Jesse Jackson speaks out against the Sirius / XM merger

The proposed Sirius / XM merger has always ruffled a few feathers at the NAB (and the NAB has certainly ruffled back), but it's another thing entirely when a national political figure like Jesse Jackson comes out opposed to the deal. Jackson, who spoke at the FCC hearings on the merger yesterday, said that allowing Sirius and XM to combine would essentially create a monopoly in the satellite radio market, eliminating the potential for diverse ownership and possibly squelching minority voices on the dial. Control of the media has always been a hot-button issue for activists of all stripes, and we can certainly see why Jackson would oppose such a merger on those grounds, but another organizations with a similar agenda, the NAACP, has actually issued statements supporting the merger, saying that combined, XM / Sirius would ""strengthen its commitment to diversity." It's obviously a thorny issue with a lot of viewpoints, so please -- let's keep the comments civil, shall we?

[JDizzle @ Nov 1st 2007 8:05AM]

How many people actually use satellite radio as compared to the "normal" radio?

[Lein @ Nov 1st 2007 8:07AM]

Exactly.

The point of paying for satellite radio is to get AWAY from people like him...

[daaper @ Nov 1st 2007 8:20AM]

Agreed, "all music, all the time" is exactly why I subscribe to XM. If I wanted to listen to people talk and commercials all day long I'd listen to terrestrial. As long as the price stays the same and there is a channel the same/similar to my favorite (Squizz, hell yeah!), they can expect my support and subscription. The second either one of those significantly changes, I'm done. Enough said from me...

[daaper @ Nov 1st 2007 8:33AM]

wow, I guess that isn't enough said from me. I'm just speculating here, but I'm guessing he means the blow-hards that are on just about every terrestrial radio station out there. Are they on satellite radio, too? Yes, but I don't have to listen to them. I can pick a station that is completely music, a feat that can't be done on terrestrial -at least not around me. So yes, for me, the point of satellite radio is to get away from people like him as well: those that look for fight and are controversial just to get attention. I just want to listen to some f*cking music!

[Phreak511 @ Nov 1st 2007 9:31AM]

Jesse Jackson!? Well, well....here he goes again, shaking down another corporation in the name of "diversity." I'm sure he's expecting another payday for his Rainbow/PUSH Coalition.

Jesse Jackson levels a racism charge against a company. Said company "donates" a large some of money in an effort to appease Rainbow/Push. Rainbow/PUSH then issues press release which states they will launch a new initiative to clear up inaccurate racial perceptions about (insert company name here).



Jesse Jackson a "national political figure" Engadget? Well, I guess so. I guess David Duke is also a national political also.

[Frankenstein Black @ Nov 1st 2007 9:41AM]

Jesse Jackson? Who's that?

[Dave @ Nov 1st 2007 9:47AM]

"What the F*** is that suppossed to mean?"

Golfers

[macona @ Nov 1st 2007 1:20PM]

@DickHardknocks

I dont know about where you live but around here there are just as many OTA station now as there has been 10, 15, or 20 years ago. In fact there are a few more OTA stations now then there used to be.

No one is being forced into cable or satellite. I use neither.

[DickHardknocks @ Nov 1st 2007 8:17AM]

"people like him"?

What the F*** is that suppossed to mean?

The point of Satellite Radio is to keep people buying - make them pay a large fee each month to listen to the OPINIONS of people who are either too radical, too uneducated or too perverse to be broadcast.

Keep in mind, Television used to be free over the airwaves in major cities, now, broadcasting has been cut back forcing everyone onto Cable TV/Sat TV. Now they want more money - get ready for nothing but HD signals (with subscription of course).

[Rob @ Nov 1st 2007 8:18AM]

"eliminating the potential for diverse ownership and potentially squelching minority voices on the dial" You mean, "his voice." right? Sharpton and Jackson are both in it for themselves.

I agree that the merger will more than likely eliminate any competition and result in a monopoly. But, it's not as if one could just put a couple of boxes together and aspire to have their own satellite radio station and/or system. I'm talking about broadcasting content, not creating it.

[Osama @ Dec 4th 2007 8:01PM]

Amen!

[kevindineen @ Nov 1st 2007 8:19AM]

What a blo-hard. Do some people just go out looking for a fight? The fact remains tha tneither company is viable without the merger.

[steve @ Nov 1st 2007 8:24AM]

maybe I'm mistaken, but I didn't really take that to mean race minority, but rather as a reference to the fact that this creates a monopoly in that market, something that may not benefit the consumer, who really has no say in any of this. If, and only if, that is the case, I agree with him, this does create a monopoly and it does need to be reexamined. Otherwise, he needs to shut up about it.

[Aigarius @ Nov 1st 2007 11:30AM]

That is preposterous - they completely ignore that regular radio and HD radio compete directly with satellite radio for the attention of listeners and advertisers. And that not even counting all other ways to get music - iPod, Internet radio, ...

[SteveJ @ Nov 1st 2007 8:26AM]

What should happen is that there should be one standard for the transmission of satellite radio, but multiple sources of content on it competing. Whether or not they merge, satellite radio as it stands sucks because you're either locked into one or locked into the other. When the merge you'll be locked into one, yes, but right now you're locked into one because you aren't likely to have both types of receivers, especially not in a car.

[JJ @ Nov 1st 2007 8:27AM]

Dudes.
This is a Gadget blog.
The post said KEEP IT CIVIL.

Do so. If you really need to get your racist frustrations out, do it at your therapist. And let's keep focused.

[strider_mt2k @ Nov 1st 2007 9:09AM]

HEAR HEAR!

CIVIL DISCOURSE!

[Le Master @ Nov 1st 2007 10:21AM]

JJ, shut the hell up you paranoid SOB, no one has said anything remotely racist.

[Chip @ Nov 1st 2007 8:27AM]

Does Jesse know that even programs withing the XM and Sirius families compete against each other? Even if XM and Sirius merge, an XM/Sirius minority program will be competing against the other XM/Sirius programs. Any program without ratings gets dropped.

I think me buying ice cream squelches the minority voice according to Jesse.

[SweetSauce @ Nov 1st 2007 11:54AM]

Only if it is Vanilla ice cream...

In JJ's opinion, for every scoop of vanilla, you must have a scoop of chocolate.

[Marshall @ Nov 1st 2007 8:37AM]

Terrestrial Radio Station Manager: "Hello, Mr Jackson? Yes, your check is in the mail."

Jackson goes where the money goes, he doesn't care about this issue.

[sp00ks102 @ Nov 1st 2007 8:37AM]

wait...so now I'll have a difficult time putting a satellite into orbit? Damn you big business and your mergers, damn youuuu.

[websyndicate @ Nov 1st 2007 8:37AM]

I use to think XM would have been a waist of money and why would anybody ever want something like that. Come to find out I use it alot there are really good talk radio show on there. Bill Handel and The tech guy with Leo L. Most people wouldnt understand unless they owned one. Let face it regualr radio stations have a crap load of ads that bore people XM always has something good playing.

[TKWarrior @ Nov 1st 2007 8:38AM]

@DickHardknocks
You lost me when you grouped dog the bounty hunter in with Bush and Cheyney, LOL! Granted, the others listed need a good smack down, but did "The Dog" arrest your mom or something to get you pissed at him?

And who takes Jackson or Sharpton seriously anymore? You only see them on TV when the show in question is looking for a more sensationalistic story. Last time I checked, neither are the official ambassadors of any group. Despite how much they presume they are.

[Cagrino @ Nov 1st 2007 11:21AM]

You obviously haven't heard the rant "Dog" went on recently. It would have put Kramer's rant to shame.

It's too bad too; I occasionally watched his show. A&E has suspended the show's production.

[frankz00 @ Nov 1st 2007 5:26PM]

The irony of Dog's rant is that his kid doesn't look all that white. I think Dog may have indulged in a little missegnation himself!

[Maestro @ Nov 1st 2007 8:42AM]

Why is the good rev. even commenting on this? Did he also chime in on other corporate mergers? Or does he just get involved in the ones that can someone line his pockets?

It's stupid that he is commenting, and even more stupid that I am commenting on his comment.

[Jared @ Nov 1st 2007 9:30AM]

That was the first thought that crossed my mind. "Wonder how much the NAB paid him?"

[FS @ Nov 1st 2007 8:42AM]

So basically what Jackson is saying is that the NAB paid me and Sirius/XM did not. Also the fact that the NAB seems to be so invested in this whole merger only proves that its the one trying to maintain a monopoly by preventing a merger that will actually be able to compete with them.

[hdtvdinner @ Nov 1st 2007 8:43AM]

"...a national political figure like Jesse Jackson..."

Did I miss something? I always thought of him kind of like the village idiot. "Yeah yeah what ever you say Jesse. Is he gone yet? Okay, lets get to work."

[syke @ Nov 1st 2007 8:49AM]

Same here. Only more like a Groundhog coming out to see his shadow, only in this case he's looking for media attention and only goes away when he doesn't find it. :P

[Will @ Nov 1st 2007 8:55AM]

Jesse Jackson, a political advocate for all things concerning the "little guy"? (Especially if there's a news camera around) Now... gadgets?

Come on, we're actually going to listen to the frustrations posed by a 66-year-old-man on the impact a tech merger would have for diverse programming? We don't really care what he has to say, only that there's a prominent voice representing the Christian left and Minority communities opposing a business deal he's got nothing to do with.

MR Jackson, (his degree is honorary, as he's a dropout from CTS), listen, the market's spoken:
You didn't win your elections in '84 OR '88;
More folks bought Jesse Peterson's book slamming you than your own autobiography;
Your entire calling in life is to bring attention to Jesse Jackson for Jesse Jackson by Jesse Jackson, one day even Jesse Jackson will be sick of hearing about Jesse Jackson;
Remember those comments you made about Jews, about how you're sick of hearing about the holocaust, Mr-I'm-Here-To-Represent-Minorities?
And for a Baptist Minister to father an illegitimate daughter, and still purport to "do the right thing" blows my mind. You, Sir, have balls.

The only time I ever want to see Mr Jackson again, is in a cage match against Bill O'Reilly. To the death. Maybe the extreme-left and extreme-right can meet in the middle on something there.

[JosephMohmed @ Nov 1st 2007 9:07AM]

This.

[moosedude @ Nov 1st 2007 9:02AM]

DickHardknocks @ Nov 1st 2007 8:21AM

First off, you are partily correct. It is the CONSUMERS who support those corporations that are destroying America. THose corporations would be crap without the consumers $ flowing in. Blame yourself for bring one of those who will probebly never accept blame for your own wrong doings, and shifting the blame to "society" and everyone else. There is no scape goat, execpt one. You. Me. Him. Her. And everyone else that shops ChinaMart and believes all the "Made In America" signs. Go home DickHardknocks and think about it some more. (punk)

[Ari @ Nov 1st 2007 9:04AM]

What is a corporation? Its is a conglomerate of people, people making a lot, people making less, people making very little. It's the shareholders- people who own a lot, people who own very little. The strength of business is what has made America strong. I've never seen one anti-capitalist wear only self made shoes and clothes, live in huts. Without corporations none of you could prance around in your prada shoes and seven jeans while espousing ignorance. Grow Up already. You want to be against the war in Iraq, that's fine, but anti-corporatons? That doesnt even mean anything.

[Charles R Hamilton @ Nov 1st 2007 9:09AM]

Ah Yes, Jesse Jackson. Shakedown artist at best, outright racist at worse. Why is he an expert on radio? He's not of course, he is just the token Negro, so Congress can show they care about minorities on every little issue.

[mlb @ Nov 1st 2007 9:09AM]

I have Sirius, and I honestly haven't listened to the regular radio in years. I don't listen to much talk radio on there however. I'm all for this merger, because I would love to have access to the stations on XM. I was disappointed that my University switched from Sirius to XM, so now I cannot listen to their games on Saturday afternoons. Once the merger is complete, that problem should go away. Jesse Jackson should stop worrying about what Sirius and XM are doing and start worrying about how many other illegitimate kids he has out there.

[superfresh @ Nov 1st 2007 9:10AM]

I don't understand the dilemma. There are numerous companies that are the only providers of a service. Plus, both satellite companies are private entities. If I had a billion dollars, I could start a satellite radio company.

Breaking up monopolies was intended to protect an individuals access to a "need." At one time, it was rail travel, then telephone communication, then cable, which I see as a stretch.

I find it ironic that the same government that allowed a handful of companies to destroy the value of local terrestrial radio are having such a debate over satellite radio. I have satellite radio and I love it, but if I can't affort it, I'll cancel it. There are no binding contracts, and a weatlh of entertainment alternatives.

[Chris @ Nov 1st 2007 1:36PM]

"I don't understand the dilemma. There are numerous companies that are the only providers of a service. Plus, both satellite companies are private entities. If I had a billion dollars, I could start a satellite radio company."

No, you couldn't. There are two SDARS allocations here in the U.S.: Sirius is allocated 2320 - 2332.5 MHz, XM is 2332.5 - 2345 MHz. They're requesting the FCC allow both frequency bands to be licensed to the same licensee, in direct contravention of the the original FCC regulation. The reason two allocations were created was to foster competition.

I say let them merge; they just need to return one of the licenses within 3 years to the People. They can pick which one they want to keep.

[Timothy Sutherland @ Nov 1st 2007 9:11AM]

You cannot possibly have a monopoly in this area. There are so many other choices, regular radio, HD radio, CD's, books on tape, iPods, etc, etc, etc...

The fact of the matter is that a merger would bolster the overall content. Right now to listen to the NFL I would need Sirius, for MLB and Hockey, I need XM. A merge is good for me (the consumer). Maybe I would have to pay more for the extra content, but that is a choice that I get to make.

What makes it even less of a monopoly is that consumers are not FORCED into using the service. It would still be a self correcting market with the dozens of alternatives out there.

This would only benefit us, and I am all for it.

[Jon @ Nov 1st 2007 10:24AM]

Exactly! These goofs, like Mr. Jackson, don't realize the differences here. For instance, a lot of people point to the Dish/Direct TV example. Big difference here, Dish and Direct TV offer essentially the same programming aside from a few exclusives but the bulk of the content is the same. The choice is in the services they offer and the price. I don't have to choose between Dish for CBS and FOX or Direct TV for NBC and ABC, because they both carrier all of them. Not so with satellite radio. It's NFL or MLB, NHL or NASCAR, Howard or O&A, Martha or Oprah. The merger actually improves both services making satellite radio more appealing. And that's where the NAB takes issue and why they are fighting tooth and nail to stop this merger while they continue to fight for radio/media companies to consolidate and reduce the number of choices consumers have on traditional radio. People need to wake up and realize a group like this just furthers the we give, you take relationship that big business has gotten used to regarding the publics interests.

[Andy @ Nov 1st 2007 9:28AM]

One of the great things about satellite radio is that individual channels can thrive even if the listenership is low. This allows for an incredible array of niche channels, the diversity of which cannot be duplicated on free radio due to ratings pressure, economic issues, etc.

The merger will mean that more people are going to be able to receive more channels, potentially allowing the minority views Rev. Jackson is so worried about to actually reach more people than they do now.

Disclaimer: I'm a Sirius listener and stockholder. I'm also a baseball and golf fan, so you can see why I'm for the merger.

[Chard @ Nov 1st 2007 9:54AM]

I'm from New York (or what Jesse refers to as Hymietown). This guy was always a first class loser that we are all ashamed of. He things he is MLK. MLK would be turning in his grave if he knew about Jesse. What an idiot, he just proved that hes being paid off, I wonder how much they gave him.

[Trent @ Nov 1st 2007 10:01AM]

Sirius RULES!

Jesse Jackson only comes out to stir up racial tensions because most likely he is running out of money. The guy has NEVER had a real job in his entire life. Maybe he should concentrate on his families including the ones he pays women to keep hush hush on about all his babies out there.

DISMISSED!!!

[david @ Nov 1st 2007 10:06AM]

I didn't even know 'ol JJ was still alive. He probably bored the panel to sleep with some sermon about how po' black folks won't be able to enjoy satellite radio after the merger. Bull. Regardless of ethnicity, satellite radio entertains across the "rainbow" that he preaches about.

[kastonie @ Nov 1st 2007 10:13AM]

I think Jesse Jackson should rethink his position on this matter, over lets say, a nice hot plate of fried chicken....
There is no way this merger is racist or will hurt black people.
And no this post or poster is not racist. I know people of all colors and nationalities that love fried chicken.

[OAvirus @ Nov 1st 2007 10:16AM]

I have XM love it, dont like stern, but hey, i want the merger to happen as i love baseball golf hockey nascar and football, its a perfect thing.

and jesse jackson is a loser, the guy has no idea what he is doing or getting into. how is he called a political figure? he is a racist who milks every little thing to make himself seem more powerful, same with sharpton. MLK would totally be turning in his grave, these two only care about themselves, they have to dip their greedy little hands in everything and play the race card.

THIS MERGER IS ABOUT SATISFYING CUSTOMERS AND KEEPING THE BUSINESS OF SAT RADIO ALIVE.

anyways, i hope this causes all who oppose jackson and sharpton to go out and grab a sat. radio reciever.

cheers all.

[Joe H @ Nov 1st 2007 10:44AM]

Quite frankly, I just want to be able to get MLB and NFL coverage on the same service.

[andyg8180 @ Nov 1st 2007 10:44AM]

For the south park fans out there... All i gotta say is...

"apologiizzzeeee... yeeaaahh, apologiiizzee"

[joeg @ Nov 1st 2007 10:55AM]

Does that symbol remind anyone else of a warning sign for a drunken dog with gas?