Karmazin Says Sirius/XM Would Cap Price

KARMAZIN SAYS SIRIUS/XM WOULD CAP PRICE
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
At a hearing of the House Antitrust Task Force, Sirius Satellite Radio CEO Mel Karmazin says that if XM and Sirius are allowed to merge, the combined company is willing to cap prices -- he says he even expects to lower them -- and accept other conditions from the Justice Department, Federal Trade Commission, and the FCC in order to get the deal done. He also pledged that nobody would have to buy a new radio to get service from the combined companies. Karmazin said the deal does not have to be done -- neither company is claiming hardship -- but that if it is approved, it will bring lower prices and more choice. He called it "pro-consumer." Public Knowledge, which advocates for fair use recording rights, said it would support the merger, but with a few conditions. PK wants a three-year price cap, a 5% set-aside of channels for educational and informational programming, and a la carte programming. The National Association of Broadcasters and Consumers Union testified against the merger.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6420385.html?display=Breaking+News

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