hope this is the case. I was holding out on the purchase of the Honda Acura Sirius Connect Package, which was recently put on the market for $160 (plus installation), until news of the merger was announced. Nothing is in stone yet and while, of course, I understand the debatable controversy surrounding the merger, I absolutely hope it goes through. I have been a Sirius subscriber four almost four years and have missed the programming while commuting… I would, however, love to get some MLB and XM LED (an all Led Zeppelin channel) from the XM side of things.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this…

Don't bet that we will not need to get new radios.... XM is the red-headed step child in this transaction. I'm afraid the news here is that it just guaranteed the obsolescense of our installed radio channel.

The XM receiver in the Element is such a piece of crap anyway, if I'm paying for Sirius-XM and not getting the channels I really want, this just might be the nudge I need. Seriously, 12 presets? One line display, no scrolling? It blows chunks.

I do like the XM service okay... I wish it included BBC Radio1... and the Margaritaville Channel.

I really just want a wireless broadband so I can listen to Pandora wherever I go!

yes nothing like freedom of choice.

Don't bet that we will not need to get new radios.... XM is the red-headed step child in this transaction. I'm afraid the news here is that it just guaranteed the obsolescense of our installed radio channel.

That would really suck, but my hopes are still high... From what I remember both Sirius and XM said that their subscribers would be able to get programming from either service without having to purchase a new receiver. I might sound a bit naive, but maybe they've been working on the technology to make this happen....

A couple of months ago I heard a rumor that if the merger went through it would open up the option for a cheaper a la carte subscription package. It would knock a couple of dollars off of the monthly cost and you would be able to pick something like 40 channels. I find that this option would be very attractive. Has anyone heard these rumors now that DOJ has approved the merger?

Consumers would also, in theory, be able to hear programming that's specific to one service--such as Howard Stern on Sirius and Oprah on XM--without having to purchase a new radio, if the companies merge.

At the moment, accessing channels offered by both satellite radio providers--for instance, Howard Stern on Sirius or Oprah on XM--requires a separate $12.95 monthly subscription and receiver for each company. If the deal is approved, company executives have said subscribers will be able to access channels from both XM's and Sirius's lineups without purchasing new radios, and that prices for either service won't climb above the $12.95 rate currently charged.

Under a post-merger pricing plan revealed last summer, consumers would also have numerous other options, ranging from a 50-channel "a la carte" package costing $6.99 per month, to a 180-channel bundle of combined XM and Sirius offerings for $25.90 per month. But to subscribe to the new "a la carte" channel packages, consumers would have to buy new radio receivers capable of processing those requests, which would reportedly cost the same amount as existing receivers (ranging from about $50 to more than $200).

http://www.news.com/newsblog/8301-10784_3-9902023-7.html?tag=nefd.lede

like you stated -

IF the FCC approves... we've been down this road before....


just sayin'

like you stated -

IF the FCC approves... we've been down this road before....


just sayin'

I have heard that after most DOJ rulings, the FCC usually follows suit. I hope so... There is a lot of controversy around this case, however, and with all the lobbyists and organizations against the merger, this just might be a different story... Apparently an FCC ruling is expected by the end of the month.... We'll see.

I'll be sure to listen in on Stern's show to see what they have to say....they've been pushing for this merger too as a step in the right direction.

Ala carte would be a great idea as there's so many channels I don't listen to, but if I could pick and choose from both that'd be great.

I must have misunderstood much of the original political BS, because I thought the FCC was the ones who opposed this, since they really do no have any censorship rights or much say so on the rights/wrongs of the broadcasting.

I must have misunderstood much of the original political BS, because I thought the FCC was the ones who opposed this, since they really do no have any censorship rights or much say so on the rights/wrongs of the broadcasting.

The FCC is probably weary of the merger... I would guess (in part) because of its detestation for the Howard Stern Show, not to mention the special interest groups and corporations like the Clear Channel Conglomerate breathing down its neck.

Let’s hope they approve it. If they do, it shouldn’t be too long (I hope) before we’ll have the option of tuning in to Sirius as well as XM. And I agree with Dancetiludrop, an Ala Carte subscription would be great.

I'm so glad that the Department of Justice approved it. I'm tired of paying for both services. I didn't know that a new radio will probably be needed to be able to pick and choose channels.

Oh well, it will still be cheaper for me to pay for all of the channels once they merge, than it is for me to subscribe to 2 services. :)

Just one concern. Before the merger, they had each other to keep the monthly prices in check. Once they do merge, what's to keep the monthly costs to the consumer from going up? Cable TV pricing is OUTRAGEOUS. The only thing keeping Satellite radio from costing an arm and a leg is the fact that;
A. They are 2 separate entities, thus have to remain competitive.
B. Old fashioned FM radio is still fairly free. You just have to pay them with time listening to ridiculous commercials.

Once XM and Sirius Merge, they will be an exclusive pay service.

I, myself, have switched over to the iPod, and I don't think I've looked back since.

I'm fully behind this merger. It'll obviously enhance competition between all the other zero satellite radio companies! :D

I think it is good for the satellite radio bis. They can't just go raising prices and expect people to keep their subscriptions. They have a very small fraction of the listening audience. MP3 players and traditional broadcast radio will always be a big competition for them. I do hope to see the A la Carte system acted upon.

Clear Channel has partnered with XM and has many of it's bigger channels broadcast over XM. WLW and MIX are a couple of them.

I also like the idea of possible in car satellite tv at a good price some day.

If Clear Channel does for XM what it did for broadcast, I'll be buying an Ipod.

If Clear Channel does for XM what it did for broadcast, I'll be buying an Ipod.

My worry exactly...:twisted:

I think that Sirius will help curb the Cheap Channel infection. I used to work for Jacor Broadcasting but when Cheap Channel took over I quickly left that Corperate hell. Jacor if you have not heard of was a great radio company that really put programming first and not the almighty bottom dollar. Clear Channel has made broadcast into a cheap knock off of satellite station consistancy. Everywhere you go you can listen to the same thing. (You are just restricted to the same 3 choices with cheap channel)

When Clear Channel and Cumulus moved in here, they laid off basically all the staff from the stations they took over and moved it to basically all satellite feeds. The pop station and the classic rock station still have DJ's in the studio but they do little more than the weather breaks and run the commercials...

From those in the know over at http://www.xmfan.com/

If you have an XM unit you will get the same XM you currently have + "select" Sirius offerings

If you have a Sirius unit you will get the same Sirius you currently have + "select" XM offerings

To get A-la cart you will have to purchase a new radio that has that technology


Lets be clear on one thing...this is not a merger...this is Sirius taking over XM :-(

From those in the know over at http://www.xmfan.com/

If you have an XM unit you will get the same XM you currently have + "select" Sirius offerings :-(

The "select" Sirius offerings better include Stern (and NBA).

Part of the financial issues was that the retention of customers was not what was originally predicted. The main issue....the monthly subscription rates. That is why you know see options regarding month to month. I think as long as the consumers continue to give feedback, the prices shouldn't go too high.

Im more curious what will happen to those people who bought lifetime subscriptions (Sirius) or multi-year plans (XM).

I myself have 5 year plans on 2 XM radios (one with 2 years left, another with 2.5 years left).

Im more curious what will happen to those people who bought lifetime subscriptions (Sirius) or multi-year plans (XM).

Interesting point! I pay for 3 Sirius subcriptions, month to month.

The "select" Sirius offerings better include Stern (and NBA).

No matter what it is you want, the "select" offerings always include everything else :lol:

No matter what it is you want, the "select" offerings always include everything else :lol:

:mad:Ain't that the truth:mad:

if the merger goes through... why would anyone think that is a good idea? most towns have a cable monopoly; has your cable bill ever gone down?
kinda funny that some said they are tired of paying for BOTH xm and sirius.

Because when you buy your house you don't have a cable or directv already installed and you didn't have a choice in the matter....that's what happens if you buy your car. Our E's have XM....what if I wanted sirius? Also cable has all the same channels...they all have hbo, showtime, espn, etc., where xm doesn't have things like howard, and sirius doesn't have baseball. Imagine having directv but not having espn :rolleyes:

There will still be competition with the merger with clearchannel radio, and advertisers will keep things competitive too. The last thing sirius wants to do is jack the price up and drive everyone away when they just paid billions to get xm.

the competition between satelite and terrestrial is NOT the same thing. terrestrial radio is free, remember. there are 2 sat radio companies; soon to be one. that means NO competition.
do you think comcast cable would offer better prices if they competed directly against time-warner or another cable company.
it's basically giving sat radio providers a monopoly. w/o competition, there is no incentive to keep costs competitive because, there is no one to compete with.
it's basic free-market economics.
any industry with choice equals a better deal for the consumer. any market w/o choice equals the shaft to the consumers.
your honda may have come with xm but that certainly doesn't mean you can't put sirius in it. if you want built in sirius, buy a new head unit or a toyota or some other car that has it built in.

You just re-affirmed my statement....I can't buy a Honda with sirius....why would I buy a toyota or a ford just becuase they offer a certain radio.

If they make the price too high people will just listen to free radio and that in itself IS competition. You can listen to espn and other talk radio on the am, and you can listen to basically the same songs on fm thus, this is the competition.

Is it fair that to listen to nfl & mlb I have to own two radios and have two subscriptions? I don't have to own both the dishnetwork & directv to watch hbo & showtime :rolleyes:

I agree with Dance, if they make the price too high people will cancel, I know I will. I'll just listen to the regular radio and/or get a fancy head unit that will control my iPod/iPhone and and HD tuner.

the competition between satelite and terrestrial is NOT the same thing. terrestrial radio is free, remember. there are 2 sat radio companies; soon to be one. that means NO competition.
do you think comcast cable would offer better prices if they competed directly against time-warner or another cable company.
it's basically giving sat radio providers a monopoly. w/o competition, there is no incentive to keep costs competitive because, there is no one to compete with.
it's basic free-market economics.
any industry with choice equals a better deal for the consumer. any market w/o choice equals the shaft to the consumers.
your honda may have come with xm but that certainly doesn't mean you can't put sirius in it. if you want built in sirius, buy a new head unit or a toyota or some other car that has it built in.

I disagree, free radio is competition to the satellite as are mp3 providers like iTunes. I don't think the consumers will get "the shaft", especially if free radio figures out the HD thing and it's standard. Satellite radio is still in the red, and raising prices would be the self-inflicted wound that kills them.

...free radio is competition to the satellite as are mp3 providers like iTunes. I don't think the consumers will get "the shaft", especially if free radio figures out the HD thing and it's standard. Satellite radio is still in the red, and raising prices would be the self-inflicted wound that kills them.

I agree completely!

I get the issue about not being able to get certain channels w/o buying either sirius or xm. that does not address the lack of competition in satelite radio with this merger.
it's a basic tenet of free market economics; with no competition there is no drive to do better.
why do you suppose there are public utility commissions to deal with the monopoly that electric and water companies have?
it appears that the merger will allow some choosing of channels. I like that. but I would be surprised to see the pricing remain close to what it is now and the quality of programming to remain where it is.
just saying....

The DOJ & FCC agree with the aforementioned statements about lack of competition and have often commented on their concerns.

XM & Sirus have been lobbying heavily that because both companies are losing hundreds of millions of dollars, without this merger there would be no satellite radio at all. That's why the government agencies are going to approve the merger.

The competition then becomes, trying to put forth a product that enough people will want to pay for in order to be profitable.

I'm certainly glad and relieved that the federal govt is concerned about the possible dirth of satelite radio. maybe they can fix the deficit too.

What is taking the FCC so long? Either approve or deny this already!

Is that a serious question Noregrets? It is a FEDERAL agency afterall. They only act quickly if it involves collecting money.