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1 edit | Merger.... Due to work, I have a 1yr free sub to XM which started last November. With regards to the merger, I can only see it as a good thing.
I listen to most of the electronic channels and audio drama channels. If merging with Sirius would give me more of those channels with no overlaps in programming, then I'm all for it.
As far as the increased price, why certainly the price would, and should increase if you want to partake of ALL the content. However, to temper that, al a carte plans should be offered to where one can choose the channels they want to receive.
In regards to the anti-monopoly...since both companies spent the money to launch satellites into space, why should they be made to give up those resources upon which they spent the excess of money on to someone else?
If the market deems it, then another startup can attempt to land investors in order to create another Sat radio company and spend the money to then either launch their own satellites, or purchase launched satellites.
Sure, allowing satellite radio to merge will create a monopoly, but, lets be honest. Current trends appear to be showing that the market cannot sustain 2 competitors in Sat Radio. Terrestial radio is a monopoly. How many independent radio stations are left out there? Clear Channel owns most of the radio stations, followed by Infinity. We may not be able to count on Internet Radio as a future viable alternative as the RIAA is attempting to place a squeeze on them with exhorbant royalty fees. HD Radio? Haven't sampled it yet, however the same people who own the conventional radio stations will own HD Radio, and we'll have the same content, with the same crappy commercials. Just a higher quality of crappiness. Although, that does bring up a point that one could stand commercials if they were actually interesting, as who wants to hear a commercial for some sexual enhancement supplement when you're trying to enjoy to a decent traffic mix on your favorite station? But I digress as that is a seperate argument.
So say that the merger was squashed, and one company fell through...then we're still stuck with a monopoly and no choice in that particular market.
Oh well....if it gets too bad I'll go back to what I used to do....download radio shows of trance from overseas and listen to them on my Sansa Express. | |
Time4aNAPPremium
join:2007-04-09
Des Plaines, IL | said by WirelessMajr:Terrestial radio is a monopoly. How many independent radio stations are left out there? Clear Channel owns most of the radio stations, followed by Infinity. That falls well short of a monopoly, although the sound-alike crap might lead you to believe that the whole dial is run by the same entity. The Clear Channel et. al. hegemony is a real problem that does need to be addressed. I'd say that the experiment with Chicago School economics has not served the public this time any better than a century ago. We don't need to suffer another Great Depression to figure that out!
The principles that made the Communications act of 1934 so enduring are every bit as valid today as they were back then. I say that it's time to re-establish the recognition of the public airwaves as a public trust, and regulate them accordingly. If Clear Channel, Infinity Broadcasting and friends took the capital gains from the forced divestiture of extra stations in each market, they would have a mighty large nestegg with which to break into the satellite radio business if Sirius and/or XM fail or merge. Seems like a good solution all-around.
We may not be able to count on Internet Radio as a future viable alternative as the RIAA is attempting to place a squeeze on them with exhorbant [sic] royalty fees. With only five days remaining until the deadline for payment of retroactive fees, it's time to remind your members of Congress to take action before it's too late!
HD Radio? The digital signal is piggybacked onto the analog one. HD radio opens up no new markets. It's a half measure that seems destined for mediocrity, and ultimately, failure. The FCC would be wise to auction off some of that prime UHF bandwidth for an all-digital radio broadcasting service. The 700 MHz band is more suitable for such a thing than the microwave bands currently being used.
So say that the merger was squashed, and one company fell through...then we're still stuck with a monopoly and no choice in that particular market. Not quite. The failed company would forfeit its bandwidth, making room for new competition. If no competition arises, and the lone survivor manages to become profitable, then it can be regulated as would any other monopoly. | |
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