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NAB Continues to Fight Satellite Merger, Alleges ‘Wrongdoing’

The National Association of Broadcasters has made another move in an attempt to get the FCC to block the proposed merger between Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio.

In a petition to the FCC, the NAB has asked the commission to stop its 180-day review clock of the deal, delaying its decision until the NAB has a chance to supplement the record with information about what the association calls “serious apparent wrongdoing” by XM and Sirius officials, writes Mediaweek.

The NAB says both companies produced receivers with more power than regulators had approved, and that both companies also placed terrestrial repeaters in spots not cleared by the agency. The NAB did not say how much time it would take to review the situation.

Sirius and XM responded that the NAB has become more fearful of the potential competition as more consumers voice their support for the merger, and thus is becoming “more desperate.” A statement reads, “The NAB’s allegations are unfounded and their recent filing is just an attempt to stall the process. We look forward to continuing to work with the FCC and are confident they will weigh the transaction on its merits, recognize that it is in the public interest and approve the merger by the end of the year.”

FCC chairman Kevin Martin told reporters during the NAB Radio Show on September 27 that the commission is reviewing both circumstances and considering possible fines.