Will Merger of Xm & Sirus Satellite Radio impact programming/

[Jockeyboy35]

With the possible merger of Xm & Sirus Satellite Radio, would that mean no more classic 1970's Casey Kasem "American Top 40" Shows on
the 70's on 7 Ch? ???

 

[Rockin Rob]

I would doubt it, altho the existing channels en toto would be folded together. I wouldn't be surprised to see Buzzsaw merged with Boneyard, and so on....

 

[TheGreenskeeper]

There is no possible way a merger will not affect programming. Similar channels on XM v. Sirius are not the same. Will OnA be "folded together" with Stern? I don’t think so. Odds are one channel in each genre gets dropped as they nail down their new lineup. Odds are that cutting expenses is the deciding factor because there is no competition. Odds are these decisions have already been made. Satrad listeners will have no choice other than take it or leave it. When the dust settles, I think that there will be disappointments on both sides and we’ll be paying more.

 

[Walking On]

If the merger takes place (I think it shouldn't), and they f it up, I'm preparing myself to walk away. I can get disapointing programming for free (and I've walked away from that already).

 

[RadioStarOne]

I just had my third XM radio turned on and the person on the phone started telling my how exciting the merger news was from the DOJ. I told him to hold on tight if the FCC approves it, because it will never
be the same. I also told him that when and if the merger is approved by the FCC and Uncle Mel messes it up I will be gone. No Phlash No Cash.....

 

[jo-nathan]

As long as they don't mess with The Message, it'll be fine. The Sirius CHristian channel sounds like a sleepy K Love. The Message is great and offers some music you will never hear on an OTA station. I also don't want them to mess with the decade channels. All of them are programmed great and don't need to be touched.

Oh, I wouldn't be surprised if the old AT40 episodes go bye-bye once the programming deal with Clear Channel terminates. Those recordings are owned by Premiere Networks which is owned by CC.

 

[arnoldevns]

Clearly it will - if it happens. I know that for now they're talking about keeping the two systems separate for the sake of people who bought one type of radio or another and allowing folks to pick their favorites from both. However, it seems likely to me that eventually they'll figure out what channels are most popular from each and offer identical sets of channels on each system. Some fans on both systems will be upset. I would hope that the AT40 replays will continue, but who knows. My question is what will they call it?
XM has always seemed like a better name than Sirius.

 

[TheFonz]

Clearly it will - if it happens. I know that for now they're talking about keeping the two systems separate for the sake of people who bought one type of radio or another and allowing folks to pick their favorites from both. However, it seems likely to me that eventually they'll figure out what channels are most popular from each and offer identical sets of channels on each system. Some fans on both systems will be upset. I would hope that the AT40 replays will continue, but who knows. My question is what will they call it?
XM has always seemed like a better name than Sirius.

Looks like they will offer "ala carte" programming. The subscription would cost $6.95 per month. But different equipment might be needed. And it could take awhile before the new service is in place. Here's a link to the AP article: http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_8753163?source=rss

 

[XM RADIO]

Im hoping they leave the following shows alone...

Phlash Phelps XM
Wolfman Jack XM
Marty With the Party XM,,,,And the 60s channel Top of the Hour Jingle is by far the best Ive ever heard!!! Make another one Similar with that same vo guy on the 60s jingle!! That guys great!!!!!!!!!!!

Sirius, Keep Norm N Nite,,Cousin Brucie,, JJ Waker,,Magic Matt,, and of course Pat St John!!! I would hope they replace XMs Terrible 50s channel w/ Sirius Gold!!! And keep Bill Rock,,put him on Sirius Gold, where he used to be!!

3 XMs since 8/04
3 Sirius since 12/06,,

 

[TheFonz]

I would hope they replace XMs Terrible 50s channel w/ Sirius Gold!!!

I'd be curious to hear what you don't like about XMs '50s on 5. That channel is the only reason I subscribe to satellite radio. Their original programming (Pink & Black Days, Harlem, Rockabilly Roadtrip, Daddy Dave's Hollywood Diner, Cool Bobby B's Doo Wop Stop, The Strip) is outstanding! Sirius may have a few "name" DJs, but all they do, basically, is announce song titles. The exception would be T.J. Lubinsky, who does a good job on his Doo Wop show.

 

[WPPCProductions]

Hi Guys , I have a question, The recievers to pickup XM,Sirius are electronically different from each other,or they are the same. I might sign up once this merger is complete. Yes I have a footnote on the AT40 shows, I hope they keep them going.

 

[XM RADIO]

NORM N NITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I never heard of him till i got Sirius,, no one i know does Oldies like him. I never miss his show,,,wish he was on more often! Sirius Gold has a wide playlist,and 50% of the songs they play Ive never heard,, after years of KFRC ,,, Theres nothing like XM and Sirius!

 

[TheFonz]

NORM N NITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I never heard of him till i got Sirius,, no one i know does Oldies like him. I never miss his show,,,wish he was on more often! Sirius Gold has a wide playlist,and 50% of the songs they play Ive never heard,, after years of KFRC ,,, Theres nothing like XM and Sirius!

Yup, Nite IS good. And so is T.J. Lubinsky. But that's about all Sirius Gold has. XM '50s on 5 wins in a runaway.

 

[ncincy1]

I have had XM since '01 and Sirius since '07 -
XM's Decades Channels are by far much better - 60's on 6 is great!
Isn't Cousin Brucie dead but no one told him yet?

 

[pberger]

I think the merger will be the "Clear Channelling" of satellite radio. You will see the number of channels reduced in half within 2 years. You will see all kinds of cost cutting moves, automation, reduced quality. Satellite radio was perfected because you had two companies competing for subscribers. That is why each offered so many different choices. You will not have that competition when you are competing only with terrestial radio. I predict that with the merger, subscriptions will fall flat, or perhaps decrease. There won't be enough new subscribers to replace dropouts. Why, because there will no longer be the incentive to offer something better than the other guy. When paid subscriptions decline, you will see more cost cutting, and less reason to pay for radio. Is terrestial radio better today than it was 15 years ago before Clear Channel? I think most in the know, would say it is far worse. I think Mel is in it to make money, not to make radio better. My guess is he wants to free up space for new products. Maybe infomercials for taxis, maybe school bus radio, maybe something to reach truckers commercially. Maybe compete with Muzak.

The FCC turned down the merger of the two satellite TV suppliers for a reason. The same reasoning should apply to satellite radio.

 

[dxer720]

I have 2 portabel XMs. I've also listened to some Sirius channels on occasion.

I enjoy XMs 50s on 5 much more that Sirius "Gold". "Gold" deals more with rock 'n' roll, while XM 5 also plays the Sinatra, Patti Page, Dean Martin, etc., songs that were still popular in the '50s. XM 5's specialty shows are outa sight, too. I do like Cousin Brucie, though. I also like Sirius' "The Vault". I can't get enough of Bob Dylan's "Theme Time Radio Hour". He (or whomever researches for him) puts together a great show.

I'm not sure, but the receivers for each service are probably "electronically" the same, but the "firmware" used is different. My portable XM's are "upgradable" (& I've done it twice), but they must be connected to a computer to download the upgrades. This would dificult for an in-dash car receiver, even if the manufacturer had the forethought enough to include some sort of connection somewhere on the radio.