Kohl: FCC Should Block XM-Sirius Merger
Senate Antitrust Subcommittee Chairman Rips Department of Justice's Decision Not to Challenge Satellite-Radio Combination
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 3/24/2008 11:44:00 AM MT
The chairman of the Senate Antitrust Subcommittee told the Federal Communications Commission it should not allow XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio to merge, saying that it would create a satellite-radio monopoly.
That came in the wake of the Department of Justice's decision not to challenge the merger or put any conditions on it. The FCC has still to weigh in, with chairman Kevin Martin saying recently that he wanted to do so by the end of this month.
Speaking as chairman of the committee, Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) said in a statement: “We believe the elimination of competition between XM and Sirius is contrary to antitrust law and the interests of consumers. We urge that the FCC find the merger contrary to the public interest and exercise its authority to block it."
Saying that he was disappointed with the DOJ's decision, he went even further, adding: "We are particularly disturbed by this decision given the Justice Department's record in recent years of failing to oppose numerous mergers that reduced competition in key industries, resulting in the Justice Department not bringing a single contested merger case in nearly four years."
DOJ assistant attorney general Thomas Barnett took issue with the senator's characterization.
"The antitrust division has been very vigilant in enforcing the antitrust laws," he told reporters Monday. "Just this year, we had 10 mergers that we have challenged … I am quite comfortable that we are vigorously but appropriately enforcing the antitrust laws with respect to mergers."
-
This douchebag is obviously in Clear Channels pocket. How much did clear channel pay this...
Joe - 2008-1-5 13:24:00 -
Give these senaters enough money and they would support smoking crack on the...
Jeff - 2008-21-4 09:52:00 -
As stated above this isn't a monopoly. SAT radio has to compete with radio that is free. People...
Trevor - 2008-18-4 14:49:00 -
Joey...Couldn't agree more.This is not a monopoly the opposition is completely driven by those...
Kurt - 2008-18-4 06:03:00 -
Let the satelite radio companies merge. It is far from a Monopoly. You have regular radio, HD...
Joey Lankimana - 2008-24-3 19:45:00
XM-Sirius Merger Approval Close?
06/30/2008Another Extension for XM-Sirius Merger
04/30/2008FCC Releases XM-Sirius Details
07/28/2008FTC Drops XM Satellite Radio Investigation
11/09/2007XM-Sirius Still Concerns Attorneys General
05/09/2008
