I'm still fired up today on a few articles found in the WSJ called Sirius-XM's Fate Hinges on Definitions and How Sirius-XM Deal Would Affect Listeners. Both articles screamed to me that folks that don't like this merger or say it isn't in the public's interest don't live in the real world. As I sit and listen to my XM radio, I don't understand how the FCC could allow SBC to buy Bell South and say that is in the public's interest and this deal is not. If Kevin Martin and the rest of the talking heads at the FCC would realize is that when you buy a new car it comes equipped with AM (free), FM (free), CD player (free), Tape player (free but who cares), and Satellite Radio (costs good money per month).
Looks to me like there is plenty of competition right? Satellite radio costs money while everything else, umm, does not. Seriously, how many of you continue to pay for Satellite after the promotional period is over? Not many when compared with new car sales. Unlike the telecommunications arena, which the FCC seems more than happy to re-write who competes with who and what is in the public interest or not, they seem to be resistant to this. I wonder why? Maybe you can use the following reasons mentioned in the first WSJ article:
- The radio industry opposes the deal
- The FCC could seek eventual return of some FCC-awarded radio spectrums
- The Howard Stern problem
Well, if these really are issues that the FCC wrestles with as part of this deal, it looks to me like the have other motives. Howard Stern and indecency? Please, that's ridiculous. I have little kids and they drive in my car. Do you know what I do? I make sure XM's comedy channel is NOT ON when they are in the car. Same as any parent should do. WE DON'T NEED OR WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO TELL PARENTS HOW TO POLICE THEIR MEDIA. As opposed to the Janet-Jackson Super Bowl problem when a football game burst into a boob-fest (parents not expecting this), these channels are well-known by the consumers of satellite radio.
Radio spectrum and the radio industry, hmmm, I wonder what kind of influence this has on the decision making, but if the radio industry opposes this, doesn't that mean they are in the SAME COMPETITIVE industry? Please, this will simplify things for consumers, collapse content so I can get the NFL, and have limited impact on prices paid because these two don't compete with each other they compete with the free equipment that has like 100 years of experience under their belts.
PardonMyFrench,
Eric
Comments