XM Merger Not a Done Deal

**BobMurdoch** · 07-24-2008 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by tomcrown1

Yes I have read the rate plans and gueess what they no longer apply. The FCC has placed new conditons on the merger.

One of the conditions is that the new Sirus Xm company will have to pay the FCC 20 Million Dollar. That is why I believe the FCC went for Al Lacarte. This is the only way to allow for a rate increase to cover the fees while it make it look like the FCC is concerned about the public and not about the DOE RAY ME.

Part of the deal is a rate freeze for three years.....

Ease up, Chicken Little. The sky is just fine, thank you.

**navychop** · 07-24-2008 02:15 PM

Any "logic" in the "fine?" Isn't it just requiring a payoff to approve? Something that if a private company did, someone could go to jail for?

**LER** · 07-24-2008 02:17 PM

They apparently have repeaters that aren't in full compliance, FM xmitters that are too "hot", and some other stuff, so yes, it appears that the fines are justified.

**navychop** · 07-24-2008 02:18 PM

Tks

**tomcrown1** · 07-24-2008 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by LER

They apparently have repeaters that aren't in full compliance, FM xmitters that are too "hot", and some other stuff, so yes, it appears that the fines are justified.

THAT IS MADE UP---THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED SEVERAL YEARS AGE WHICH XM WAS FINED FOR AT THAT TIME. If I remeber correctly. Why bring up old news now??

This is just a game play to help justify the blackmail.

If we want to keep our current rate plan EG stay with XM or Sirus then for the next three years their will be no increase.

If you want to have both XM and Sirus programs then your rate will go up.

Also if you stay with your current program option you may find less channels as this merger moves forward.

The bad thing XM did was some of their receivers XM transmitter signal was to strong thus interfering with some broadcast. In other words you would have to be right next to the car to get the XM station on your FM station if you FM station was tuned into--etc this whole thing was nuts three years ago and it is nuts now

I just wished this blackmail never happen.

**BobMurdoch** · 07-24-2008 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by navychop

Any "logic" in the "fine?" Isn't it just requiring a payoff to approve? Something that if a private company did, someone could go to jail for?

Well, they are just cranky that the court tossed out their CBS fine for Janet Jackson's sun medallion getting flashed for a millisecond on TV.

On the grand scheme of things, this is a drop in the bucket... The stock price will bounce up and let them finance the deal by issuing more shares.....

And yes, the Feds are just like a Mafia shakedown..... This is news to you?

**jeremydiederich1** · 07-24-2008 10:10 PM

Agreement reached for FCC to clear XM-Sirius deal | Technology | Reuters

**mike1973** · 07-25-2008 07:52 AM

Got this today.

Sirius, XM Agree To M FCC Fine - 7/24/2008 7:36:00 AM - TWICE

Sirius, XM Agree To $20M FCC Fine
By Amy Gilroy -- TWICE, 7/24/2008 7:36:00 AM

Washington — Following reports that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) would approve a satellite radio merger if Sirius and XM pay a $20 million fine for past FCC violations, Sirius and XM said this morning they have agreed to pay the $20 million fine along with other conditions.

Sirius and XM said they are in talks with the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau to establish a Consent Decree that would close a 2006 FCC investigation of the companies.

XM said it will make a voluntary contribution to the U.S. Treasury of approximately $17 million and Sirius will contribute $2 million, as terms of a potential Consent Decree with the FCC that would terminate an FCC investigation initiated in 2006 into certain XM and Sirius repeaters and radios.

XM also promised that within 60 days of the Consent Decree it will shut down 50 variant terrestrial repeaters that pass along its signal, and either shut down or bring into compliance an additional 50 variant terrestrial repeaters.

Sirius said it already shut down 11 variant repeaters.

The companies stated there is no assurance yet that the FCC will approve the Consent Decree, and they did not confirm that the Consent Decree would result in the FCC approval that the companies have sought since they announced the merger 17 months ago.

Reports from the Wall Street Journal and various news agencies said yesterday that Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate will cast the deciding vote in favor of the merger under the proviso that the merged company pay a $20 million fine for alleged past violations of FCC rules and possibly other considerations.

Detractors of the merger have argued the FCC should not approve the Sirius/XM merger, in part because the companies violated FCC rules in the past in the placement of their repeaters, in the signal strength of their radios, and in failing to market an interoperable (dual-service) radio.

An FCC staffer told TWICE that Tate “will vote” but did not say when or how she will vote.

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