XM and Sirius Radio Propose Pricing

XM AND SIRIUS RADIO PROPOSE PRICING
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Stephen Labaton]
Hoping to persuade skeptical regulators to approve their proposed merger, the nation’s two satellite radio companies today announced detailed plans to let consumers choose the programs that make up their subscription package. The companies, Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio, said they would offer two so-called “à la carte” pricing plans -- one of which would enable consumers to purchase the best of the premium services now offered by each company, like professional football, baseball and basketball -- for a monthly fee of $14.99. To subscribe to the “à la carte” plans, consumers would have to buy new radios. The companies said they would also let listeners select rate plans that would give them credit for adult stations that they decide not to get as part of their packages. The two companies now each offer their services for $12.95 a month, with lower rates for longer-term contracts. They have 14 million subscribers. The announcement, coming the day before the record closes in the proceeding at the Federal Communications Commission, was an effort to persuade the agency that the merger was in the public interest.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/23/business/23cnd-radio.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
(requires registration)

* XM, Sirius promise low cost packages, more choice
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSWNAS700820070723

* XM-Sirius in New Pitch for Merger
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/24-07232007-1381877.html

* Sirius, XM Radio Plan Packages Aimed at Pleasing Regulators
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118520370393574960.html?mod=todays_us_page_one

* XM, Sirius plan a la carte offerings
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/money/20070724/xmradio24.art.htm

* A nervous commentary on the XM/Sirius merger - from Toyota
Toyota Motor North America, which offers both XM and Sirius satellite radio with its cars, endorsed the proposed merger of the two services in a statement filed with the Federal Communications Commission. Maybe. Sort of.
http://www.lasarletter.net/drupal/node/438

* NPR Opposes XM/Sirius Merger
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6462230.html?rssid=193

* Karmazin Makes New XM-Sirius Price Offer
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/23/AR2007072301606.html

* Sirius, XM cite benefits if merger wins approval
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-radio24jul24,1,2828742.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-business