Who do I contact to voice my support for the XM and SIrius satellite radio merger?

Question

I am a Sirius subscriber since 2004. I recently bought a Nissan and they have an exclusive partnership with XM. Because of this, I am unable to get the programming I want on my factory installed satellite radio. I believe that these types of partnership hinders competition rather than a merger between the two companies. I don't want to install another unit, because my factory installed radio looks so neat. I shouldn't have to deal with this.

Answer 1

This merger is a joke! It has been almost a year since Congress started discussing it. The Sprint/Verizon merger was resolved in a few weeks, as was another merger between two of the oil companies.

I listen to the Stern show on my Sirius and they have a product that can convert your XM into a Sirius radio. I wish I could remember the website that sells these things!! If you are desperate, you could call into the show and ask Baba Booey the name of the device. Their phone number is 888-9-A**HOLE!! I will add to this answer if I can think of the name! Good luck!

Answer 2

You would contact your member of Congress, but the merger has to do with one satellite radio company becoming a monopoly.  No competition in the satellite radio industry is what is being discussed.

The problem you describe could easily be solved by auto manufacturers offering both XM and Sirius in one factory radio and there was talk a few years ago about introducing such a radio.  IT has been silent ever since merger talk has been uttered.  I am concerned the merger is not for the consumer, although it sure is being pitched this way, but a move to make the satellite radio industry profitable.

You may be too young to remember this but at one time, the cable companies charged extremely high monthly fees for TV (mine over $80 with no HBO, Showtime) before DISH and Directv gave them competition.  AT&T did the exact same thing with telephone service before the government broke them up in 1984 (although they bought back their landline companies, there is now wireless to offer a choice).

I know, got off subject, but the truth is, one satellite radio company with no choice may be the worst thing to ever happen in this medium, history has proven it.

Answer 3

Good point. Write your congressman, senators, the FCC and the FTC. Those are the guys. And your one letter (statistically) counts for a lot.

-a guy named duh