Sirius and XM to Merge

[Rockindeano]

If it is allowed mind you...FTC, ICC and other entities need to approve the deal.


Anyone care to guess as to why this is happening?

[SteveForever]

If it is allowed mind you...FTC, ICC and other entities need to approve the deal.


Anyone care to guess as to why this is happening?

because they are both struggling...if they merge they can pull it off.

[SunshineTwilight]

If it is allowed mind you...FTC, ICC and other entities need to approve the deal.


Anyone care to guess as to why this is happening?

I remember you talking about this at the party last Monday night. Fill us in!!

[AR]

Howard Stern.

[larryfromnextdoor]

stern is killing the competition?

[Saint John]

If it is allowed mind you...FTC, ICC and other entities need to approve the deal.


Anyone care to guess as to why this is happening?

Sirius lost over 500 million dollars in 2006 and XM failed to turn a profit also (they lost 673 million). Combined they'll lose less money and might even turn a profit in our lifetime, albeit doubtful.

[Rockindeano]

The future is indeed Satellite radio. Every new car is already wired for it.

Sirius was gaining big time on XM...and yes, Stern is the force behind it.



Sirius lanned on losing that money last year, because they were in the ascending period of the Stern payouts....In time, they are supposed to gain enough new members to turn a healthy profit. remember, they gave Stern an 83 million dollar 2006 bonus...that was for 2006 alone!

Terrestrial radio is nearing the end of the road.

[Michael Leigh]

If it is allowed mind you...FTC, ICC and other entities need to approve the deal.


Anyone care to guess as to why this is happening?

Sirius lost over 500 million dollars in 2006 and XM failed to turn a profit also (they lost 673 million). Combined they'll lose less money and might even turn a profit in our lifetime, albeit doubtful.

They both are bleeding cash like a stuck pig.
Satellite radio is AWESOME though!!
I rarely if at all listen to commercial radio anymore.
Just finished listening to Eddie Trunk's show on XM!!

[Saint John]

The future is indeed Satellite radio. Every new car is already wired for it.

Sirius was gaining big time on XM...and yes, Stern is the force behind it.



Sirius lanned on losing that money last year, because they were in the ascending period of the Stern payouts....In time, they are supposed to gain enough new members to turn a healthy profit. remember, they gave Stern an 83 million dollar 2006 bonus...that was for 2006 alone!

Terrestrial radio is nearing the end of the road.

The bonus had to do with a subscriber number reached. However, they paid out of the ears for it. Stern actually didn't do much to close the gap with XM. It was the NFL deal and the NASCAR deal that really started bringing in droves of subscribers. The Stern audience was already there and it was quite obvious that if they didn't do more, they were going under. Stern alone wasn't nearly enough to keep them floating. I don't see myself ever paying to hear the radio as: a) there is plenty of good shit on AM already (namely sports talk shows) and b) my buddy has Sirius and there's nothing on there that would warrant paying for.

[SteveForever]

Frankly, the majority of Stern's audience can't afford Sirus/XM radio, sad reality for those that paid him the big bucks... he's now cutting a secret deal to go back to regular air radio.

[Rockindeano]

Frankly, the majority of Stern's audience can't afford Sirus/XM radio, sad reality for those that paid him the big bucks... he's now cutting a secret deal to go back to regular air radio.

Yeah, ok Dear Abbey. What a stupid comment.

[SteveForever]

Frankly, the majority of Stern's audience can't afford Sirus/XM radio, sad reality for those that paid him the big bucks... he's now cutting a secret deal to go back to regular air radio.

Yeah, ok Dear Abbey. What a stupid comment.

Dean, the high end cars have been wired for sattelite radio for years, tell us something new. I really don't feel like kicking your butt tonite on here, but I will if I need to.

[Saint John]

Frankly, the majority of Stern's audience can't afford Sirus/XM radio, sad reality for those that paid him the big bucks... he's now cutting a secret deal to go back to regular air radio.

Howard Stern is merely the Jerry Springer of radio. A lot of trash and a little substance.

[larryfromnextdoor]

ut oh

[Rockindeano]

Frankly, the majority of Stern's audience can't afford Sirus/XM radio, sad reality for those that paid him the big bucks... he's now cutting a secret deal to go back to regular air radio.

Yeah, ok Dear Abbey. What a stupid comment.

Dean, the high end cars have been wired for sattelite radio for years, tell us something new. I really don't feel like kicking your butt tonite on here, but I will if I need to.

Fuck all Hell Elizabeth. Who said anything about "high end cars?" Lula just got a Versa..Yes, a Versa. Low end Nissan. EVERY car is wired for Sat radio now.

I was saying your comment is retarded regarding the "secret deal to get back on US airwaves." That will NEVER happen.

[strangegrey]

I'm not a Stern or O&A fan...I could be happy with either...

However, I am a Sirius subscriber, after initially starting with Sirius, moving to XM to see what the other side of the fence sounded like...and after a 3 month trial, went right back to Sirius. I find Sirius' music programming to be simply stellar....and well worth the 12 bucks a month I spend on it. I'm probably well in the minority, as it seems a great number of people bought into one of the two sat radio companies...for either Stern or O&A.

I dunno, I listen to the stations and love getting music I wouldn't ordinarily get on shitty FM radio here in NY.

[SteveForever]

Frankly, the majority of Stern's audience can't afford Sirus/XM radio, sad reality for those that paid him the big bucks... he's now cutting a secret deal to go back to regular air radio.

Yeah, ok Dear Abbey. What a stupid comment.

Dean, the high end cars have been wired for sattelite radio for years, tell us something new. I really don't feel like kicking your butt tonite on here, but I will if I need to.

Fuck all Hell Elizabeth. Who said anything about "high end cars?" Lula just got a Versa..Yes, a Versa. Low end Nissan. EVERY car is wired for Sat radio now.

I was saying your comment is retarded regarding the "secret deal to get back on US airwaves." That will NEVER happen.

Let's bet. I would love to bet on that with you. I know you love Howard, but the dude didn't produce the audience, sorry.

[Rockindeano]

Let's bet. I would love to bet on that with you. I know you love Howard, but the dude didn't produce the audience, sorry.

Trust me, you DO NOT want to bet on this.

[Saint John]

I'm not a Stern or O&A fan...I could be happy with either...

However, I am a Sirius subscriber, after initially starting with Sirius, moving to XM to see what the other side of the fence sounded like...and after a 3 month trial, went right back to Sirius. I find Sirius' music programming to be simply stellar....and well worth the 12 bucks a month I spend on it. I'm probably well in the minority, as it seems a great number of people bought into one of the two sat radio companies...for either Stern or O&A.

I dunno, I listen to the stations and love getting music I wouldn't ordinarily get on shitty FM radio here in NY.

You're a fuckin faggot.

Lol

[Behshad]

Let's bet. I would love to bet on that with you. I know you love Howard, but the dude didn't produce the audience, sorry.

Trust me, you DO NOT want to bet on this.

He's right,, you dont wanna bet, cause his points are valid.
If a $13000 Focus comes wired and capable of Sirius, then you bet your arse Satellite Radio is not only for HIGH end cars no more,,,,
And Deano is right about Stern being the main reason for this merge........ love Stern or hate Stern, it doesnt matter,, he is the king of radio, which in this day and age includes Satellite Radio as well....

[Natalie]

OK, gotta jump in here and point out that steveforever commented that high end cars have been wired for satellite radio for years...he/she did not say anything about newer model cars. I think what she is saying is that years ago higher end cars were being wired, and now all cars are being wired. I think that you guys misread his/her post. OK, now move on.....

[Saint John]

From MSNBC.com:

"Here's another way to look at it: Sirius stock is currently at almost exactly the price it was before Stern's signing. Since he went on the air a year ago, the stock has steadily declined, dropping from more than $7 to under $4 a share. Sirius' hiring of the famous host did almost nothing to give it a leg up on the competition."

[Rockindeano]

From MSNBC.com:

"Here's another way to look at it: Sirius stock is currently at almost exactly the price it was before Stern's signing. Since he went on the air a year ago, the stock has steadily declined, dropping from more than $7 to under $4 a share. Sirius' hiring of the famous host did almost nothing to give it a leg up on the competition."

SJ, it was expected to lose money the first 3 years...They expected to lose money..it was all loaded on the front end of the contract.

[Saint John]

Good points, Deano. However, his $83 million dollar bonus was in stock. And by the time he is able to cash that out it might be worth zero. Then again, it might be worth more. But it wasn't like they wrote him an $83 million dollar check, which I think is what most people thought happened.

[Rockindeano]

Good points, Deano. However, his $83 million dollar bonus was in stock. And by the time he is able to cash that out it might be worth zero. Then again, it might be worth more. But it wasn't like they wrote him an $83 million dollar check, which I think is what most people thought happened.

Correct. Hell, He just may end up owning Sirius/XM!

[Saint John]

Good points, Deano. However, his $83 million dollar bonus was in stock. And by the time he is able to cash that out it might be worth zero. Then again, it might be worth more. But it wasn't like they wrote him an $83 million dollar check, which I think is what most people thought happened.

Correct. Hell, He just may end up owning Sirius/XM!

At the very least, he would be one of the majority shareholders.

[roknroseville]

I have both XM & SIRIUS RADIO.
XM RADIO BITES.. aside from the metal station ( I forgot what it's called )
Sirius is 100 times better!! But they play the same songs from the same artist.
My xm subscription runs out next week & they want $170 to renew for 2 years NO WAY!
One thing that sucks with Sirius is the antenna transmission! i lose the signal multiple times every day.
Anyone have HD RADIO?

[strangegrey]

I have both XM & SIRIUS RADIO.
XM RADIO BITES.. aside from the metal station ( I forgot what it's called )
Sirius is 100 times better!! But they play the same songs from the same artist.
My xm subscription runs out next week & they want $170 to renew for 2 years NO WAY!
One thing that sucks with Sirius is the antenna transmission! i lose the signal multiple times every day.
Anyone have HD RADIO?

What equipment do you have. When I went from sirius to XM, one reason was the dropouts.
XM's reception was 10 times better...

Before I went back to Sirius (because the programming blew), I called them and said "You guys could have me back, if only the reception was better". The girl on the line offered me a new radio (or a discount on a sportster) suggesting that my old starmate was the problem. I took the discount on the sportster and I've had ZERO dropouts since I changed to that radio.

In my case, going from the 3 year old starmate to a brand new sportster totally fixed the problem. I can drive under most bridges and still get a signal!

[Michael Leigh]

I have both XM & SIRIUS RADIO.
XM RADIO BITES.. aside from the metal station ( I forgot what it's called )
Sirius is 100 times better!! But they play the same songs from the same artist.
My xm subscription runs out next week & they want $170 to renew for 2 years NO WAY!
One thing that sucks with Sirius is the antenna transmission! i lose the signal multiple times every day.
Anyone have HD RADIO?

What equipment do you have. When I went from sirius to XM, one reason was the dropouts.
XM's reception was 10 times better...

Before I went back to Sirius (because the programming blew), I called them and said "You guys could have me back, if only the reception was better". The girl on the line offered me a new radio (or a discount on a sportster) suggesting that my old starmate was the problem. I took the discount on the sportster and I've had ZERO dropouts since I changed to that radio.

In my case, going from the 3 year old starmate to a brand new sportster totally fixed the problem. I can drive under most bridges and still get a signal!

I have to agree with you, I used to be a frequent business traveler and got XM because they were they only one at the time that had a portable unit.
It was awesome. I actually listened to XM in the air from Utah all the way back to Baltimore, with very few drop outs.
The My Fi was great and the Inno even better!!
I had Sirius for 2 weeks when I was in Atlanta once, and not only did it have frequent drops, but in 2 weeks I heard the same artists on their 80's channel and metal channel. They DID have a cool channel called "something" vinyl that played some cool deep cuts.I truly prefer XM's Big Tracks (80's/90's rock hits)and the Boneyard (metal).I also dig Xm's 80's over Sirius.Not really a Stern fan anymore, so I could care less. I got XM more because of the portability of their units.

[Jeremey]

I really think XM's technology is far ahead of Sirius technology, hence the drop outs, the lack of any live portable device (no not the one you can download the feed and listen to, I mean live like a radio). Programming from NASCAR and NFL provided a huge bump for Sirius subscriptions, though Howie math would prove that 100% of the new subs are his alone. Howie's turn on Sirius made him the highest paid entertainer of the past 2 years, but Sirius bought a pig in a poke with that, as only a small % of his audience (consisted of mainly 17-22 year old guys knocking tin) went out and bought a Sirius subscription. O&A have been back on Free FM for almost a year now - It's just clear that XM and Sirius together could be a much more powerful force against the terrestrial radio.