TK Junk Mail
Go ahead, make my day
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Margate City, NJ
clubs:
 ·Comcast
|  No brainer - merger should be allowed
The key issue appears to be whether or not the satellite-radio marketplace is its own separate entity -- XM and Sirius are the only national license holders -- or part of a larger audio marketplace that includes terrestrial radio, cable radio, Internet radio and downloads. It is obvious that satellite radio competes with all those other audio sources and is in fact losing the battle(which is mostly in cars) due to iPod interfaces, media harddrives in cars, digital AM & FM in newer cars, etc.
The only reason this merger wasn't already approved is because the radio network companies(like Clear Channel) don't want more competition than they already have.
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My BLOG .. .. Internet News .. .. My Web Page |
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IgnorantMeat
@rr.com
| I agree completely. Clear Channel and Infinty Broadcasting don't want anymore competion. I am a subscriber to sirius and the sound qauilty is better than any over the air broadcast and I can listen to any of the channels I want to on the internet, save for some of the sports channels. |
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kfsutops
Premium
join:2002-08-19
Brandon, FL
clubs: 
·RoadRunner Cable
| reply to TK Junk Mail
said by TK Junk Mail  :It is obvious that satellite radio competes with all those other audio sources and is in fact losing the battle(which is mostly in cars) due to iPod interfaces, media harddrives in cars, digital AM & FM in newer cars, etc. The only reason this merger wasn't already approved is because the radio network companies(like Clear Channel) don't want more competition than they already have. Satellite is losing the ware because of price, lack of contact, and commercials.
Some people say the price isn't that much. BS. For the average joe $13/month isn't to bad. Now start adding the additional radios. See how quickly the price gets higher. It can get out of hand quickly.
I am against then to the 10th degree. This will not lower prices. This is doing nothing more than creating another cable industry business model scene that gives you less of a product for the same price.
They will continually raise prices on their higher tiered stuff while lowering the price on the lower tiered stuff. But what they fail to tell you is that nothing you want will be on the lower tier. Forcing you to buy the higher tier stuff at a higher cost.
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"There are no stupid questions, but there are a LOT of inquisitive idiots" |
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Neyland85
join:2003-02-04
North Augusta, SC
 ·AT&T Southeast
| Well I have XM and am frustrated by the addition of commercials on some channels. And the content of the commercials leaves a lot to be desired too.
However, the FCC has said that Sat TV and Cable TV compete in the same market place. It would only be logical that Sat radio would be viewed in the same way. With that said, not much in gov is logical. |
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MadMANN
Premium
join:2005-08-19
·Comcast
| reply to TK Junk Mail
Amen to that. It took way less time for large oil companies to merge. Hell, it only took a few weeks for our government to decide to invade Iraq. And they can't make a decision in over a year to let two sat radio companies merge? Yeah, I can see how this is complicated. 
How about terrestrial radio using their money to focus on improving their own programming and actually doing something that listeners want instead of lining the pockets of politicians? Oh yeah. Too much work. |
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maxpower
join:2006-10-09
Providence, RI
| reply to kfsutops
quote:
Satellite is losing the ware because of price, lack of contact, and commercials.
Some people say the price isn't that much. BS. For the average joe $13/month isn't to bad. Now start adding the additional radios. See how quickly the price gets higher. It can get out of hand quickly.
Huh?? Yes additional radio's do cost more. Just like an additional cable or dish receiver cost's more. Satellite offers 100% commercial free music (well at least Sirius does). Can FM compare to that? |
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MattE
Obama '08
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
·North State Commun..
 ·Corporate Colocation
| reply to Neyland85
said by Neyland85 :Well I have XM and am frustrated by the addition of commercials on some channels. And the content of the commercials leaves a lot to be desired too. However, the FCC has said that Sat TV and Cable TV compete in the same market place. It would only be logical that Sat radio would be viewed in the same way. With that said, not much in gov is logical. The channels with commercials are ClearChannel owned channels. ClearChannel invested a significant chunk of money to help XM get off the ground in exchange for frequency to broadcast on.
If this goes through, that should go away. |
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MattE
Obama '08
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
·North State Commun..
·Corporate Colocation
| reply to TK Junk Mail
said by TK Junk Mail :The key issue appears to be whether or not the satellite-radio marketplace is its own separate entity -- XM and Sirius are the only national license holders -- or part of a larger audio marketplace that includes terrestrial radio, cable radio, Internet radio and downloads. It is obvious that satellite radio competes with all those other audio sources and is in fact losing the battle(which is mostly in cars) due to iPod interfaces, media harddrives in cars, digital AM & FM in newer cars, etc. The only reason this merger wasn't already approved is because the radio network companies(like Clear Channel) don't want more competition than they already have. I completely agree. The FCC and Justice Department need to sit down and decide one way or another and stop listening to ClearChannel. (Who came into my city and bought up all the radio stations, then turned them all into Top 25 Pop music stations) |
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Neyland85
join:2003-02-04
North Augusta, SC | reply to MattE
Actually many of the talk channels have commercials. Problem is I listen to more of the talk channels than the music. |
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Work
@charter.com
| reply to MattE
i feel your pain. we have 2 or 3 top 25 pop stations...a hanful of country music stations... and an oldies station (that plays oldies from time to time).
it's horrid. i can only imagine how much worse it'd be to live in a more urban area with 943750275203752435 clear channel owned radio stations ... i can see it now
*driving along* hm.. whats on the radio... *click* *click* *click* *click* *click* *click* Alright, that was a waste of calories *turns the radio off*
at least out here it only takes about 10 seconds to surf through all the radio stations and decide there's not a damn thing on. |
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N3OGH
They both suck, we're so screwed
Premium
join:2003-11-11
Philly burbs | reply to Neyland85
So, then I have no need to pitch you hard on cream or colon cleanser.
Or, I could TELL YOU ABOUT THE DISCOUNT, HARRY!!!!
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Petty people are disproportionably corrupted by petty power… |
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stickfigure
join:2002-06-11
El Cajon, CA
| reply to kfsutops
What then would your solution be to keep these companies in business?
»finance.google.com/finance?fstype=ii&q=SIRI
»finance.google.com/finance?fstyp···DAQ:XMSR
Again, with the obvious fact that satelitte radio competes with other media mentioned above this is NOT a monopoly.
Should prices go up (doubtful since the government is requiring Sirius/XM to create a business plan that they approve prior to allowing the merger) choose one of the other forms of media to listen to. |
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kfsutops
Premium
join:2002-08-19
Brandon, FL
clubs:
·RoadRunner Cable
| said by stickfigure :What then would your solution be to keep these companies in business? » finance.google.com/finance?fstype=ii&q=SIRI» finance.google.com/finance?fstyp···DAQ:XMSRAgain, with the obvious fact that satelitte radio competes with other media mentioned above this is NOT a monopoly. Should prices go up (doubtful since the government is requiring Sirius/XM to create a business plan that they approve prior to allowing the merger) choose one of the other forms of media to listen to. 1. Get the both out of the hardware business. The fact that radios are not inner-changeable leaves people to be stuck (for the most part) with one or the other. If there was no hardware lock in, people could leave. This would make both products better since there will be "true" competition.
2. There business model should change to something every other company in the world has to do. You can't spend money if you don't have it. Stop paying Oprah for a channel that she never is on. Same thing for Martha. At least Howard and Opie&Anthony actually broadcast on their channels daily.
And you can say what you want about prices not going up. They will. Make no mistake. People are nuts to think that they really compete with the iPod and other gadgets in the the car. This is ridiculous. Look around (I mean not at your little group of techies) and tell me how many people really have iPod connectors in their car?
The problem with both services is that the pricing has still not hit the sweet spot. It's like all other technologies out there. The early adopters will pay for it no matter. People that drive a lot have satellite. The average person is not going to spend $40+(for the first radio) a quarter to listen to it for there less than 30 minute commute. I spend close to $100 per quarter for satellite radio. I keep thinking "WTF am I doing?".
The value is still not there for mass consumption.
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"There are no stupid questions, but there are a LOT of inquisitive idiots" |
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MattE
Obama '08
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
·North State Commun..
·Corporate Colocation
edit:
March 2nd, @05:04PM
| said by kfsutops : Look around (I mean not at your little group of techies) and tell me how many people really have iPod connectors in their car? I know lots of people who work for a local stereo shop and every single teenage girl and teenage guy comes in to add an iPod connection to their car if the factory didn't offer the option. So, LOTS of people have them or the cheapie FM radio iPod tuners.
MP3 players absolutely do compete with XM Radio.
Also, how in the hell do you spend $100/quarter for Satellite radio? How many do you have? I have two XM radios and I spend about $40/quarter. |
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kfsutops
Premium
join:2002-08-19
Brandon, FL
clubs:
·RoadRunner Cable
| said by MattE :Also, how in the hell do you spend $100/quarter for Satellite radio? How many do you have? I have two XM radios and I spend about $40/quarter. No you don't. It's $12.95 for the first radio which equates to approximately $39 per quarter. Now add on the taxes and you are already over $40.00. Now add on the cost of the additional radio per quarter at $6.99 (I think) you are already at $60.00/quarter plus the taxes. Now add that up for the four that I have.
I used to pay DirecTV an additional $5.99 (less than additional satellite radios). I don't know what the cost is now. But at the time it was cheaper than what I was paying for the radios.
And just because the teenage kids that are able to have a car add it on. Doesn't mean it's competition. That's a very low percentage of the overall driving population.
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"There are no stupid questions, but there are a LOT of inquisitive idiots" |
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stickfigure
join:2002-06-11
El Cajon, CA
| 1. I don't quite understand what you're trying to say here. If you think that by dropping any hardware it would make a big enough difference to turn them around to a positive operating expense, show me some numbers to back it up. I'm not sure why I can't leave Sirius right now just because I have a Sirius receiver... Having a hardware product that allows you to receive either signal is great but how the hell does that equate to giving a user the freedom of being able to leave a company???
2. Quit focusing only on IPOD connections as being the only "competition" to Satelitte. As mentioned above, there is still free radio, which is available in just about any car on the road today. As well as more cars coming with an on-board hard drive to store music. My wife has an IPOD connection in her car and as the majority of new cars are coming equipped with them it's still viable competition.
3. As I stated below, I believe Mel Karmazin makes a very good point for keeping prices either where they're at or lower with their a la carte offerings:
"Q: If you're allowed to merge, will you use the monopoly power to raise monthly fees above the current $12.95?
A: If we want to get more than the 10% of the population currently subscribing, we have to make it financially attractive, and there are still so many people that haven't been convinced that it's worth their while to pay for radio. If we can't get more subscribers at $12.95, what would make us think that we can get more at $15.95? "
Lastly, you contradict yourself. You said, "The average person is not going to spend $40+(for the first radio) a quarter to listen to it for there less than 30 minute commute." but yet you still think prices will rise? If they do, DON'T buy the service. You again can either turn your radio to an AM/FM station, plug in your IPOD, play your mp3/wma files on your cars' hard drive or if you listen at home, go to www.yourinternetradiochannel.com. However based on your posts, I would expect you to keep the service since, "I spend close to $100 per quarter for satellite radio. I keep thinking "WTF am I doing?" and then bitch about it. |
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dksoundman38
@crainent.com | reply to kfsutops
I am Sirius Sat. subscriber. Absolutely love it!!! I have four receivers on my account and only pay about $35.00/month. Not sure where some people are getting their pricing from. |
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