Lawmaker Clarifies Merger Support
Reports over the past two days from numerous sources including two stories here, Big News On Satellite Merger – 8 Minority Channels and 8 minority Channels Seen As Good For Merger have spoken of a letter of support drafted by two minority congressmen on the House telecommunications subcommittee. In a Radio Ink article, the two have been identified as Congressman Towns (D-NY) and Rush (D-IL). Both men are African American members of the committee chaired by congressman Markey.
The initial letter praised the commitment of 8 channels to minority ownership as a part of the proposed merger, and was viewed by many as a big boost for the merger. Today, Congressman Rush retracted some of what was stated in the letter.
“I wish to disassociate myself from a letter to [Martin], dated May 5, 2008 and signed by Congressman [Edolphus] Towns and me, which stated that I fully supported ‘Xm’s and Sirius’ voluntary commitments, [that] the combined company will agree to provide under long-term leases eight channels on the combined system (four on each system) to minority owners.”
“While I certainly believe it’s important to dedicate channels for minority ownership, I do not believe a mere eight channels out of 300 total in the combined entity represents an ‘important and realistic effort to address the dearth of minority ownership’.”
“In reality, I firmly believe that XM and Sirius can designate far more channels than eight for minority ownership.”
“I see no reason why a combined XM-Sirius satellite radio company should not dedicate a number of channels for minority ownership that is more reflective of the general population.”
“voluntary agreement reached by XM and Sirius” does not satisfy my advocacy for a more aggressive policy that emulates the real diversity of the American public.”
Rush is still a supporter of the merger saying that, ” the merger will create new opportunities for diverse programming that has been overlooked by terrestrial-radio broadcasters.” It would appear that congressman Rush would like to see more ownership for minorities in satellite radio. Ironically, neither Sirius nor XM are privately owned. As publicly traded companies, the “ownership” can be as diverse as those that choose to invest.
Whether this latest development will temper the enthusiasm that has built over the last few days will not be known until the market opens tomorrow. What was a pretty powerful at one point (a supporting letter from two minority democrats) has now lost a bit of its shine.
[ Via RadioInk ]
Position – Long Sirius, Long XM
Tyler, you have more contacts than I do…
Try to get an interview with this guy. Ask him if he is agreeable to more channels for long term lease as long as XM/Sirius are able to eliminate all of THEIR minority programing. See how he likes that.
Do these people not understand that XM and Sirius offer some of the most diverse programming available anywhere? They have more diverse programming than even Cable or Satellite TV. From every style of music available, to opera, cartoons, to show tunes, to talk and represented by Hispanics, African Americans, Asians, Republicans, Democrats, Gay/Lesbian… lets add all of these channels up and ask why these Congressmen do not think that THAT represents diverse programming.
As you said, this is a publicly traded company, not privately held. For pete’s sake, Nate Davis, the acting CEO of XM (and surely at least a board member for the new company) is a black man! You want to be a minority owner? Buy some shares, you are now a minority owner. Congratulations.
As Newman stated, you do not need to have minority owners in order to have minority programming. Music is already diverse. If you are talking about giving ownership of channels to minority owners to solely broadcast minority programming, how is that promoting diversity? Is BET an example of this type of “progress”?
“Whether this latest development will temper the enthusiasm that has built over the last few days will not be known until the market opens tomorrow. What was a pretty powerful at one point (a supporting letter from two minority democrats) has now lost a bit of its shine.”
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Seeing as how the original story never seemed to be picked up on by any major media outlet, I’m wondering how much this news will impact the rally that has been occurring. It will be interesting to see if this makes AP headlines.
Ok, I got pissed and wrote a letter.
Link:
https://siriusbuzz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=411
lets translate what the rep if he was really honest should have said…” i wrote this letter along with other Congressman because it came from me on my own–Now that i have received calls from “certain groups” looking for more of a handout and after being “pressured”, i am forceably being pressed to totally diss my first, original honest from the heart letter” “you know its all about the special interests and not whats best for the overall public” Sorry but they do pay for my re-election and im hostage to them(and scared)
very good letter by the way–Didnt realize how many stations are minority oriented–i bet the Congressman didnt either
Right on Newmen, and gary, Lets face it he got a call from Chester Davenport.
I’m still waiting for the 12 Hispanic stations, the 149 Womens’ stations, and 7 Asian stations.
Why to Blacks get all the fun? There’s more Hispanics in the US than Blacks…