What is Digg?155 Comments
- GRANDPAMUNSTER, on 06/11/2009, -0/+57What the ***** is taking so long? It did not take this long for Exxon/Mobil to merge.
- MommaLu, on 07/24/2008, -1/+44The FCC sucks.
- inactive, on 07/24/2008, -2/+21Excellent...
- T3CK, on 07/24/2008, -12/+30Baba Booey Baba Booey :-)
- inactive, on 07/24/2008, -3/+21Alright, it's about time. I hope that we see great results coming out of this merge.
- inactive, on 07/24/2008, -1/+17FCC can blow me go Satellite.
- mikerad86, on 07/24/2008, -3/+17Ahhh yes, capitalism at its finest...
- AmyVernon, on 07/24/2008, -1/+14can't wait for the merger. we've been waiting because one has some shows we want, the other has baseball... with one, it could be a monopoly, but at least we'll be able to get anything we want... can't believe this has taken so long...
- Ryanw430, on 07/24/2008, -0/+13This seems ridiculous to me--the government needs to stop screwing around with the private sector. It is not as if satellite radio is an extremely necessary part of our lives, and there are tons of alternatives to fulfill the ends that satellite radio aims towards: ipods, cd players, land-based radio, HDradio, cell phone radio, and virtually everything else that transmits audio is an example of satellite radio competition. So what if this creates a "monopoly" in one highly specific market segment? Every business is a "monopoly" when they market a distinguished product--should we sue Burger King for owning a monopoly on Whoppers???
- inactive, on 07/24/2008, -1/+1318 months! That's a lot of donuts eaten. Red tape, red bull!
- serif69, on 07/24/2008, -0/+11Fla Fla Flooey that's Baba Booey
- Nicksname1, on 07/24/2008, -0/+11Fla-Fla-Flow-Fly
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Monkey with a man face! - AstroZombie138, on 07/24/2008, -0/+11Fair enough, but if the FCC didn't spend so much time on morality issues then perhaps they could get net neutrality on the table.
- crash331, on 07/24/2008, -0/+10Fa Fa Fooey
- smacksaw, on 07/24/2008, -2/+12I am tired of paying for both. All I want is MLB and Sirius' music (XM has the worst music).
I just want to know why the FCC even regulates this. It's like being in Southern California and getting radio from those 50,000 watt blowtorches out of Baja that are English programming. It's Mexico.
This is in space. What, it's OUR gov'ts space? What is this, extortion? If I want to put up a satellite and stream down music, why does the US gov't have a say in it? - purelithium, on 07/24/2008, -0/+10Steve Langford has a huge penis.... badumdumdummmm badumdumdummm... "And now for the howard 100 News..."
- smacksaw, on 07/24/2008, -0/+10Except when they get around to guaranteeing and enforcing net neutrality. Then you'll love them.
- purelithium, on 07/24/2008, -1/+10Just get it over with. If this goes on any longer, we won't have ANY satellite radio companies, they NEED to merge to turn a profit.
- charlieville, on 07/24/2008, -0/+8I have owned siri for 8 months waiting for this to go through...
- IphtashuFitz, on 07/24/2008, -0/+8It'll be interesting to see what restrictions the FCC manages to push through. Terrestrial radio groups have been pushing for all sorts of sanctions like a certain number of channels that they can program, a certain number devoted to minority programming, restrictions on advertising, etc.
- savagegenius, on 07/24/2008, -0/+8This is only a monopoly if you look at it via the narrowest of viewpoints.
It's like saying Blockbuster has a monopoly on home entertainment. Well, there is also surfing the Internet, listening to music, reading a book, watching TV or watching a movie you purchased. Likewise in a car (the main arena for satellite radio), you have terrestrial radio, iPods, music CDs, comedy CDs, cellphones to talk with friends, friends in the care with you, etc...the "monopoly" argument is amazingly short-sighted and flat-out, 100% wrong.
The NAB (who represent traditional terrestrial radio conglomerates) wanted us all to believe that they spent an enormous amount of money "lobbying" the FCC and DOJ to deny the merger for strictly altruistic purposes. They would have us believe that they spent that money not because satellite radio is a threat to their business (thus negating the monopoly claim), but because they were "concerned" citizens lobbying in the name of free trade. WOW. As a naive citizen of these United States, I wholeheartedly thank them! However, as a skeptical, rational, BS defying citizen of these United States, I ask them kindly to peddle their kind of crazy somewhere else....because no one is buying their BS! - dprevite, on 07/24/2008, -0/+8Then don't listen to it.
O&A have enough fans to keep them on with the new company. It's not like they're making as much money as Stern.
Not every Digg article has to turn into a Stern vs O&A battle. People like different shows, so get over yourself. - inactive, on 07/24/2008, -1/+8Wow will this ever get done? Stock is going up on XM as we speak.
- UmRuss, on 07/24/2008, -1/+8Because Exxon and Mobil didn' t have a boat load of lobbyists from the NAB working against them. $$$$
- GRANDPAMUNSTER, on 06/11/2009, -2/+9Yeah, and your point is?
- boywundah, on 07/24/2008, -0/+7Terrestrial radio blows - too much censorship and too many commercials!
It's ridiculous that this has been taking so long. The satellite merger will be such a good thing for subscribers - combining great content from both XM and Sirius. - BlakeEM, on 07/24/2008, -1/+7They are a subscription service and they compete with normal radio and even mp3s. Not to mention they are adding in all kinds of crap that isn't related at all to monopoly prevention but more like working as the government arm of the RIAA and radio broadcasters to slow them down and pile on restrictions and requirements like forcing them to have 20+ channels of minority programming and dictating subscription payment structure and timeliness when there is no need for it.
- BaudiIROCZ, on 07/24/2008, -0/+6Ta-Ta-Toothy
- BaudiIROCZ, on 07/24/2008, -1/+7I want your brown mounds Robin brown mounds!
- ventralnet, on 07/24/2008, -0/+6fly me with baloons
- InfamousAtheist, on 07/24/2008, -0/+5Soon enough it will be: Sirius = XM
So who really gives a *****? - jtmack, on 07/24/2008, -0/+5give it a rest, its not a damn monopoly. If that were the case, then XM could have been considered a monopoly when it started satellite radio to begin with.
Its not a monopoly and people need to stop being such nut sacks about it. it will be good for everyone. Theres no reason for there to be two satellite companies with the exact same programming, because its a no win situation. Those who have satellite radio will understand. - gaqua, on 07/24/2008, -0/+4If $12.95 caused an overdraft you probably have bigger problems than XM's billing practices.
- DGRules, on 07/24/2008, -1/+5It's silly the kinds of restrictions which will be placed on this. How are consumers helped by having satellite bandwith wasted by having the government FORCE programming that nobody will ever listen to? This will either result in having fewer quality channels overall, or in a reduction of audio quality in order to accomodate the mandated programming.
- HouseofEl, on 07/24/2008, -1/+5Thanks for letting me know.
- MilitantRabbit, on 07/24/2008, -0/+4As Robin Williams said as Bill Gates: Monopoly's just a game, senator. I'm trying to control the world!
In all seriousness, merge now! - noncn4mst, on 04/15/2009, -1/+5If they touch my Dead channel, heads will roll
- inactive, on 07/24/2008, -7/+11Monopoly isn't just a game its a lifestyle.
- geardosdotnet, on 07/24/2008, -0/+4mac-hine
- poploserdigg, on 07/24/2008, -0/+3I pissed on a girl and I liked it.
- Cerialthriller, on 07/24/2008, -0/+3then keep listening to your dinosaur radio. I hope you love commercials.
- purelithium, on 07/24/2008, -1/+4It's NOT a monopoly. The US justice department has already found that it has MANY competitors from terrestrial radio, MP3 players, internet radio, television, any form of entertainment, really.
The FCC has no authority to decide whether something is a monopoly and this past year or so has been them stalling it after the DOJ approved it. The FCC is a stagnant waste of governance that is populated by traditional radio lobbyists trying to keep a dying industry alive by undermining legitimate and better competitors. - Cerialthriller, on 07/24/2008, -0/+3Big black beautiful *****
- AstroZombie138, on 07/24/2008, -1/+4No matter what your opinion is on whether they should be allowed to merge or not, taking a year for approval is pretty awful. As mentioned in the first comment, the Exxon/Mobil merger took much less time and quite recently the Bear Sterns buyout was approved over a weekend. Neither of these companies were seeking FCC approval, but keep in mind that the DOJ approval of XM/Sirius was only decided upon within the last three months and took over a year to happen.
The DOJ decided whether or not the company would be a monopoly and decided to allow the companies to merge because AM/FM, HD Radio, and MP3 devices provide plenty of competition in their opinion.
The FCC decision is more about spectrum. Both Sirius and XM were given radio spectrum for satellite use as competing companies, and want to keep all of the spectrum after the merger. The FCC wants the new company to provide some concessions such as not mandating that users buy new hardware, no rate increases for a number of years, providing ala carte service, and providing a set number of channels for minority and public programming.
Its somewhat of a catch-22 for Sirius/XM because they can't have users keep existing hardware and provide the new channels unless they are allowed to keep all of the programming. The guarantee of no rate increases is also difficult for them because both of these companies are bleeding cash.
I personally have the service (Sirius) and love it. I'd like to get more programming and wouldn't mind paying a couple extra bucks to get it. I love not having any reception issues, no 30 minute commercial breaks like on FM, a ton of programming choices, and no FCC moderation. - robbob, on 07/24/2008, -0/+3PAY---O---LA
- fletcher008, on 07/24/2008, -1/+4Thank you. Im sorry I didnt know that you were deemed the authority on funny.
- kokoshka, on 07/24/2008, -0/+3Big black titties big black titties big black titties
- poploserdigg, on 07/24/2008, -0/+2anyone want to quote Sal's "thriller" parody?
- Cerialthriller, on 07/24/2008, -0/+2my ipod can still play the music i have on it if i go to japan i dont know what kinda ***** one you must have. My cellphone will also work anywhere in country. Dont know what kinda ***** tracphone you must have.
When you pinpoint things down into specifics every single company is a monopoly. I mean Sirius is already a monopoly if you look at it that way, its the only way I can listen to heavy metal all over the country and listen to Howard Stern and Bubba the Love Sponge using the same piece of hardware. there is also nothing stopping anyone from launching a couple satellites and and starting up their own satellite radio company. But oh yeah nobody would because it is taking a loss every single day. - Cerialthriller, on 07/24/2008, -0/+2well i have Sirius and they have by far been the best customer service line I have ever had to call. I called to remove a radio from my account because it was stolen, and they sent me a free radio and free month of service.
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