NAB trying to get Sirius / XM to surrender spectrum?

As the recent action in the 700MHz auction has shown, wireless spectrum is a valuable commodity -- which is why it looks like the NAB and Clear Channel might drop their lawsuit against the Sirius / XM merger if the two companies agree to give up a chunk of the airwaves. Industry observers close to the deal have called this the "endgame," saying that the broadcasters have been after the spectrum all along, but we're not so sure -- we'd think that the NAB would be pretty happy if Sirius and XM decided not to get hitched after all. Still, it's an interesting tactical move, if true -- let's just hope it doesn't delay a decision on this merger even longer.

[Craig Brown @ Feb 7th 2008 9:48PM]

Gah...the NAB...what a bunch of whining pussies. If you can't handle the competition...go home.

[Khris @ Feb 8th 2008 9:11AM]

Major oil company mergers have been pushed through faster than children at Neverland!! This whole fiasco is nothing but a joke and shows exactly how much of the US runs on who has the bigger wallet!

It's been over a year now since the original application to merge and the NAB has been whining like a little girl the whole time because they know they have nothing but garbage programming, and this is their only way to keep people from switching.

Bullshit this merger will create a monopoly! The NAB needs to pull their head out of their ass and come up with a real reason for the merger not to go through......wait, there ISN'T a real reason!!

FUCK THE NAB!!

[John @ Feb 7th 2008 9:49PM]

yeah, that TOTALLY makes sense...

[thak @ Feb 7th 2008 9:52PM]

do you guys ever proofread your writing!?!?!? HAS SHOWS?

[AKBlade13 @ Feb 7th 2008 10:31PM]

The same thing can be said to you. Have you heard of grammar?

Besides the snippings and harsh comments, can this merger just resolve itself real quickly? I'm getting tired of this debate about if it's monopolizing the market because as far as the NAB (at least from an article I read) is concered, they're not a monopoly but rather competition between them and other outlets.

AKBlade13

[jason @ Feb 7th 2008 9:58PM]

Great news! I can't wait to hear the incredible programming that Clear Channel has lined in anticipation of this settlement. Oh wait, probably just another Morning Zoo.

[JOSE @ Feb 7th 2008 10:08PM]

DOJ drags this xm/sirius merger because of antitrust issues but they let big oils merge like exxonmobil or chevrontexaco. Whats the big deal??

[Robert Everland III @ Feb 7th 2008 11:00PM]

I really think there is something up with this merger. They fast tracked the oil company mergers and AT&T and those are ones that actually affect us every day. I can't believe it's taking them this long to see that there are no antitrust issues. I mean come on, if they charge too much you just don't go with them. You listen to regular radio, cds, or your ipod. Even if Sirius did decide to charge hundreds of dollars per month for service you still have choices. If AT&T decided to charge you hundreds of dollars on service what are you supposed to do? Go with a cell phone, what if AT&T is your only source of cell coverage, and what if you can't get cable in your area, how are you supposed to get on the internet. Our government is a joke, if they were really out to help the consumer they wouldn't have let the obvious companies get back together.

[Andir3.0 @ Feb 8th 2008 8:57AM]

Control. The FCC has little control over what is said on Satellite, but the Department of Energy/Military has a lot of control over Oil.

[Sieger @ Feb 7th 2008 11:19PM]

What does the National Australia Bank want it for anyway?

[Matt @ Feb 7th 2008 11:31PM]

NILAY WROTE ABOUT A LEGAL ISSUE AND DIDN'T INCLUDE HIS LEGAL DISCLAIMER!! AHHH!!!

Remember folks, Nilay is NOT your f&*##n lawyer.

[landon @ Feb 8th 2008 12:29PM]

Howard Stern talks daily about how this has been stalled because the FCC hates him and the fact that he can no longer be regulated. He probably isn't too far off base. The simple fact of the matter is it doesn't matter what the DOJ decides, there is absolutely no reason for them to take OVER A YEAR to decide, all the while these two companies bleed money from every orifice.

[BeforeISleep.net @ Feb 8th 2008 5:19PM]

By the way, Nilay, the story's inaccurate. NAB never filed a lawsuit -- they're just going through the normal lobbying process at the FCC.