XM and SIRIUS Highlight More Support for Merger
Story Highlights
XM Satellite Radio and SIRIUS Satellite Radio highlighted
additional support the two companies have received for their pending merger.
The new comments further illustrate the substantial and wide ranging benefits
that the combination would offer consumers, including more programming options,
lower prices and individually tailored packages. These new endorsements add to
the growing list of individuals, businesses and organizations, such as the
League of Rural Voters, the NAACP, the League of United Latin American Citizens
(LULAC) and the National Council of Women’s Organizations, among others, that
support the merger. Recent support includes:
NASCAR
In a filing with the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC), on behalf of NASCAR fans who subscribe to satellite radio, NASCAR
Digital Entertainment joined the list of prominent American owned businesses
endorsing the merger:
“We hope that the proposed merger will lead to more
flexible programming options for consumers, which will lead to an increase in
the number of people that receive NASCAR-related satellite radio programming.
Also, I understand that, post-merger, NASCAR fans that are satellite radio subscribers
will be able to enjoy the best of both SIRIUS and XM without having to purchase
two radios or pay for two separate subscriptions.” – (Paul Brooks, NASCAR
Digital Entertainment, October 15, 2007)
U.S.
Senators
Senators John Ensign (R-NV) and Jim DeMint (R-SC) joined
the growing list of Members of Congress to publicly recognize the benefits the
merger offers to the American public.
“SIRIUS and XM have responded to the market’s desire
for more choice, and we applaud them for voluntarily offering subscribers new
and innovative listening options.
We are
particularly pleased that they will offer family-friendly options that allow
subscribers to block adult programming.” – (Senator Jim DeMint, October
29, 2007)
“This is a great example of how private industry can
and will respond to the demands of consumers without the need for government
intervention. We hope that other entertainment providers will follow XM-SIRIUS’
lead and offer Americans increased choices and customization.” – (Senator
John Ensign, October 29, 2007)
On-Air Talent
Former U.S. Senator Bill Bradley, professional
skateboarding legend Tony Hawk and progressive talk radio and television
personality Bill Press have also joined the thousands of individuals who have
registered their support for the merger with the FCC.
“Merger synergies will decrease duplicative
programming and result in expanded variety and more unique content unavailable
anywhere else.
Additionally, these synergies will also allow the
companies to offer new programming options — customers will be able to select
packages that include content from both XM and SIRIUS.
For the first time ever in subscription
media, consumers will also have the option of a la carte programming, where
they can truly tailor their radio to fit their listening tastes.” –
(Former Senator Bill Bradley, October 10, 2007)
“Many of satellite radio’s biggest fans are young
consumers who are drawn to the cutting edge music and other progressive content
offered on SIRIUS and XM.
I understand
that the merger will allow the new company to offer a variety of exciting new
programming packages, some of which will enable subscribers to chose specific
channels at lower monthly prices than are available today.” – (Tony Hawk,
October 30, 2007)
“I support the merger because it will best
serve the listening public by providing a strong, national platform for the
great diversity of voices and opinions that are the fabric of
America —
especially progressive voices, which are seldom heard on terrestrial
radio.” – (Bill Press, October 18, 2007)