The National Council of Women’s Organizations is backing the proposed satellite radio merger.
A statement from the group framed the debate along gender lines: “Today, satellite radio is a mere 3.4% of the overall radio market – a market dominated by men,” stated the group’s chair, Susan Scanlan, in a statement.
“A stronger satellite offering can increase the audience for satellite radio. A more affordable and more diverse satellite radio market would be valuable not only to our members, but also to women across the United States.”
The group is a coalition of 200 women’s organizations. It says it represents “over 11 million diverse and talented American women.”
Satellite radio, they said, is “home to a number of influential women.” It mentioned Judith Warner, Candace Bushnell, Barbara Walters and Oprah Winfrey.
“Diversity in programming is a critical component of this merger, and should not be overlooked by members of the FCC Board as they begin their review process,” Scanlan said.
Separately, the League of Rural Voters released an analysis “drawing clear differences between the DBS market in the 2002 EchoStar/DirecTV attempt to merge, and the expanding, competitive audio entertainment market in the Sirius/XM merger.” The group also supports the merger.
“Rural consumers have an array of audio entertainment choices today and will continue to do so after the Sirius-XM merger.”