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Martin: XM, Sirius 'Asking For Something Extraordinary'
WASHINGTON -- June 5, 2008: In an interview on CNBC today, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin acknowledged that the merger of XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio has "been in front of us for a while." He said the proposed merger is "one of the more difficult issues for the commission" because XM and Sirius are asking the FCC to set aside its own prohibition on their merging, a rule put in place when the satellite radio companies were licensed.
Martin said, "They've come in and asked for us to change that rule, and they've put forth several different public interest commitments that they would be willing to make." Those commitments include a la carte plans and temporary price caps. Martin said he hopes the commission will be able to "do something on [the merger] soon."
Asked by CNBC's David Faber whether the FCC has an obligation to give XM and Sirius an answer, Martin said, "I think we are under an obligation, but I think this is a very unusual circumstance. I mean, we've actually got a rule that outright prohibits this merger." Martin said Sirius and XM are "asking for something extraordinary" and reiterated that he hopes the FCC will make a decision soon.
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