Newsletters
Facebook
RSS Feed
EH Store
The merger will allow for a la carte programming from both services, as well as reduced pricing programs.
It seems that the FCC may finally wrap up the deal that will merge XM and Sirius Satellite Radio.
The whole thing rests on a lone vote from Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate. However, The Wall Street Journal says that, in exchange for her vote, both companies will pay $20 million in fines stemming from tower locations and power limits. Both companies have already agreed to other stipulations, including price caps, a la carte channel options, and designating 8 percent of its full-time channels for public interest and minority programming.
Once the deal goes through, the company should have a la carte radios ready to roll within six months. This will allow subscribers to mix and match stations from both services. Other changes will include the option of a $7 monthly plan, which will offer 50 stations from one service, versus the current $13 for the whole lineup. Also many channels may merge or be eliminated to cancel out any repeat programming.
Both satellite radio services first announced plans to merge in February 2007.
So what will that do for those of us that recently purchased a car with xm or sirius built-in? Will it be obsolete, will we lose stations that we like now that the newly formed company may eliminate but not be able to get there replacement cause we have one or the other radios? I don’t like that thought of having a more limited selection of stations after the merger or to have to buy another radio that will no longer be integrated into my existing system in my car.
- News
- Cool Homes
- Blogs
- Photo Galleries
Hands-On: Boston Acoustics A 360 Floorstanding Speaker
Audioholics gives an in-depth peek at this floorstanding loudspeaker.
Theater Renovation Heats up Once-Frigid Room with 4K Images
JVC’s upscaling projection, Da-Lite screen and Current Audio speakers get fired up in this dedicated home cinema.
Brighter LCD TVs on the Horizon?
3M technology poised to boost the vibrancy and richness of colors on LCD screens.
22 Outdoor Speakers for a Sizzling Summer
We take a peek at some of the current options for outdoor audio.
Hey unsure: I am in the same boat as you.
The good news is: Your radio will still work. I am not 100% sure, but I think you will be able to get the reduced plan, as well as your current plan. You will probably have less channels though, since some are going away. They haven’t made any announcements on which ones will get eliminated yet.
The bad news: From what I understand, you will NOT be able to get channels from the other service. If you have XM, you can’t get the Sirius channels and vice versa. For that, you will have to purchase a new unit.
It’s not great, but I think ultimately, the merger is a good thing for subscribers—at least for now.