Clear Channel wants to deal with the FCC on XM / Sirius merger

Clear Channel said it will stop fighting XM / Sirius merger with some conditions

It has been a year since XM Satellite Radio and Sirius sought regulatory approval to merge the two companies. The merger has encountered resistance from the National Association of Broadcasters and, more recently, resistance to the merger has been iBiquity, the company behind HD Radio.

Clear Channel is an investor in iBiquity, said that while they still feel the merger of XM and Sirius would represent an illegal monopoly, that they are willing to negotiate with the FCC. What we want is Clear Channel for the FCC to require the merged XM / Sirius company to integrate a HD Radio tuner in each satellite receiver they do. They also want to bar the merged company from seeking any exclusive arrangements with the automotive industry according to Ars Technica.

Another point of sale on the merger of Clear Channel would be for the FCC to lift the ceiling currently setting up the station eight the number of stations that may be owned by a designated Arbitron market. Clear Channel wants the ceiling increased from eight to ten stations in areas with 60 to 74 stations. Clear Channel wants a ceiling of 12 stations in the largest cities.

There has been no word from the FCC on the proposal Clear Channel and XM and Sirius merger is far from a done deal. DailyTech reported in September 2007 that the two giants of the satellite radio still fighting for approval of merger.

Many are awaiting a decision on the merger in January 2008. January came and went without a decision on the merger. XM and Sirius have already announced their proposed plans to the letter as an example of improvements and the savings to be had from the merger.