users of Sirius XM

What’s next in the World of Satellite Radio?
Sirius’s acquisition of XM is complete, stations are currently being transferred, and some stations are being cut. Employees (on-air and off-air) are being laid off link, and profits are up 16%. The FCC approved this merger into what some are calling a monopoly. There are many big changes coming, and yet you the consumer won’t know it until it’s too late. If you happened to buy a lifetime subscription for a onetime fee of $500.00, than grab your Terms of Service agreement, read over it, watch for loop holes, and ask for concessions during the downtime.
Clear Channel filed a letter to the FCC crying foul play link, we are not surprised that Clear Channel filed a motion. Clear Channel stated opposition, but would concede if conditions were conducive to their agenda. There is irony in this; Clear Channel owns 10% percent of radio stations in America, and has the muscle to drive local markets in their preferred direction, so it’s only natural that they try to squash competitors who stand a chance of taking Market Shares away.
Sirius XM faces some major hurdles in the near future. Auto sales are obviously low, and some manufacturers are begging for “Bail-Out” money. With this in mind previous contracts with Auto manufacturers and Sirius could be in dire straits. Independent subscriptions are tapering off. And let’s not forget to mention, Sirius is like any other conglomerate: top heavy in Executive Salaries. The top 5 Executive at Sirius collected over 50 million in compensation for the fiscal year of 2007 according to an Edgar check. The salaries are based on performance, some of the criteria include: Automobile market penetration, and subscription services. So in short salaries were increased, but sale were down. The math just doesn’t add up.
Enough about Mel Karmazin, are focus is how the FCC aloud this merger to create a monopoly. The FCC disallowed DirecTV and DISH Network to merge, so what is the difference with satellite radio. Here is the Statement of the Department of Justice Antitrust Division “the Division concluded that the evidence does not demonstrate that the proposed merger of XM and Sirius is likely to substantially lessen competition.” What competition? You the subscriber have no choice.
The future is unclear for the users of Sirius XM, Expect to lose some of your favorite channels, Among the Sirius channels going away are Movin’ Easy, Punk, Sirius Disorder, The Strobe, Boombox, Backspin and Universo Latino. XM channels being retired include XM Sports Nation, the Weather Channel, XMX, X-Country, Fungus, Rhyme, you can find more info here. Don’t be shocked if some channels in the future start to explore with new types of advertisements, or “short” commercial lists. And as always be careful with the “lifetime subscriptions.”