NAB reacted with strong words to the satellite a la carte pricing plan.
It released an analysis that it says shows that “under every programming packaging offered through an a la carte scheme, consumers will be charged higher prices per channel than they currently pay.” The price increases under a merger, NAB said, would range from 40 to 188 percent.
“Moreover, both a la carte packages offered under a merged entity would include onerous restrictions and limitations preventing consumers from enjoying true a la carte choice. Plus, consumers would be required to buy a new radio to enjoy additional pre-selected channels from both XM and Sirus.”
“Only in a monopolist’s world are 50- channel minimums, higher prices, interoperability restrictions and a required hardware upgrade considered a consumer benefit,” a spokesman stated.
