MERGER OR NO, SATELLITE RADIO HAS “ISSUESâ€
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Force Commander
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MERGER OR NO, SATELLITE RADIO HAS “ISSUESâ€
"We are the CC Borg. Lower your shields and surrender your broadcast stations. We will add your biological and creative distinctiveness to our own. Your broadcast personality will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile."
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AmpedNow
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Re: MERGER OR NO, SATELLITE RADIO HAS “ISSUESâ€
Today is day 400 since XM and Sirius first submitted papers to the FCC. This is becoming surreal...
At this point, it has to be a "Yes" vote. When the NAB balks at the approval, the FCC cannot say that they didn't consider every argument, every i is dotted and t is crossed. Otherwise, Mel and co. will have no choice but to sue them. They have bled billions waiting so song for an answer. Billions that they could have used for other things, such as advertising. I can't imagine that they would take this long just to say "No", despite unconditional DOJ approval.
Interestingly, this has become the NAB's strategy: stall and stall until both companies either back out voluntarily, or go bankrupt, merger or not. Fat chance. They will be taken over by larger companies before that.
As for the survey, this proves why terrestrial radio will survive, merger or not... It's amazing the NAB has spent so much energy fighting something that currently only has >5% market share. Programming aside, it's hard to compete with "free". At least 50% of the population will never pay for radio under any circumstances. Amazingly, I seen a recent survey that implied that 20% of the population still has never even heard of satellite radio. Who are these people?! And what underworld can they be found in?
Wonder if they ever heard of HD?
In summery, yes, satellite will always have issues. A substantial amount of the population will never have any interest in it. And, there is a natural market ceiling for this technology. Although, it's unclear whether or not it's already peaking. IMO, I think the total sub numbers could almost double, if the tech gets less clunky and satellite can "park" its content in front of many more ears, before hitting that ceiling.
At this point, it has to be a "Yes" vote. When the NAB balks at the approval, the FCC cannot say that they didn't consider every argument, every i is dotted and t is crossed. Otherwise, Mel and co. will have no choice but to sue them. They have bled billions waiting so song for an answer. Billions that they could have used for other things, such as advertising. I can't imagine that they would take this long just to say "No", despite unconditional DOJ approval.
Interestingly, this has become the NAB's strategy: stall and stall until both companies either back out voluntarily, or go bankrupt, merger or not. Fat chance. They will be taken over by larger companies before that.
As for the survey, this proves why terrestrial radio will survive, merger or not... It's amazing the NAB has spent so much energy fighting something that currently only has >5% market share. Programming aside, it's hard to compete with "free". At least 50% of the population will never pay for radio under any circumstances. Amazingly, I seen a recent survey that implied that 20% of the population still has never even heard of satellite radio. Who are these people?! And what underworld can they be found in?
Wonder if they ever heard of HD?
In summery, yes, satellite will always have issues. A substantial amount of the population will never have any interest in it. And, there is a natural market ceiling for this technology. Although, it's unclear whether or not it's already peaking. IMO, I think the total sub numbers could almost double, if the tech gets less clunky and satellite can "park" its content in front of many more ears, before hitting that ceiling.
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AmpedNow
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Re: MERGER OR NO, SATELLITE RADIO HAS “ISSUESâ€
http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/siriu ... itely.html
We now know that a voluntary backout is off the table. The FCC will have to make a decision...
Which may take another 400 days.
Interesting development.Sirius, XM extend merger agreement indefinitely
Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 2:25 PM
Sirius and XM a-merger-made-in-the-heavens-approved-in-washington Mar-24-2008 have to extend their merger agreement, again. This time, though, they're not messing around with any deadlines (since the FCC sure isn't) and so they've decided to extend the merger agreement indefinitely.
The two companies have agreed not to exercise their rights to terminate the Merger Agreement prior to May 15, 2008. In addition, they've agreed to continue to extend the merger agreement, as necessary, for rolling 2-week periods.
The rolling renewal will continue until either side notifies the other of its intention not to extend.
We now know that a voluntary backout is off the table. The FCC will have to make a decision...
Which may take another 400 days.