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Former FCC Head Fowler Calls For XM-Sirius Merger OK

Former FCC Chairman Mark Fowler has penned an opinion piece in the New York Sun, in favor of the proposed merger of XM and Sirius Satellite Radio. The Sun’s parent company, Hearst Corporation, owns a stake in XM Radio, writes Radio Ink.

Fowler writes that, because of the potential threat of satellite radio to terrestrial radio, over-the-air operators have needed to come into the digital age. “Thus, the broadcast industry recently introduced and is pushing its own HD Radio initiative to allow radio stations across the country to offer multiple new, high-quality digital channels,” he writes, adding that consumers have benefitted from the competition.

XM chairman Gary Parsons and Sirius CEO Mel Karmazin have said in a statement that they are extremely pleased by Fowler’s support: “As the longest serving Chairman of the FCC in our nation’s history, Mr. Fowler has had a lasting impact on global communications. His backing of this merger further illustrates the benefits a combined Sirius and XM will bring to audio entertainment consumers.”

Since the FCC opened its docket on the merger, more than 4,300 individuals have filed in support of combining the two companies. The FCC docket also includes positive comments from over 30 organizations and businesses.