MAP Files Opposition to XM/Sirius Merger
Posted: Monday July 9, 2007
On behalf of the Prometheus Radio Project and the U.S. PIRG, Media Access Project filed an informal opposition with the FCC regarding the proposed merger of XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio. The opposition argues that the merger would violate antirust law standards, undermine the FCC’s policies and goals of maintaining a diversity of voices, negatively impact un-served and under served communities, and limit content providers ability to get on the air.
The opposition further requests that If the Commission were nonetheless inclined to grant the applications, it must do so only with
conditions and public interest obligations including:
- A set-aside for non-commercial, educational programming.
- Leased access of channels.
- Require a portion of the allocated spectrum be returned for auction.
- Require must carry for local non-commercial, educational channels.