XM, Sirius Merger Approved by FCC

We’ve been detailing the merger between the two ruling satellite radio networks for more than a year now, and it seems that now, finally, the two will be joined. The FCC has ruled that the companies can officially merge, but with a few stipulations that should benefit consumers.

First, the new company must cap prices for its first three years of operation. It must also allow customers to choose the channels they want. Package prices must be reduced for this a la carte offering, and new radio hardware must be made available that can receive the new hybrid network.

Sirius/XM said it is already working on radios that will receive both signals and is paying fines of almost $20 million for current receivers on the market that don’t comply with FCC regulations.

As of now, we haven’t heard from any automotive manufacturers — almost all have aligned with one company or the other — about this deal’s impact on them.

FCC Approves XM-Sirius Merger (TheStreet)