Mark Ramsey Media LLC - sync radio and digital media

"Why the FCC's treatment of the XM-Sirius merger is an abomination"
"On top of that, the FCC will embark on a new initiative to explore the possibility of including HD radio functionality into the XM and Sirius radios. That said, it didn't go so far as to make it a requirement just yet. And while some believe that this deal is a major blow to terrestrial radio, I think that argument is hogwash. The reality of the situation is that XM and Sirius were led around by the nose while the FCC and companies like Clear Channel did everything they could to weaken the two firms."
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10000504-17.html
The FCC is obviously bought-out by NAB. I hope that more organizations start running articles, such as this one. Even with open access agreed upon, the NPR is still trying to force the HD Radio mandate. The concessions must have left a loophole, that the NPR is exploiting - no way will I ever give a penny to NPR.

Mark,
Well Howard is a huge part but not only Howard. XM has 9.6 million of those listeners, not one subscribed for Howard or Football. I have both Sirius and XM. I enjoy the sports especially Hockey, MLB and the NFL.
I'm afraid though that a combined company run by Mel will forget that there are millions of us that like niche and less popular channels too.
I may listen to Home Ice one week, Howard another, Opie and Anthony on another week and Teh Catholic Channel otehr days.
Since I pay a subscription I don't have to worry about ratings each week and can have whatever channel my mood suits.

"I also like the comment that radio's response should be to "get better programming." Okay, we'll get right on that."
Spoken as though "radio" is one merged company, and it can uniformly and unilaterally do things like "improve programming."
Perhaps if the Justice Department and the FCC can approve this deal, they can start work on that deal next.

So they criticize the NAB, they criticise the FCC, and they criticize radio. But they don't criticize the concept of this merger, or the companies doing the merging, both of whom deserve a bit of the blame for this situation. It's as though they're completely innocent of anything here.

Hi Jesse.
I didn't say that.
I think the reporter is pulling that comment out of her butt. It's like saying I'd buy something.....if they lower the price. Duh.
The secret success to satellite radio can be summed up in five words: "Pro Sports And Howard Stern."
It's not that they have dramatically "better" content. It's lazy journalism, that's my point.