Comments on: FCC Chairman: No XM – Sirius Merger

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 03:53:30 +0000

Cam: Heh. I usually surf the Sirus music channels during commercial breaks on the talk stations. Mostly NFL Channel, though :)

By: Cam

Cam — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 03:43:01 +0000

Ahem. Try out Patriot 144, especially from say... 9-midnight James. :)

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:50:16 +0000

DCL:

Thanks. My wife and I are both ready to give XM a try.

I have eclectic tastes, and will listen to everything from bluegrass to hard rock to adult contemporary. But if I'm in the mood for Metallica, I don't want to hear Roy Orbison and if I want some Waylon and Hank, I don't want Loretta.

Indeed, the only Sirius music channels that I've listened to that are programmed well are the bluegrass and oldies stations.

By: DC Loser

DC Loser — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:18:22 +0000

try http://www.xmfan.com for the discussion boards about XM. Beware as they are very anti-Sirius. I've listened to Sirius in a rental car and it sounded okay by me. But if you like hard rock channels to be only hard rock, or outlaw country stations - I think XM will fill your needs.

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:37:52 +0000

DCL: Makes sense. Unfortunately, my antenna is automatic. I suppose that's an easy fix, though.

By: DC Loser

DC Loser — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:58:18 +0000

James - I am an XM subscriber and am pretty happy with the service. I understand your issue with the FM modulation, as that's what I have to use in my car. In the DC area, you're pretty much out of luck looking for a clear FM channel. However, my car has a manual antenna that I just retract, reducing its capability to pick up regular FM transmissions. I find that by retracing the antenna and putting the modulation on 88.1 (the only station close enough to interfere is WAMU at 88.5), I have pretty good luck with a good signal.

By: The Liberty Papers»Blog Archive » FCC Chairman: We Won’t Approve An XM-Sirius Merger

Fri, 19 Jan 2007 16:36:37 +0000

[...] Outside The Beltway Posted By: Doug Mataconis @ 8:11 am || Permalink || || Categories: Economics, Monopolies TrackBack URI:http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/01/19/fcc-chairman-we-wont-approve-an-xm-sirius-merger/trackback/ Read more posts from Doug Mataconis • • • [...]

By: yetanotherjohn

yetanotherjohn — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 16:16:02 +0000

The likely alternative to merger is one (probably Sirius) going under. But 'going under' is a relative term. The assets would likely be sold for pennies on the dollar and a XM competitor would emerge with a lower debt to face off against XM with a higher subscription rate. Let the market decide.

By: legion

legion — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 15:38:51 +0000

I've had Sirius for a couple of years now, and I'm extermely happy. I regularly drive all over rural southern Idaho, and I've had no problem with the FM trans option - though I can't listen on my home stereo until I find a place to put the mini-antenna outside 'cause none of my house's windows can see the satellites. I don't listen at all to Stern, but I rather like the selection of music channels; a little variation keeps me from feeling like I'm just listening to my own CD collection. And to get back to the actual topic (:-), I'm glad they're not merging. This market is looking a little like the early days of cable, when there was a significant difference between what was on broadcast TV and what HBO, et al, could do... I wonder if 10 years from now there'll be a dozen or more sta radio providers to choose from?

By: Dale B

Dale B — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 15:26:46 +0000

James,

I have XM and am relatively happy. My car does not have a cassette or an aux in. I tried several FM transmitters and none of them are great. The best, and one I use today, is by C Crane company.

http://www.ccrane.com/radios/fm-transmitters/fm-transmitter.aspx

It's not a perfect solution but it's the best I've tried. It can be set to any frequency and is quite stable. The batteries last a very long time, like several weeks. I've also seen hacks on the web to increase the power out. Haven't tried that yet as it is acceptable in its present form.

By: Che Sing The Cool.

Che Sing The Cool. — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

(Prohiphop.com) Talib Kweli "Can rap circles around your favorite MC".....& Don't expect a Jean Grae album anytime soon. Q Tip + A Hip Hop Band = The Renaissance Get That Money Man....XM......we know you need it.

By: By Car Stereo Advisor

By Car Stereo Advisor — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

I don’t have a tape deck in my car, so I’m forced to rely on the FM transmitter. It would likely be just fine if I all over rural southern Idaho, and I’ve had no problem with the FM trans option - though I can’t listen on my home stereo see more