Sirius XM CEO doubts FCC will side with Liberty

Sirius XM Radio Inc CEO Mel Karmazin said it was unlikely that John Malone's Liberty Media Corp, the company's biggest shareholder, would get permission from regulators to take control of Sirius XM with its current 40 percent stake.

Liberty acquired its stake in 2009 as part of deal in which it loaned the satellite radio provider $530 million to help it stave off bankruptcy. Since then, Sirius XM has turned its business around. It reported higher first-quarter profit and revenue, boosted by its first ever price increase. During an earnings conference call, analysts brought up the matter of Malone's intentions. Sirius XM faces a potential battle with Liberty, which last month requested approval from federal regulators to take de facto control of Sirius XM now that restrictions on its stake have expired.