XM/Sirius

Doc Searls looks at the practical problems that confront a merger between XM and Sirius. As an XM subscriber I can't help but believe that a merger would lead to less diversity in program and more advertising (which is already more frequent and obtrusive than I like) -- not to mention higher subscription fees.

Sure, I'm in favor of an alternative to commercial broadcast radio, and if a merger is needed to sustain that alternative I'm all for it. But there are other alternatives that have relegated satellite radio, which is for all purposes is tethered to cars and home audio systems, to an iPod supplement.

My gut feeling is that the merger, if it goes through, will have a short time frame to produce some inspired programming at reasonable subscription costs. If it doesn't the combined company could see subscribers tune out to their service, and tune in to their iPods, in droves.


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