marcpsych
06-15-2008, 10:19 PM
This breaking news was first reported on this board, as far as I know, by Watson, per below:
http://www.ronfez.net/forums/showthread.php?t=55568&page=22
WASHINGTON — The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission is recommending approval of the $5 billion merger between the nation's two satellite radio broadcasters in exchange for concessions that include turning over 24 channels to noncommercial and minority programming, The Associated Press has learned.
That condition — along with others, including a three-year price freeze for consumers — convinced FCC Chairman Kevin Martin on Sunday to recommend approval for Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.'s buyout of rival XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. The deal affects millions of subscribers who pay to hear music, news, sports and talk programming, largely free from advertising, in homes and vehicles.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,367222,00.html
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iOz1FYWduExBs1ZzZ6SfJvkPX1DAD91AUU5O0
It seems that the merger is probably going to finally go through, with the promise of a three-year price freeze. However, having XM plus channels from Sirius would cost $16.99 per month if one wants to use existing radios. The "a la carte" offering of selected channels from both services, which is supposed to be available within three months of the merger deal, would require new radios.
Of course, this IS NOT final until the four other FCC commissioners vote on and approve the deal. Unless they get handed many more bags of cash by the terrestrial lobby, I don't see this not going through, esp. since the FCC chairman already put the word out.
Here is a very interesting part of the AP article:
"The thorniest part of the negotiations was over how much radio spectrum the companies would turn over to noncommercial and minority broadcasters.
The companies agreed to turn over 8 percent of their satellite capacity, which works out to 12 channels apiece for noncommercial programmers and for those who have "not been traditionally represented" in radio, according to Martin.
The details on how this system would work have yet to be worked out, according to FCC officials."
I am all for noncommercial and minority programming (I especially enjoy The Black Eagle, Joe Madison, on The Power), but why the stringent mandate of 24 channels devoted to this? This seems a bit excessive. I hate when the government dictates content like this to cave to a lobby/push an agenda. How many other channels are going to be dropped to accommodate this mandate, and will other channels and shows now be under even more pressure to be "sensitive" and politically correct (read: censorship)?
Imagine:
Maybe instead of the Ron and Fez show, we'll end up with the Earl Douglas Show, and Ron and Fez will be forced to work for Earl in order to keep their jobs. :tongue:
http://www.ronfez.net/forums/showthread.php?t=55568&page=22
WASHINGTON — The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission is recommending approval of the $5 billion merger between the nation's two satellite radio broadcasters in exchange for concessions that include turning over 24 channels to noncommercial and minority programming, The Associated Press has learned.
That condition — along with others, including a three-year price freeze for consumers — convinced FCC Chairman Kevin Martin on Sunday to recommend approval for Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.'s buyout of rival XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. The deal affects millions of subscribers who pay to hear music, news, sports and talk programming, largely free from advertising, in homes and vehicles.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,367222,00.html
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iOz1FYWduExBs1ZzZ6SfJvkPX1DAD91AUU5O0
It seems that the merger is probably going to finally go through, with the promise of a three-year price freeze. However, having XM plus channels from Sirius would cost $16.99 per month if one wants to use existing radios. The "a la carte" offering of selected channels from both services, which is supposed to be available within three months of the merger deal, would require new radios.
Of course, this IS NOT final until the four other FCC commissioners vote on and approve the deal. Unless they get handed many more bags of cash by the terrestrial lobby, I don't see this not going through, esp. since the FCC chairman already put the word out.
Here is a very interesting part of the AP article:
"The thorniest part of the negotiations was over how much radio spectrum the companies would turn over to noncommercial and minority broadcasters.
The companies agreed to turn over 8 percent of their satellite capacity, which works out to 12 channels apiece for noncommercial programmers and for those who have "not been traditionally represented" in radio, according to Martin.
The details on how this system would work have yet to be worked out, according to FCC officials."
I am all for noncommercial and minority programming (I especially enjoy The Black Eagle, Joe Madison, on The Power), but why the stringent mandate of 24 channels devoted to this? This seems a bit excessive. I hate when the government dictates content like this to cave to a lobby/push an agenda. How many other channels are going to be dropped to accommodate this mandate, and will other channels and shows now be under even more pressure to be "sensitive" and politically correct (read: censorship)?
Imagine:
Maybe instead of the Ron and Fez show, we'll end up with the Earl Douglas Show, and Ron and Fez will be forced to work for Earl in order to keep their jobs. :tongue: