Media & Entertainment Law

DOJ Approves XM-Sirius Merger
Earlier today, DOJ approved the XM-Sirius merger.  The Washington Post reports: The deal was approved without conditions despite opposition from consumer groups and an intense lobbying campaign by the land-based radio industry...

Howard Stern and Unilateral Effects: Lessons From the XM-Sirius Satellite Radio Merger
Posted by D. Daniel Sokol Howard Stern and Unilateral Effects: Lessons From the XM-Sirius Satellite Radio Merger Wednesday, September 10, 2008 This program will examine the antitrust issues surrounding the XM-Sirius satellite radio merger and debate the implications of the...

FRC urges la carte pricing in wake of Sirius/XM satellite radio merger
Today’s FRC Washington update reports on the Sirius/XM satellite radio merger and observes that the FCC has a period to implement regulations.   The FRC update also indicates: “Sirius and XM have pledged to adopt a permanent ‘a la carte’ system, which would allow customers to pay only for the channels they want while blocking any [...

Barnett on Sirius-XM
The Washington Post is reporting that the long-embattled Sirius/XM merger has received DOJ approval (FCC approval still pending) (HT: David Fischer).  About time, I’d say (it’s been two years)...

Martin' Conditions on the XM-Sirius Merger
Keven Martin cast the deciding vote at the FCC in favor of the XM-Sirius Merger but imposed conditions. Among other things, Martin insisted on rate freezes, channel sale packages, and set aside channels for "minority" broadcasters and education...

One More Thought on Ex Ante Competition and Merger Analysis
One last issue with respect to ex ante competition and merger analysis.  What if it could be demonstrated convincingly that XM and Sirius payments to automobile manufacturers. The DOJ hints at this possibility in the press release: XM and Sirius engaged in head-to-head competition for the right to distribute their products and services through each car [...

Merger Agreement Rejected
Finish Line and Genesco reach $175 million settlement in merger dispute.