**XM and Sirius to merge**

Discussion about which provider is better is now moot!

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The two main satellite radio providers, XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:XMSR - news) and Sirius (Nasdaq:SIRI - news) are expected to announce a long-awaited merger on Monday, according to the New York Post.

The newspaper said the two companies were negotiating over the weekend to merge the companies, a deal that is expected to be structured as a "merger of equals."

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The question is how will they merge the installed XM and Sirius radio equipment together? How long will it take? And how much will it cost us?

Discussion about which provider is better is now moot!

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The two main satellite radio providers, XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:XMSR - news) and Sirius (Nasdaq:SIRI - news) are expected to announce a long-awaited merger on Monday, according to the New York Post.

The newspaper said the two companies were negotiating over the weekend to merge the companies, a deal that is expected to be structured as a "merger of equals."

-------------------------------
The question is how will they merge the installed XM and Sirius radio equipment together? How long will it take? And how much will it cost us?

man you beat me to it! :D. anyway, dang i hope I can still use the Winback promo when I have to renew in March!

They better honor my lifetime subscription.

I'd imagine they'd keep the two services seperate and maybe just change the broadcasted channel lineups on each. That way existing equipment isn't obsolete and if they do it right channel lineups should improve on each system offering more options to the customer. I don't think they'll increase prices as they are already too high for an audio only service.

ohh jeezzz....let the games begin.

Yay! Hope this means I will be able to get Alt Nation on my Honda reciver soon....:)

I just want NASCAR back on XM! I have 3 XM units, I was really hacked when it went to SIRIUS.

They better honor my lifetime subscription.

From what I know, Sirius is the only one to have a lifetime sub. So my guess is that they won't take that away from you. I know when I had DirecTiVo, they initially had lifetime subs. They no longer offer it but they still honor mine. This may be a wake up call for all of those on the bubble, get the lifetime subscription now while it is still available. Who knows what the new subs will look like.

So will XM be getting Howard Stern?

This is just a rumour, a rumour that has been around since 2005. I'll believe it when the FCC approves it.

That said, my opinion is that they will keep these as separate services, and offer a third tier with both, along with new tuners.

great news if its true, i will be able to listen to stern and other sat. stuff without having to use extra equipment in my truck

This is just a rumour, a rumour that has been around since 2005. I'll believe it when the FCC approves it.

It's on the web, then it must be true.....;)

It's on the web, then it must be true.....;)

Well look at this link (http://www.kcra.com/technology/11055014/detail.html)...it's from my local TV station. Here is another site to consider (http://www.siriusbackstage.com/). Looks like it's no longer an internet tale. :cool:

I saw the same story earlier in the day.
http://www.komotv.com/news/tech/5934831.html

But will it happen? The final couple of paragraphs summed it up well....

"On Friday, a Bear Stearns analyst said in a research note that a merger would have a good chance of overcoming regulatory obstacles.

Other analysts remain less sure. Sanford C. Bernstein analyst Craig Moffett said he gives the deal a "50-50" chance of passing regulatory muster."

I saw the same story earlier in the day.
http://www.komotv.com/news/tech/5934831.html
But will it happen? The final couple of paragraphs summed it up well....
"On Friday, a Bear Stearns analyst said in a research note that a merger would have a good chance of overcoming regulatory obstacles.
Other analysts remain less sure. Sanford C. Bernstein analyst Craig Moffett said he gives the deal a "50-50" chance of passing regulatory muster."
And then again....maybe so

From Reuters: "The deal will face tough regulatory scrutiny. The satellite radio licenses prevent one entity from owning them, however Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin said last month that its rules are open to change"

i want the dam NFL package

I really don't know why car companies can't offer the choice between the two instead of one or the other.

I doubt this will happen and I hope it does not happen. The merge is not going to make either of these 2 companies profitable. They are on a wild spending spree, as one of the Execs (forget his name) said when he left XM, "their spending is out of control".

There is no doubt in my mind the only way for them to be profitable is to raise their rates. About a year or two ago XM raised their rates to equal Sirius rates. They have been hesitant to raise rates because of their competition between the two. If they merge, now they don't have to worry about raising the rates, they have no competition and they need to raise them.

Most will say but to make this merge go through they are going to be under agreement of some sort on rate increase control to get the FCC/govt approval now that there is one sat radio company. We will see no increase under the current formats, meaning the channels we get now before the merge. What they will do is, down the line they will offer all the channels from both companies and spike the rates up from there. They will use the excuse, of course we raised the rates but we also doubled the amount of stations they were offered.

IMHO this merge sounds great but we are the ones who will get screwed in the end. We are better off without it until there is more competition. If you are someone who pays for both services then yes this will be a benefit to you because I can't see them charging what it costs to have both.

My 2 cents!

This is just a rumour, a rumour that has been around since 2005. I'll believe it when the FCC approves it.
It does still require FCC approval, but it is definitely more than a rumor (http://radioworld.com/pages/s.0100/t.1715.html).

It was a rumour when I called it one. About 30 minutes later the news hit the press.

The government still has to weigh in on the deal. I give it a 50-50 chance of going through.

It was a rumour when I called it one. About 30 minutes later the news hit the press.

The government still has to weigh in on the deal. I give it a 50-50 chance of going through.

A 50-50 chance? I don't even give it that. Remember the DirectTV and DishNetwork merger, everyone expected this one to go through at first but the govt said...NOPE it created an monopoly.

For those Stern fans and O&A fans. The most interesting thing about this whole merger are those "shock jocks" When on FM and owned under the same parent company. Stern was on KROCK in NY and O&A on WNEW. Stern scared of the O&A's competition ran to Mel Karmazin and had a gag order put on them. Stern could mention their name but they were gagged from mentioning his name or possibly get fired. Under the new merger plan, Mel Karmazin will be in charge. I am curious to see if Stern starts whining like a little baby again and has that gag order in place again.

:( Merger smerger.:( The real question for myself, posted by SinisteR1, is that my trail period ends in March. Should I call now or wait for a bit?

:( Merger smerger.:( The real question for myself, posted by SinisteR1, is that my trail period ends in March. Should I call now or wait for a bit?

Renew you subscription for the lowest amount of time you can. I paid for a full year but if you can, go month to month here is why....

Your receiver can only pick up the XM signal so we have to wait and see how this plays out. Does XM subscribers need to get new hardware or will Sirius subscribers need to? Or will they put hardware in place so we can all receive both signals? Or will they say you have your choice stay on just an XM plan or Sirius plan for $14/month or get both XM/Sirius line ups for $25/month or whatever they may charge but you'll need to purchase a new receiver or hardware to receive both signals.

I just can't get out of this thread.....just to show you F'd these companies are and the not so brilliant decision of Mel Karmazin who is the future of these companies.

Why the heck does he make the move to announce the merger on a day the market is closed? The stocks would have benefitted with a tuesday announcement but come tomorrow's open it's old news now. FREAKIN BRILLIANT MEL!

I fear my $4.99 a month XM is drying up.:( :rolleyes: :eek:

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

If they merge, I'd bet they don't raise their rates and instead will offer lower rate plans in addition to the existing ones to attract new customers. Don't forget, Stern has increased subscriptions on Sirius ten fold and alot of those customers would drop it if they raised the rates. I know that for a fact because alot of people said on the radio before he went digital they weren't willing to spend the money as it was. What I'm saying is there is a large potential audience out there if they were to offer lower rate plans with new channel lineups that might occur because of a merger and Sirius isn't stupid, they know that and will think about new ways to attract those customers.

The most interesting thing about this whole merger are those "shock jocks" When on FM and owned under the same parent company. Stern was on KROCK in NY and O&A on WNEW.

FWIW, Opie and Anthony were on WBCN-FM Boston before they were fired and subsequently hired by WNEW.

I admit my 50-50 prognostication is overly optimistic...but just look at the satellite tv companies. Dish is going to go down within 1-2 years. It can't survive without local programming. There has been a rumour for the past 3-4 years that another company was coming in from Europe, but that hasn't materialized. So Direct is going to end up as a "monopoly", but only in the technological sense. From a content perspective, television is diversifying more every day.

FWIW, Opie and Anthony were on WBCN-FM Boston before they were fired and subsequently hired by WNEW.

They were fired in Boston for hoaxing that the mayor of Boston was killed in a car crash. This was years before the Stern / O&A feud came to a head in the NY market. The feud continues to this day and there is every reason to believe that bad blood really does exist between these shock jock teams and that they will not make up anytime soon. However, both these teams get paid a lot of money for being on satellite, so they will likely not jeopardize those paydays, especially newly rich O&A.

I believe there is a ceiling on what they can charge. What I mean by that is there will be a point where customers will not be willing to pay for their service. With portable music players available, it's hard to justify paying for radio...but if the price is right, that's a whole different story. Personally, my family has two Sirius accounts. One unit has a lifetime sub (which I've had for 3 years now) and the other is piggy backed to the lifetime sub so I get a discount on the monthly for having multiple units. After paying for the lifetime sub, I pay about $75 a year. For me spending more than $100 a year for radio would be approaching my ceiling.

February 20, 2007


Dear XM Radio Subscriber:

We want to share with you some exciting news: Yesterday, in Washington DC, we announced XM Radio will be merging with Sirius Satellite Radio to form the premier digital audio service.

The merger will create a satellite radio company that will provide consumers across the country with more and better premium radio programming. The combined company will be able to compete better in what has become a very complex and dynamic entertainment market.

Where today our exclusive contracts mean you had to choose between baseball and football or Oprah and Martha Stewart, the new company will seek to ensure that in the future, you will be able to access both companies' programming. And, once we are fully integrated, those of you who have factory-installed satellite radio will no longer be limited to the programming provided by the exclusive satellite radio service chosen by their car manufacturer.

This merger should be completed in late 2007 or early in 2008. Throughout the year, we will provide updates on how the merger is progressing and information will be available at our website, www.xmradio.com.

Between today and the merger date, as well as during the period immediately after the merger date, all of your services will remain the same. The channel lineup, the customer service number, the great music technology, and the XM Radio web site will all remain unchanged and there will be no disruption to service. But, if you have questions, information will be available and maintained on our website, and you can contact our Listener Care team at 800-XMRADIO, with questions and concerns.

XM Radio continues to be committed to providing you the highest quality audio entertainment and customer service available today. After the merger, our new company will be able to offer you the most exciting listening experience in radio.

Sincerely,

Hugh Panero
CEO, XM Satellite Radio


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 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.

Please note: this is not a promotional e-mail. As an XM subscriber, you will periodically receive service notices via e-mail. These service notices are intended to provide you with helpful information that will facilitate and enhance your XM listening experience.


You are receiving this email because you previously indicated that you'd like to receive email updates from XM Satellite Radio. To unsubscribe, please visit unsubscribe.xmradio.com

My Email,
Stern Brought the ruckus and Won.
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.



Please note: this is not a promotional e-mail. As a SIRIUS subscriber, you will periodically receive service notices via e-mail. These service notices are intended to provide you with helpful information that will facilitate and enhance your SIRIUS listening experience.

as long as I can continue to get the MLB package It does not bother me.

Our ROC seniority is rated by the number of posts and not by the number of words......right?? :rolleyes:

I received my letter via email today. The letter was the one posted in this thread from XM. It will take a long time for changes (if any). I will believe it when I see it.

Neither company has claimed they are making a profit to this point. I beleive they blame 'churn', customers who try the service then drop it, as the major reason for the lack of profit, so I expect improved lineups and prices in order to keep customers longer and turn the profit corner finally.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17246959/

Okay, it took long enough! Merger approved! :p

"The Justice Department approved Sirius Satellite Radio's (SIRI) $5 billion buyout of rival XM Satellite Radio (XMSR) on Monday, saying the deal was unlikely to hurt competition or consumers."

I wondered what new products we will see and how soon?

thanks for keeping up with the original thread, despite a 13 month break...

So, it appears that the FCC approved the merger about an hour ago. Wonder what this means for us customers. When/how will we get both sets of broadcasts...

correction: the justice department... and the FCC pretty much follows the JD's lead.

I bet it will be a while. I'll also bet that new hardware will be required to receive both service's programs. Either that, or they'll screw one or the other in making one the standard. I wonder if new combined service hardware will count as a tuner change for lifetime Sirius subscribers.

I really wonder how this will affect pricing and programming?? I might be interested if the price and packages are desirable.

Here we are well in to 2008 and still no signs of how the merger is going to affect one or the other. No price savings??? I talked to XM in Dec. 2007 and they could offer no information.
:confused: :confused: :confused:

Dude, it hasn't even happened yet.

Justice dept. just approved the deal...

Again, it's not done yet.

I guess there's no chance of improved quality? You'd think with the increased bandwith (that is once they drop any redundant channels) that they could bump up the data rates. I really like the choice that XM (and/or Sirius) radio offers, but the sound quality really stinks!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/03/24/ST2008032403501.html

The FCC still needs to approve, but as the article states the FCC usually will follow the DOJ

Even after the FCC approves it, the deal is still not done.

Even after the FCC approves it, the deal is still not done.

Please explain why the deal is not done. What is left??

They have to get SEC approval. They have to go through the merger process and finalize it. They have to decide how to merge the technology and the programming. They will most likely have to design and manufacture new tuners, unless they leave one service out in the cold.

They have to get SEC approval. They have to go through the merger process and finalize it. They have to decide how to merge the technology and the programming. They will most likely have to design and manufacture new tuners, unless they leave one service out in the cold.

I would guess that new hardware wouldn't be necessary...I mean, it's not like they have different operating systems, etc...it's still a radio receiving a signal from a satellite...it's just that Sirius hardware is programmed to pick up their signals, and likewise for XM...when they combine, you'll just have more channels to choose from on your existing tuner (or at least, that's what they're telling the authorities who have to approve the deal)...they might design some new ones to sell to new users after the merger, but it wouldn't affect existing tuners...and they won't be allowed to "force" existing customers to buy new tuners...they'd have to ensure that existing users would only be affected in a positive way because of the merger (i.e., more channels, better pricing, etc.)...

Not true. Not true at all. They use completely different systems which are optimized for each service.

It was mentioned that "SiriuX" would probably offer "packages", sorta like what Dish or DirecTV or even Comcast offers. What would be nice, is if we'd have the capbility of an alacarte choice of whatever programming we wanted, and just pay for that.

I think that one of the overlooked issues will now be how to unite the "Hatfields and McCoys" that have developed over the years of user loyalty to each service.
"XM SUX!"
"NO! Sirius SUX!"
HEY! Now they can both suck equally!:p :rolleyes:
One thing's for sure... the $77 deal will soon become a thing of the past.:(

The DEAL is dead! Long live The DEAL! :cool:

I'm much more concerned about the lifetime deal and how they will handle that. $499 is a lot of money.

Shovelhd

understand why you are worried, but I think you will be o.k. Since Sirius is merging with XM (and not going bankrupt) IF they decide to abandon the life-time deal you are legally entitled to fair compensation. At worse you'd be refunded much of your money, or offered a whopping credit.

Just another example of how this country is slidding to Mercantilism.
My 3 sirius receivers better work still.

Shovelhd

understand why you are worried, but I think you will be o.k. Since Sirius is merging with XM (and not going bankrupt) IF they decide to abandon the life-time deal you are legally entitled to fair compensation. At worse you'd be refunded much of your money, or offered a whopping credit.

That's what I'm concerned about. I'm not a lawyer, and I don't play one on the net, but I don't want "fair compensation". I want what I bought, a lifetime subscription. We'll see.

That's what I'm concerned about. I'm not a lawyer, and I don't play one on the net, but I don't want "fair compensation". I want what I bought, a lifetime subscription. We'll see.


well, from a lawyer (my wife), if you were promised a lifetime membership and they pull back from that deal without offering you close to what you paid there will be in all likely-hood a class-action lawsuit encompassing all of the people like you who bought life-time memberships. The lawyers at Sirius know this and will want to avoid it, hence why I'm not worried about you loosing your life-time membership.
Read the original contract you have for your life-time subscription, but unless they explicitly outlined a way for them to terminate the contract (e.g. a full refund) then you will be o.k. And as you have pointed out several times in this thread, they have cleared most of the regulatory obstacles (shareholders approval, Justice Department) but it isn't 'done' until they actually do something, which could take a couple months to a couple of years.