Bill Virgin's Radio Beat July 10, 2008

[radiofan]

On Radio: 16 state attorneys general critical of proposed XM-Sirius merger
'Would not be in public interest,' letter to FCC says
By BILL VIRGIN
P-I REPORTER

The proposed merger of satellite radio services XM and Sirius hasn't really been around since the days when today's classic rock tunes were considered new music. It might just seem that way.

But by the standards of many corporate mergers, the XM-Sirius deal, first proposed in February 2007, has dragged on.

And it hasn't become any less controversial in that time, if a letter sent July 3 to the Federal Communications Commission (following up on a July 1 phone meeting with a commissioner) on behalf of 16 attorneys general, including Washington's Rob McKenna, is any indication.

Some of the attorneys general oppose the combination outright, while others suggest adding conditions to it. By and large, though, they agree on this point: "Granting the merger, as proposed by the parties, would not be in the public interest."

The merger has already been approved by the Justice Department, but the major roadblock is the FCC. The deal has been opposed by everyone from members of Congress to the National Association of Broadcasters (unhappy not only over the competition from another medium but that some of its programming is now duplicated on satellite) to those who want more satellite-radio channels dedicated to programming produced by women and racial and ethnic minorities.

The attorneys general letter says the satellite broadcasters haven't lived up to commitments in the original order establishing satellite radio, such as offering receivers that could be used with either service. Had they done so, the letter notes, XM and Sirius would have already offered such features as a la carte pricing and family-friendly programming they're now proposing to win approval of the merger.

Some of the AGs are also suggesting that satellite receivers include compatibility with HD radio, a technology that traditional broadcasters have been pushing as a competitor.

Should the FCC approve the merger, the letter adds, independents should be allowed to lease a part of the spectrum to provide competitive programming.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has endorsed the deal with conditions.

In other radio notes:

Sandy Stahl, the one-time marketing director at KMTT-FM/103.7 and wife of afternoon host John Fisher, died June 27 of a bacterial infection. KMTT's Web site (www.1037themountain.com), which also includes a link to a memorial from John Fisher's page, notes that Stahl helped build its "Live From the Mountain Music Lounge" series of CDs.

The loss of Sonics broadcasts won't be much of a disruption to the programming on KTTH-AM/770. The Sonics were the only sports programming on the conservative-talk station, whose afternoon/evening lineup (when most games aired) remains with local host David Boze 3-6 p.m. weekdays, followed by syndicated hosts Michael Savage (6-9 p.m.), Bill O'Reilly (9-11 p.m.) and Lars Larson (11 p.m.-2 a.m.).

"Not pre-empting them will make our conservative listeners happy," says program director Rod Arquette.

KPLU-FM/88.5 named Mary McCann the host of "Saturday Jazz matinee," which airs 1-6 p.m. She currently programs world-music channels for AOL, and also serves as host of the 11 a.m.-3 p.m. shift Sundays on KBSG-FM/97.3. Ruby Brown, who had been the host of the Saturday program, continues with "Jazz Sunday Side Up" (9 a.m.-1 p.m.).

KING-FM/98.1 broadcasts Seattle Chamber Music Festival performances at 8 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in July.

King County Executive Ron Sims is the guest on "Weekday" at 10 a.m. Thursday on KUOW-FM/94.9.

Lisa Loeb performs in the "Mountain Music Lounge" on KMTT-FM at 8 a.m. Friday.

The Sunday edition of Jim French's "Imagination Theatre," heard at 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on KIXI-AM/880, includes a new Harry Nile mystery.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels answers listener calls at 10 a.m. Monday on "Weekday" on KUOW-FM.

"Voices of Diversity" at 6 p.m. Wednesday on KBCS-FM/91.3 looks at the subject of teen gangs.

P-I reporter Bill Virgin can be reached at 206-448-8319 or billvirgin@seattlepi.com.

Bill Virgin's Radio Beat, Thursdays in the Seattle P-I