Markey Tells FCC XM-Sirius Merger Needs Conditions
House Telecommunications & Internet Subcommittee Chairman Urges Federal Communications Commission to Closely Scrutinize Satellite-Radio Deal
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 3/24/2008 1:17:00 PM
House Telecommunications & Internet Subcommittee chairman Ed Markey (D-Mass.) said the Department of Justice's approval of the XM Satellite Radio-Sirius Satellite Radio merger without conditions was par for the course, but he told the Federal Communications Commission it should aim for more.
“The Bush administration has apparently never seen a telecommunications merger it doesn’t like," Markey said in a statement. "Its decision to approve the XM-Sirius merger without conditions is therefore unsurprising."
But he suggested that it would be an unpleasant surprise if the FCC followed suit.
“If the Federal Communications Commission, after completing its analysis and consideration of the proposed merger, decides to approve it, I urge the FCC to appropriately condition any such approval to ensure consumer welfare with respect to long-term service plans and pricing, as well as equipment compatibility and pricing,” Markey said.
“In addition, the commission should take action to ensure that the public-interest values of diversity and localism are fulfilled with respect to satellite-radio service in a manner consistent with congressional precedent, as Congress and the FCC did with respect to satellite-television services,” he added.
Markey held a hearing on the proposed merger one year ago this month at which satellite and terrestrial broadcasters squared off and Sirius CEO Mel Karmazin promised no price increases.
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Matt...I couldn't agree more. This is total BS by Clear Channel and NAB. Markey must be getting a little grease from John Kerry who I actually voted for. But if Markey and Kerry think that we as consumers are that stupid to not see who is behind all this opposition then they will loose my vote. This is a good thing for business and a good thing for consumers...I think Mel Karmazin should run for president as he has rationale.
Kurt Consumer - 4/18/2008 8:34:00 AM EDT -
Markey... is he the guy that the NAB greased?
Anyone with a brain knows this merger is good and overdue. Every time I start thinking about possibly voting Democratic, some dunce like this convinces me otherwise.
Matt Miller - 3/24/2008 8:40:00 PM EDT -
I think that a merger between XM and Sirius would be great. I have both radios and the merger to me would mean that I have a choice of my favorite channels.
With the proposed ala carte menu that they are talking about, I could have Nascar, baseball,football,news,weather, and a choice of music to listen to.
I don''t understand how anyone could say this would be a bad thing to have freedom of choice unless your a politician who doesn''t even have satellite radio.
If the normal radio channels are afraid of competion, maybe they will have to not have so many commercials and do a better job with their progammming.
Listen, if XM and Sirius merge and they put the prices to high then people won''t buy their product and they would have to lower the price or go out of business and I don''t need a politican to tell me that.
Roy Deamer Jr - 3/24/2008 6:46:00 PM EDT
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