FCC Comment Scorecard – May 31 Edition
The events of today see the Pro Merger in front by 9 points.
PRO MERGER – 53%
ANTI MERGER – 44%
NOT APPLICABLE – 3%
If you are interested in filing your opinion on the merger, you can do so by visiting the FCC website. Be sure to use docket # 07-57. Readers should also note that ALL comments filed with the FCC become part of the docket and record.
Position – Long Sirius, Long XM
Hasn’t terrestrial radio really had a monopoly over the domain of the car, for example? A public trust problem, seemingly acceptable, that was only defined and finally circumvented with the advent of Satelite radio. Without it, when would we have had HD radio for example? The proposed merger is a necessity being sought to ensure competition with the old monopoly is healthy and strong and continues to flourish in what has morphed into an extremely intense “music/enertainment/marketplace”. If satelite radio is not in competition with terrestrial radio, then who is terrestrial radio’s competition? Is it the Ipod, or the internet, or the slacker? What about cell phones? Consumers now have a choice that they never have had and this is the only argument valid if we are talking about competition and the “public trust” that the consumer will get the best deal availabe to make a choice for services. It is anti public trust and anti competition to boostrap competitors with arguments which are grossly partisan to ensure that terrestrial radio maintains its edge. If satelite radio isn’t competition for terrestrial radio, then what competition is there? If the radio market place is only defined by terrestrial radio, then doesn’t that make terrestrial radio a monopoly? Isn’t that the real anti-trust problem….? Cheers.lp