Sirius Satellite and XM Merger Show how the FCC REALLY Operates

Sirius Satellite and XM need to merge in order to survive.  There are alot of media outlets these days. Old fashioned radio, the internet are providing choices as never before.  All the while XM and Sirius are losing money.  Simple fact is there will be no satellite radio if they both go out of business.  Both are loosing significant amounts of money on a per share basis.  Thus it makes absolutely no sense for the FCC to block a merger between the two.  Yet the FCC makes noises about how a merger would not serve the consumer.

Let’s get real here.  It may be just as likely that the FCC and cronies in old radio would just as soon see these guys go out of business. You should hear Barry Young of KFYI here in Phoenix on the subject. Barry is usually pretty right wing …..even dare I say Libertarian when it comes to business.  However when he gets on this topic he is strangely vehement that the XM / Sirius deal should be blocked.  He just can not separate the fact that this may affect his meal ticket from the reality that TRUE competition should exist in the media.  He smells blood and obviously thinks XM and Sirius will go out of business if they are prevented from merging. Of course his language is couched in talk of it being anti competitive etc.  However the least competitive business is the one that has died.  I think its pretty obvious he would not be upset if XM and / or Sirius died.   I think KFYI is dying not because of satellite but because of too many commercials. 

It appears old media and the FCC are on the same page.

Its hard for me to see why XM and Sirius should be prevented from merging.  Its not gasoline or food.  Most other things I can live without.  I have not even ever considered getting satellite radio.  There is too much crap on the airwaves and getting another data hose with more crap spewing forth does not make sense.

What is the FCC concerned about?  Maintaining the old guards monopoly on distribution of thought and the power / money that comes with that.

The web has changed over to version 2.0.  The distributed mind is taking control.  We need to do the same with government.