I made a posting awhile back on one of the threads that I wish XM and Sirius would merge or one go under to buy the other assets. It looks like my wish will come true.

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070219-8879.html

My problem with both statellite radios is the exclusive programming. I love Basketball and Football which is only carried by Sirius. I'm sorry but the only thing I like from XM is the real-time traffic. The other problem is some car makers are exlusive XM for verious stategic reasons and you're stuck with something you don't really want. I don't think there is a car maker that is exlusive Sirius is there? At least there is Nissan/Infiniti that gives you a choice between the two.

Well I hope this pans out and happen soon. I know there is gov. regulatory issues but if the Gov. say "No" to the merger, I still have hope that one would fold and buys the other assets. That's the Gov. for you.

 

I know BMW and Lincoln used to be exclusive Sirius providers. I think they still are or they give the owner the option of either XM or Sirius. I prefer Sirius.

 

Why be happy? No competition = higher prices and commercials. I think this is bad news, personally.

 

They are merging. I subscribe to Sirius and just received this email:

February 19, 2007

To: SIRIUS Subscribers

Today is a very exciting day for SIRIUS customers. As you may have heard, SIRIUS Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio are merging to form the nation's premier audio entertainment provider.

This combination of our two offerings will benefit you - our loyal listeners. As a single company, we'll provide superior programming to you every day with the best of both SIRIUS and XM. Currently, XM and SIRIUS broadcast a wide range of commercial-free music channels, exclusive sports coverage, news, talk, and entertainment programming. Howard Stern. Oprah and Friends. The NFL. MLB. NBA. ESPN. CNBC. Fox News. Additionally, the combined company will be able to improve existing services such as real-time traffic information and rear-seat video as well as introduce new ones.

After shareholder and regulatory approvals, we anticipate that the combination will be finalized by the end of 2007. Until then, both companies will continue to operate independently. We will continue to provide you with the uninterrupted service - as well as the outstanding customer support - that you have come to expect and enjoy from SIRIUS. We do not anticipate any changes in your service during the merger process, however, please call our customer care team on 1- 888-539-7474 should you have any questions.

We look forward to the many benefits this combination will offer and continuing to make your listening experience an enjoyable one - offering more of the Very Best Radio on Radio.

Stay tuned,

Mel Karmazin, CEO

 

Think of it this way, the market is not big enough for two satellite radio companies, one will go out of business eventually, so either way we are screwed. The way I see it, if one go out of business, there is no guarantee your service will continue. If they merge then we have some assurance that service will continue until satellite radio is a think of the past. It's like "there is safty in numbers" thing.

I don't think price will be a problem as some would think, if you don't like the price don't subscribe. I think people have less utility for satellite radio than they do for Cable/Satelite TV, cell phone and internet. If they were to increase the price by $1, I think they would see a dramatic drop in subscribers becasue people can easily drop service and not feel like they are missing anything. At least I could. I dropped the service because I couldn't justify the $17 per month charge, until I got the $24 3 month deal. Less than $8.33 a month w/ RT Traffic is what satellite radio is worth to me.

For me the only thing I will listen to on radio is sports or news. MLB is not something I was join XM for. The NBA and NFL is something worth me paying for. As for the news, I listen to AM radio.

 

From what I'm reading existing radios would only continue to receive one or the other content since the broadcasts are incompatible. New radios that could receive both bands would be needed to access the merged content.

I imagine that they might consider duplicating some of the more popular stuff on both bands for older subscribers, but this would generally mean that the RDX would only be able to receive what comes over the XM bands without a fairly costly head unit upgrade...