XM e Sirius fundem-se (XSirius?)

«WASHINGTON - A Sirius Satellite Radio e a XM Satellite Radio, as duas principais rádios por satélite dos Estados Unidos, decidiram se unir, informaram hoje ambas as emissoras em um comunicado conjunto. As duas companhias explicaram que Mel Karzamin, executivo-chefe da Sirius, será o principal responsável pela companhia que nascerá da fusão. (...) A aprovação definitiva da fusão dependerá das autoridades de concorrência e anti-monopólio americanas. O comunicado conjunto não especifica o nome da nova empresa e o conselho de administração da mesma passará a ter 12 membros, entre eles Parsons, Karmazin, quatro diretores independentes nomeados por cada companhia e um representante da General Motors e da Honda. Ambas as empresas automobilísticas tem um acordo exclusivo com as duas emissoras de rádio. (...) "A companhia resultante se beneficiará de uma equipe altamente qualificada, com ampla experiência na indústria radiofônica", segundo a nota conjunta divulgada hoje.»

«Laws prohibiting the two to combine have been in place since each were granted licenses about a decade ago, in effect creating a government-mandated duopoly because regulators had no intention of allowing other sat-radio operators to spring up in the U.S. Nevertheless, laws can be tweaked to grant permission for the two money-losing companies to merge, and that has competitors nervous.
Dennis Wharton, an executive vp with the National Association of Broadcasters, which represents traditional radio, said he'd be "shocked if federal regulators permitted a merger of XM and Sirius."
Others aren't so certain. Barton Crockett, an analyst with JP Morgan Securities, upgraded shares of XM and Sirius last month because of persistent and credible rumors that the two might "attempt a merger this year, with regulator approval a tossup."
Experts have been saying for months that approval of a combined XM-Sirius depends on how the FCC and anti-competition regulators view the industry. If considered broadly, with digital music players and the Internet thought of as competition, then approval ought to be granted. However, if the government sees competition for XM and Sirius stemming only from each other and from free radio, then approval isn't likely.» (fonte: Sat radio rivals unveil merger agreement, By Paul Bond, Feb 20, 2007, Hollywood Reporter)

Fred Jacobs: (20/02/07)«Top 10 reasons why an XM-Sirius merger sounds like a bad idea:

1.  $19.99/month

2.  Since when did the government reward failure?

3.  Does this mean that the FCC will completely de-regulate radio now?

4.  Howard gets wealthier because the stock goes up

5.  $25.99/month

6.  Voice-tracked music channels

7.  18 units/hour on the music channels

8.  How come my (Sirius/XM) receiver can't pick up my (Sirius/XM) signal?

9.  If the FCC will approve this merger, they'll probably approve local traffic and weather (wait, they already have?????)

10.  $29.99/month»