By Brandon Matthews
Actual Audio Clip After The Jump
Satwaves is proud to announce that Sirius XM Radio’s (Nasdaq:SIRI) Howard Stern has taken up the issue of the FCC’s proposal to allow some wireless services to interfere with satellite radio broadcasts. Stern discussed the issue live on his show yesterday, quoting and reading directly from an article I wrote several days ago, titled “Will The FCC Interfere With Sirius XM Yet Again?.”
With a tone of disgust that should be expected of anyone now familiar with the decade long issue, Stern rightly noted that the FCC seems to go after him no matter where he is, through whatever means possible. Unfortunately, Stern fell short of mentioning Satwaves by name, and did not get into the details of our suggestion for listeners to fight for their rights….yet!
Although the FCC staff proposal has yet to be made public, one of the most disturbing aspects of the plan is an indication that includes higher limits than the WCS itself has requested. In fact, the FCC staff on its own initiative is proposing to double the limits that were requested. This is indicated in a letter penned by Sirius XM CEO Mel Karmazin, which further indicates that the staff “bluntly” expressed that interference to the Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service (SDARS) will occur. This is direct opposition to the WCS coalition defense that it will not interfere with Sirius XM broadcasts, which is what this case is all about.
Since bringing this issue to light, the FCC has received over 250 new comments from concerned listeners, and that number is growing on a daily basis. These comments are in addition to the thousands that have been submitted previously, including opposition from nearly every car manufacturer. These include Kia, Chrysler, Ford (NYSE:F), Hyundai, Toyota, General Motors, Volvo, Land Rover, Mercedes and BMW, to name only a few.
We are again encouraging Satellite Radio listeners to voice their opinion on the matter, by using the comment form at the FCC. Simply follow this link and click on docket number 07-293.
(Thank you Mike & Chris)
Brandon,
This has been labeled a “proposal” by the FCC. So, what are the steps remaining that would make this reality 100% versus just a proposal? Who looks at it now to make those decisions and how much do they like to bleep us over? Thank you.
Not much…the commissioners will vote on it, and they pretty much hate Howard and Sirius
Maybe I missed something but why does it seem like it was a hand shake agreement between Mel and the FCC that they wouldn’t interfere? Do we have no legal rights here? It seems like quite a large issue to not have set in stone.
it was set in stone…in fact, the entire wcs defense is that it challenged whether or not it interfered with Sirius XM. Now we know it does, and they are going to give them more than they asked for
Wow. Amazing. He without a doubt got it from this site. “legitimate newspaper?” LOL well. It’s a Legitimate website. WOW amazing. Howard reads the site. He cares about the stockholders. I can not see him leaving. He says at the end he can’t go back to regular radio.
God we need him to sign soon and help the stock get above $1
When will this vote take place?
This is the only way for FCC or NAB to save terrestrial radio, by forcing Sirus XM to spend money for another frequency or go bankrupt trying. This is a conspiracy. I think I am right.
I am no hater by all means ,but pandora IMO is not even good at best & the fcc knows exactly what they are doing. Let the super educated people like Mel the Fcc and John and Wireless company execs all hammer this out. No need to worry!!!
Having been a cable television and wireless telecommunications regulator for 15 years at the local government level, interference problems are the responsibility of the permit holder. If interference is expected, I would require that best management practices be documented, included the the final ruling, and published showing how the permit holder will eliminate the interference if it occurs and the penalties/actions that the FCC will take. This has been submitted to the FCC.
Oh and BTW Howard Stern will most definitely in my opinion earn getting a big block of stock on new contract!!!
Knowing our government, I’m trying to figure out how this will help Goldman Sachs.
650 people have clicked on the fcc comment link…up to 179 posted on FCC website. I think there is a delay in seeing the results
This is absolutely ridiculous. As a share holder, I think Sirius needs to file an injunction against the FCC.
A one day delay for posting by the FCC.
Nice reporting Brandon. It’s nice to see that Howard is using his show to help wage this battle but it appears that, the Fcc is going to pass the buck down to the wireless carriers.
If there’s interference then, there will be big lawsuits. The good thing now, is that, we got Liberty Media behind us now and LCAPA has got a nice balance sheet!
NON-ISSUE! Do ya’ll really believe the FCC can destroy a 4B dollar company in this manner. They would suffer incredible amount of unwanted attention to themselves. Sirius has issues, this just isn’t one of them paranoid people!
the FCC now has over 250 new comments on the issue, keep up the good work!