Thread: Sirius XM Prepares Bankruptcy Filing

Originally Posted by silvanthalas

One group that should probably be concerned about with a Charlie takeover of Sirius XM are sports fans.

Between Sirius and XM, I believe all the major sports were covered for satellite radio

But which of the two satellite TV companies doesn't have NFL Sunday Ticket? Which one doesn't have MLB Network?

Now imagine a Echostar-owned Sirius XM trying to negotiate new contracts with NFL and MLB when they already have problems getting their stuff on Dish Network...

To be fair D* has had NFL Sunday Ticket as an exclusive from the beginning. They pay the NFL a premium to have that exclusive and they pass the outrageous cost on to their subscribers who somehow feel that it is worth it. I don't believe this will effect the ability of an E* owned sat radio to get NFL or MLB, however, I would bet that Ergen would let either go before being held up at gunpoint for outrageous rates to carry. Most people who have E* are cool with the fact that Ergen is a tough negotiator, but the double edged sword is that sometimes means less content due to lack of carriage deals. Some like to complain about it and even leave for D*.

As a member of the broadcasting community for 24 years I can say not everyone hates Howard Stern.

Stating that Stern is grossly overpaid is not the same as saying "I hate Stern."

Two points, whether we like them or not, both posted by several and ignored by many:

1. Stern brought more subscribers in than they hoped for, and was paid bonuses. By definition, he is not overpaid. He did more than what he was paid to do. Grossly paid, maybe. But he brought in the subs/money.

2. Sirius/XM has increased revenues and subscribers, as reported by their owner. Who can receive SEC sanctions for incorrect statements. Their churn may be up, but they have more subscribers now than they used to. Whether we like it or not.

It's only going to get tougher for Satellite Radio. Internet radio is the future of radio. Within the next 18 months, Internet radios will be in cars and offer the same kind of access to motorists for free.

If nothing else, Echostar buying Sirius would be saving their hides. They can focus less on staying in business, and more on innovation and technology so that they CAN compete with Internet Radio (I think Sirius will be an Internet Radio company eventually). Between the merger and keeping the company out of bankruptcy, they've done nothing to advance the technology.

Internet radio in cars ? That's a long way off. Broadband availabilty coast to coast ? I don't think so. Whose going to provide the hardware, repeaters, etc. on a nationwide basis, in the rural areas of this country so one can have "free" internet radio ?

its coming, I'am already listening to pandora radio on my htc touch through the sprint network and that beats a lot of the fm stations in this area as far as styles of music

Originally Posted by tiara builder

its coming, I'am already listening to pandora radio on my htc touch through the sprint network and that beats a lot of the fm stations in this area as far as styles of music

A monthly Sirius/XM charge is a heck of a lot less then what monthly wireless internet access costs.

Originally Posted by minnow

Internet radio in cars ? That's a long way off. Broadband availabilty coast to coast ? I don't think so. Whose going to provide the hardware, repeaters, etc. on a nationwide basis, in the rural areas of this country so one can have "free" internet radio ?

Wifi is already in vehicles like the new Dodge Ram and (I believe) the new Ford F150. By this time next year it will be widely available in more models as the demand is there. I know I'd love to have my car be a roving wifi hotspot so I can listen to slacker on my iPhone. Although 3G does pretty good, too.

It's an interesting idea.


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