Opinions Rise on XM-Sirius Plan

OPINIONS RISE ON XM-SIRIUS PLAN
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Sam Diaz]
Industry experts and consumers are starting to chime in on the proposed merger of the nation's two satellite radio companies, using research studies to try to sway opinion in Washington, where Congress will hold another hearing on the matter next week. One of the studies -- by research firm Carmel Group hired by the National Association of Broadcasters and released last week -- said a merger would harm consumers, citing the potential for higher prices and less content. But late Monday, an independent report by TMF Associates, another research firm, blasted that study, referring to some of its arguments as "ludicrous." As the Senate Committee on Commerce gears up for the fourth Capitol Hill hearing on the merger since it was proposed in February, the companies and their opponents are pressing arguments in support of their positions on the state of audio competition. Both sides are pointing to blogger debate on the issue, as well as expert opinions that take their sides. Such regulators as the Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission must decide whether Internet radio, MP3 players and traditional AM and FM radio compete with satellite radio, and whether a single satellite radio provider would harm consumers.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/10/AR200704...
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