Sirius XM being stalked by Dish?

[KenSoren]

Apparently so far the stockmarket looks at this as a good thing. The stock is up close to 23% at an astounding $.18 per share. I think the market is really digging for anything that can be interperted as "good news" to react to. We got suckered into this a couple of years ago and foolishly are still holding and waiting for something to happen.

[rocatman]

If they already have satellites built and ready to go I don't think they would want to buy the company to use the launch slots for other satellites and then have the SDARS ones sitting on the ground. They could use the existing and future Sirius and XM satellites for mobile tv. Heck, they could use them for regular services by adding a satellite radio antenna on Dish installs for future services. The satellites just retransmit bits, so they don't have to limit them to just audio.

Using the launch slots for Dish video satellites would not be a bad idea besides it is not like the current Sirius and XM satellites currently on-orbit are that old. Dish also has an S-band satellite of their own sitting in storage i.e., the one that was suppose to be used for China and the 2008 Summer Olympics.

[VinceT3]

Coming soon: The HD Duo ViP SXM EchoMate Replay Sling Loaded 922 with Removable SDARS Module

lol.. good one.. and most likely true as well! lol

[kstuart]

There are a number of synergies:

- EchoStar is experienced in running satellite companies for 20 years.

- The ability to "bundle" satellite TV and satellite radio could help competiting with cable TV and DirecTV.

- New channel provider deals to be used on the several video channel on SiriusXM, i.e. Toon Disney for the car back seat, etc.

PS Yes, it is amusing that SiriusXM stock has gone up ... people cannot read as far as the part in the articles where E* puts SiriusXM into Chapter 11 to lose all the stockholders and more of the debt...

[Sammy033]

Sounds like Charlie wants to takeover the world!!! But in all honesty, this is interesting... we shall see...

I just had this image of Charlie as "The Brain". *shudder*

[Jamey K]

I've have gotten phones today from couple of the on air types who work there, and they are more freaked about this than they were the merger. They are scared to death everything will go to automation with no live people anymore.

[ctownnerd]

I've have gotten phones today from couple of the on air types who work there, and they are more freaked about this than they were the merger. They are scared to death everything will go to automation with no live people anymore.

Good. SiriusXM's DJs suck. I was excited about the merger because I figured I would be able to get XM's music depth and channels (Lucy, Ethel) without annoying DJs like AltNation's madison, and that I would be able to get Opie and Anthony on my sirius unit. Only one of these came true. The annoying DJs are still there.
If I wanted to hear a blabby DJ announce what song was playing, or why their cat sits in a microwave, i would put on FM radio. If I want school closings and local news, I'd go to terrestrial radio or tv.
There's no point in having live DJs. Sure, people should be there to program the stations (a-la Muzak and DMX) but I don't need an irrelevant sack of hot air to waste my time and money announcing that coldplay sucks.

Just my $.02

[HDRoberts]

If they already have satellites built and ready to go I don't think they would want to buy the company to use the launch slots for other satellites and then have the SDARS ones sitting on the ground. They could use the existing and future Sirius and XM satellites for mobile tv. Heck, they could use them for regular services by adding a satellite radio antenna on Dish installs for future services. The satellites just retransmit bits, so they don't have to limit them to just audio.

I'm sure Dish would rather have Sirius XM satellites on the ground than their own satellites. Right now I don't get why XM is even launching a sat, as they have 2 on station from only 3-4 years ago, and 2 spares (albeit in not the best shape).

And I don't know that any of these launches gives a big bandwidth boost to support mobile video, but Dish's other satellites would certainly give a bigger boost for DBS bandwidth.

But again, this wouldn't be the only reason, just part of the business case.

[kc0zhq]

<conspiracy theory=on>
Doesn't Directv carry the XM channels? I have to wonder if the plan is to buy it up, let the XM half go under, and keep Sirius floating. Competitive advantage for Dish
</conspiracy theory>

(only half serious since I'm sure this would run afoul of anti-monopoly laws)

[s10zr2]

If charlie bought up sirius/xm I wonder if directv would still carry it in there programming lineup? I don't think they would like the idea of having to pay charlie.