And we can’t leave readers hanging without at least one satellite radio merger item for those eager docket-watchers.
It seems Primosphere and NPR don’t have a lock on suggesting that some other entity be given a shot at operating a satellite radio business if Sirius and XM can’t hack it separately.
Entravision, in comments filed Aug. 14, says it’s willing to “lead a consortium of as many terrestrial licensees as wish to join in providing” a competitor to a merged Sirius-XM.
“These terrestrial licensees would be invited to offer programming based on their particular programming qualifications.” Entravision suggests the “satellites, equipment and facilities of one of the S-DARS licensees” be made available to the consortium.
Our editor Paul McLane wrote in his column back in March, “Other companies vied for that spectrum. Why not let them back into the game if XM and Sirius can’t cut it under the conditions in place when they accepted their licenses? And while we’re at it, if regulators do allow XM and Sirius to merge, why not hand back half of that spectrum and let someone else use it?”
Wouldn’t that be interesting. Let’s see who steps up to the plate and if this comes to pass.