AAI Calls on FCC to deny XM-Sirius Merger

4/22/2008

The American Antitrust Institute (AAI) today called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to deny outright the transfer application of XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. and Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.  In a letter to FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin, the AAI restated its opposition to the Department of Justice’s approval of the proposed merger of XM and Sirius and urged the FCC not to follow the DOJ’s analysis.  The AAI also stated XM and Sirius have not demonstrated that competition, that satellite radio is not a natural monopoly, and that there is no good reason for the FCC to allow a single firm to control the two licenses for the Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service (SDARS).

Read today’s letter here. 

AAI’s initial comments to the FCC from June 5, 2007 can be found here. 

AAI’s press release in response to the DOJ’s decision from March 25, 2008 is available here.