Are Minority Channels Coming Soon?
Alphastar and iClick2Media have teamed up to form the Diversity Satellite Radio Consortium (DSRC) with each party seeking to lease and manage six channels. The DRSC has also left the door open for other parties to enter the consortium and participate on the channels. Unlike many proposals, Alphastar and iClick2Media already have existing capabilities to make the FCC condition a reality.
According to their FCC filing, DSRC feels that they bring many facets to the table that should bolster their chances for selection.
The DSRC reflects the objectives of the Condition in the Merger Order because:
1) The channels would be leased to a diverse multiethnic group of parties that each meets the definition of Qualified Entities.
2) The DSRC includes parties with significant experience in the media and communications sector but with little present media ownership interests.
3) The DSRC consists of small businesses that ordinarily and traditionally have been unable to access ownership and carriage opportunities in the terrestrial and satellite radio platforms.
4) The DSRC respects the fact that channel capacity was made available voluntarily by Sirius XM and intends to fully engage and coordinate with Sirius XM.
5) Selecting the DSRC to lease the channels would eliminate further delay in the fulfillment of the Condition.
6) Finally, the new program content the DSRC would provide arguably would assist in increasing the Sirius XM subscriber base by the new demographics of unserved radio audiences the DSRC intends to target.
AlphaStar has maintained their interest in the minority channels throughout the merger process, and even long after. Other entities such as Chester Davenport have fallen off the radar altogether. The issue of the twelve channels has been postponed a couple of times already, but it appears that various proposals are gaining ground through aligning their efforts. The latest postponement gave Sirius XM until June 29th, to come into compliance, and as yet no resolution has been announced CORRECTION – The date for compliance is August 29, 2009). While the issue could see more delays, it is quite possible that the company is in active negotiations with parties interested in leasing these channels. If negotiations with DSRC are indeed happening, implementation could happen quite fast. However, given FCC involvement, look for things to drag out a bit longer as various parties jockey for position. In theory, once resolved, satellite radio will be able to boast an even more diverse channel line-up.
If you thought that you never had to read another FCC filing again, welcomed to the world of hammering out FCC conditions.
Position – Long Sirius XM Radio
As long as the subscription price that I all ready pay does not go up in cost. These folks that wanted this should be the ones to pay extra for the privilege to listen to these channels.
Have no idea what your article dances around -nor what you havent come out and said nor what effect it has-but its always interesting to tune into sirius buzz-you guys do an excellent job reporting and I appreciate all the effort- regardless,
if we are taking about expanding the ethnicity of radio which includes the “minority” in the country,I have no idea why spanish stations arent already included-woops there on sirius/xm part for a great revenue base especially if they are going to include S America with their new satellite
of course if there were a scottish station which is my wifes background- either she would have to be standing next to us to translate or there would need to be subtitles-so that wouldnt work
I think a reality based Washington DC channel is a good one-For example we could have live coverage of the visit of where the President makes a mistake -calls someone stupid then invites him over for an alcoholic beverage to the white house-
Picking up background chatter to the stuff not shown on cspan would be a hit -and heck lets face it with rescpect to public thinking, the house and senate are a minority-
Though,I already think “whatever martha” covers it all.
These minority channels are meaningless.
Most of the channels on Sirius-XM have virtually no listeners.
There are very few that actually have a substantial audience day in and day out.
Adding a few more channels to keep the race-baiting poverty pimps like AL Sharpton and Jessee Jackson from complaining doesn’t effect anything.