Sirius Xm News

Mel Karmazin was just on Neil Cavuto’s Your World. As soon as the Video is uploaded I will try to get it posted.

From what I have heard there are reports that Mel bought 2 Million shares of Sirius Stock today at $1.37 a share. I guess he wanted to show investors that he believes in the company. The good news is that Sirius XM Radio is up in the after hours but it’s still dropping like a dead weight.

Hopefully Mel’s actions encourage people to invest in the company. I believe Sirius XM Radio has a bright future. Things are rough right now but I see things getting better.

Sirius XM Radio closed at $1.39 today.

Here is the Video:

Here are a few answers to common questions I have been reading around the net concerning the merger between Sirius and XM. Though not 100% official these answers are taken straight from press releases and interviews Mel Karmazin has done post merger.

What are the new pricing plans? Will my Monthly Bill go up now?

If you do not listen to Howard Stern (Premium Channel) there are $6.99-9.99 pricing plans, so you will actually save money on your monthly bill. You can add on optional premium channels but as long as you don’t get into any XM programing your bill will never go above the current price of $12.95. I repeat as long as you don’t add on any XM programing your bill will never go above $12.95.

So to sum up above if you are paying $12.95 now, do nothing. You will have the same programing and same price as you always had as a Sirius Subscriber.

Can I get XM channels yet? When will I be able to get XM programming?

As of right now you can not get XM channels on your Sirius Radio. There are plans for an Al La Cart system but for right now your reciever can not get transmissions from the XM Satellites. Mel said that new radios are already designed but they are not going to be available until they start mass production.

What you will be able to get is a “Best of XM” package that consists of 11 XM Channels wich will brodcast over Sirius’s current satellites. So you will not need a new radio but there will most likely be a price involved with this service. Also what 11 channels are being offered is not known at the moment.

How long before I can get MLB Radio on my current Sirius Radio? I want it now, why is it taking so long?

The MLB will not be available to Sirius right away. There are currently licensing issues that need to be worked out with no deffinate time table. The MLB will not let Sirius brodcast. So your best option is to contact the MLB and not Sirius. The same goes for NASCAR on XM.

What about Howard Stern? I’m on XM and I’ve been waiting for this day to happen, when can I hear him?

Howard Stern will be available to XM subscribers this Fall. No specific date was given yet but it could be as close as September. It’s also unclear if both Howard 100 and 101 will be included also he will not be a part of the “Best of Sirius” package since it’s considered premium content.

What about my current receiver? Do I need to buy a new one?

No not unless you need a new one. You existing WILL NOT BECOME OBSOLETE. You will still be able to enjoy Sirius or XM as you have been in the past.

What about my Lifetime Subscription?

You will still have your lifetime subscription. How it will work with different Sirius/XM packages is not known.

What about my Favorite channels? Are they going to remove channels? How will they do this?

They will be slowly merging channels from XM into Sirius programming. This means that some of your favorite channels may get replaced. If XM has a better Hip-Hop channel it may replace one of Siriu’s, but if Sirius has a better performing Country channel it will stay and replace one from XM.

No official word but the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s channels will most likely be merged and be the same on both Sirius and XM.

I have a Factory XM radio in my car with DVD Monitors, can I convert the XM Radio and Screens to Sirius Backseat TV?

NO

That is it for now, as I gather more Questions I will post them. The main question I’m trying to find out right now is how Internet Streaming will work with the newly merged companies.

Just a small update.

Pretty interesting talk, but still nothing that we already don’t know about.

Link here http://www.marksfriggin.com/news.htm#wed

I will throw some audio up later if I can find it.

Inside the details of the deal, with Mel Karmazin, Sirius Satellite Radio president/CEO

Here is a link to the video on CNBC

http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=808001565

Will have links/info on Stern and O&A as it comes in, will most likely be the same news though.

Here are some highlights from the video, nothing really new here though.

Mel says they are fully funded now, and investors will see

the value of the company.

Free cash flow positive for 2009.
New Satellite this year.

David Fabre (Interviewer) gets frustrated with him Mel throught interview.

3.5 million new subscribers per year
depending on Detroit.

Mel admits stock sucks and it’s embarassing!

Here is Audio from Mel Karmazin on Opie and Anthony

In accordance with Section 1.1206 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. § 1.1206,
and the Commission’s Public Notice dated March 29, 2007 (DA 07-1435), this
letter notifies the Commission that on June 16, 2008, Mel Karmazin, Chief
Executive Officer of Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. (“Sirius”), and Commissioner
Jonathan Adelstein discussed pending issues raised in recent filings in the above referenced
proceeding, including the previously filed voluntary commitment letter.
Mr. Karmazin reiterated positions consistent with the Sirius’ filings in thisproceeding, and urged prompt approval of the pending merger.
Sincerely,
/s/ Robert L. Pettit
Robert L. Pettit

You can see the official report Here.

This time he met with Jonathan Adelstein, must be one of the commissioners holding out.