XM and Sirius to merge
 

This may or may not come true, or so the news says, but it would be cool if it did. I just bought (last Summer) a new Dodge Ram Dually with free Sirius for a year. I don't listen much and was looking into converting to XM..mostly for ML Baseball. If they do merge I expect both systems will stay active but the programming would be the same on each...at least I hope that's the way they do it.

On the other hand with only one Satellite radio company the prices will likely go up...no competition.

Any others have info on this?

I own a fair amount of stock in each, and I have been following this closely. The big issues here are regulatory, can they get past the monopoly rules by simply claiming that they are part of the larger satellite subscription systems like dish and direct? And if they can't they will suffer the same setback that Dish and Direct met.

As far as merged programming that can only be possible if they offer a dual band tuner after the merger, or if they replicate channels between the two systems. One thing to consider is that both Sirius and XM have bandwidth restraints as it is, and if the add more channels the quality goes down as compression goes up. I know XM has a better compression technology than Sirius, however it's still limiting.

The merger is on according to reports.
Im a Sirius owner and enjoy it very much.
After the merger, I doubt that the prices will go up much
or at all....the market simply is not there for it.
I pay about $13 a month for Sirius now, and I highly
doubt whether consumers would stand to pay any more
than that for satellite radio.

The merger will, however... enable the technology to grow
as well as reducing internal costs and possibly making the
merged company profitable.

as long as i don't lose the vault...

Ditto... free radio...and net streaming free, and downloads becoming cheaper/more accessible, consolidated and with music quite possibly being shared freely between devices in the future...
you are right, price may even go down.

Im interested in what this stock will do over the next couple days.

Or, in times of trouble, the bridge...

...or Classic Vinyl. My son listens to Buzzsaw. Kids. :rolleyes:

let's see how long it stays commercial-free.

Forever, as it is now, with the exception of the three CC channels on XM, it's just like watching HBO, and that's what I pay for. No one would pay otherwise. In fact for subs like me the only reason I have Sirius is so that I'm not berated with worthless advertisements for products I'll never buy. When I left terrestrial radio, on my 30 min commute 15 to 20 mins were commercials, is that even worth turning on?

Faction!!

I dunno. . . I haven't been a big believer in satellite radio thus far. This only smacks of desparation. . .

Yes, I was desperate...I live about a three foot putt from the edge of the FM spectrum. The view is nice, though:)

Me love me satellite.

As long as they still have Fred, Ethel, and Lucy (80's alternative) as well as Chill (techno) and Audio Visions (New Age) I don't care who XM merges with...

-Z

or Classic Jazz

I'm hoping I can ala carte the 80's on 8 to my Sirius package, the play lists on XM is tens time deeper for the nostalgia channels.

just got this email from sirius....

and i called this one in 03' :D

"Additionally, the combined company will be able to improve existing
services such as real-time traffic information and rear-seat video as well
as introduce new ones. "

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=119357&highlight=sirius +video

*********************************************

February 19, 2007

To: SIRIUS Subscribers

Today is a very exciting day for SIRIUS customers. As you may have
heard, SIRIUS Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio are merging to form
the nation's premier audio entertainment provider.

This combination of our two offerings will benefit you - our loyal
listeners. As a single company, we'll provide superior programming to you
every day with the best of both SIRIUS and XM. Currently, XM and
SIRIUS broadcast a wide range of commercial-free music channels, exclusive
sports coverage, news, talk, and entertainment programming. Howard
Stern. Oprah and Friends. The NFL. MLB. NBA. ESPN. CNBC. Fox News.
Additionally, the combined company will be able to improve existing
services such as real-time traffic information and rear-seat video as well
as introduce new ones.

After shareholder and regulatory approvals, we anticipate that the
combination will be finalized by the end of 2007. Until then, both
companies will continue to operate independently. We will continue to provide
you with the uninterrupted service - as well as the outstanding
customer support - that you have come to expect and enjoy from SIRIUS. We do
not anticipate any changes in your service during the merger process,
however, please call our customer care team on 1- 888-539-7474 should you
have any questions.

We look forward to the many benefits this combination will offer and
continuing to make your listening experience an enjoyable one - offering
more of the Very Best Radio on Radio.

Stay tuned,

Mel Karmazin, CEO






Forward Looking Statements
This letter contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements
include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the
business combination transaction involving Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.
and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., including potential synergies and
cost savings and the timing thereof, future financial and operating
results, the combined company's plans, objectives, expectations and
intentions with respect to future operations, products and services; and
other statements identified by words such as "anticipate," "believe,"
"plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "will," "should," "may," or words of
similar meaning. Such forward-looking statements are based upon the
current beliefs and expectations of SIRIUS' and XM's management and are
inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive
uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are difficult to predict
and generally beyond the control of SIRIUS and XM. Actual results may
differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking
statements.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to
differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations
expressed in the forward-looking statement: general business and economic
conditions; the performance of financial markets and interest rates; the
ability to obtain governmental approvals of the transaction on a timely
basis; the failure of SIRIUS and XM shareholders to approve the
transaction; the failure to realize synergies and cost-savings from the
transaction or delay in realization thereof; the businesses of SIRIUS and XM
may not be combined successfully, or such combination may take longer,
be more difficult, time-consuming or costly to accomplish than
expected; and operating costs and business disruption following the merger,
including adverse effects on employee retention and on our business
relationships with third parties, including manufacturers of radios,
retailers, automakers and programming providers. Additional factors that could
cause SIRIUS' and XM's results to differ materially from those
described in the forward-looking statements can be found in SIRIUS' and XM's
Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, and
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2006, June
30, 2006 and September 30, 2006 which are filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and available at the SEC's Internet
site http://www.sec.gov The information set forth herein speaks only as
of the date hereof, and Sirius and XM disclaim any intention or
obligation to update any forward looking statements as a result of developments
occurring after the date of this press release.

Important Additional Information Will be Filed with the SEC
This communication is being made in respect of the proposed business
combination involving SIRIUS and XM. In connection with the proposed
transaction, SIRIUS plans to file with the SEC a Registration Statement on
Form S-4 containing a Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and each of
SIRIUS and XM plan to file with the SEC other documents regarding the
proposed transaction. The definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus will
be mailed to stockholders of SIRIUS and XM. INVESTORS AND SECURITY
HOLDERS OF SIRIUS AND XM ARE URGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY
WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT
INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.

Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of
the Registration Statement and the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus (when
available) and other documents filed with the SEC by SIRIUS and XM
through the web site maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Free copies of
the Registration Statement and the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus
(when available) and other documents filed with the SEC can also be
obtained by directing a request to Sirius Satellite Radio Inc., 1221 Avenue of
the Americas, New York, NY 10020, Attention: Investor Relations or by
directing a request to XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., 1500 Eckington
Place, NE Washington, DC 20002, Attention: Investor Relations.

SIRIUS, XM and their respective directors and executive officers and
other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of
proxies in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding
SIRIUS' directors and executive officers is available in its Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, which was filed with
the SEC on March 13, 2006, and its proxy statement for its 2006 annual
meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 21,
2006, and information regarding XM's directors and executive officers is
available in XM's Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December
31, 2005, which was filed with the SEC on March 3, 2006 and its proxy
statement for its 2006 annual meeting of shareholders, which was filed
with the SEC on April 25, 2006. Other information regarding the
participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and
indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained
in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other relevant materials to
be filed with the SEC when they become available.

It's been so awesome having Howard back after many years without him in Colorado. The show is better than ever, and I can barely listen to terrestrial radio anymore. It's just horrible. And they know it.

If I get Stern coming into my vehicles, I will personally rip the radio's out with a crowbar.:(

I'd like to see it happen.

+1.

...not a fan either

Breaking news! There is a dial on your radio where you can select the channel you listen to.

these guys are passionate about NOT listening to stern. i tried.
i cant wait until the two companies merge! i will still be listening to stern in the morning, and avoiding the oprah channel the rest of the time. thank god for that gosh darn cool channel select button.

@89911 -

Have you actually ever listened to Howard Stern? Or is it just your perception of the show you don't like? A lot of people are surprised when they actually listen to the show. It's not ALL strippers and porn stars. Great interviews, great current events insight, and more than anything, "reality" before reality shows were the cool thing to do. Oh yea, and porn stars riding the Sybian (which is like a huge, floor mounted vibrator.) ;)

Yes, I listened to him before his dump the wife and kids, date the model, get plastic surgery, hang out with celebs, brag about who he dated, obsess about his looks, days. Probably listened to him for 5 years and some. Laughed at his experiences with childhood and being married. Soon found out I was listening more and laughing less. Sure, blame the FCC in him not being funny, but I have less in common with him then Donald Trump. And yes I am a big O and A fan. Not a day goes by that I don't laugh my ass off. And turning the channel isn't going change the fact that my monthy payments are someway going into his pockets. Other feel similar to I, just as some love him. Personally, I feel like I was duped the entire time.

Sterns bit is getting old and played. I dont listen to him on Sirius, personally speaking. When I did try, about 1 year ago...for some reason the 2 channels that were playing his broadcasts sounded absolutely aweful and full of digital harmonic distortion like they were overloading the board before broadcasting it.
Hard on the ears, and that was without even bringing Stern into the equasion. :)

I've listened to Stern since the Mid 80's in Philly, and I can honestly say that right now is the best material/radio he's ever done. It's been so liberating not having the FCC come after him. It's the difference between Network TV and HBO, as far as I'm concerned. anyway, to each his own...

Reminds me a great deal of when there were only 2 Sat Phone networks available to the public. One owned by MOT and the other owned by Iridium ( IRID). Mot looked around and then sold their sat phone systems to IRID . IRID thought it was great they became the only player in the market. Too bad the market was not enough to support the company and they went bye bye.

This is so true, and whenever I see comments like the ones above, I just remember that they just don't get it, and I do. I laugh a little inside at them, and tune in for some fun.

I was thinking the same thing as I too have listened since the 80's. I find he has reinvented his comedy since joining Sirius. Hey there's lots of channels to each his own. SmileWavy

Stern jumped the shark about the same time his movie came out.

Widebody...I would actually agree with that. maybe a couple of years later. His last few years on terrestrial radio sucked. I can tell you that because they replay that stuff when the team goes on Vacation from Sirius, and I hate it. That said, I think Sirius has reinvented the show, and reinvigorated the people on it. And for the record...he didn't dump his wife and kids. She asked for the divorce, and he is still the same great father he always was.

Commercial free? Must be Sirius because XM commercials have had me on the verge of cancelling. I can get commercials on terr. radio just fine thank you, and there's no monthly charge.

LOL!! I am a fan and you listen more than I do. Your a typical hater and the main reason he is so successful. Haters listen 3X more than the fans.

My dad has sirius and hates stern too, he is a hard core Imus fan. Yet, I catch him catching himself starting to say something about the show. He knows I listen and tells me I am going to hell for it. But he secretly listens too.

It doesn't matter Bubba the Love sponge is 10x funnier than Stern and O&A put together.

Ba-ba booey