Really good unfiltered summary of the XM/Sirius conference call to explain the merger details, implications, and rationale [thanks Orbitcast].
On the “a la carte” angle, this is an obvious move. Satellite radio takes many cues from cable TV and here’s another one. Although I consider it more of a means of extracting additional value out of heavy users rather than attracting new and lighter ones, since price is only a small part of the obstacle for satellite radio for the vast majority of consumers.
Required reading, gang.