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The Justice Department’s antitrust division has approved the proposed merger between XM and Sirius satellite radio companies; the deal now awaits FCC approval.
Analysts expect the FCC to give its approval with some conditions in terms of pricing and the ability of listeners to choose their own channels, writes the Los Angeles Times. According to The New York Times, FCC chairman Kevin Martin was quoted last week as saying, “I haven’t figured out what I think we should do on it yet.” The FCC rarely rules against the Justice Department.
Yesterday’s announcement by the Justice Department was denounced by several Congressional Democrats who have opposed the merger, calling it anticompetitive.
When the two satcasters were granted licenses, they were prohibited from merging to ensure sufficient continuing competition. However, with the advent of MP3 players, HD radio and internet radio, the Justice Department feels there is enough competition that the merger does not create a monopoly.
Radio One revenues were down 2 percent in the first quarter, from $74 million in the first quarter of 2007 to $72.5 million in Q1 of this year. Station operating income was also down, by 15 percent.
Despite declines, the…
Nintendo is focusing its latest Wii campaign on women. The newest game, Wii Fit, is a fitness game scheduled to hit stores on May 19 and, while the game is geared toward both men and women, the company thinks it…
IdeaCast, provider of custom television content and advertising in the out-of-home video category has partnered with LiveTV, provider of in-flight entertainment for commercial airlines, and now has exclusive advertising sales rights to LiveTV video assets on Continental and Frontier Airlines.…
Cablevision’s Rainbow Media, which owns AMC and IFC, will now also own the Sundance Channel.
The channel, currently owned by NBCU, CBS/Showtime and Robert Redford, will fare better with a single owner, Rainbow execs believe, according to Variety.
The $496 million…
Federal tax rebates will give retail sales a significant and much-needed boost in the next two quarters, predicts TNS Retail Forward, saying retails sales growth will improve by as much as three percentage points in the third quarter and half…
Barnes & Noble’s online store will begin selling subscriptions - at deep discounts - to more than 1,000 print and digital magazines.
A one-year subscription to Men’s Health will sell for $24.95, for example, rather than its $45 cover price.…
