Full Version: Sirius & XM to Merge
It appears that satellite radio is about to get a whole lot more interesting now that Sirius and XM have announced their intent to merge. I hate to think that this will kill competition and drive up prices, but that's usually what happens when mergers like this take place.
They're going to try to merge...
If it goes through, then XM listeners will get NFL games and Sirius listeners will get MLB. That last part I'd be happy with, assuming MLB Extra Innings is taken away from digital cable.
QUOTE
The deal faces substantial obstacles in Washington, including a Federal Communications Commission provision that specifically forbids the two companies to combine.
Analysts have noted that the FCC could change the rule, but in a statement late Monday FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said that the "hurdle" would be "high" to prove that the deal would be in the public interest.
"The companies would need to demonstrate that consumers would clearly be better off with both more choice and affordable prices," Martin said.
A combination would also have to meet antitrust approval from the Department of Justice. The companies are expected to argue that they compete not only with each other but also with traditional radio and a growing base of digital audio sources such as iPods, mobile phones and non-satellite digital radio.
Analysts have noted that the FCC could change the rule, but in a statement late Monday FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said that the "hurdle" would be "high" to prove that the deal would be in the public interest.
"The companies would need to demonstrate that consumers would clearly be better off with both more choice and affordable prices," Martin said.
A combination would also have to meet antitrust approval from the Department of Justice. The companies are expected to argue that they compete not only with each other but also with traditional radio and a growing base of digital audio sources such as iPods, mobile phones and non-satellite digital radio.
If it goes through, then XM listeners will get NFL games and Sirius listeners will get MLB. That last part I'd be happy with, assuming MLB Extra Innings is taken away from digital cable.
The Sirius-XM merger has been approved by the FCC.
That's good! I'd like to reenlist, but times are tough monetarily. Hopefully I can before too long! I love the comedy channels and a few others.
The deal is supposed to be that they're going to freeze prices for 3 years, and they're going to offer tiered options, where you can choose a certain number of channels that you want at one price, and pay more to add other channels. How this will affect current exclusives (Howard Stern and the NFL on Sirius, Oprah and MLB on XM) remains to be seen. Would I, as a Sirius subscriber, have to pay a lot more if I want to add the MLB games? (Not that I would, at least now, since I've got the TV Extra Innings package.) The devil, as always, is in the details. But if I can pay less than what I'm paying now for the channels I listen to regularly, I'd be very happy.
Sirius-XM (or at least the Sirius portion of it, which is what I subscribe to) is discontinuing access to their stations online unless you pay an additional amount or renew for an additional period. As stated in their e-mail to me:
On March 11, 2009, the online listening platform will be upgraded to a higher quality digital audio and no longer included as part of a base subscription at no charge. If you renew now, you can continue to listen online FREE for the length of the term you choose — but only if you act quickly. Rest assured, any credits on the account from earlier payments made will be applied to your renewal - you'll only be charged the difference. Act before March 10! This is your chance to keep online listening at no charge. Beginning March 11, if you wish to listen online, you will need to purchase a Premium SIRIUS Internet Radio subscription for $2.99 per month.
I just sent them a reply which basically said:
With money the way it is, it seems that unless they can accomodate me somehow I'm going to end up canceling my subscription. It's too much of a luxury now.
On March 11, 2009, the online listening platform will be upgraded to a higher quality digital audio and no longer included as part of a base subscription at no charge. If you renew now, you can continue to listen online FREE for the length of the term you choose — but only if you act quickly. Rest assured, any credits on the account from earlier payments made will be applied to your renewal - you'll only be charged the difference. Act before March 10! This is your chance to keep online listening at no charge. Beginning March 11, if you wish to listen online, you will need to purchase a Premium SIRIUS Internet Radio subscription for $2.99 per month.
I just sent them a reply which basically said:
- I have no problem with the current digital audio quality.
- The fact that the only way I can keep online access without renewing for yet another 1, 2 or 3 years is by paying more goes AGAINST the spirit of the Sirius-XM merguer regulations set up to prevent such price increases now that there is no longer competition in the satellite radio business.
- Even if I don't renew again, reducing the service I receive and not reducing the amount I pay is the SAME as a price increase.
- I was just renewed less than a month ago. Why should I have to renew again?
With money the way it is, it seems that unless they can accomodate me somehow I'm going to end up canceling my subscription. It's too much of a luxury now.
The thread about this on the DBSTalk forum is pretty extensive, with a LOT of discussion against the situation as it now stands.
I just wish they'd bring back the 80s and 70s channels like they were before this damn merger! The playlists suck now.
I just wish they'd bring back the 80s and 70s channels like they were before this damn merger! The playlists suck now.
It looks like merged company is on the verge of filing for bankruptcy.
I'm quoting myself! 
On March 11, 2009, the online listening platform will be upgraded to a higher quality digital audio and no longer included as part of a base subscription at no charge. If you renew now, you can continue to listen online FREE for the length of the term you choose — but only if you act quickly. Rest assured, any credits on the account from earlier payments made will be applied to your renewal - you'll only be charged the difference. Act before March 10! This is your chance to keep online listening at no charge. Beginning March 11, if you wish to listen online, you will need to purchase a Premium SIRIUS Internet Radio subscription for $2.99 per month.
I just sent them a reply which basically said:
So, the reply I got from them on this was one of their standard "we understand your unhappiness with these changes. We will forward your feedback on to our programming department" replies. But it's now past March 11th and I'm still able to listen online. I wonder what happened?
QUOTE(Joe in Philly @ Feb 4 2009, 07:03 PM) 
On March 11, 2009, the online listening platform will be upgraded to a higher quality digital audio and no longer included as part of a base subscription at no charge. If you renew now, you can continue to listen online FREE for the length of the term you choose — but only if you act quickly. Rest assured, any credits on the account from earlier payments made will be applied to your renewal - you'll only be charged the difference. Act before March 10! This is your chance to keep online listening at no charge. Beginning March 11, if you wish to listen online, you will need to purchase a Premium SIRIUS Internet Radio subscription for $2.99 per month.
I just sent them a reply which basically said:
- I have no problem with the current digital audio quality.
- The fact that the only way I can keep online access without renewing for yet another 1, 2 or 3 years is by paying more goes AGAINST the spirit of the Sirius-XM merguer regulations set up to prevent such price increases now that there is no longer competition in the satellite radio business.
- Even if I don't renew again, reducing the service I receive and not reducing the amount I pay is the SAME as a price increase.
- I was just renewed less than a month ago. Why should I have to renew again?
So, the reply I got from them on this was one of their standard "we understand your unhappiness with these changes. We will forward your feedback on to our programming department" replies. But it's now past March 11th and I'm still able to listen online. I wonder what happened?
Interesting post, Joe, for a couple reasons.
First, I never recall getting this Email from them. Second, last week while at work during my prep period I wanted to log in to my account and listen to a little music. I wasn't aware there'd be any issue, so I signed in and tried to listen online when I see what looks like some kind of options asking me to choose among different subscription packages.
I'm scratching my head going, "WTF?!?" I thought I was supposed to just log in to my online listening account and voila! Music would be playing. I didn't fully realize what was going on until I read your above post, Joe. In hindsight, I now know I was no longer able to listen gratis but had to "upgrade" my subscription package. This is bullshit.
First, I never recall getting this Email from them. Second, last week while at work during my prep period I wanted to log in to my account and listen to a little music. I wasn't aware there'd be any issue, so I signed in and tried to listen online when I see what looks like some kind of options asking me to choose among different subscription packages.
I'm scratching my head going, "WTF?!?" I thought I was supposed to just log in to my online listening account and voila! Music would be playing. I didn't fully realize what was going on until I read your above post, Joe. In hindsight, I now know I was no longer able to listen gratis but had to "upgrade" my subscription package. This is bullshit.
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