It's been more than a year and a half since XM and Sirius, the only 2 companies licensed by the FCC to provide satellite radio service, filed for government permission to merge into a single company and service. It took more than a year to get approval from the Justice Department, and nearly 3 months more for FCC chairmain Kevin Martin to announce his position. Now it looks like the merger will be happening soon.
The deal, which must still be approved by the full commission, will reportedly include several concessions from the companies, including the adoption of a tiered model that allows consumers to pay for fewer channels at a lower cost and a general price freeze for the next few years. In addition 8% of all channels will be set aside for non-profit and minority channels.
By the time the matter is decided with a vote it's possible there will be more conditions attached. Both parties have already agreed to all of Chairman Martin's conditions, but the other commissioners will still have a chance to weigh in. No date has been announced for the vote.
By the time the matter is decided with a vote it's possible there will be more conditions attached. Both parties have already agreed to all of Chairman Martin's conditions, but the other commissioners will still have a chance to weigh in. No date has been announced for the vote.
