Sirius XM Merger Information

Sirius and XM have been in talks for over a year about a potential merger. The two companies have been major competitors over the course of the last several years, often marketing to the same customers about the quality of these services. With a merger in the talks it is important to consider how this will affect current customers as well as how it will affect new customers who are considering joining the giant Sirius radio company.

In a press release issued by Sirius and XM on February 29th 2008, the companies announced that they had agreed not to terminate the Merger Agreement until May 1st, 2008. If the companies did close the pending merger, this would mean that a review by the Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission would be necessary to insure proper legalities are in place. The merger would remain subject to the satisfaction of all applicable conditions.

There is little doubt that a merger will cause a number of unique things to happen, but most of it will be good for customers. There are likely to be some significant differences but each company will likely provide excellent communication and service to their customers long before the switch affects them. Still, you can expect some changes.

One benefit that XM and Sirius radio customers will benefit from is the addition of more options. Not only will you have all of your favorite Sirius channels to list to, but you will also have access to the XM channels that you want, but did not purchase the subscription before, because it was with the competing company. If the companies combined, the customer would end up using their current radios to obtain both XM and Sirius broadcastings. This would in fact allow you much more access. Subscription services would need to be addressed at that time to insure access to all of your favorites.

Another area in which the customer would benefit from a merger between the satellite radio giants is through better prices. IF the two companies came together, you would have access to many more programming options. This would be available to you at a price that was much less than the cost of purchasing both services today. More so, the companies have agreed that pricing for current customers would not rise after the merger, unless you changed your subscriptions. New subscription options would be available, which would mean more choices for better pricing.

There is no expected date when the merge will happen, yet most believe that the companies will be able to go through with it. As consumers wait and wonder about the fate of Sirius and XM. Most can start planning for a better tomorrow for their subscription services. Using the same radios you currently have, you will get more programming options and you will get the best price. That opens the door for opportunities for fans that may have had to have both services in the past to get the broadcasting they have wanted.

Bob Maines is a satellite radio specialist with several years of experience selling and installing SIRIUS Radio