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Is The FCC Just Toying With XM And Sirius Now?

from the and-next...-we-want-you-to-clean-our-offices-with-just-a-feather! dept

Thu, Jul 24th 2008 4:48pm — Mike Masnick

The 18-month saga of XM and Sirius trying to merger just keeps getting more and more ridiculous. Yesterday, we pointed to all of the silly hoops the FCC was trying to make the companies go through, that often had absolutely nothing to do with antitrust issues, and today comes the news that the FCC has fined the companies nearly $20 million for technical violations as some sort of precursor to merger approval. What do these technical violations have to do with the antitrust questions the FCC is supposed to be deciding? Absolutely nothing. Instead, it appears that the FCC is simply using its position as the decider over whether or not the merger goes through to get whatever licks in that it can against the two satellite radio companies, knowing that they'll have to obey quietly. Its like hazing. Because XM and Sirius need the approval of the FCC, it can just do anything it wants to them, such as adding bizarre requirements or even asking them to hand over $20 million.

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Filed Under: antitrust, fcc, merger, satellite radio
Companies: sirius, xm

15 Comments

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F U Adelstein, 24 Jul 2008 @ 5:42pm

extortion
The Fcc has proven that they are just a bunch of thugs.
FuCC them and the horse's ass in the white house too.
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Bob, 24 Jul 2008 @ 5:47pm

sirus merger
Because of all the B.S. I will not be voting for a Rep.I will vote for a Dem,I hope other people follow,you have to hurt them with the votes.They will learn then when its to late that you just can't keep screwing your people and get away with it.
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- The Mighty Buzzard, 24 Jul 2008 @ 6:15pm
  
  Re: sirus merger
  Ahhh. So you're going with the Clueless Bastards over the Greedy Bastards this time. Things would be so much easier if you all would just get around to appointing me Emperor.
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- Jason, 24 Jul 2008 @ 6:26pm
  
  Re: sirus merger
  I take it that you oppose the merger, too? That's the only way your comments makes sense considering the Democrats are opposed to the merger and the Republicans are for it.
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- Hal, 25 Jul 2008 @ 10:02am
  
  Re: sirus merger
  For your information, the 2 FCC members that have voted against the merger are both Democrats. The 2 in favor of the merger are Republicans. So, might want to check your information, before you pick the leader of the country.
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Darksurf, 24 Jul 2008 @ 6:42pm

Can you say balanced power?
Hell, our government has somewhat checks and balances so why the hell can nobody get on the FCC's ass an say, "hey, you all risk losing your jobs for being dumbasses and crooks" The FCC is as bad as a monopoly or dictatorship.

Oh, and Bob, That was one of the most stupid comments I think I've read in a long time. Rep. or Dem. has nothing to do with this issue. Please don't spread your stupidity among the others. Besides, you have read non of Obama's books nor do you know nothing of what he did in his recent visit to our troops. I've read his books and know what he has done and been doing. He's a crook and You obviously have no clue of whats going on, so don't show your ignorance in public if you don't want to be publicly humiliated.
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Pope Ratzo, 24 Jul 2008 @ 6:44pm

The main thing I want to know about this merger is whether the FCC will require XM and Sirius to give back one of the broadcast licenses they have so it can be auctioned off.

If they are going to be one company, then it's absolutely a breach of anti-trust for them to own both of the licenses for satellite broadcast.

I know the last eight years have been one big pig-out for the corporations of America, but now that we've got some non-GOP lawmakers in Washington, they might want to start putting things back the way they're supposed to be.

And by "supposed to be", I mean "according to the law".
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Mogilny, 24 Jul 2008 @ 7:14pm

XM's satellites
If they merge, what happens to XM's satellites? Maybe that's what the government is concerned about. They got some crazy conspiracy tech. sh*t on them. :)
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alternatives, 24 Jul 2008 @ 7:30pm

Please don't spread your stupidity among the others.
You could start by taking your own advice.
He's a crook
Ok - prove it. But take it somewhere else.
and You obviously have no clue of whats going on, so don't show your ignorance in public if you don't want to be publicly humiliated.
Again, you should look in the mirror. Your 'rant' has little to do with the topic at hand.
Mike may very well be right - the 20 mil fine could very well be an expression of 'we are the government and you'll take what we give'. The rant of 'darksurf' does not bother to address that position
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christopher, 24 Jul 2008 @ 11:14pm

xm and fcc and politics
is this a board about xm and sirius or politics? shut the f?@#k up and debate the topic. you want to talk politics go elsewhere!!
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- Anonymous Coward, 25 Jul 2008 @ 11:33am
  
  Re: xm and fcc and politics
  is this a board about xm and sirius or politics? shut the f?@#k up and debate the topic. you want to talk politics go elsewhere!!
  If the discussion here so upsets you I suggest that you are the one that should go elsewhere.
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Pudro, 25 Jul 2008 @ 4:43am

Fine money goes where?
Since the FCC is supposed to be protecting customers, shouldn't this $20 million be put back into the companies in a way that benefits the customers? Say, a couple dollars off of everyone's monthly charge? (Or however it works out.)
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MrChuck, 25 Jul 2008 @ 5:37am

Why make rules if they won't be followed
What can't they understand.

The agency distributed licenses to XM and Sirius in 1997 on the condition the two satellite companies never merge.

Now because of crappy business practices on the part of both companies, we should give them a pass?
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- Chronno S. Trigger, 25 Jul 2008 @ 5:58am
  
  Re: Why make rules if they won't be followed
  "The agency distributed licenses to XM and Sirius in 1997 on the condition the two satellite companies never merge."
  
  That's odd, I've never heard that before. Where did you see that?
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anti-comunism, 25 Jul 2008 @ 6:07am

THIS IS
COMMUNISM.
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