Proposed XM/Sirius post-merger plans

[BradOlson]

http://www.twice.com:80/article/CA6462225.html

[Grant]

Yup, destroy a perfect system with tiered services..:rolleyes:

[hoover537]

It's all a bit confusing. It looks like you will need a "new generation" receiver to get both Sirius and XM channels if you purchase al a carte? or am I reading it wrong?
However to be able to pick just stations that I want to listen to is very appealing to me. I don't find myself listening to anymore than 10 stations at the most. So that means there is over 100 stations that I never listen to.

[jojopuppyfish]

Its not going to go through.....The fcc rules currently say that they can't own one another.

[Grant]

It's all a bit confusing. It looks like you will need a "new generation" receiver to get both Sirius and XM channels if you purchase al a carte? or am I reading it wrong?
However to be able to pick just stations that I want to listen to is very appealing to me. I don't find myself listening to anymore than 10 stations at the most. So that means there is over 100 stations that I never listen to. They won't get away with that! What about all those cars and home receivers with XM or Sirius receivers factory-installed?

[Tubeman]

As you may have heard, XM and Sirius recently announced they will merge to form the nation's premier audio entertainment service. We know you have some questions, and we'd like to answer some of them herehttp://www.xmradio.com/merger/news.xmc
How will this merger benefit me as a customer?As a part of the XM Nation, you can already hear great programming wherever you are. But soon, you'll be able to hear even more. After we join forces, you'll have more choices with access to a mix of programming from both services at better pricing
Will my existing radio continue to work after the companies merge?You'll be able to use the exact same satellite radio that you are listening to now, after the merger takes place and for the life of your radio. That's the XM Customer Promise.
I want to buy a second radio; should I wait for the new models?
You'll be able to hear new programming on your current radio. And since we have great pricing deals on second radios now, so no need to wait!
Will I continue to enjoy my current programming after the merger?
We will combine programming where we overlap, but the unique XM shows you love are here to stay.
What should I expect in terms of subscription costs after the merger?We will not raise the cost of your current XM subscription cost. We plan to add lower-tiers of pricing, and premium packages of service as we expand our programming, but your current package will stay the same.
Why sign up with XM now if I'm going to get the best of both worlds?
While we have agreed to join forces with SIRIUS, we're still the only place to hear the ump yell "play ball" or the other 169 other channels of unique entertainment, like Artist Confidential, Theme Time Radio Hour with Bob Dylan, The Bob Edwards Show, Opie and Anthony and Oprah & Friends.

[JonUrban]

This merger will never fly. And if it does, I think it will cost the customers in the long run.

However, if it does not go through, one of these will "go away".

Tough spot. Fighting Clear Channel and the NAB is almost impossible.

[JorgeGvb]

They were talking about the merger this morning on the news and it looks like the plan is for XM and Sirius to remain separate after the merger. If you have XM already, you will not automatically receive all the other Sirius channels (and vice versa).

To receive the unique channels you will have to pay "additional" subscription fees. Apparently if will you will not have to pay full price for access, but it will be significant portion of it.

[dufman]

If new hardware is required, then I am going to be glad I waited.

I was thinking about getting satellite radio in order to listen to English football.

[jojopuppyfish]

Fcc is push media cross ownership.....but is terminally waiting on the XM/sirius merger? Why? The all powerful radio lobby.
Pathetic.
At this point, I think its best to merge, as long as Sirius agrees to give up one of the licenses or the FCC allows other companies to get into the game.

[MikePh]

Fcc is push media cross ownership.....but is terminally waiting on the XM/sirius merger? Why? The all powerful radio lobby.
Pathetic.
At this point, I think its best to merge, as long as Sirius agrees to give up one of the licenses or the FCC allows other companies to get into the game.

Agreed. The major phone companies, banks and supermarkets have all merged in recent years, taking advantage of the D.C. climate. Mel Karmazin and the other Satellite execs aren't able to compete with the Radio Industry cash. Funny, like the music industry, the radio lobby has money and energy to focus here, but not toward creative and innovative ideas to help save their business model. Pathetic.

[rjp]

will XM customers get howard stern?

[Gary Freed]

Don't want to thread crap. I will NEVER pay for radio broadcasts. That being said, HD Radio is very exciting if it ever takes off.

[Ted Bell]

will XM customers get howard stern?

According to Howard: yes.

P.S. Gary, I'm old enough to remember when people were saying that about TV.

[JonUrban]

The same way the cable companies fought the Dish Network/Direct TV merger (which would have been sweet for consumers), the big radio boys (Clear Channel, Citidel, NAB) are fighting this one. However, it seems that the merger may actually go though now.

SIRIUS is making changes today and tomorrow with their equipent (which is causing problems for subscribers) that requires all SIRIUS radios to be updated in the next few days. This has to be merger related.

[Toka]

Agreed. The major phone companies, banks and supermarkets have all merged in recent years, taking advantage of the D.C. climate. Mel Karmazin and the other Satellite execs aren't able to compete with the Radio Industry cash. Funny, like the music industry, the radio lobby has money and energy to focus here, but not toward creative and innovative ideas to help save their business model. Pathetic.

Amen to that! 100% truth. I was not thrilled with the idea of paying for "radio", but after the first day I subscribed I had no regrets. HD Radio is a sad, sad joke.

[Dave D]

Don't want to thread crap. I will NEVER pay for radio broadcasts. That being said, HD Radio is very exciting if it ever takes off.

I love every cent of my Sirius, just for Howard alone. I'd rather pay for something I enjoy than get free crap.

[Sckott]

Agree w/ Dave D. XM subscriber here.

Once you can relax listening to non-stop music that you love (without the fatigue of listening to the same songs or CDs over and over) it's chump change for that luxury.

Don't knock Satellite Radio. It's a real bargain, real people who care about programming, good ideas, little or no censorship and (usually) NO commercials.

I can't listen to terrestrial anymore. It's as attractive as a clogged toilet.

[JorgeGvb]

I have had XM for nearly 2 years and love it. Excellent music & comedy channels and MLB. Nothing better than long trips in the car and never having to change the station too. It is worth every penny to me.

[Sckott]

If it wasn't for [XM] I wouldn't have found how funny John Pinette is.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=GUlf1F05gTA

I don't have time to wait for Comedy Central to be funny.

[Dinsdale]

I've been waiting to update my Sirius radio for this merger.

I've enjoyed Sirius. Great variety of music and programming, with real DJ's who talk about the music. I'd love for free terrestrial radio to give me the same thing, but it doesn't. Sirius is my best source to listen to new (or new to me) music.

[jojopuppyfish]

1) If you listen to free radio you do pay.....you have to sit though all those commercials
2) Sirius does have commercials on talk....but they are brief
3) I love Stern 100, NFL Sirius radio, Chanels 22, 35, 93,94

Honestly, I would love if they added KCRW from Santa Monica and radioparadise.com....
One problem I have with sirius is discovering new music....the above 2 stations do a great job of turning me on to new music.

[Gary Freed]

According to Howard: yes.

P.S. Gary, I'm old enough to remember when people were saying that about TV.:laugh:

Jay, you've got that right!
And it wasn't Hi-Def

Hope all is well.

Gary:wave: