Posted by chicagomedia.org on July 29, 2008 at 09:24:15:
In Reply to: "Sirius XM Radio" is officially born posted by chicagomedia.org on July 29, 2008 at 09:20:54:
XM CANADA may refuse a merger with SIRIUS CANADA and go it alone in the satellite radio business if negotiations with its rival don't go well in the wake of industry consolidation in the U.S., reports THE GLOBE AND MAIL. In an unexpected move, XM CANADA CEO MICHAEL MOSKOWITZ said YESTERDAY the company is not averse to striking out on its own if it can't agree on terms with SIRIUS, comments that may set the tone for tense negotiations in the coming months.
Since both CANADIAN companies rely on their AMERICAN affiliates for the bulk of their programming, which includes more than 100 channels of music and talk radio, XM CANADA would have to expand its operations greatly in order to operate independently.
"Nothing is off the table at this point in time," MOSKOWITZ said. "You can merge or you can go it alone, and we'll evaluate those two options."
(AA)