Category: Broadcaster's Lounge
Hey, I'm surprised this subject hasn't appeared on the boards yet so I thought I'd post it. I've got mixed feelings about the whole thing of XM and Sirius murging. I really like the idea of satellite radio, and i like the fact that both services will murge into one big one because it gives us subscribers more choice, but will quality go down? Everyone on all the forums is saying it's the end. But then again these are the same people that screamed when Opie and Anthony went to CBS Radio and they thought the guys had lost their minds. That move may have actually saved their asses. Either way, some channels are gonna get axed, people are gonna lose their jobs, and we'll be asked to subscribe to different things like major league baseball, NBA, Nascar, etc. and probably for more money. I'm just looking to see what anyone who is interested in this thinks of the whole deal.
Thanks.
this may iliminate some confusion for people who don't know which one is in their opinion, better.
I hope it will be better! I had an xm radio! My Mom had to take it back caus it didn't work! So I still listen to my shortwave radio! Who are Opie and Anthony?
Over all I think it's too soon to tell, but I think it will be for the better. Increased bandwith, more satellites for better reception, and not having to subscribe to both services if you like what they both have to offer.
Selena Fan asks:
Who are Opie and Anthony?
I'm really surprised you haven't heard of them?
They are syndicated nation-wide on about 25 CBS stations, and at the same time they broadcast on XM Radio.
My comment earlier stemmed from the fact that before they made the CBS deal, all their fans had heard about it and when the news went public, everybody panicked because they thought the quality of the show went down. These people didn't remember that they had done radio for at least 10 years previously so they knew what they're doing. If the murger happens, i would certainly think that if you want their show or Howard Stern's you'll probably have to pay extra. That way if they do something that a lot of people find offensive, the service will say hey, you paid for it so if you don't like it, just unsubscribe from these channels. it's really quite simple.
I've had XM for about two and ahalf years. My first exposure to satellite radio was Sirius. I really enjoyed it. At the time, what pushed me over the edge was the local traffic and weather on XM. I understand Sirius now has this as well. Having said that, my concern is there'll be a monopoly of satellite radio providers. I'm curious about how this will effect XM in Canada and Japan and if Sirius already has coverage in those countries.
Lou
I just purchased both XM and Serious, and have just paid for both survices. Will units of Serious be eliminated so only XM units would work with all new channels or visa versa? I thought it was tentative and not a fulll fledged deal yet?
John
From what I understand, we aren't even gonna see much action on this, if it even goes through for 10 months, if that. So JH, enjoy both of your XM and Sirius, man. You'll love them both I think. I prefer XM for O&A, the comedy channels, the radio dramas and of course, the music!
I am against the merger for a few reasons. First there is an act that passed in 1890 called The Sherman Anti Trust act. That says monopolies can not be formed. Now I know that is being ignored. But at least with the conglomeration that has occurred in radio one company is not owning all the radio stations in the country. This merger would be a monopolies at it’s best. Only one company would own the Satellite Radio Services. That isn’t right. I don’t care if the means justify the ends. If this was going to happen then we need to over turn The Sherman Anti Trust Act. That would be a sad day for America. I also wonder with the new merger taking place if there will be so many channels that when you call up what ever the new company will be if there will be package dills just like there are on Satellite TV and Cable. It will be interesting to see what happens next year at this time. I also wonder what will happen to Howard Stern. I will talk to you later.
ok when is this supposed to happen? And what type of radio dramas are on xm?
Thanks,
Jen
It for sure is going to happen. I have serious and they sent me an email a couple days ago to tell their customers about it and. Said it wasn't going to be done until the end of 2007 or something like that.
No Holly, from Billboard Radio Monitor today:
• Sirius Satellite Radio CEO Mel Karmazin will testify on the proposed merger of Sirius and XM Satellite Radio before the House Antitrust Task Force --
a new subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee -- at the subcommittee's inaugural meeting on Feb. 28.
John
From what I understand the sirius sattlelights are able to broadcast both signals, so those of you with non upgradable radios won't be jeperdised.
ok, for that person that said it's a monopoly...
In a way yes, but in a way no. From the satellite radio perspective, Yes, one company with great products will be helpful. But the reason I say it's not a monopoly, is because satellite still needs to deal with things such as HD radio. Something that is coming on strong.
also think of it this way. satellite radio is a good thing, but it can't survive much longer with 2 providers. Again I point to HD radio, so for the 2 providers to merge, I believe is the best thing that can happen
what you ahve to remember is the new sat rad company may have a monopoly of sat radio itself, but... this doesn't mean that it will effect how y ou get entertainment. there are other avenues for radio iE hd, cell phones, internet, am/fm, shortwave, and a few others. xm and sirius are also the only companys in this market. I am hoping and praying this deal goes through. It will do awesome things for the consumer and will make it more likely for more companys to sign on and provide content if they know they're reaching a larger audience. in a perfect world you'd have: howard stern, o and A, football, basketball, hockey, indi racing, golf, soccer when the world cup rolls around, lacrosse, bull riding, arena football, english soccer which I think sirius carrys, and that's just news and sports. who's to say cbs radio wouldn't jump on with news channels. People need to stop worrying about a monopoly. the new satrad company has already stated that driving costs up would just be dumb and would make it harder for them to compete with free options. Remember, am/fm hd all that doesn't contain subscriptions.
Well if more companies start up, then I will just have to get there survices too. Radio rules. I still have to invest in HD yet.
John
For reasons unknown to me, I think XM is a lot quieter and has less quality than Sirius, at least in comparison of the online stream offerings. I hope they would switch up to Sirius quality if they merge; the extra $2.26 makes online Sirius really good.
I agree with that.
Sirius is a lot better when it comes to the quality of there online streaming.
well, now it's becoming reallity. Has anyone changed their views? I can only say that HD radio is a major disappointment, and still, I claim the combined ocompanies is a fantastic idea
HD radio is complete and utter shit. Hd radio was just another way to compete with satellite radio, and all they're stuff is audimation. I think its really funny they think they can beet satellite radio though. Fm, is soooooo going tdown the tubes, now that there's satellite radio, ipods, mp3 players, and internet radio.
whatever happened to the DJ. The world without the DJ that'll say what they want and possibly play a song or 12...that time is so gone. If you're competing with IPods, that's what you need. It's sad, It's disappointing, and FM radio will never learn
f m radio is so going down.
I think some day it will just be internet radio and that will be it the sound on serius is crap on the radio but online its better. The talk stations is a example. I think the price will most surely go up on sadolight radio when x m and serius merge I am all ready paying about 20 for serius that is not bad can see it going up like 10 bucks or so maybe more.
I'm an XM subscriber, and I got an email quite a while back that said the murger would not effect my price. Let's see if it's true.
I hope they do it, because I like things on both and I don't want to subscribe to 2 networks.
well, new radios in as little as 9 months. I'm waiting til then to subscribe, but I'm definitely going to subscribe
Check out xmmerger.com. If you're an XM subscriber like me, this for you. It gives a lot of detail as to the plans and everything. I only pay $12/95 per month for XM, how can Sirius be more expensive, when I see on their site it's the same price? Hmmm.
do they have a site for serius?
starting on nobember fourth you will see some of the channels on xm going away so we are starting too see the merjer take effect so we will see what it sounds like
I think it has better sounds. My parents wouldn't let me suscribe to any of the adult channels... but, it still sounds good.
Is howard 101 a fan channel?