XM/Sirius merger?

[Wallower]

<p>Merger talks again...</p><p>I know there have been rumors about a possible XM/Sirius merger for a while now, but this is looking more legit. The lawyers would have a hell of a time convincing everyone that they aren't a monopoly, but it could happen. </p><p>Here's one of many articles out now:<br />http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,145455,00.html</p><p>I'm sure our boys would be fine, but it would be odd to see O&amp;A and howie on the same network.</p><p>Your thoughts? Pee in my butt?&nbsp;</p>

[Snacks]

I wish theywould just do it already. Sirius XM or XM Sirius either way merge, join forces. I would love to see what would happen with Stern and Q&amp;A?

[riverofpiss]

<p>I hope it doesn't happen because I have listened to Sirius and their music channels suck.&nbsp; Everybody I know that has sattelite radio has Sirius though so maybe it is a good move for XM.&nbsp; Who is #1 in the States, XM or Sirius?</p>

[Team_Ramrod]

<p>The thing that would interest me is seeing which shows/ Channels become victims of the merger (if any). I once jumped into a vehicle with Sirius in it and listened for about an hour to a rock station and that's the extent of my Sirius experience.</p><p>All I know about their programming is the Stern show and Jim&nbsp;Bruer so I don't know about the quality of Sirius VS XM or who would be the 'main' entity in the merger but I'm sure it would be pretty good programming.... as long as my sub rate didn't increase.</p>

[yomudder21]

<strong>Wallower</strong> wrote:<br /><p>Merger talks again...</p><p>I know there have been rumors about a possible XM/Sirius merger for a while now, <strong>but this is looking more legit. The lawyers would have a hell of a time convincing everyone that they aren't a monopoly,</strong> but it could happen. </p><p>I can think of one person they wouldn't have to convince they are not a monopoly.&nbsp; How about <strong>FM radio, or HD radio, or CD players, or iPods, etc, etc, etc.</strong></p><p>Just because they are the only two SatRad companies and they merge, does not make them a monopoly.&nbsp; They still have clear competition who has a MUCH bigger percentage of the industry. </p>

[Wallower]

<strong>yomudder21</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>Wallower</strong> wrote:<br /><p>Merger talks again...</p><p>I know there have been rumors about a possible XM/Sirius merger for a while now, <strong>but this is looking more legit. The lawyers would have a hell of a time convincing everyone that they aren't a monopoly,</strong> but it could happen. </p><p>I can think of one person they wouldn't have to convince they are not a monopoly. How about <strong>FM radio, or HD radio, or CD players, or iPods, etc, etc, etc.</strong></p><p>Just because they are the only two SatRad companies and they merge, does not make them a monopoly. They still have clear competition who has a MUCH bigger percentage of the industry. </p><p>&nbsp;Well, I'll give you that. There are certainly a lot of delivery methods for audio content these days. I guess it would depend on how fine a point the courts decide to put on it. </p>

[terry1979]

<strong>Wallower</strong> wrote:<br /><p>Merger talks again...</p><p>I know there have been rumors about a possible XM/Sirius merger for a while now, but this is looking more legit. The lawyers would have a hell of a time convincing everyone that they aren't a monopoly, but it could happen. </p><p>Here's one of many articles out now:<br />http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,145455,00.html</p><p>I'm sure our boys would be fine, but it would be odd to see O&amp;A and howie on the same network.</p><p>Your thoughts? Pee in my butt?&nbsp;</p><p>My thoughts are that this article is over 2 years old...</p>

[boeman]

<p>It won't happen... yet. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Maybe once one of the systems is a clear loser, then the merger would be to give the other the added bandwidth, satelites and subscriber count. Right now both are clearly limping along, it will be quite a while until one really pulls ahead.</p>

[Wallower]

<strong>terry1979</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>Wallower</strong> wrote:<br /><p>Merger talks again...</p><p>I know there have been rumors about a possible XM/Sirius merger for a while now, but this is looking more legit. The lawyers would have a hell of a time convincing everyone that they aren't a monopoly, but it could happen. </p><p>Here's one of many articles out now:<br />http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,145455,00.html</p><p>I'm sure our boys would be fine, but it would be odd to see O&amp;A and howie on the same network.</p><p>Your thoughts? Pee in my butt? </p><p>My thoughts are that this article is over 2 years old...</p><p>&nbsp;Well... damn. How about this one from today:</p><p>http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/xmsirius-merger-plans-to-be-announced-today.html<br />&nbsp;</p>

[boeman]

<strong>Wallower</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>terry1979</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>Wallower</strong> wrote:<br /><p>Merger talks again...</p><p>I know there have been rumors about a possible XM/Sirius merger for a while now, but this is looking more legit. The lawyers would have a hell of a time convincing everyone that they aren't a monopoly, but it could happen. </p><p>Here's one of many articles out now:<br />http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,145455,00.html</p><p>I'm sure our boys would be fine, but it would be odd to see O&amp;A and howie on the same network.</p><p>Your thoughts? Pee in my butt? </p><p>My thoughts are that this article is over 2 years old...</p><p>&nbsp;Well... damn. How about this one from today:</p><p>http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/xmsirius-merger-plans-to-be-announced-today.html<br />&nbsp;</p><p>This is based on speculation by one financial analyst... it's just fanning the fire started by one person who wants her stocks to go up in value.</p>

[sailor]

<strong>Wallower</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>terry1979</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>Wallower</strong> wrote:<br /><p>Merger talks again...</p><p>I know there have been rumors about a possible XM/Sirius merger for a while now, but this is looking more legit. The lawyers would have a hell of a time convincing everyone that they aren't a monopoly, but it could happen. </p><p>Here's one of many articles out now:<br />http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,145455,00.html</p><p>I'm sure our boys would be fine, but it would be odd to see O&amp;A and howie on the same network.</p><p>Your thoughts? Pee in my butt? </p><p>My thoughts are that this article is over 2 years old...</p><p> Well... damn. How about this one from today:</p><p>http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/xmsirius-merger-plans-to-be-announced-today.html<br /> </p><p><font size="2">&nbsp;here's it <a href="http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/xmsirius-merger-plans-to-be-announced-today.html" target="_blank" title="merger?">linked</a></font></p>

[Snacks]

<strong>riverofpiss</strong> wrote:<br /><p>I hope it doesn't happen because I have listened to Sirius and their music channels suck.&nbsp; Everybody I know that has sattelite radio has Sirius though so maybe it is a good move for XM.&nbsp; Who is #1 in the States, XM or Sirius?</p><p>I had sirius for almost 2 years and loved it. When I sold me car I left in in the car as part of the deal. I then bought xm, had it 1 week and cancelled it. I like RF but thats it. Everyone I know loves the music stations on sirius better then xm. We will see. Right now xm talk may be better the&nbsp; sirius but you dont need to be a xm subscriber b/c they have their 2 best shows on free fm. If you like stern you have to sign up for sirius.</p><p>I know this sirius hit 6 million ahead od schedule before the new year. XM was suppose to be at 9 million already and fell way short. Sirius is catching them quick. I look forward to a merger to get the best of both worlds.</p>

[Zorro]

<p><font size="2">Football and Baseball on the same service would be awesome.</font></p><p><font size="2">As for the FCC monopoly thing... the industry is in such trouble financially they'll probably allow it, because the way things are going they'll only be one company anyway.</font></p>

[aceofspades7]

<strong>Snacks</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>riverofpiss</strong> wrote:<br /><p>I hope it doesn't happen because I have listened to Sirius and their music channels suck. Everybody I know that has sattelite radio has Sirius though so maybe it is a good move for XM. Who is #1 in the States, XM or Sirius?</p><p>I had sirius for almost 2 years and loved it. When I sold me car I left in in the car as part of the deal. I then bought xm, had it 1 week and cancelled it. I like RF but thats it. Everyone I know loves the music stations on sirius better then xm. We will see. Right now xm talk may be better the sirius but you dont need to be a xm subscriber b/c they have their 2 best shows on free fm. If you like stern you have to sign up for sirius.</p><p>I know this sirius hit 6 million ahead od schedule before the new year. XM was suppose to be at 9 million already and fell way short. Sirius is catching them quick. I look forward to a merger to get the best of both worlds.</p><p>&nbsp;i have both and think the music is better on xm - for the most part they are identical but there isnt' a pure punk station on sirius like the fungus (at least when i last listened which was a while ago).&nbsp; the station on sirius was more of an extreme sports/punk/hiphop station </p>

[Snacks]

<strong>aceofspades7</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>Snacks</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>riverofpiss</strong> wrote:<br /><p>I hope it doesn't happen because I have listened to Sirius and their music channels suck. Everybody I know that has sattelite radio has Sirius though so maybe it is a good move for XM. Who is #1 in the States, XM or Sirius?</p><p>I had sirius for almost 2 years and loved it. When I sold me car I left in in the car as part of the deal. I then bought xm, had it 1 week and cancelled it. I like RF but thats it. Everyone I know loves the music stations on sirius better then xm. We will see. Right now xm talk may be better the sirius but you dont need to be a xm subscriber b/c they have their 2 best shows on free fm. If you like stern you have to sign up for sirius.</p><p>I know this sirius hit 6 million ahead od schedule before the new year. XM was suppose to be at 9 million already and fell way short. Sirius is catching them quick. I look forward to a merger to get the best of both worlds.</p><p>&nbsp;i have both and think the music is better on xm - for the most part they are identical but there isnt' a pure punk station on sirius like the fungus (at least when i last listened which was a while ago).&nbsp; the station on sirius was more of an extreme sports/punk/hiphop station </p><p>sirius also has a nightclub dance house station with a lot of big named DJ's that used to work in some of the nightclubs I managed. I like all types of music, so I give sirius the edge because of the house, freestyle, dance,&nbsp; station.</p>

[STC-Dub]

<p>The FCC makes the decision, not the courts.&nbsp; The FCC chairman has indicated that he would treat any potential merger the same way the FCC handled the one for satalite TV, which never happened.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=332318">http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=332318</a></p>

[Drunky McBetidont]

<strong>Wallower</strong> wrote:<br /><p>Merger talks again...</p><p>I know there have been rumors about a possible XM/Sirius merger for a while now, but this is looking more legit. The lawyers would have a hell of a time convincing everyone that they aren't a monopoly, but it could happen. </p><p>Here's one of many articles out now:<br />http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,145455,00.html</p><p>I'm sure our boys would be fine, but it would be odd to see O&amp;A and howie on the same network.</p><p>Your thoughts? <strong><font size="4">Pee in my butt?</font></strong>&nbsp;</p><a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.andrewskurka.com/assets/AT02/davenport/hilary_butt.jpg&amp;imgrefurl=http://www.andrewskurka.com/AT02/pictures/davenport.php&amp;h=450&amp;w=600&amp;sz=61&amp;hl=en&amp;start=6&amp;tbni d=AZB5hbutzTwNhM:&amp;tbnh=101&amp;tbnw=135&amp;prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpee%2Bin%2Bbutt%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3De n%26lr%3D%26sa%3DG"><img src="http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:AZB5hbutzTwNhM:http://www.andrewskurka.com/assets/AT02/davenport/hilary_butt.jpg" border="0" width="135" height="101" /></a>

<span class=post_edited>This message was edited by betidont on 1-11-07 @ 9:05 PM</span>

[Snacks]

<strong>STC-Dub</strong> wrote:<br /><p>The FCC makes the decision, not the courts.&nbsp; The FCC chairman has indicated that he would treat any potential merger the same way the FCC handled the one for satalite TV, which never happened.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=332318">http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=332318</a></p><p>why would the fcc handle this? I thought they hold no authority over satelite radio? If thats true how could they get involved? Now as a sirius owner and reading somethings, I have been told that the courts would have to decide this because of monopoly and no other choices for consumers (which is wrong you can listen to free radio, hd radio etc) </p>

[lifeforms]

<p>personally, I don't see a merger happening because it just doesn't make sense. but who am? just&nbsp;a&nbsp;pizza driver.</p><p>second, everyone I know has a sirius satellite radio. My brother swtched from XM when stern went to sirius and he claims the music channels on sirius are better. for me, i only like the fact that sirius has a channel for jam bands. musiclab was the gayest excuse for a jam band channel. other than that, i love xm.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[Dan 'Hampton]

<p>&quot;sirius also has a nightclub dance house station with a lot of big named DJ's that used to work in some of the nightclubs I managed. I like all types of music, so I give sirius the edge because of the house, freestyle, dance,&nbsp; station.&quot;</p><p>OKAY HORRIFIC!&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

[Tenbatsuzen]

<strong>Snacks</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>STC-Dub</strong> wrote:<br /><p>The FCC makes the decision, not the courts. The FCC chairman has indicated that he would treat any potential merger the same way the FCC handled the one for satalite TV, which never happened.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=332318">http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=332318</a></p><p>why would the fcc handle this? I thought they hold no authority over satelite radio? If thats true how could they get involved? Now as a sirius owner and reading somethings, I have been told that the courts would have to decide this because of monopoly and no other choices for consumers (which is wrong you can listen to free radio, hd radio etc) </p><p>&nbsp;FCC doesn't control the content over satellite radio, but they do control the LICENSE of satellite radio.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The SEC and FTC would handle the business/monopoly end, the FCC would handle the technical/licensing end.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[angelinad128]

It says an annoucement was to be made on the 11th.&nbsp; Anyone know if that happened?&nbsp;&nbsp;

[K.C.]

<p>This would be the worst possible thing that could happen. </p><p>If the two companies merged, the subscribers would be screwed. Subscription and units prices would get jacked up almost immediately, and probably steadily rise. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>It is interesting from a talent, stand point, though...if you're a conspiracy theorist, one might believe that O&amp;A and R&amp;F struck FreeFM deals to guard against just this very thing. </p>

[Don Stugots]

<strong>angelinad128</strong> wrote:<br />It says an annoucement was to be made on the 11th. Anyone know if that happened? <p>&nbsp;wait for it................. </p>

[Bulldogcakes]

<p>Just heard it on ABC news. Agreement was struck after marathon talks over this weekend. </p><p>Looking for link</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p> <span class="post_edited"></span>

<span class=post_edited>This message was edited by Bulldogcakes on 2-19-07 @ 6:05 AM</span>

[MrPink]

Awesome, because noone likes competition!

[HBox]

Ah fuck.

[narc]

Well fuck. I guess anti-trust law really doesn't matter anymore. Where is the solicitor general in all of this?

[led37zep]

I'm calling bullshit.&nbsp; Not buying it.&nbsp; Its still just a rumor.

[HBox]

How bad this will be, if true, is dependent on who is in charge. If XM management is in charge after the merger it won't be so bad. If Sirius management is, well, I wonder how O&amp;A will react to have Mel Karmazin and Billion Dollar Howie hanging over their head again.

[Billy Staples]

<p><strong><font size="2">Thanks Bulldog Cakes for the heads up...I've I'm this late reading and waiting...you got it and i applaud you!</font></strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong><font size="2">Thanks for the heads up</font></strong>&nbsp;</p><p><strong><font size="2"></font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2">It's about time they stopped squibbling over little things and did the deal</font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2"></font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2">I believe someone on this board called it a couple days ago, saying it would be a &quot;Merger Monday'...Oh wait, that was me!</font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2"></font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2">Ha&nbsp;&nbsp; it makes sense and its isn't an antitrust situation like with direct TV, which was viewing</font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2"></font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2">this is listening and you have Ipod, HD radio, FM radio,Hi fi,WiMax?.....cell phones, so many different ways to listen to whatever you want, a broader view of monopolistic&nbsp; had to be taken.</font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2"></font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2">C'mon, common sense said yes, just when and boy oh boy am I happy with my moves Friday.</font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2"></font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2">I would like to see the confirmation of it myself before I buy my new Porsche and hookers for a week.</font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2"></font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2"></font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2">all I know and no disrespect to anyone, but it would be a big mistake if Mel Karmazin wasn't in control.&nbsp; Common sense said 2 a days were not going on forever.</font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2"></font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2">With the Market being closed Monday for President s today, a perfect time to get all the attention and press and make the stocks skyrocket Tuesday.</font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2"></font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2">Off to the new CNBC board and find confirmation.</font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2"></font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2">Big question now is....what is gonna happen with the shows we care about.</font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2"></font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2">Are ONA and RNF going to be released and go to FreeFM totally?</font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2"></font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2">Stern is still there at Sirius and is still a name.&nbsp; No way both Stern and ONA go at it for the same company in mornings.</font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2">or even on the same channel or station if they move them to afternoon and RNF to evenings.....with all the replays and stuff.....tough call.</font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2"></font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2">tougher still, who will be the controlling interest.&nbsp; Peck a writer for&nbsp;Bear Sterns I forget, said X/m would or should get about 55% and that was one of the quibbles since Sirius was 2 years behind X/M in when they started and would overtake X/M by 2008 elections in viewers.</font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2">So, until I find confirmation, heres a page to check out the pre merger speculation chatter</font></strong></p><p><a href="http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;rls=GGLG,GGLG:2006-26,GGLG:en&amp;q=siri">http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;rls=GGLG,GGLG:2006-26,GGLG:en&amp;q=siri</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>$taples</p>

[Billy Staples]

<p align="left"><strong><font size="3">OK...Bulldog cakes...you got the scoop...congrats!&nbsp; </font></strong><strong><font size="3">here is your confirmation&nbsp; <a href="http://www.nypost.com/seven/02192007/business/heavenly_deal_business_peter_lauria.htm">http://www.nypost.com/seven/02192007/business/heavenly_deal_business_peter_lauria.htm</a></font></strong></p><p align="left"><strong><font size="3"></font></strong></p><p align="left"><strong><font size="3"></font></strong></p><p align="left"><strong><font size="3">Plus, I too just saw it on ABCnews....that the deal will be announced later today...the deal will make the new company having about 12 million listeners and supposedly as eqyals....thats all they said, other than how much Stern will be getting now.</font></strong></p><p align="left"><strong><font size="3"></font></strong></p><p align="left"><strong><font size="3">Look Official...intersting times to come...thought I saw it in radio a&nbsp;few years ago...finally pay back!!!</font></strong></p><p align="left"><strong><font size="3"></font></strong></p><p align="left"><strong><font size="3">Excep this just became too obvious....is everyone who publishes news on the net asleep or out partying?</font></strong></p><p align="left"><strong><font size="3"></font></strong></p><p align="left"><strong><font size="3"></font></strong></p><p align="left"><strong><font size="3">Staples</font></strong></p><p align="left"><strong><font size="3"></font></strong></p><p align="left"><strong><font size="3">PS...found it...starting a new thread,, sorry Mods but this might be worth it,,,your call</font></strong></p><span class="post_edited"></span><span class="post_edited"></span>

<span class=post_edited>This message was edited by Billy Staples on 2-19-07 @ 4:42 AM</span>

[spoon]

<strong>narc</strong> wrote:<br />Well fuck. I guess anti-trust law really doesn't matter anymore. Where is the solicitor general in all of this? <p>Seriously, WTF!&nbsp; Sorry Billy but these mergers are out of fucking control.&nbsp; Hell, AT&amp;T is right back where they were before they were broke up.&nbsp; We're down to three fucking companies again.&nbsp; In everything.</p>

[Bulldogcakes]

<p>Thanks for the link Billy. I was looking all over and wondered if I was dreaming when I heard it.</p><p>For those complaining about monopoly here</p><h2 class="r"><a href="http://www.thestreet.com/_tsctten/newsanalysis/techgames/10333065.html"><strong>Sirius</strong>, <strong>XM</strong> Can't <strong>Merge</strong>: FCC Chief</a></h2><p>I'll bet it goes through anyway. Nobody's forced to buy these services. Now I wonder what this means for subscibers. &nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[spoon]

That's an old link BDC.&nbsp; And this seems to me like the main way rich people continue to get richer, mergers and acqs spread out over two years for multiple bonuses.&nbsp; It's got to stop as competition is all but gone along with diversity in markets all over.&nbsp;

[patsopinion]

so its my job now to call o n a?

[patsopinion]

<p>o and a are going to talk about it later.</p><p>i just talked to em about it and steve said they are going to go over it</p><p>(i approve this post for other message boards)&nbsp;</p>

[Gvac]

<p>The company I work for &quot;merged&quot; (we were bought out, truth be told) with a large corporation and everything has gone to shit.</p><p>I'm a Cingular cell phone subscriber and they've been bought out by AT&amp;T.</p><p>I'm an XM subscriber and now they've &quot;merged&quot; with Sirius.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>What's next? </p><p>I just hope this move is beneficial for Ron and Fez in some way.&nbsp; I can't wait to hear the details, such as how the programming will be affected (will O&amp;A and Howard Stern be on at the same time?), and the technology.&nbsp; I just bought a new XM receiver.&nbsp; Will it be obsolete? &nbsp;</p><p>I DEMAND ANSWERS!&nbsp;</p>

[El Mudo]

Maybe they'll say the market is too weak for two companies to successfully survive?

[spoon]

It still has to get approved and I just can't see how.&nbsp; If so, redundancies will be rampant and a bunch of people will lose their jobs again so a few can cash in.

[patsopinion]

<p>thats weird....</p><p>i just talked to someone at o and a and yet they are in best ov's&nbsp;</p>

[sailor]

<strong>spoon</strong> wrote:<br />It still has to get approved and I just can't see how. If so, redundancies will be rampant and a bunch of people will lose their jobs again so a few can cash in.<p>&nbsp;<font size="2">there's no monopoly, so how would it be squashed?&nbsp; with all the other audio options this would be like someone getting a &quot;monopoly&quot; on the ginger ale market, still a teensy segment of the soft drink industry.&nbsp; and weren't both sides losing money hand-over-fist?&nbsp; i think this is for survival more than anything else. </font></p>

[sailor]

<strong>patsopinion</strong> wrote:<br /><p>thats weird....</p><p>i just talked to someone at o and a and yet they are in best ov's </p><p>&nbsp;<font size="2">they run short best-of's going into breaks.&nbsp; it gives xm more content when free-fm goes to commercials.<br /></font></p>

[Sheeplovr]

lies

[spoon]

<strong>sailor</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>spoon</strong> wrote:<br />It still has to get approved and I just can't see how. If so, redundancies will be rampant and a bunch of people will lose their jobs again so a few can cash in. <p>&nbsp;<font size="2">there's no monopoly, so how would it be squashed?&nbsp; with all the other audio options this would be like someone getting a &quot;monopoly&quot; on the ginger ale market, still a teensy segment of the soft drink industry.&nbsp; and weren't both sides losing money hand-over-fist?&nbsp; i think this is for survival more than anything else. </font></p><p>Sorry sailor but that a bullshit argument.&nbsp; So can Fox buy all the other tv channels bc theres DVD and radio.&nbsp; Fuck no.&nbsp; The venue is sat radio, and overall radio too if you push it.&nbsp; No more.&nbsp; I'm sure the lawyers will push this angle, but it shouldn't stand.&nbsp; However, in this day and age it will.&nbsp; Hell, the rules (the little that are still in radio) aren't even being followed or enforced anyway.&nbsp; If someone says fuck they'll be on it and it'll make national news and hurt nobody.&nbsp; But the fact that companies own way too many channels in one market and they don't give two shits.&nbsp; It was never like that before and that's why radio fucking sucks balls so expect the sat companies to follow suit when they don't have to worry about others not to mention all the lost jobs.&nbsp; The losing money angle is plain and simple bullshit accounting.&nbsp; You simply don't hand out money as they are to talent without a plan.&nbsp; And if it is indeed true, how bad can you run a company?</p>

[patsopinion]

<p>im need to sleep</p><p>can someone keep the thread updated so i can justify going to sleep.</p><p>iz got ppl i need to keep updated on this pertinant issue&nbsp;</p>

[spoon]

Oh yah and Sheep, you share your birthday with my dog.&nbsp;

[patsopinion]

<p>i believed bulldog</p><p>i thought he was credible</p><p>but not so much no more&nbsp;</p>

[sailor]

<strong>spoon</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>sailor</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>spoon</strong> wrote:<br />It still has to get approved and I just can't see how. If so, redundancies will be rampant and a bunch of people will lose their jobs again so a few can cash in. <p> <font size="2">there's no monopoly, so how would it be squashed? with all the other audio options this would be like someone getting a &quot;monopoly&quot; on the ginger ale market, still a teensy segment of the soft drink industry. and weren't both sides losing money hand-over-fist? i think this is for survival more than anything else. </font></p><p>Sorry sailor but that a bullshit argument. So can Fox buy all the other tv channels bc theres DVD and radio. Fuck no. The venue is sat radio, and overall radio too if you push it. No more. I'm sure the lawyers will push this angle, but it shouldn't stand. However, in this day and age it will. Hell, the rules (the little that are still in radio) aren't even being followed or enforced anyway. If someone says fuck they'll be on it and it'll make national news and hurt nobody. But the fact that companies own way too many channels in one market and they don't give two shits. It was never like that before and that's why radio fucking sucks balls so expect the sat companies to follow suit when they don't have to worry about others not to mention all the lost jobs. The losing money angle is plain and simple bullshit accounting. You simply don't hand out money as they are to talent without a plan. And if it is indeed true, how bad can you run a company?</p><p>&nbsp;<font size="2">huge difference betwixt thousands of radio stations and 2 sat's.&nbsp; sorry if you think that's &quot;bullshit.&quot;</font></p>

[Dan 'Hampton]

If that meant we could get some of the Sirius sports programming such as Premiership soccer or NFL that would be cool.&nbsp; Just save o a r f

[bobrobot]

<p>[quote]<strong>NYPost: </strong>On Friday, XM shares hit their lowest point since early November while Sirius shares were approaching 52-week lows. Shares in both companies did trade on heavy volume and ended the session higher, with Sirius gaining 10 cents to close at $3.70 and XM jumping a dollar to $13.98.<strong>[/</strong>quote]</p><p><strong><font color="#000080">Holy shit!!!&nbsp;Sirius is practically a penny stock!!!</font></strong>&nbsp;</p>

[patsopinion]

<p>oh so its a stock boost.</p><p>cuz indirectly they have refrenced a few times bs bloated value= stock prices?&nbsp;</p>

[cupcakelove]

The FCC blocked DishNet from buying out DirecTV years ago, I believe they would do the same here.&nbsp; And a lack of competition will only help the people that own the company.&nbsp; It will turn Satelite Radio into what regular radio has become today.

[Don Stugots]

wow, it looks like all this is true and this is going to happen.&nbsp; what will happen to all programming?&nbsp; OnA and RnF?&nbsp; it is all interesting but in reality, for me, Sat. radio without 202 remaining intacted or beinging added to will not be worth it to me to keep.&nbsp; hate to be selfish but if the b-b-boys and the buddays arent around then i will keep my money.&nbsp;

[watson]

Should be easy to find on www.abcnews.com you would think??!?!?!?! <br /> <strong>Bulldogcakes</strong> wrote:<br /><p>Just heard it on ABC news. Agreement was struck after marathon talks over this weekend. </p><p>Looking for link</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p> <span class="post_edited"></span> <span class="post_edited"></span>

<span class=post_edited>This message was edited by watson on 2-19-07 @ 8:21 AM</span>

[spoon]

<strong>Don Stugots</strong> wrote:<br />wow, it looks like all this is true and this is going to happen.&nbsp; what will happen to all programming?&nbsp; OnA and RnF?&nbsp; it is all interesting but in reality, for me, Sat. radio without 202 remaining intacted or beinging added to will not be worth it to me to keep.&nbsp; hate to be selfish but if the b-b-boys and the buddays arent around then i will keep my money.&nbsp; <p>It's far from a sure thing Don.&nbsp; There are a ton of hurdles left and i think they'll fall right on their face soon enough.&nbsp; Agree all you want between the two companies, but it still has to get through.</p>

[watson]

remember how the Dish&nbsp; Network (echostar) / Directv merger went???

[Bob Impact]

I wouldn't be all that shocked to see it happen, I'm more interested to see how they can possibly pull off any &quot;using of the same technology.&quot;&nbsp; They don't eve use the same style antennas or signal, and have been increasingly dissimilar in technological approaches lately.

[Dan 'Hampton]

I went over and checked what the dolts at SFN were saying and all I can bring back is that Mikey PLEASE keep up the good work and don't allow this site to become the Emoticon hell hole that that place is.&nbsp; GD is this what we'd have to look forward to coming to check out RnF if this merger goes down?

[Don Stugots]

<strong>spoon</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>Don Stugots</strong> wrote:<br />wow, it looks like all this is true and this is going to happen. what will happen to all programming? OnA and RnF? it is all interesting but in reality, for me, Sat. radio without 202 remaining intacted or beinging added to will not be worth it to me to keep. hate to be selfish but if the b-b-boys and the buddays arent around then i will keep my money. <p>It's far from a sure thing Don. There are a ton of hurdles left and i think they'll fall right on their face soon enough. Agree all you want between the two companies, but it still has to get through.</p><p>&nbsp;i am sure it is something that will not happen over night.&nbsp; i am curious as to how this is going to benefit us, the subscriber to either company. &nbsp; </p>

[Tenbatsuzen]

<strong>dschef</strong> wrote:<br />I went over and checked what the dolts at SFN were saying and all I can bring back is that Mikey PLEASE keep up the good work and don't allow this site to become the Emoticon hell hole that that place is. GD is this what we'd have to look forward to coming to check out RnF if this merger goes down?<p>&nbsp;</p><p>I think we took Wackbag integration pretty well.&nbsp; SFN ain't no thang.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[Tenbatsuzen]

<p>And yes, I'm kind of shocked by this.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[foodcourtdruide]

<strong>spoon</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>sailor</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>spoon</strong> wrote:<br />It still has to get approved and I just can't see how. If so, redundancies will be rampant and a bunch of people will lose their jobs again so a few can cash in. <p>&nbsp;<font size="2">there's no monopoly, so how would it be squashed?&nbsp; with all the other audio options this would be like someone getting a &quot;monopoly&quot; on the ginger ale market, still a teensy segment of the soft drink industry.&nbsp; and weren't both sides losing money hand-over-fist?&nbsp; i think this is for survival more than anything else. </font></p><p>Sorry sailor but that a bullshit argument.&nbsp; So can Fox buy all the other tv channels bc theres DVD and radio.&nbsp; Fuck no.&nbsp; The venue is sat radio, and overall radio too if you push it.&nbsp; No more.&nbsp; I'm sure the lawyers will push this angle, but it shouldn't stand.&nbsp; However, in this day and age it will.&nbsp; Hell, the rules (the little that are still in radio) aren't even being followed or enforced anyway.&nbsp; If someone says fuck they'll be on it and it'll make national news and hurt nobody.&nbsp; But the fact that companies own way too many channels in one market and they don't give two shits.&nbsp; It was never like that before and that's why radio fucking sucks balls so expect the sat companies to follow suit when they don't have to worry about others not to mention all the lost jobs.&nbsp; The losing money angle is plain and simple bullshit accounting.&nbsp; You simply don't hand out money as they are to talent without a plan.&nbsp; And if it is indeed true, how bad can you run a company?</p><p>Totally agree. I don't see the how people don't see this as a potential monopoly. Satellite radio is a medium. The Fox analogy is perfect. </p>

[Tenbatsuzen]

<p>Have O&amp;A spoke about it yet, or are they waiting to get to XM?</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[Dan 'Hampton]

<p>Wasn't there issues when DirecTV tried the first time to take over Pegasus (sp)?&nbsp; HOw can this be different.&nbsp; Maybe an ala cart system like the cable systems alway lure us into thinking will happen some day</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[cupcakelove]

<strong>foodcourtdruide</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>spoon</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>sailor</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>spoon</strong> wrote:<br />It still has to get approved and I just can't see how. If so, redundancies will be rampant and a bunch of people will lose their jobs again so a few can cash in. <p> <font size="2">there's no monopoly, so how would it be squashed? with all the other audio options this would be like someone getting a &quot;monopoly&quot; on the ginger ale market, still a teensy segment of the soft drink industry. and weren't both sides losing money hand-over-fist? i think this is for survival more than anything else. </font></p><p>Sorry sailor but that a bullshit argument. So can Fox buy all the other tv channels bc theres DVD and radio. Fuck no. The venue is sat radio, and overall radio too if you push it. No more. I'm sure the lawyers will push this angle, but it shouldn't stand. However, in this day and age it will. Hell, the rules (the little that are still in radio) aren't even being followed or enforced anyway. If someone says fuck they'll be on it and it'll make national news and hurt nobody. But the fact that companies own way too many channels in one market and they don't give two shits. It was never like that before and that's why radio fucking sucks balls so expect the sat companies to follow suit when they don't have to worry about others not to mention all the lost jobs. The losing money angle is plain and simple bullshit accounting. You simply don't hand out money as they are to talent without a plan. And if it is indeed true, how bad can you run a company?</p><p>Totally agree. I don't see the how people don't see this as a potential monopoly. Satellite radio is a medium. The Fox analogy is perfect. </p><p>I still think the DishNET/DirecTV analogy fits even better, especially since that actually happened. </p>

[foodcourtdruide]

<strong>Don Stugots</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>spoon</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>Don Stugots</strong> wrote:<br />wow, it looks like all this is true and this is going to happen. what will happen to all programming? OnA and RnF? it is all interesting but in reality, for me, Sat. radio without 202 remaining intacted or beinging added to will not be worth it to me to keep. hate to be selfish but if the b-b-boys and the buddays arent around then i will keep my money. <p>It's far from a sure thing Don. There are a ton of hurdles left and i think they'll fall right on their face soon enough. Agree all you want between the two companies, but it still has to get through.</p><p>&nbsp;i am sure it is something that will not happen over night.&nbsp; i am curious as to how this is going to benefit us, the subscriber to either company. &nbsp; </p><p>It will not beneift us. Monopolies NEVER benefit the consumer. The elimination of competition is ALWAYS 100% bad for the consumer. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[Dan 'Hampton]

But that took dishnetwork coming along before that happend.&nbsp; I don't see another startup company. Maybe HOO hOO will start his own with the half billion he's got and an additional who knows how much he'll recieve tommorw when stocks jump if this is true.

[Tenbatsuzen]

<p>Here's what I can see happening to avoid anti-trust.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Sirius sells off their properties and equipment to XM.&nbsp; The license and the satellites are sold off to a third party, avoiding the anti-trust.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[Dan 'Hampton]

Would that allow the company that survives to aquire the other company's programming or will this just benifit the business' not the consumer?

[cupcakelove]

<strong>foodcourtdruide</strong> wrote:<br /><p>It will not beneift us. Monopolies NEVER benefit the consumer. The elimination of competition is ALWAYS 100% bad for the consumer.</p><p>You mean higher prices with a lower quality product isn't a benefit?&nbsp; If this ever does happen they're going to market it as a simplified satelite radio solution that is great for everybody.&nbsp; You will also say goodbye to commercial free music. </p>

[Tenbatsuzen]

<strong>dschef</strong> wrote:<br />Would that allow the company that survives to aquire the other company's programming or will this just benifit the business' not the consumer?<p>&nbsp;By &quot;acquire properties&quot;, I mean everything that is heard on Sirius - Stern, NFL, Nascar, etc.&nbsp; But the problem with that is that without a competitor and everything under one umbrella, there's an anti-trust issue because there's not a lot that a competitor can pick up.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[Dan 'Hampton]

Wackbag (don't lump me in) is saying both shows are off today. true?

[foodcourtdruide]

<strong>cupcakelove</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>foodcourtdruide</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>spoon</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>sailor</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>spoon</strong> wrote:<br />It still has to get approved and I just can't see how. If so, redundancies will be rampant and a bunch of people will lose their jobs again so a few can cash in. <p><font size="2">there's no monopoly, so how would it be squashed? with all the other audio options this would be like someone getting a &quot;monopoly&quot; on the ginger ale market, still a teensy segment of the soft drink industry. and weren't both sides losing money hand-over-fist? i think this is for survival more than anything else. </font></p><p>Sorry sailor but that a bullshit argument. So can Fox buy all the other tv channels bc theres DVD and radio. Fuck no. The venue is sat radio, and overall radio too if you push it. No more. I'm sure the lawyers will push this angle, but it shouldn't stand. However, in this day and age it will. Hell, the rules (the little that are still in radio) aren't even being followed or enforced anyway. If someone says fuck they'll be on it and it'll make national news and hurt nobody. But the fact that companies own way too many channels in one market and they don't give two shits. It was never like that before and that's why radio fucking sucks balls so expect the sat companies to follow suit when they don't have to worry about others not to mention all the lost jobs. The losing money angle is plain and simple bullshit accounting. You simply don't hand out money as they are to talent without a plan. And if it is indeed true, how bad can you run a company?</p><p>Totally agree. I don't see the how people don't see this as a potential monopoly. Satellite radio is a medium. The Fox analogy is perfect. </p><p>I still think the DishNET/DirecTV analogy fits even better, especially since that actually happened. </p><p>Yes. The FCC will definitely site the dishNet/direcTV merger when trying to shoot this down. The FOX merger illustrates why this wouldn't happen on a broader level though.</p>

[Death Metal Moe]

<p>I don't buy it right away.&nbsp; </p><p>Also, if this shoves the monthy fee up I'm dropping XM and becoming a Free FM fan.</p>

[foodcourtdruide]

<strong>cupcakelove</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>foodcourtdruide</strong> wrote:<br /><p>It will not beneift us. Monopolies NEVER benefit the consumer. The elimination of competition is ALWAYS 100% bad for the consumer.</p><p>You mean higher prices with a lower quality product isn't a benefit?&nbsp; If this ever does happen they're going to market it as a simplified satelite radio solution that is great for everybody.&nbsp; You will also say goodbye to commercial free music. </p><p>You will see a watered down product. All they have to do is get by and make as much money as possible. </p>

[Soupy_Dreck]

If this merger goes thru, and Eric Logan/Don Wickland are fired, what will happen to OnA &amp; RnF?&nbsp; Those guys are huge supporters of the boys(especially ELo)

[sailor]

<font size="2">miss rampant speculation<br /></font>

[ChimneyFish]

<strong>Death Metal Moe</strong> wrote:<br /><p>I don't buy it right away.&nbsp; </p><p>Also, if this shoves the monthy fee up I'm dropping XM and becoming a Free FM fan.</p><p><strong><em><font face="georgia,palatino" size="2">It would be interesting to see just how much the O&amp;A/Ron&nbsp;&amp; Fez listeners make up of the total.(if they all dropped their subs)</font></em></strong></p>

[EastSideDaveFan]

<strong>dschef</strong> wrote:<br />Wackbag (don't lump me in) is saying both shows are off today. true? <p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I really hope this is not true...Earl will replay shit that is about a week old.&nbsp; plus it makes work so much more of a chore when not live.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Mikeyboy have any confirmation?</p>

[Tenbatsuzen]

<p>Why does everyone believe that Sirius holds the power here?&nbsp; They have less subscribers, their stock price is in the shitter, etc. etc.</p><p>If anything, XM management would be in control, IMHO.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[Tenbatsuzen]

<strong>dschef</strong> wrote:<br />Wackbag (don't lump me in) is saying both shows are off today. true?<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Lies.&nbsp; Off for XM, on for Free.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[ChimneyFish]

<strong>Tenbatsuzen</strong> wrote:<br /><p>Why does everyone believe that Sirius holds the power here?&nbsp; They have less subscribers, their stock price is in the shitter, etc. etc.</p><p>If anything, XM management would be in control, IMHO.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong><em><font face="georgia,palatino" size="2">I haven't read the story yet, but I would have to agree. All signs would point to XM having the upper hand.</font></em></strong></p>

[SinA]

starting today, you're giving $6.50 to howard stern every month

[Dan 'Hampton]

<strong>SinA</strong> wrote:<br />starting today, you're giving $6.50 to howard stern every month<p>&nbsp;Yeah well after talking to that smart ass jamaican this morning I'm only paying 13 bucks instead of&nbsp; 20 for the non existant family plan i was being charged for.&nbsp; At least they seem really willing to back credit your account. </p>

[EastSideDaveFan]

Is there a post somewhere saying why no new XM shows today for either show?

(Free FM is not on at a good time for me so dont care as much)

[HBox]

<p>Sirius has a lower share price but they have a an assload of shares on the market, much more than XM which means as a company they are worth more, 5.2 billion to 3.5 billion.</p><p>Why? I have no idea but its always been like that, even before Stern. No matter what they say, Sirius will be in charge.</p>

[Tenbatsuzen]

<strong>EastSideDaveFan</strong> wrote:<br /> Is there a post somewhere saying why no new XM shows today for either show? (Free FM is not on at a good time for me so dont care as much)<p>&nbsp;</p><p>It's a federal holiday?</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[sailor]

<strong>Tenbatsuzen</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>EastSideDaveFan</strong> wrote:<br /> Is there a post somewhere saying why no new XM shows today for either show? (Free FM is not on at a good time for me so dont care as much)<p>&nbsp;</p><p>It's a federal holiday?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;<font size="2">how does that affect esdf??&nbsp; it stank that they just cut out on free-fm and there was no notice they'd not be on xm. </font></p>

[Death Metal Moe]

I'm not going to freak about this one.&nbsp; I've been upset before the real vedict has come down too many times to get all pissed off about this right now.&nbsp; Only thing I'll say again is if they raise the price&nbsp;for whatever reason I'm going to have to seriously reconsider the service.&nbsp; I don't want to pay extra for Sirius channels, I didn't ask for this merger.

[Tenbatsuzen]

<p>Someone floated something on Radio Dentist's board that this may be a hoax perpetrated on the Post.</p><p>Why would someone engage in merger negotiations on a holiday weekend when there is nothing crucial at stake? This isn't a strike.&nbsp; This is nothing that couldn't have waited a week or so.</p><p>Why have a press conference on a holiday when the stock market is closed?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>ABC News could have picked up the Post's story, but nobody else has acted on the Post's story.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Peter Lauria isn't a hardcore post guy - it looks like he's a stringer looking for a big story, and he might have gotten suckered.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[lleeder]

<strong>Death Metal Moe</strong> wrote:<br />I'm not going to freak about this one.&nbsp; I've been upset before the real vedict has come down too many times to get all pissed off about this right now.&nbsp; Only thing I'll say again is if they raise the price&nbsp;for whatever reason I'm going to have to seriously reconsider the service.&nbsp; I don't want to pay extra for Sirius channels, I didn't ask for this merger. <p><font size="3">What if they raise the price by 1 penny a month? Will you still cancel?</font></p>

[Tenbatsuzen]

<strong>Death Metal Moe</strong> wrote:<br />I'm not going to freak about this one. I've been upset before the real vedict has come down too many times to get all pissed off about this right now. Only thing I'll say again is if they raise the price for whatever reason I'm going to have to seriously reconsider the service. I don't want to pay extra for Sirius channels, I didn't ask for this merger.<p>&nbsp;</p><p>I believe Sirius has an over-the-air channel similar to liquid metal.&nbsp; Or is that back over-the-air on XM?</p><p>I wouldn't mind paying a few extra dollars for NASCAR and the NFL, and the Elvis and Sinatra channels.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[sailor]

<strong>Tenbatsuzen</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>Death Metal Moe</strong> wrote:<br />I'm not going to freak about this one. I've been upset before the real vedict has come down too many times to get all pissed off about this right now. Only thing I'll say again is if they raise the price for whatever reason I'm going to have to seriously reconsider the service. I don't want to pay extra for Sirius channels, I didn't ask for this merger.<p>&nbsp;</p><p>I believe Sirius has an over-the-air channel similar to liquid metal. Or is that back over-the-air on XM?</p><p>I wouldn't mind paying a few extra dollars for NASCAR and the NFL, and the Elvis and Sinatra channels.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;<font size="2">xmlm is over-the-air again.&nbsp; it would be cool to get football broadcasts, but whodoesn't jsut go to a bar to watch the games?&nbsp; both companies charge the same amount for their services, and now this will cut down on overall costs.&nbsp; no real justification to raise prices.<br /></font></p>

[JustJon]

<p>1) An announcement would not come down on a day when the markets are closed.</p><p>2) The stock bump friday is due to Bear Sterns urging a merger, not because of a merger.&nbsp; <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/bear-stearns-talks-up-xm/story.aspx?guid=%7B2B70F240-FEE3-4EC6-89D7-10ACE7E8EFB7%7D" target="_blank">Article here</a></p><p>3) No one is reporting this.&nbsp; Google News is picking up nothing except the marketwatch article.</p><p>4) Searching for the word <a href="http://www.digg.com/search?s=sirius&amp;submit=Search&amp;section=news&amp;type=bo th&amp;area=all&amp;age=7&amp;sort=new" target="_blank">Sirius on digg</a> only has a link to an <a href="http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/sirius-xm-merger-to-be-announced-today.html" target="_blank">orbitcast article</a>, which itself is linking to the post article.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I think it's safe to say, don't expect anything.</p>

[EastSideDaveFan]

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Like most people over 30 that are a fan of both shows i grew up listening to Stern.&nbsp; I love Ron &amp; Fez (which have no open battles that i am aware of with stern) and i also enjoy O&amp;A.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I wouldnt mind having a third option, plus i would love to hear the Jim Brewer show.&nbsp; so i only see this as a bonus if it happens.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>But when given a choice of either programming i would choose XM based on Ron &amp; Fez.</p>

[ChimneyFish]

<strong>EastSideDaveFan</strong> wrote:<br /><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Like most people over 30 that are a fan of both shows i grew up listening to Stern.&nbsp; I love Ron &amp; Fez (which have no open battles that i am aware of with stern) and i also enjoy O&amp;A.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I wouldnt mind having a third option, plus i would love to hear the Jim Brewer show.&nbsp; so i only see this as a bonus if it happens.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>But when given a choice of either programming i would choose XM based on Ron &amp; Fez.</p><p><strong><em><font face="georgia,palatino" size="2">Stern has become kust the same old tired crap since he moved. Bubba is downright unlistenable. I tried giving Breuers show a listen, and it really wasn't funny whatsoever.</font></em></strong></p><p><strong><em><font face="Georgia" size="2">While football is the only sport I can get into, I can not see listening to it on the radio.</font></em></strong></p>

[Death Metal Moe]

<strong>Tenbatsuzen</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>Death Metal Moe</strong> wrote:<br />I'm not going to freak about this one. I've been upset before the real vedict has come down too many times to get all pissed off about this right now. Only thing I'll say again is if they raise the price for whatever reason I'm going to have to seriously reconsider the service. I don't want to pay extra for Sirius channels, I didn't ask for this merger. <p>&nbsp;</p><p>I believe Sirius has an over-the-air channel similar to liquid metal.&nbsp; Or is that back over-the-air on XM?</p><p>I wouldn't mind paying a few extra dollars for NASCAR and the NFL, and the Elvis and Sinatra channels.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Well, I would.&nbsp; As it is I only listen to 202 ever, and that's really mostly on the weekends.&nbsp; I've become a much bigger Free FM listener as of late and IF the merger happened and IF they tried to push the price up too much by offering me shit channels, I'd have to reconsider what I was paying for.</p>

[Tenbatsuzen]

<br /><strong>JustJon</strong> wrote:<br /><p>1) An announcement would not come down on a day when the markets are closed.</p><p>2) The stock bump friday is due to Bear Sterns urging a merger, not because of a merger. <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/bear-stearns-talks-up-xm/story.aspx?guid=%7B2B70F240-FEE3-4EC6-89D7-10ACE7E8EFB7%7D" target="_blank">Article here</a></p><p>3) No one is reporting this. Google News is picking up nothing except the marketwatch article.</p><p>4) Searching for the word <a href="http://www.digg.com/search?s=sirius&amp;submit=Search&amp;section=news&amp;type=bo th&amp;area=all&amp;age=7&amp;sort=new" target="_blank">Sirius on digg</a> only has a link to an <a href="http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/sirius-xm-merger-to-be-announced-today.html" target="_blank">orbitcast article</a>, which itself is linking to the post article.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I think it's safe to say, don't expect anything.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39039000/jpg/_39039093_sahhaf_203bodyap.jpg" border="0" width="203" height="152" /></p><p>&quot;The reports from the Israeli supporter are highly outrageous and false.&nbsp; I assure you, the merger is happening.&quot;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[Death Metal Moe]

<strong>JustJon</strong> wrote:<br /><p>1) An announcement would not come down on a day when the markets are closed.</p><p>2) The stock bump friday is due to Bear Sterns urging a merger, not because of a merger.&nbsp; <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/bear-stearns-talks-up-xm/story.aspx?guid=%7B2B70F240-FEE3-4EC6-89D7-10ACE7E8EFB7%7D" target="_blank">Article here</a></p><p>3) No one is reporting this.&nbsp; Google News is picking up nothing except the marketwatch article.</p><p>4) Searching for the word <a href="http://www.digg.com/search?s=sirius&amp;submit=Search&amp;section=news&amp;type=bo th&amp;area=all&amp;age=7&amp;sort=new" target="_blank">Sirius on digg</a> only has a link to an <a href="http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/sirius-xm-merger-to-be-announced-today.html" target="_blank">orbitcast article</a>, which itself is linking to the post article.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I think it's safe to say, don't expect anything.</p><p>All good points.&nbsp; I think we may all be getting ahead of ourselves here.&nbsp; But that's how speculation threads end up.</p>

[Tenbatsuzen]

<p><img src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39039000/jpg/_39039093_sahhaf_203bodyap.jpg" border="0" width="203" height="152" /></p><p>&quot;And I have AP in my picture, so you know that whatever I say is true.&quot;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[Knowledged_one]

So April Fools Day came early

[Soupy_Dreck]

<strong>Tenbatsuzen</strong> wrote:<br /><p><img src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39039000/jpg/_39039093_sahhaf_203bodyap.jpg" border="0" width="203" height="152" /></p><p>&quot;And I have AP in my picture, so you know that whatever I say is true.&quot;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Nice!</p>

[Zorro]

<p><font size="2">I can't wait for the Howie and Anthony Show</font></p>

[lleeder]

<font face="wingdings,zapf dingbats" size="3">I wish I started this it could be epic epic indeed</font>

[BoondockSaint]

<p>Hoo hoo hoo Guess who your new boss is, fellas.</p><p>Go 'head, tell 'em Fez.</p>

[STC-Dub]

<p>The FCC chaiman has already said he would oppose a merger.&nbsp; If I remember correctly -- I read his statement a month ago -- he said that when both companies got their liscences (sp) they agreed there would always be two seperate stat casters and that they were not in compitition with terrestrial radio -- thus they aren't covered by the same rules.&nbsp; The worst thing that could hapen is the new company agrees to work with the FCC rules for terrestrial radio, talk about killing our favorite shows...</p>

[EastSideDaveFan]

<strong>lleeder</strong> wrote:<br /><font face="wingdings,zapf dingbats" size="3">I wish I started this it could be epic epic indeed</font> <p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Epic indeed!</p>

[NortonRules]

This could be another Mel lie just to try to bump up their stock again.&nbsp;

[ChimneyFish]

<strong>STC-Dub</strong> wrote:<br /><p>The FCC chaiman has already said he would oppose a merger.&nbsp; If I remember correctly -- I read his statement a month ago -- he said that when both companies got their liscences (sp) they agreed there would always be two seperate stat casters and that they were not in compitition with terrestrial radio -- thus they aren't covered by the same rules.&nbsp; The worst thing that could hapen is the new company agrees to work with the FCC rules for terrestrial radio, talk about killing our favorite shows...</p><p><strong><em><font face="georgia,palatino" size="2">That would just kill satellite radio, though. Who in the hell would pay for terrestrial radio????</font></em></strong></p>

[led37zep]

<strong>ChimneyFish</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>STC-Dub</strong> wrote:<br /><p>The FCC chaiman has already said he would oppose a merger. If I remember correctly -- I read his statement a month ago -- he said that when both companies got their liscences (sp) they agreed there would always be two seperate stat casters and that they were not in compitition with terrestrial radio -- thus they aren't covered by the same rules. The worst thing that could hapen is the new company agrees to work with the FCC rules for terrestrial radio, talk about killing our favorite shows...</p><p><strong><em><font face="georgia,palatino" size="2">That would just kill satellite radio, though. Who in the hell would pay for <span style="background-color: #ffff00">terrestrial radio</span>????</font></em></strong></p><p>&nbsp;Call if what it is &quot;Poor People radio&quot;</p>

[STC-Dub]

Agreed, for the merger to go through some consessions will have to be made by the new company, I am worried that migh be one of them.&nbsp;

[Knowledged_one]

<strong>STC-Dub</strong> wrote:<br />Agreed, for the merger to go through some consessions will have to be made by the new company, I am worried that migh be one of them.&nbsp; <p>I really think for the merger to go through they will have to agree that you spell concessions correctly</p>

[led37zep]

<p>This merger sucks.&nbsp; I don't like it.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[pennington]

<strong>NortonRules</strong> wrote:<br />This could be another Mel lie just to try to bump up their stock again.&nbsp; <p>I am getting sick to death of this guy. If this is another of Mel's lame attempts to prop up his sagging stock price, I hope the SEC does a full investigation.</p><p>If this is true and Mel does wind up running the&nbsp;combined company, Opie is going to be double penetrated by Mel and Howie on a regular basis. &nbsp;</p>

[patrick187]

They just announced it on foxnews.com. Should I hold off on buying that Ino?

[Death Metal Moe]

<strong>patrick187</strong> wrote:<br />They just announced it on foxnews.com. Should I hold off on buying that Ino? <p>If FOX is reporting it, I'm sure it's a lie now.</p>

[lleeder]

<font size="3">This sucks if this goes down its gonna be like Cablevision all over again. Rate hikes, new channels I'll never use and more money for new technology. Fuck the system.</font>

[ChimneyFish]

<strong>lleeder</strong> wrote:<br /><font size="3">This sucks if this goes down its gonna be like Cablevision all over again. Rate hikes, new channels I'll never use and more money for new technology. Fuck the system.</font> <p><strong><em><font face="georgia,palatino" size="2">If that's the case, I'll be doing &quot;internet magic&quot; to my mp3 player on a daily basis. I pay $20 fo two subs. I don't want Howie, and Iwouldn't pay extra for the NFL. So, if that happens, they can go fuck themselves.</font></em></strong></p>

<span class=post_edited>This message was edited by ChimneyFish on 2-19-07 @ 1:00 PM</span>

[Tenbatsuzen]

<p><img src="http://www.foxnews.com/images/root_images/021907_brazil4.jpg" border="0" width="320" height="240" /></p><p>First time a black woman is featured on the Front Page of foxnews.com that isn't Condi.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>BTW, FoxNews and the Post are owned by the same person, so don't read too much into it, considering the Fox page is just a cut and paste of the post.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[STC-Dub]

Yes, I know my speling sucks, but I am not going to speel chek on a mesage board.

[sailor]

<strong>patrick187</strong> wrote:<br />They just announced it on foxnews.com. Should I hold off on buying that Ino?<p>&nbsp;<font size="2"><a href="http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=353594" target="_blank">fmqb</a> reports that bear sterns says it will be mid-2008 before the actual merger goes thru, even if they agree today.&nbsp; so, go buy the inno. </font></p>

[lleeder]

<strong>Tenbatsuzen</strong> wrote:<br /><p><img src="http://www.foxnews.com/images/root_images/021907_brazil4.jpg" border="0" width="320" height="240" /></p><p>First time a black woman is featured on the Front Page of foxnews.com that isn't Condi.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>BTW, FoxNews and the Post are owned by the same person, so don't read too much into it, considering the Fox page is just a cut and paste of the post.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><font size="3">This is my first time jacking to fox</font></p>

[ChimneyFish]

<strong>sailor</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>patrick187</strong> wrote:<br />They just announced it on foxnews.com. Should I hold off on buying that Ino? <p>&nbsp;<font size="2"><a href="http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=353594" target="_blank">fmqb</a> reports that bear sterns says it will be mid-2008 before the actual merger goes thru, even if they agree today.&nbsp; so, go buy the inno. </font></p><p><strong><em><font face="georgia,palatino" size="2">Plus the fact that they can't just stop using the existing technology. I think it would take, at least, a couple of years to integrate new technology in, if they plan on keeping the majority of their subscribers.</font></em></strong></p>

[sailor]

<strong>lleeder</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>Tenbatsuzen</strong> wrote:<br /><p><img src="http://www.foxnews.com/images/root_images/021907_brazil4.jpg" border="0" width="320" height="240" /></p><p>First time a black woman is featured on the Front Page of foxnews.com that isn't Condi.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>BTW, FoxNews and the Post are owned by the same person, so don't read too much into it, considering the Fox page is just a cut and paste of the post.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><font size="3">This is my first time jacking to fox</font></p><p>&nbsp;<font size="2">you lie!!</font></p><p><img src="http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l25/madrigalq/foxx.jpg" border="0" width="344" height="344" />&nbsp;</p>

[patrick187]

<p>.</p>

<span class=post_edited>This message was edited by patrick187 on 2-19-07 @ 1:33 PM</span>

[patrick187]

<strong>Death Metal Moe</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>patrick187</strong> wrote:<br />They just announced it on foxnews.com. Should I hold off on buying that Ino? <p>If FOX is reporting it, I'm sure it's a lie now.</p><p>Bill Orilley Says there is no spin on this story, and the merger is on.</p><p>And that is this boards taling points memo.</p>

[Death Metal Moe]

<strong>patrick187</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>Death Metal Moe</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>patrick187</strong> wrote:<br />They just announced it on foxnews.com. Should I hold off on buying that Ino? <p>If FOX is reporting it, I'm sure it's a lie now.</p><p>Bill Orilley Says there is no spin on this story, and the merger is on.</p><p>And that is this boards taling points memo.</p><p>He's always lookin' out for us!&nbsp; What a cunt that guy is.</p>

[Knowledged_one]

<p>welll he is good at sexual harrasment and making improper advances towards the ladies.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Wait did i just describe myself,&nbsp;maybe i am secretly Bill O'Reilly</p>

[samnyc]

<p>Is there any way the new combined company could kill Stern's contract?&nbsp; </p><p>I don't want my xm subscription to go towards his 500 million dollar package.</p>

[Billy Staples]

<strong>bobogolem</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>NYPost: </strong>On Friday, XM shares hit their lowest point since early November while Sirius shares were approaching 52-week lows. Shares in both companies did trade on heavy volume and ended the session higher, with Sirius gaining 10 cents to close at $3.70 and XM jumping a dollar to $13.98.<strong>[/</strong>quote] <p><strong><font color="#000080">Holy shit!!!&nbsp;Sirius is practically a penny stock!!!</font></strong>&nbsp;</p><p>Not on Tuesday...ot my brokers number on speed dial.....so glad i moved all equities friday into this!</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Move over Cramer</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The Orange Ball of Stocks....ahhhhhh&nbsp;</p>

[hydee]

I agree with you 100% on this.

[docgoblin]

Ah, it was getting tough to keep up with 11 hours of radio a day anyway!

[samnyc]

Looks like ABC news confirmed an agreement was reached.

[patrick187]

<p>Let's see</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Howards stock has been tanking. With a merger his stock goes up. Howard is a Jew. Jews run the entertainment and the media.</p><p>&nbsp;There is&nbsp;a Zionis banking conspriacy in&nbsp;here somewhere.</p>

[led37zep]

<p>Its official...its on the cover of Drudge with cunt face mel in charge.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.ronfez.net/messageboard/replytotopic.cfm/Forum/89/Topic/56985/currentpage/www.drudgereport.com " target="_blank" title="www.drudgereport.com ">www.drudgereport.com&nbsp;</a></p>

[Billy Staples]

<strong>Tenbatsuzen</strong> wrote:<br /><p>Here's what I can see happening to avoid anti-trust.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Sirius sells off their properties and equipment to XM.&nbsp; The license and the satellites are sold off to a third party, avoiding the anti-trust.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Tenbats </p><p>(Baghdad bob was reference hysterical...where did he ever go)</p><p>wouldn't that be costing more in the immediate and thats where I think the problem lies...long term one company has a shot.&nbsp; Both companies going under would mean a lot more people out of work and no chance to hear shows for awhile. I ant see the 2 surviving and each out speing each other til there is so much debt, no wonder how many subs they add, its too late to survive.&nbsp; It's an industry that has to have at least one to go ne.&nbsp; As the highlander said,&quot; There can be only one&quot;...i guess that applies right now IMO</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I'm not naive, but I have to think that these guys spent a lot of time researching and talking with FCC or former or experts on the subject before doing this.</p><p>spoon I respect your opinion and your golf swing, but, its not anti-trade....it will in my opinion make for 1 totally intense station.&nbsp; the equipment will be an initial problem and this can go on for a year and a half.&nbsp;</p><p>the word monopoly as it applied originally to US Steel I believe is so out of date.&nbsp; Everyday, technology keeps changing AND THE WAY TO HEAR THESE SHOWS IS ALSO INCREASING DRAMATICALLY.&nbsp; REMEMBER IT IS ALSO A (sorry caps) a by choice item.&nbsp; Steel people needed, so i can see the government stepping in.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>I and others can argue that we need our radio shows, but truth is...it is a, for lack of a better term a luxury or recreational item.&nbsp; FM isn't going anywhere. Hell if AM is still around after all these years..i doubt FM will go anywhere.&nbsp;</p><p>I will admit my untempered enthusiasm was more for my own selfish gain regarding my switching my stock portfolio late Friday into this.&nbsp; Everything just seemed to make sense and way too many people in the stock biz were talking about it in the paper, blogs, station web pages. It was a immediate selfish knee jerk reaction.</p><p>Again, I am gong to see it as beneficial for Ron and Fez.&nbsp; They are cockroaches of radio.&nbsp; They always survive.&nbsp; It is a selfish business, as most are when you are the product.&nbsp; they have always been smart and ahead of the curve a bit and left standing on their feet. sometimes the feet aren't necessarily where they wanted, but in due time, the cream rises to the top, and the feet land where they want</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I see RNF being a fit at whatever incarnation they land on.&nbsp; With regard to ona and Stern, that is gong to be an interesting scenario...seems like back at WNEW days.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>and like someone said, moves like this hurt people and they lose their jobs. I as well as a lot of other people very well know that and like I said before its the nature of the biz.&nbsp;&nbsp; You got to take care of yourself and unfortunately, hurts others in order to insure your own future.&nbsp; Like throwing the dying guy off your life raft when your boat sinks cause he's making the raft take on water. (its always the fat guys fault), so you throw him overboard after hitting him on the head with an oar. </p><p>I am not in total agreement with that, but it does make for survival in a brutal industry.&nbsp; I personally am different in my my belief, buts probably a good reason why I have the time to type this stuff.&nbsp; That and a few mini adjustments to the body and head.&nbsp;</p><p>I really have a feeling they will find a way to make it up to the listeners and not make them pay for their decision to merge.&nbsp; the extra $ they save off the bat is in the billions, so a little R &amp;D will figure something out for the equipment to work on both.&nbsp; Again...pure speculation, i am trying to use

[badmonkey]

<p><a href="http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=119212" target="_blank">http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=119212</a></p><p>This could potentially crush both with or without a merge. Other than Ron and Fez, almost all the XM content I listen to has been syndicated from terrestrial radio somewhere. With all the am/fm stations offering internet streams, something like this would give millions more listening options than XM, Sirius, or XM/Sirius could pull off. Although, I guess they could still make money from the internet only subscription models. You can already hear ThereIsNoRadio on your cellphone and a couple of wifi internet radio devices. This is not that far away. I wonder how something like this would play in the satradio merger negotiations with SEC and FCC.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Badmonkey </p>

<span class=post_edited>This message was edited by badmonkey on 2-19-07 @ 2:50 PM</span>

[ChimneyFish]

<a href="http://xmradio.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=press_releases&amp;item=1423">http://xmradio.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=press_releases&amp;item=1423</a>

[Knowledged_one]

<p>This is why i love the Free FM stations</p><p>&nbsp;I listen to the sports junkies in the morning and then O&amp;A all afternoon then my ipod the last of the day</p><p>Maybe they can jump to HD radio before Howard claims that he invented going to HD radio first</p><p>Hoo Hoo</p>

[Death Metal Moe]

<strong><u><font size="7">GAY</font></u></strong>

[tzakiel]

Welp it's been confirmed by ABC news.&nbsp; XM and Sirius are to merge today.&nbsp; What happens to Ron and Fez I wonder?

[burrben]

<p>i'm scared. i don't like how their guy will be in charge</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<span class=post_edited>This message was edited by burrben on 2-19-07 @ 3:15 PM</span>

[KennethC]

I predict Ron will merge with Fez to form the Ron and Fez show.

[burrben]

maybe there will be enough bandwidth to give them their own channel

[led37zep]

<strong>KennethC</strong> wrote:<br />I predict Ron will merge with Fez to form the Ron and Fez show.<p>&nbsp;Radio Physic!!!!!</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I think the bigger question is what happens to Opie and Anthony vs Howard.&nbsp;</p>

[ChimneyFish]

<strong>KennethC</strong> wrote:<br />I predict Ron will merge with Fez to form the Ron and Fez show. <p><strong><em><font face="georgia,palatino" size="2">I laughed like a little baby retard at that.</font></em></strong></p><p><strong><em><font face="Georgia" size="2">Nice job.</font></em></strong></p>

[johnniewalker]

<strong>Death Metal Moe</strong> wrote:<br /><strong><u><font size="7">GAY</font></u></strong><p>&nbsp;Fix your link it didn't work.</p>

[Tenbatsuzen]

<strong>tzakiel</strong> wrote:<br />Welp it's been confirmed by ABC news. XM and Sirius are to merge today. What happens to Ron and Fez I wonder?<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Nothing. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[ChimneyFish]

<p><strong><em><font face="georgia,palatino" size="2">First it was the fall of the &quot;Golden Age of XM&quot;. Now this.</font></em></strong></p><p><strong><em><font face="Georgia" size="2">I fear the end is near, brothers and sisters.</font></em></strong></p>

[JPMNICK]

<p>do you think this has anything to do with why O&amp;A have not been trashing howard or Sirius as much lately? </p><p>I can see how this will benefit the companies and the stock holders. but i can also see how this will hurt the listeners and the fans. </p><p>i hope R&amp;F get a 500 million dollar contract out of this. </p><p>either way, this should boost stock prices, which in turn is good for R&amp;F and O&amp;A since I am sure they have some stock options</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[Death Metal Moe]

<strong>johnniewalker</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>Death Metal Moe</strong> wrote:<br /><strong><u><font size="7">GAY</font></u></strong> <p>&nbsp;Fix your link it didn't work.</p><p>Put your bottle of Jergens away, I wasn't trying to link anything.</p>

[docgoblin]

New show... The AFRO show! They take on Stern with a full arsenal.

[Knowledged_one]

<p>I think they dont talk about Hoo Hoo is because he is no longer releavant in the least.</p><p>He is now a parody of himself and what he once was in the business in the Late 80's he is now just a shell and i would bet that he couldnt be happier about Ana Nicole Smith's death because people make the assumption that Howard K. Stern is him</p><p>Hoo Hoo did you know i invented radio irrelevancy</p>

[Tenbatsuzen]

<p>Mel isn't in charge.&nbsp; Gary Parson will be the chairman.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>It's basically like this:</p><p>Parsons - Chair</p><p>Mel - CEO</p><p>4 guys from XM on the board</p><p>4 guys from Sirius on the board</p><p>1 guy from GM</p><p>1 guy from another neutral company.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>It really looks like a 50/50 split.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[BoondockSaint]

They should do an invasion angle.

[Tenbatsuzen]

<strong>BoondockSaint</strong> wrote:<br />They should do an invasion angle.<p>&nbsp;</p><p>What, Mel and Gary talk all cocky in the ring, and then Joel Hollander shows up on the Titantron?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[Knowledged_one]

Any chance that a show might get teh radio gold that is Al Dukes backon the mic?

[FlashVirus]

w000t!!! FUCK YEAH!! ITS OFFICIAL!!!<br />XM SIRIUS PARTY ROCK

[Knowledged_one]

anyone who uses the term w00t deserves to be shot in public

[JPMNICK]

<strong>Tenbatsuzen</strong> wrote:<br /><p>Mel isn't in charge.&nbsp; Gary Parson will be the chairman.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>It's basically like this:</p><p>Parsons - Chair</p><p>Mel - CEO</p><p>4 guys from XM on the board</p><p>4 guys from Sirius on the board</p><p>1 guy from GM</p><p>1 guy from another neutral company.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>It really looks like a 50/50 split.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>the other company is toyota of america</p>

[lleeder]

<font size="3">I love Billy Boiler Room Staples.</font>

[Fallon]

<strong>BoondockSaint</strong> wrote:<br />They should do an invasion angle.<p>&nbsp;<img src="http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/443/19ci6.png" border="0" /></p>

[suggums]

<p>i hope this wasn't the &quot;big plans&quot; we've been hearing about for months?</p><p>tomorrows shows should be very interesting </p>

[Soupy_Dreck]

<p>Mel as CEO?&nbsp; this is truly a dark day for satellite radio</p>

[Dan 'Hampton]

<p>Found this on the XM news release</p><p><span class="ccbnTxt"><pre><span class="ccbnTxt"><pre> <font size="2">* Greater Programming and Content Choices -- The combined company is<br /> committed to consumer choice, including offering consumers the ability<br /> to pick and choose the channels and content they want on a more <font size="5"><em><strong>a la<br /> carte basis</strong></em></font>. The combined company will also provide consumers with a<br /> broader selection of content, including a wide range of commercial-free<br /> music channels, exclusive and non-exclusive sports coverage, news,<br /> talk, and entertainment programming. Together, XM and SIRIUS will be<br /> able to improve on products such as real-time traffic and rear-seat<br /> video and introduce new ones such as advanced data services including<br /> enhanced traffic, weather and infotainment offerings.&quot;</font></pre><pre><font size="2"> </font></pre><pre><font size="2"><font size="3">Great if true. Although they will say that this will cost more and definatly more for recievers to do this.</font> </font></pre></span></pre></span> </p> <span class="post_edited"></span>

<span class=post_edited>This message was edited by dschef on 2-19-07 @ 4:05 PM</span>

[lleeder]

<strong>dschef</strong> wrote:<br /><p>Found this on the XM news release</p><p><span class="ccbnTxt"><pre><span class="ccbnTxt"><pre> <font size="2">* Greater Programming and Content Choices -- The combined company is<br /> committed to consumer choice, including offering consumers the ability<br /> to pick and choose the channels and content they want on a more <font size="5"><em><strong>a la<br /> carte basis</strong></em></font>. The combined company will also provide consumers with a<br /> broader selection of content, including a wide range of commercial-free<br /> music channels, exclusive and non-exclusive sports coverage, news,<br /> talk, and entertainment programming. Together, XM and SIRIUS will be<br /> able to improve on products such as real-time traffic and rear-seat<br /> video and introduce new ones such as advanced data services including<br /> enhanced traffic, weather and infotainment offerings.&quot;</font></pre><pre><font size="2"> </font></pre><pre><font size="2"><font size="3">Great if true. Although they will say that this will cost more and definatly more for recievers to do this.</font> </font></pre></span></pre></span></p><span class="post_edited"></span><span class="post_edited">This message was edited by dschef on 2-19-07 @ 4:05 PM</span> <p><font size="3">This is a screwjob feature. It will be like cable. Sure you can by HBO by itself but to do so it cost 5 bucks. For another 10 you can have 50 more channels. Its a way to make the consumer feel like they have an option. Either way your <strong>FUCKED</strong></font></p>

[FlashVirus]

<p>http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/xm-sirius-merger.gif</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I'm all for it&nbsp;</p>

[Dan 'Hampton]

How many of the channels do you actually listen to?&nbsp; 10 for me maybe.&nbsp;&nbsp; But go ahead, jump ship.

[RazzleDazzle]

personally, I blame the Midnight Rider for this.<div><br /></div>

[norzef]

I predict Ron will merge with Fez to form the Ron and Fez show. <p><br />_________________<br /><br /><!-- includes/messagecopy2.cfm --><!-- Script Hacks --><!-- Script Hacks --><!-- Links --><!-- Links ---></p><div align="left"><p>you should produce it...too funny</p></div>

[Soupy_Dreck]

<strong>lleeder</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>dschef</strong> wrote:<br /><p>Found this on the XM news release</p><p><span class="ccbnTxt"><pre><span class="ccbnTxt"><pre> <font size="2">* Greater Programming and Content Choices -- The combined company is<br /> committed to consumer choice, including offering consumers the ability<br /> to pick and choose the channels and content they want on a more <font size="5"><em><strong>a la<br /> carte basis</strong></em></font>. The combined company will also provide consumers with a<br /> broader selection of content, including a wide range of commercial-free<br /> music channels, exclusive and non-exclusive sports coverage, news,<br /> talk, and entertainment programming. Together, XM and SIRIUS will be<br /> able to improve on products such as real-time traffic and rear-seat<br /> video and introduce new ones such as advanced data services including<br /> enhanced traffic, weather and infotainment offerings.&quot;</font></pre><pre><font size="2"> </font></pre><pre><font size="2"><font size="3">Great if true. Although they will say that this will cost more and definatly more for recievers to do this.</font> </font></pre></span></pre></span></p><span class="post_edited"></span><span class="post_edited">This message was edited by dschef on 2-19-07 @ 4:05 PM</span> <p><font size="3">This is a screwjob feature. It will be like cable. Sure you can by HBO by itself but to do so it cost 5 bucks. For another 10 you can have 50 more channels. Its a way to make the consumer feel like they have an option. Either way your <strong>FUCKED</strong></font></p><p>I agree.&nbsp; Cable started off the same way as satellite radio did with promises of no commercials and offering a better choice.&nbsp; In an earlier post, someone mentioned the end of commercial free music and I think they're right.&nbsp; With Sell Sell Mel in charge, we would be paying for terrestrial radio.&nbsp; This deal stinks on ice.</p>

[Don Stugots]

<strong>burrben</strong> wrote:<br />maybe there will be enough bandwidth to give them their own channel<p>&nbsp;and add the hideout and Perrynoid to their lineup. </p>

[lleeder]

<font size="3">I predict by the time there contract is up FreeFm only for the boys</font>

[ChimneyFish]

<strong>Soupy_Dreck</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>lleeder</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>dschef</strong> wrote:<br /><p>Found this on the XM news release</p><p><span class="ccbnTxt"><pre><span class="ccbnTxt"><pre> <font size="2">* Greater Programming and Content Choices -- The combined company is<br /> committed to consumer choice, including offering consumers the ability<br /> to pick and choose the channels and content they want on a more <font size="5"><em><strong>a la<br /> carte basis</strong></em></font>. The combined company will also provide consumers with a<br /> broader selection of content, including a wide range of commercial-free<br /> music channels, exclusive and non-exclusive sports coverage, news,<br /> talk, and entertainment programming. Together, XM and SIRIUS will be<br /> able to improve on products such as real-time traffic and rear-seat<br /> video and introduce new ones such as advanced data services including<br /> enhanced traffic, weather and infotainment offerings.&quot;</font></pre><pre><font size="2"> </font></pre><pre><font size="2"><font size="3">Great if true. Although they will say that this will cost more and definatly more for recievers to do this.</font> </font></pre></span></pre></span></p><span class="post_edited"></span><span class="post_edited">This message was edited by dschef on 2-19-07 @ 4:05 PM</span> <p><font size="3">This is a screwjob feature. It will be like cable. Sure you can by HBO by itself but to do so it cost 5 bucks. For another 10 you can have 50 more channels. Its a way to make the consumer feel like they have an option. Either way your <strong>FUCKED</strong></font></p><p>I agree.&nbsp; Cable started off the same way as satellite radio did with promises of no commercials and offering a better choice.&nbsp; In an earlier post, someone mentioned the end of commercial free music and I think they're right.&nbsp; With Sell Sell Mel in charge, we would be paying for terrestrial radio.&nbsp; This deal stinks on ice.</p><p><strong><em><font face="georgia,palatino" size="2">I can't agree with that. I can see paying for talk or certain sports, but who, in their right mind would pay for music with commercials.</font></em></strong></p>

[Soupy_Dreck]

<strong>lleeder</strong> wrote:<br /><font size="3">I predict by the time there contract is up FreeFm only for the boys</font> <p>I hope not.&nbsp; I never heard RnF before they were on XM(they never made it to Philly as far as I know) and to lose them would really bum me out.&nbsp; </p>

[Dan 'Hampton]

<p>Wow what a delay.&nbsp; The only site up&nbsp; I could find was FBA</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[bigtim666]

<strong>JustJon</strong> wrote:<br /><p>1) An announcement would not come down on a day when the markets are closed.</p><p>2) The stock bump friday is due to Bear Sterns urging a merger, not because of a merger.&nbsp; <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/bear-stearns-talks-up-xm/story.aspx?guid=%7B2B70F240-FEE3-4EC6-89D7-10ACE7E8EFB7%7D" target="_blank">Article here</a></p><p>3) No one is reporting this.&nbsp; Google News is picking up nothing except the marketwatch article.</p><p>4) Searching for the word <a href="http://www.digg.com/search?s=sirius&amp;submit=Search&amp;section=news&amp;type=bo th&amp;area=all&amp;age=7&amp;sort=new" target="_blank">Sirius on digg</a> only has a link to an <a href="http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/sirius-xm-merger-to-be-announced-today.html" target="_blank">orbitcast article</a>, which itself is linking to the post article.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I think it's safe to say, don't expect anything.</p><p>Self confidence!</p>

<span class=post_edited>This message was edited by bigtim666 on 2-19-07 @ 5:19 PM</span>

[Don Stugots]

<strong>dschef</strong> wrote:<br /><p>Wow what a delay. The only site up I could find was FBA</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;did you buy a t-shirt while you were there? </p>

[K.C.]

<p>Well, immediately, nothing happens. This thing wouldn't go through until mid-2008. </p><p>If and when it does, it's a huge question mark with Ron &amp; Fez. They're not tied at the hip with O&amp;A so it depends probably on how this new media giant run by Mel treats them and what they offer them. You have to remember, Sirius has a bunch of shows of their own. They may view Ron &amp; Fez as lower on the totem pole. </p><p>As for O&amp;A, they have to be done with the company before this thing happens. There is absolutely no way Mel will allow O&amp;A to simulcast their terrestrial morning show so not only are they going head to head with Howard in the same company, but for CBS as well. </p><p>And I can't see O&amp;A bailing on CBS to take a midday or afternoon slot as prop for Howard. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>This is bad, bad, bad in so many ways. And don't even get me started on the eventual price hike on subs and units which is inevitable if they merge.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<span class=post_edited>This message was edited by K.C. on 2-19-07 @ 5:23 PM</span>

[reillyluck]

<p>I HEARD &quot;THE NOTHING&quot; WILL GET TO THEM</p><p>http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m80/amberrmarshall/labrynth.jpg</p>

[PapaBear]

Someone should start a thread about this.

[Billy Staples]

<strong>burrben</strong> wrote:<br /><p>i'm scared. i don't like how their guy will be in charge</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><span class="post_edited">This message was edited by burrben on 2-19-07 @ 3:15 PM</span> <p>Panero did such a great job, his spot is apparently being replaced by Gary Parsons on the new board and if you notice in all the stories its says Panero will stay on until the deal is complete.</p><p>Doesn't sound like they are considering a future for him n the new co.&nbsp; They also brought in 2 guys in the past year or less to 'help' him or replace him as it turns out</p><p>&nbsp;besides if you had a brand new radio company like lets say Infinity years ago...I cannot think of anyone I would rather run it than Karmazin.&nbsp; say what you want about him and I've never dealt with him obviously, but he does seem to succeed and Wall st. loves him.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>that's a hell of a start.&nbsp; If it wasn't for Sumner Redstones ego...he'd still be at Viacom, probably running it.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>anyway....its everywhere now&nbsp;&nbsp; Sirius being the more valued commodity&nbsp; means X/M stock holders will get 4.6 shares of stock for each of their present X/M stock</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Ok...I haven't read the whole thread so if this a repeat, my apologies</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Staples</p>

[Fallon]

<strong>dschef</strong> wrote:<br /><p>Wow what a delay. The only site up I could find was FBA</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;Yeah, all the boards are getting slammed with this news coming out.</p>

[CJJames]

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>There will now be a year&nbsp;of hand-wringing and nervousness. What kills me is that R+F and O+A will be working&nbsp;to pay for Howie's salary, or to fill the debt that his salary created at Sirius. Here is the official XM press release, btw:&nbsp;</p><strong><font size="2" color="#0000ff"><p>http://xmradio.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=press_releases&amp;item=1423</p></font></strong><a href="http://xmradio.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=press_releases&amp;item=1423"></a>

[MONICA5579]

<strong>Don Stugots</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>burrben</strong> wrote:<br />maybe there will be enough bandwidth to give them their own channel <p>&nbsp;and add the hideout and Perrynoid to their lineup. </p><p>That would be too fucking cool!!!</p>

[schwapp]

<strong>dschef</strong> wrote:<br /><p>Wow what a delay. The only site up I could find was FBA</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;Yeah...it has been ridiculous today. During these scary times...we need our message boards. :)&nbsp;&nbsp; </p>

[TjM]

<p>Princess has R&amp;F and O&amp;A fired. I cancel my sub/ I go back to regular radio. That's what will happen</p>

<span class=post_edited>This message was edited by TjM on 2-19-07 @ 5:40 PM</span>

[PapaBear]

<strong>TjM</strong> wrote:<br />Pure speculatuve BS. Won't happen <p>What won't happen?</p>

[Death Metal Moe]

<strong>Don Stugots</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>dschef</strong> wrote:<br /><p>Wow what a delay. The only site up I could find was FBA</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;did you buy a t-shirt while you were there? </p><p>HA!&nbsp; Nice one bro.</p>

[RevMike]

<strong>K.C.</strong> wrote:<br /><p>As for O&amp;A, they have to be done with the company before this thing happens. There is absolutely no way Mel will allow O&amp;A to simulcast their terrestrial morning show so not only are they going head to head with Howard in the same company, but for CBS as well. </p><span class="post_edited"></span><p>&nbsp;I hope you're wrong.</p><p>&nbsp;The critical information that isn't public is the kind of ratings they generate.&nbsp; If O&amp;A are pulling in better numbers, and there is a reasonable out in their contract with Howard, he might go.</p><p>&nbsp;My recollection is that 11 million is the magic number.&nbsp; At 11 million subs, they can operate their satellites at a profit.&nbsp; On paper, the combined company would have about 13 million subs.&nbsp; How many would stay in Howard left?&nbsp; How many would stay in O&amp;A left?&nbsp; Could they stay above the 11 million mark with only one?</p><p>&nbsp;In the best possible scenario, they'll move O&amp;A to afternoon drive - where they do a better show anyway.&nbsp; If they simply told Howard &quot;No gag order.&quot; and kept them in different studios, it could work.&nbsp; Then we'll have Howard for morning drive, R&amp;F midday, O&amp;A in the afternoon drive, and R&amp;F in the evenings!</p><p>&nbsp;I'm going to hope for the best. </p>

[aceofspades7]

i hope this won't make my yamaha xm receiver obsolete...

[TjM]

<strong>PapaBear</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>TjM</strong> wrote:<br />Pure speculatuve BS. Won't happen <p>What won't happen?</p><p>The Buddays getting canned</p>

[PapaBear]

<strong>TjM</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>PapaBear</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>TjM</strong> wrote:<br />Pure speculatuve BS. Won't happen <p>What won't happen?</p><p>The Buddays getting canned</p><p>OH.</p>

[PapaBear]

<strong>aceofspades7</strong> wrote:<br />i hope this won't make my yamaha xm receiver obsolete... <p>I would think that all the radios would stay operational (or replacements would be offered), or they'd start losing a lot subs. I don't think they'd be willing to lose the subs.</p>

[NewYorkDragons80]

<strong>Billy Staples</strong> wrote:<br /><p><strong><font size="2">Ha it makes sense and its isn't an antitrust situation like with direct TV, which was viewing</font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2"></font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="2">this is listening and you have Ipod, HD radio, FM radio,Hi fi,WiMax?.....cell phones, so many different ways to listen to whatever you want, a broader view of monopolistic had to be taken.</font></strong></p><p>&nbsp;Billy, what planet are you living on?&nbsp; Of course this is an anti-trust case.&nbsp; There is only one listening medium where one can here uncensored live broadcasts, and that is satellite radio.&nbsp; If only one company controls a medium, regardless of what that medium is, it is a monopoly.&nbsp; Like my sig has said for months now, Theodore Roosevelt would roll over in his grave if such an outrageous consolidation of media were allowed to pass. </p>

[shittyhambrgers]

the higher ups all wanna make money.&nbsp; even with mel becoming CEO of the new company, he can't deny O&amp;A and R&amp;F's ability to draw subs.&nbsp; i don't think anything major will happen.&nbsp; they'll probably keep the separate buildings with money coming into one place.&nbsp;

[Death Metal Moe]

<strong>RevMike</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>K.C.</strong> wrote:<br /><p>As for O&amp;A, they have to be done with the company before this thing happens. There is absolutely no way Mel will allow O&amp;A to simulcast their terrestrial morning show so not only are they going head to head with Howard in the same company, but for CBS as well. </p><span class="post_edited"></span><p>- where they do a better show anyway.&nbsp; If they simply told Howard &quot;No gag order.&quot; and kept them in different studios, it could work.&nbsp; Then we'll have Howard for morning drive, R&amp;F midday, O&amp;A in the afternoon drive, and R&amp;F in the evenings!</p><p>&nbsp;I'm going to hope for the best. </p><p>O&amp;A chose the morning slot to compete against Howard.&nbsp; They're not going to take a backseat to him again.&nbsp; If they don't let O&amp;A stay on in mornings they'll walk.</p><p>They were always complaining about the timeslot at the beginning.&nbsp; They had a built in afternoon audience.&nbsp; They scrapped it all to compete with Howie.&nbsp; You think they're gonna give that up?</p>

[Gvac]

<p>I understand that yesterday's debut broadcast of &quot;The Don Stugots Experience&quot; precipitated this momentous move.</p><p>Fearing for their lives, XM and Sirius had no choice but to join forces to try and defeat the ever-growing internet radio fan base. &nbsp;</p>

[schwapp]

<strong>Death Metal Moe</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>RevMike</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>K.C.</strong> wrote:<br /><p>As for O&amp;A, they have to be done with the company before this thing happens. There is absolutely no way Mel will allow O&amp;A to simulcast their terrestrial morning show so not only are they going head to head with Howard in the same company, but for CBS as well. </p><span class="post_edited"></span><p>- where they do a better show anyway. If they simply told Howard &quot;No gag order.&quot; and kept them in different studios, it could work. Then we'll have Howard for morning drive, R&amp;F midday, O&amp;A in the afternoon drive, and R&amp;F in the evenings!</p><p> I'm going to hope for the best. </p><p>O&amp;A chose the morning slot to compete against Howard. They're not going to take a backseat to him again. If they don't let O&amp;A stay on in mornings they'll walk.</p><p>They were always complaining about the timeslot at the beginning. They had a built in afternoon audience. They scrapped it all to compete with Howie. You think they're gonna give that up?</p><p>&nbsp;Actually, I think you got that wrong. XM wanted the morning drivetime show because it made more financial sense for them. Having new, live content was more important in the mornings with it still being fairly fresh for the afternoon replays. </p>

[Marc with a c]

<p>o&amp;a 6-9 freefm</p><p>stern 6-9 satellite</p><p>stern 9-11 freefm</p><p>o&amp;a 9-11 satellite</p><p>with a spitball fight as they do their respective walk overs.</p>

[wht]

I SAY LET THE WAR START NOW R&amp;F NAVY AND THE O&amp;A ARMY UNITE....FUCK THE WORLD. DEATH FROM ABOVE...&nbsp; <strong>A.F.R.O. BROTHERHOOD.....</strong>

[Don Stugots]

<strong>Gvac</strong> wrote:<br /><p>I understand that yesterday's debut broadcast of &quot;The Don Stugots Experience&quot; precipitated this momentous move.</p><p>Fearing for their lives, XM and Sirius had no choice but to join forces to try and defeat the ever-growing internet radio fan base. </p><p>&nbsp;they knew wreckoning was coming, they just had to wait for it.......... </p>

[Marc with a c]

<strong>Gvac</strong> wrote:<br /><p>I understand that yesterday's debut broadcast of &quot;The Don Stugots Experience&quot; precipitated this momentous move.</p><p>Fearing for their lives, XM and Sirius had no choice but to join forces to try and defeat the ever-growing internet radio fan base. &nbsp;</p><p>wow! now i'm really upset i missed it.</p>

[Hottub]

<strong>Marc with a c</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>Gvac</strong> wrote:<br /><p>I understand that yesterday's debut broadcast of &quot;The Don Stugots Experience&quot; precipitated this momentous move.</p><p>Fearing for their lives, XM and Sirius had no choice but to join forces to try and defeat the ever-growing internet radio fan base. &nbsp;</p><p>wow! now i'm really upset i missed it.</p><p>The callers were Excellent!</p>

[Don Stugots]

<strong>Hottub</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>Marc with a c</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>Gvac</strong> wrote:<br /><p>I understand that yesterday's debut broadcast of &quot;The Don Stugots Experience&quot; precipitated this momentous move.</p><p>Fearing for their lives, XM and Sirius had no choice but to join forces to try and defeat the ever-growing internet radio fan base. </p><p>wow! now i'm really upset i missed it.</p><p>The callers were Excellent!</p><p>&nbsp;well, most of them were.&nbsp; </p>

[hafast]

<p>Random thoughts FWIW (not much)</p><p>I can't see O&amp;A staying on with Howie.&nbsp; They'd have to eat some serious crow.&nbsp; Plus, they have the FreeFM deal.</p><p>While R&amp;F are their own entity, I think&nbsp;they are still loyal enough to walk if O&amp;A leave.&nbsp; Plus, they have the FreeFM deal.</p><p>Hoo Hoo will declare victoy and take credit (I invented satellite radio mergers, tell 'em Fred!)</p><p>Although there will be a lot of calls to both shows tomorrow, I doubt any of them have any idea what will happen.&nbsp; And, it will be quite a while before we see anything change.&nbsp;</p><p>This sucks balls!&nbsp; If I lose R&amp;F, I'll definitely cancel and record the FreeFM stream.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[Gvac]

<strong>Don Stugots</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>Hottub</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>Marc with a c</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>Gvac</strong> wrote:<br /><p>I understand that yesterday's debut broadcast of &quot;The Don Stugots Experience&quot; precipitated this momentous move.</p><p>Fearing for their lives, XM and Sirius had no choice but to join forces to try and defeat the ever-growing internet radio fan base. </p><p>wow! now i'm really upset i missed it.</p><p>The callers were Excellent!</p><p> well, most of them were. </p><p>I was confused!&nbsp;</p>

[Bulldogcakes]

<strong>spoon</strong> wrote:<br />It still has to get approved and I just can't see how. If so, redundancies will be rampant and a bunch of people will lose their jobs again <strong>so a few can cash in.</strong>Cash in? Both companies are losing money like crazy. One of the reasons this deal makes sense is to eliminate unecessary duplicate jobs and stop the bleeding for both. And if you think you can run a business thats losing money just to save the jobs of the employees, you cant. Businesses dont exist to give people jobs, they exist to provide a service and make their investors a profit. For the employees who it affects, I'm sure it sucks. But its better to lose 10% of the jobs now than to lose 100% of them later. &nbsp;<p>&nbsp;</p>

[Bulldogcakes]

<strong>spoon</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>sailor</strong> wrote:<p><font size="2">there's no monopoly, so how would it be squashed? with all the other audio options this would be like someone getting a &quot;monopoly&quot; on the ginger ale market, still a teensy segment of the soft drink industry. and weren't both sides losing money hand-over-fist? i think this is for survival more than anything else. </font></p><p><strong>Sorry sailor but that a bullshit argument. So can Fox buy all the other tv channels bc theres DVD and radio</strong>. Fuck no. The venue is sat radio, and overall radio too if you push it. No more. I'm sure the lawyers will push this angle, but it shouldn't stand. However, in this day and age it will. Hell, the rules (the little that are still in radio) aren't even being followed or enforced anyway. If someone says fuck they'll be on it and it'll make national news and hurt nobody. But the fact that companies own way too many channels in one market and they don't give two shits. It was never like that before and that's why radio fucking sucks balls so expect the sat companies to follow suit when they don't have to worry about others not to mention all the lost jobs. The losing money angle is plain and simple bullshit accounting. You simply don't hand out money as they are to talent without a plan. And if it is indeed true, how bad can you run a company?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Sailor compared Ginger ale to ginger ale. Apples to apples. You compare Broadcast TV to DVD's and radio. Completely different formats. And he's the one making the BS argument?</p><p>And the reason why some rules have been relaxed is its a completely different world than it was when those rules were set up in a 13 channel TV and AM/FM world. The world of communications has exploded exponentially. Internet, Satellite, HD radio, Internet radio, Cable TV. The old rules simply dont make sense anymore. People have options, there are no monopolies. &nbsp;</p>

[LiddyRules]

<p>I have never been more worried for the buddies' fate than I have at this moment. We know the 202 Brigade is going in at a huge disadvantage. That all of Howie's allies will definitely be given more support than R+F. When it comes to the Sat. Talk Shows, this show is probably going to be in the sub-sub-sub basement below the failed concept of the Howard news team because of who they are and who they are affiliated with. And if a show is cut, I can easily imagine it being R+F. </p><p>I am worried for O+A and what this means but I am scared shitless for Ron and Fez. I don't live in the NY area and I need my Bennington and Watley! </p>

[Bulldogcakes]

<strong>Tenbatsuzen</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>Death Metal Moe</strong> wrote:<br />I'm not going to freak about this one. I've been upset before the real vedict has come down too many times to get all pissed off about this right now. Only thing I'll say again is if they raise the price for whatever reason I'm going to have to seriously reconsider the service. I don't want to pay extra for Sirius channels, I didn't ask for this merger.<p>&nbsp;</p><p>I believe Sirius has an over-the-air channel similar to liquid metal. Or is that back over-the-air on XM?</p><p>I wouldn't mind paying a few extra dollars for NASCAR and the NFL, and the Elvis and Sinatra channels.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p> Hopefully they'll do like cable does and offer more tiers and packages where you can get what you want from both companies without paying for what you dont. The Feds have been pushing &quot;ala carte&quot; on the cable industry more and more in recent years, maybe they offer that and the Feds give them a break on anti trust. Everybody wins.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<span class=post_edited>This message was edited by Bulldogcakes on 2-19-07 @ 7:16 PM</span>

[Snacks]

<strong>hafast</strong> wrote:<br /><p>Random thoughts FWIW (not much)</p><p>I can't see O&amp;A staying on with Howie.&nbsp; They'd have to eat some serious crow.&nbsp; Plus, they have the FreeFM deal.</p><p><font style="background-color: #ffff00">While R&amp;F are their own entity, I think&nbsp;they are still loyal enough to walk if O&amp;A leave.&nbsp; Plus, they have the FreeFM deal.</font></p><p>Hoo Hoo will declare victoy and take credit (I invented satellite radio mergers, tell 'em Fred!)</p><p>Although there will be a lot of calls to both shows tomorrow, I doubt any of them have any idea what will happen.&nbsp; And, it will be quite a while before we see anything change.&nbsp;</p><p>This sucks balls!&nbsp; If I lose R&amp;F, I'll definitely cancel and record the FreeFM stream.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I know r&amp;f are loyal guys, but they also have family and need or want money. Dont you think they would stay on sirius xm? I do even if they have the free fm show or not. They probably get paid more on satelite then they do the free fm show. Wouldnt you think they would want all their fans to be able to hear them rather then just ny?</p><p>As for O&amp;A I think they will have to move to afternoon radio or be gone. I kind of look forward to hearing them to see if they kiss ass or go down with the same cocky attitude they have had for the past year or so. I hope they continue to act like tough guys and leave, if they dont they sure hell sound like pussies after all the shit they have said over the past year or so.</p><p>Remember when they went to free fm everyone thought that Howard would do the same b/c he would have to? Everyone talked so much shit about it saying howard would make a fool of himself after all he said about old school radio, yad yada yada. Well he never did go back to free radio. How would all the O&amp;A fans react if after all the shit they said about howard, they decided to work with him and move to conform to howard? How would the fans take that and how would O&amp;A look?</p>

[Bulldogcakes]

<strong>badmonkey</strong> wrote:<br /><p><a href="http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=119212" target="_blank">http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=119212</a></p><p>This could potentially crush both with or without a merge. </p><span class="post_edited"></span><p> This is why the even the <strong>NEW </strong>FCC rules really dont make much sense, given the no one really knows how or where any of this is going to end up, and what consumers will ultimately choose. </p><p>All I know is I bought a laptop 2 years ago, and now there are phones that have all the features I use it for. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<span class=post_edited>This message was edited by Bulldogcakes on 2-19-07 @ 7:18 PM</span>

[Bulldogcakes]

<strong>dschef</strong> wrote:<br /><p>Found this on the XM news release</p><p><span class="ccbnTxt"><pre><span class="ccbnTxt"><pre> <font size="2">* Greater Programming and Content Choices -- The combined company is<br /> committed to consumer choice, including offering consumers the ability<br /> to pick and choose the channels and content they want on a more <font size="5"><em><strong>a la<br /> carte basis</strong></em></font>. The combined company will also provide consumers with a<br /> broader selection of content, including a wide range of commercial-free<br /> music channels, exclusive and non-exclusive sports coverage, news,<br /> talk, and entertainment programming. Together, XM and SIRIUS will be<br /> able to improve on products such as real-time traffic and rear-seat<br /> video and introduce new ones such as advanced data services including<br /> enhanced traffic, weather and infotainment offerings.&quot;</font></pre><pre><br /></pre></span></pre></span></p><span class="post_edited"></span><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Damn, Its like I'm psychic. </p><p>That should please the Feds. It also shows they're willing to compromise. They'll strike a deal. &nbsp;</p>

[fishbulb]

<p>If they really stick to their guns with this statement:</p><pre class="pre-list">Greater Programming and Content Choices -- The combined company is<br /> committed to consumer choice, including offering consumers the ability<br /> to pick and choose the channels and content they want on a more a la<br /> carte basis.</pre><p>&nbsp;It seems like it would make sense to keep all of the shows that both companies have, as long as they're &quot;bandwidth-worthy&quot; and bringing money in in what will probably become some sort of on demand system from the sound of it. Whether or not O&amp;A then R&amp;F would stick around is another question like someone else mentioned.</p>

[Hottub]

<strong>LiddyRules</strong> wrote:<br /><p>I have never been more worried for the buddies' fate than I have at this moment. We know the 202 Brigade is going in at a huge disadvantage. That all of Howie's allies will definitely be given more support than R+F. When it comes to the Sat. Talk Shows, this show is probably going to be in the sub-sub-sub basement below the failed concept of the Howard news team because of who they are and who they are affiliated with. And if a show is cut, I can easily imagine it being R+F. </p><p>I am worried for O+A and what this means but I am scared shitless for Ron and Fez. I don't live in the NY area and I need my Bennington and Watley! </p><p>I don't think Stern will be wielding all that much power. It is really a corporate, and financial decision. I belive (and hope) that all of the big name shows will be remaining as is.</p>

[oh_kee_pa]

relax..... you have a year before any of this becomes a remote reality..... 2nd, it will probably be even longer until the technology is merged.... i.e. nextel and sprint....

[Pantywagger]

<p>If they decide to go with ale carte programming, it will be a little like cable tv with basic + add on channels.&nbsp; So, maybe O&amp;A, R&amp;F and&nbsp;Sir Howie Hamptons&nbsp;will be in a &quot;talk radio&quot; add on package that costs an extra $3.07/month.&nbsp; Regardless of how they do it, I don't like the idea of Mel being in a position to censor the boys.&nbsp; <strong>Long Live Opie, Anthony, Jimmy, Ron &amp; Fez!!&nbsp;</strong></p>

[empulse]

<p>&nbsp;The FTC will have to approve this merger,&nbsp; the FCC will way in, and some assholes in congress will stick their neck in it on behalf of terrestrial interests.&nbsp; There are many hurdles that they must be overcome before this can happen.&nbsp; If there is no other alternative available to the one satellite radio network, how could it <em>NoT</em> be deemed a monopoly? &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; </p><p>Mel could fuck up a one car funeral.&nbsp; This does not bode well for satellite radio.&nbsp; And frankly I want $0 dollars of mine going to Hoo-Hoo.&nbsp; Altho I feel the same way about FauX NEWs, so i called XM and blocked any channel that has the letters FOX in it. and they now receive none of my sub fees.&nbsp; Thats right, i keep that 12 cents all to myself.&nbsp; I'll show em.</p><p>I think this has less than a 50% chance of being approved.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[BLZBUBBA]

<p>This thing has to be approved.&nbsp; I've had XM a while and I'm telling you there was NO talk&nbsp;(other than Franken...if a liberal)&nbsp;worth listening to prior to O&amp;A and then R&amp;F joining XM.</p><p>I have a wait and see attitude.&nbsp; But R&amp;F better go unscathed.&nbsp; I don't see any reason they would take a hit.&nbsp; It's obviously more of an O&amp;A vs. Howard thing with the two companies.&nbsp; The ones who should be worried are the&nbsp;employees&nbsp;that are NOT&nbsp;on-air talent.&nbsp; Mergers almost always mean layoffs&nbsp;while increasing the workload of those that remain.&nbsp; I'd say Ron and Fez are more in danger of being taken off the air by a disgruntled employee pulling a plug...or some other kind of sabotage.</p>

[westsidechef]

<p>It will probably be awhile before there is any noticeable difference in the way XM is run. However, If R&amp;F and O&amp;A leave, I'm canceling my sub and listening to my iPOD all day.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>By the way why is everyone so worried about Mel? This was a merger, not a takeover of one company by the other. Relax, buddays......</p>

[Doctor Z]

<p>Remember when WWE bought WCW &amp; ECW?&nbsp; Simple economics.&nbsp; One choice = No competition.&nbsp; No competition = Crap product.&nbsp; Crap product = Slow &amp; painful death.&nbsp; Unless someone VERY ambitious steps in, XM/Sirius is the only choice out there, and satellite radio has officially killed itself. </p>

[BLZBUBBA]

<p>Good point and good example Doc_Z.&nbsp; </p><p>I don't think it will get approved.&nbsp; The congress is already talking about clamping down on the ability&nbsp;to record satellite broadcasts to protect the record companies.&nbsp; The &quot;regular radio&quot; people have already been lobbying I'm sure.&nbsp; It will be interesting to hear what O&amp;A and R&amp;F have to say about this thing.</p>

[Doctor Z]

<p>I also think it's kind of hilarious that O&amp;A have found themselves working for Mel Karmazin all over again.</p><p>Think Howie's gonna take another stab at ousting them, even though they work for the same company? </p>

<span class=post_edited>This message was edited by Doctor_Z on 2-19-07 @ 8:11 PM</span>

[Zorro]

<font size="2">Sounds more like a takeover than a merger. Guess I'll be buying an HD radio</font>

[Matt_PEI]

<p>According to an article I read, the resulting merged company would like to offer subscribers the abilty to select from groups of channels, like cable tv packages.</p><p>Howard and O&amp;A could go head to head on opposing channels.&nbsp; There is no reason one should have to leave.&nbsp; I know they aren't exactly best pals, but as long as they aren't in the same studios, they could probably manage it.&nbsp; The merged company would not lose any listeners by keeping both shows.</p><p>As for Ron and Fez.&nbsp; I see no reason they would be forced out.&nbsp; If the merged company want to use a cable television model, then there is no reason to limit their content.&nbsp; Your cable company carrys as many channels as possible, more channels = more possible listeners.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;Maybe I'm just grabbing at straws though.&nbsp; But the article did also mention that a similar merger between the satellite TV companies was rejected a few years ago.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[docgoblin]

<strong>hafast</strong> wrote:<br /><p>Random thoughts FWIW (not much)</p><p><span style="background-color: #ffff00">I can't see O&amp;A staying on with Howie. They'd have to eat some serious crow.</span> Plus, they have the FreeFM deal.</p><p>While R&amp;F are their own entity, I think they are still loyal enough to walk if O&amp;A leave. Plus, they have the FreeFM deal.</p><p>Hoo Hoo will declare victoy and take credit (I invented satellite radio mergers, tell 'em Fred!)</p><p>Although there will be a lot of calls to both shows tomorrow, I doubt any of them have any idea what will happen. And, it will be quite a while before we see anything change. </p><p>This sucks balls! If I lose R&amp;F, I'll definitely cancel and record the FreeFM stream.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p> Why is everyone deferring to Howard? Wasn't XM the first Satellite company? Weren't O&amp;A on XM in the mornings long before Howard was on Sirius? Why is he still considered King Shit? Have you listened to Howard lately? Seems like the same lame-ass interview show he was doing on terrestrial, except he can go further with it (And Artie is actually pretty funny). </p><p>I can't wait until Opie and Ferrell run into each other in the hallway. </p>

<span class=post_edited>This message was edited by docgoblin on 2-19-07 @ 8:16 PM</span>

[Doctor Manhattan]

<p><img src="http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/8165/xiriusfarkji0.gif" border="0" width="470" height="192" /></p><p>found this on Fark. I hope it wasn't already posted here.</p>

[Fallon]

Ha, the dog has gas.

[Gvac]

<p>I'm very interested in listening to the conference call tomorrow morning.</p><p>From the press release - </p><hr width="100%" size="2" /><p>The companies will hold a joint conference call and webcast on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at 8:30 AM ET to discuss this announcement. The conference call can be monitored by dialing 800-573-4840 within the U.S. and 617-224-4326 for all other locations, passcode 29490052. The webcast can be accessed at <a href="http://www.sirius.com/">http://www.sirius.com</a> and <a href="http://www.xmradio.com/">http://www.xmradio.com</a> as well as on their satellite radio services by tuning to SIRIUS channel 122 and <span style="background-color: #ffff00">XM channel 200.</span> The webcast will be archived at <a href="http://www.sirius.com/">http://www.sirius.com</a> and <a href="http://www.xmradio.com/">http://www.xmradio.com</a>.</p><hr width="100%" size="2" /><p>&nbsp;</p>

[TheMidnightMemo]

<strong>Snacks</strong> wrote:<br /><p>&nbsp;How would all the O&amp;A fans react if after all the shit they said about howard, they decided to work with him and move to conform to howard? How would the fans take that and how would O&amp;A look?</p><p>&nbsp;The same way they reacted when OnA announced the terrestrial deal.&nbsp; The fans took it up the ass and didn't say boo like a pussy whipped bitch.&nbsp; Even with all the shit talking OnA did about terrestrial not to mention the outright lying they did about talking shit after they signed the deal.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>That's why I haven't listened to an OnA show in months.&nbsp;</p>

[Recyclerz]

<p>To my thinking, the scariest scenario is that, in order to get FCC approval for one company to own both licenses (&amp; I'm in agreement with the people calling anti-trust here)&nbsp;Mel agrees to give the FCC regulatory authority over content.&nbsp; Also, with Mel in charge (&amp; I disagree with Tenbats - Mel comes out on top in this deal)&nbsp; we can expect more commercials if the deal gets the `<em>ole</em>&nbsp; from the authorities.</p><p>Bottom line for me - as long as I can hear all the R&amp;F and some of O&amp;A everyday I don't really care who owns the company.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[hafast]

<strong>docgoblin</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>hafast</strong> wrote:<br /><p>Random thoughts FWIW (not much)</p><p><span style="background-color: #ffff00">I can't see O&amp;A staying on with Howie. They'd have to eat some serious crow.</span> Plus, they have the FreeFM deal.</p><p>While R&amp;F are their own entity, I think they are still loyal enough to walk if O&amp;A leave. Plus, they have the FreeFM deal.</p><p>Hoo Hoo will declare victoy and take credit (I invented satellite radio mergers, tell 'em Fred!)</p><p>Although there will be a lot of calls to both shows tomorrow, I doubt any of them have any idea what will happen. And, it will be quite a while before we see anything change. </p><p>This sucks balls! If I lose R&amp;F, I'll definitely cancel and record the FreeFM stream.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Why is everyone deferring to Howard? Wasn't XM the first Satellite company? Weren't O&amp;A on XM in the mornings long before Howard was on Sirius? Why is he still considered King Shit? Have you listened to Howard lately? Seems like the same lame-ass interview show he was doing on terrestrial, except he can go further with it (And Artie is actually pretty funny). </p><p>I can't wait until Opie and Ferrell run into each other in the hallway. </p><span class="post_edited">This message was edited by docgoblin on 2-19-07 @ 8:16 PM</span> <p>Not necessarily deferring to Howie, it just looks like Sirius is getting the management of the new company.&nbsp; Plus, with the size of his contract, if someone has to go, it won't be him.&nbsp; Definitely not saying he's better, but I'd have to say he has the power advantage over O&amp;A.&nbsp; And don't think he won't use it.&nbsp; Oh yeah, and there's also the fact that I'm mainly talking out of my ass about all of this, I haven't got the foggiest idea how this will turn out.</p>

[LiddyRules]

<strong>docgoblin</strong> wrote:<br /><p>Why is everyone deferring to Howard? Wasn't XM the first Satellite company? Weren't O&amp;A on XM in the mornings long before Howard was on Sirius? Why is he still considered King Shit? Have you listened to Howard lately? Seems like the same lame-ass interview show he was doing on terrestrial, except he can go further with it (And Artie is actually pretty funny). </p><p>I can't wait until Opie and Ferrell run into each other in the hallway. </p><span class="post_edited">This message was edited by docgoblin on 2-19-07 @ 8:16 PM</span> <p>Still has a bigger &quot;name&quot; being an icon at all even if what he's doing now doesn't matter. Also, Mel, who'll head SiriX is allies with Stern and will do whatever he can to protect Howard. </p>

[Reephdweller]

<strong>led37zep</strong> wrote:<br /><p>I think the bigger question is what happens to Opie and Anthony vs Howard. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I think that unless O&amp;A completely jump from XM to Free FM that they will make nice and that everyone will magically get along. There is no doubt in my mind that regardless of anything that Stern will be the king on the combined platform. </p><p>I'm still hoping against hope that Ron and Fez get their own channel somewhere along the line.&nbsp;</p><p>I'm curious if a guy like Eric Logan survives this.</p>

[LiddyRules]

I disagree. I think the Stern hatred runs far too deep.

[Drunky McBetidont]

<p>The new company's board of directors will consist of 12 directors, including Messrs. Karmazin and Parsons, <font size="3" color="#0000ff">four independent members designated by each company</font>, as well as one representative from each of General Motors and American Honda</p><p>i say we need at least one r&amp;f budday on this team of four.&nbsp; be <strong>dialing and emailing</strong> buddays.&nbsp; time to represent the boys.&nbsp; after all, they are &quot;the only radio show that truely cares about the listeners.&quot;</p>

[PapaBear]

If XM/Sirius lost OnA and R&amp;F because Stern wanted it, they'd lose (at least) thousands of subscribers over it. There is no way the company(ies) would allow that, no matter how much power Stern may have.

[westsidechef]

<strike><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">If both companies are having financial problems and they decide to start cutting costs, wouldn't it make more sense to get rid of Howard? After all, he is the one with the $500 million paycheck. </font></strike>

[Drunky McBetidont]

<p><em><font color="#ff6600">The transaction is subject to approval by both companies' shareholders, the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and regulatory review and approvals, including antitrust agencies and the FCC. Pending regulatory approval, the companies expect the transaction to be completed by the end of 2007.</font></em></p><p><font size="3">Getting this past the SEC is going to be the biggest hurdle.&nbsp; Do suscribers of xm hold a piece of a share?&nbsp; I thought that was the deal when i signed on two years ago, but i never got papers.</font></p><p><font size="3">-- regardless, it only takes&nbsp;one share to be a share-holder and qualify for the <em><font color="#0000ff">fantastic four.</font></em>&nbsp; (at least in theory)</font></p>

<span class=post_edited>This message was edited by betidont on 2-19-07 @ 9:18 PM</span>

[ralphbxny]

<p>Id like to hear Eric Logan will be trying to help the buddays and the b-b-boys.&nbsp;We need to keep someone who can fight the corporate fight for them. Mel is Howie boys pillow biter.</p><p>If this gets approved You know they are selling howie back to Terrestrial Radio to make money for XM/Sirius and put them in a profit. Its all about money. </p><p>Ron and Fez will be fine. The show is a money maker and will always find a niche.</p>

[jvavoom]

<p>why is this turning into a male version of a soap opera?</p>

[Zorro]

<strong>ralphbxny</strong> wrote:<br /><p>Id like to hear <font style="background-color: #ffff00">Eric Logan</font> will be trying to help the buddays and the b-b-boys.&nbsp;We need to keep someone who can fight the corporate fight for them. Mel is Howie boys pillow biter.</p><p>If this gets approved You know they are selling howie back to Terrestrial Radio to make money for XM/Sirius and put them in a profit. Its all about money. </p><p>Ron and Fez will be fine. The show is a money maker and will always find a niche.</p><p><font size="2">I'll bet ten bucks E-Lo has been dusting off his resume.</font></p>

[Doctor Z]

<p><span class="postbody">Here's what I said in the other thread before realizing that this thread exists:</span></p><p>&nbsp;<br /><span class="postbody">Remember when WWE bought WCW &amp; ECW?&nbsp; Simple economics.<br />One choice = No competition.&nbsp; No competition = Crap product.&nbsp; Crap product = Slow &amp; painful death.<br />Unless someone VERY ambitious steps in, XM/Sirius is the only choice out there, and satellite radio has officially killed itself.</span></p><p>I've been against this move all along, but hoping against hope that it would never happen.&nbsp; Unfortunately, my fears for satellite radio actually became reality today.&nbsp; I love satellite radio.&nbsp; Not just XM.&nbsp; As someone who loves radio, especially talk radio, I've been a big advocate of satellite radio, as I feel it is the future of radio.&nbsp; But competition is NECESSARY for the progression and growth of any industry.&nbsp; Not just in business, but it's human nature.&nbsp; What would happen if there was ONE political party?</p><p>Look at the computer industry (Microsoft/Apple).&nbsp; Look at the video game console industry (Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft).&nbsp; Having two (or more) companies duke it out creates an environment where everyone tries to one-up each other.&nbsp; No matter who you subscribe to, or which company's products you support, everyone reaps the benefits&nbsp; in the end.&nbsp; Ultimately, the result is progress and innovation.</p><p>When there's only one game in town, things plateau.&nbsp; They become stagnant.&nbsp; Satellite radio is still in its infancy, so to end competition now is a very dangerous move.&nbsp; But all this boring shit I'm rambling about is why the term &quot;monopoly&quot; exists and why anti-trust laws exist.&nbsp; But let's face it.&nbsp; The government is as much a business as the oil industry.&nbsp; So as soon as Mel argues that Satellite is in &quot;direct&quot; competition with cell phones and terrestrial radio, congress will let this deal go through and the rich will get richer, and the people will be gypped out of a once-bright future for satellite radio.</p><p>And the FCC better lay the FUCK off satellite content.&nbsp; It's the only safe haven for freedom of speech in the mass media right now, and it needs to stay that way.<br />&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>On a somewhat unrelated sidenote, I can't fucking believe O&amp;A have found themselves under Mel Karmazin again.&nbsp; And even though they'll be working in the same company as Howard, Hoo-Hoo's probably gonna needlessly make every attempt to have Papa Mel put another gag order on them.&nbsp; It never ends. </p>

[Donnie2bucksss]

<p>looks like the folks at countdown are R&amp;F fans.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="http://public.fotki.com/donniec/rf/cowntdownrf.html" border="0" />&nbsp;</p>

[Donnie2bucksss]

<p>i stink&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="http://public.fotki.com/donniec/rf/cowntdownrf.html" border="0" />&nbsp;</p>

[Donnie2bucksss]

<p>3rd times a charm?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>http://images21.fotki.com/v517/photos/1/1100983/4634823/cowntdownrf-vi.jpg?1171940387 </p>

[WizWith]

<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'">I think there is a good chance they will keep each company separate.<span>&nbsp; </span>After all, stock holders don&rsquo;t care what you listen to, as long as you pay for your subscriptions.<span>&nbsp; </span>If O&amp;A and Howard go head to head in the mornings, it doesn&rsquo;t matter, the cash all goes into the same pockets.<span>&nbsp; </span>Television networks have been consolidating for years.</span>

[OneLuv]

&nbsp;I really think this is going to be one of those things that we are going to have to wait and see what will happen. I doubt in the long run it will hurt Ron and Fez.