Sirius/XM Merger

[ooberdoob]

hearda bout it on the OT yesterday, got this email this morning.


February 19, 2007

To: SIRIUS Subscribers

Today is a very exciting day for SIRIUS customers. As you may have heard, SIRIUS Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio are merging to form the nation's premier audio entertainment provider.

This combination of our two offerings will benefit you - our loyal listeners. As a single company, we'll provide superior programming to you every day with the best of both SIRIUS and XM. Currently, XM and SIRIUS broadcast a wide range of commercial-free music channels, exclusive sports coverage, news, talk, and entertainment programming. Howard Stern. Oprah and Friends. The NFL. MLB. NBA. ESPN. CNBC. Fox News. Additionally, the combined company will be able to improve existing services such as real-time traffic information and rear-seat video as well as introduce new ones.

After shareholder and regulatory approvals, we anticipate that the combination will be finalized by the end of 2007. Until then, both companies will continue to operate independently. We will continue to provide you with the uninterrupted service - as well as the outstanding customer support - that you have come to expect and enjoy from SIRIUS. We do not anticipate any changes in your service during the merger process, however, please call our customer care team on 1- 888-539-7474 should you have any questions.

We look forward to the many benefits this combination will offer and continuing to make your listening experience an enjoyable one - offering more of the Very Best Radio on Radio.

Stay tuned,

Mel Karmazin, CEO

[Perdue]

great...now they'll start charging $30/month since there's no competition...

[sheepdog]

Do you really think theyll raise the rate for existing customers? If so, I'll cancel mine.

[ooberdoob]

if it's more than the $13 a month, i'm gone.

[shazapple]

Bad news bears... Im surprised the government would allow this

[Wiscon_Mark]

That's pretty shady right there...monopoly anyone?

[Perdue]

exactly. Our rates have been going up for the past couple years now. If you recall, once upon a time, you could add up to 4 extra tuners to one account for free. Now each extra one is another $5. When I first got XM a while back, I was paying a little over 9 bucks a month...now it's pretty damn close to 13. It's definately going up...that's how a monopoly works.

[ooberdoob]

i am also somewhat worried about the monopoly aspect, but then again, i can cancel service at any time and it's pre-paid, so if they hike it, well fuck em.

even if they are not merged, if they both raise rates, then what difference does it make?

[Wiscon_Mark]

They're much less likely to do that.

And it would also be considered a Cartel (which is illegal) if they jointly decided to raise rates together.

[badbasser98]

Does this mean I get to listen to Howard Stern on XM now? :lol:

[Perdue]

They're much less likely to do that.

And it would also be considered a Cartel (which is illegal) if they jointly decided to raise rates together.
Be quiet college boy...we don't need all your business terms and lingo! :smt002 :smt016

[Superu264]

I refuse to pay for radio. :cool:

[Wiscon_Mark]

I refuse to pay for radio. :cool:

I hate commercials. Commericials = paying.

[Superu264]

To be honest, I just don't listen to the radio, unless its the AM sports station here.

I have my iPod and an MP3 CD player in the Legacy. I don't need the damn radio.

[Wiscon_Mark]

To be honest, I just don't listen to the radio, unless its the AM sports station here.

I have my iPod and an MP3 CD player in the Legacy. I don't need the damn radio.

rock on.

[ivwarrior]

I don't know, I'm still thinking it probably won't get regulatory approval.

[Reason]

Well if they get to big and power full the government will step in and have them do what they did to Microsoft. Radio sucks anyway, I rather listen to what I want when I want.

[ivwarrior]

the government will step in and have them do what they did to Microsoft.

Nothing?

[Wiscon_Mark]

Well, if by nothing you mean we have to buy Microsoft office separate from Windows & computers that come with windows, then yes.