Just who the hell does Clear Channel think they are, trying to impose "conditions" on the merger of Sirius and XM? What a joke.

From All Access:

CLEAR CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS outlined its most detailed concession requirements in a filing with FCC posted TODAY, should the Commission approve the merger between SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO INC. and XM SATELLITE RADIO HOLDINGS INC, reports ORBITCAST.COM. While earlier FCC filings have essentially reiterated CLEAR CHANNEL's prior argument that granting the merger would permit for too much spectrum control for a single entity, the filing posted online TODAY gives the most level of detail about merger concessions.

"Were the Commission inclined to approve the merger, nonetheless, it should, at a minimum, impose the following conditions that would be essential to remain even remotely faithful to Commission precedents and policies regarding competition, spectrum and preservation of a viable, locally-oriented, free, over-the-air radio broadcast system," the company wrote in an ex parte filing.

The merger conditions that CLEAR CHANNEL is requesting include:

* No less than 50% of broadcast capacity be made available for lease to create "a viable competitive alternative" to the merged company.
* No less than 5% of capacity be set aside for public interest programming, modeled after the 4-7% requirement for DBS services.
* That Sirius-XM be subject to indecency regulations. Because, "one of the primary potential dangers to free, over-the-air radio posed by this merger is siphoning popular, including 'edgy' content, with consequent loss of advertising revenue."
* Sirius-XM be prohibited from broadcasting local content.
* Sirius-XM be prohibited from receiving local advertising revenue.
* The FCC require that HD Radio capabilities be built in to all satellite radio receivers.

.............DREAM ON ALICE............

And the arguments counter to some of these conditions will be : HEY were just another satellite company. Were like cable channels. We charge for our services.

If the FCC mandated indecency regulations they would be obligated to review all the other cable and satellite channels and that whole universe.

CC certainly wants it both ways in this manifesto dont they? 50% bandwidth for competitive alternatives AND prohibitions on local content AND prohibition from obtaining local advertising revenue.

The one request that I think might benefit the general public and level the playing field a little more is to require that HD receiver capability be incorporated with the Sat Radio receiver.

My argument.... The sat companies agreed NOT to merge, in return both were allowed to play... If one fails........

Oh well tough break kid. You were told there was only enough interest to support one.

Stick to the bargain that allowed you on in the first place.....

Message to Clear Channel....NO LOCAL ADVERTISING REVENUE????? You were more than happy to carry ads for Sirius and XM... You took their money, don't want to share yours? Siphoning content????
Ok for you to jettison people and the CONTENT they delivered..... FINDERS KEEPERS. Afraid? Fully staff your stations and give your listeners what they want.....
there was a song that said "You knew I was a snake before you let me in", now you cry after you were bitten....and what the hell do you care? You got the money AND a sucker all ready to cash you out.....'mo money, 'mo money, 'mo money......

How about these conditions...

we will meet all of the Clear Channel recommendations PROVIDED that:

Terrestrial stations agree to reimpose ownership limits not to exceed 25 am/fm/television properties in any combination, either wholly owned or owned through a subsidiary. This include management, licensing, and operating agreements. In addition, it is agreed that no company may own or operate any more than TWO broadcast properties in any one market. Examples defined as one market but not limited to include: Seattle-Tacoma, Akron-Canton, Baltimore-DC....

Sounds fair to me. Do we have a deal?