Why does the FCC have anything to do with Dish buying satellite?

[dankgus]

A while back I saw something on TV about Howard Stern moving to either XM or Sirius Satellite radio. Howard was going on and on about screw the FCC and how satellite wasn't governed by the FCC.

So, why does the FCC have to approve the sale of Rainbow 1? Why is the FCC involved with Rainbow 1, but not with Howard Stern on satellite?

Thanks,
--Dan

 

[Dvlos]

Because hopefully the FCC will deny E* the sale.

 

[CraziFuzzy]

the FCC does govern satellite, what it doesn't do is govern the content on encrypted transmission mediums. They only censor public broadcasts. Howard Stern is fleeing to satellite radio because it is membership based, not public, so they have channels that are uncensored, so he can blab on uselessly about whatever he pleases.