Follow the $ signs. As usual congress is swayed by lobbiest($). The NAB reps terrestial radio which is controlling our fm airwaves. Why don't they want the merger? They don't want competition! So if the FCC really wants to protect the consumer they know the right thing to do. It's not complicated.
PS. It's so sad how our politicians will take a bribe because they need money for thier war chest. Even when they go into the private sector they take the loot for personal gain. Look at John Ashcroft(his letter to the AG is an embarra$$ment to that position).

It's to benefit the consumer. They will have less expenses by not trying to fight for the same consumer. It has to be approved. So they can charge LESS. CBS,viacom, Clear channel, that's owning so many stations, no one ever needed public comment to let Clear Channel suck up every radio station, in the country. The public air waves? It's more like Clear Channel's. Why is the NAB, which is a radio lobby group for all the lousy over the air stations, so against Sirius/XM. Over the air has how many million$ of listeners, Sirius/XM would have a pittance of like 12 million? Why is Ruppert Murdoch allowed to own so many stations, is he even a U.S. Citizen? Shouldn't the FCC worry about meter readings and stuff, and not the business of Satellite? And as Howard S. said, people buy satelite if they want it, they don't need to have it, if they charge too much, people don't buy it!! What a concept! This ain't a public utility, like electric, water etc. that you must pay whatever price is asked...it's dopey radio, leave Stern alone and let Sirius and XM merge, it's business, let them run it. FCC should stick to making sure the lights are on on the towers and stuff. Let business people run the business.

If Howard Stern were not involved in one of these companies would there be "public comment" available? I think not. Approve the merger and move on to REAL issues

The merger is a no brainer, I also agree with others that this is not a monopoly attemp, but a way to offer the public a larger variety of chocies under one hat. Everyone has their own persoal preferrance and if you choose not have sattlite radio than that's your choice. Congress please aprove the merger help out all of us who love a bigger challenge and a unlimited variety.

The merger should be approved period. Satellite radio has many competitors: ipod, music phones, internet radio and music downloads, compact discs, and last but not least, terrestial radio.

I have many choices to meet my information and entertainment needs. I choose to pay for satellite radio because I feel it delivers better value and meets my needs than the alternatives. When I believe I'm not getting the value, I'll cancel. No one forces me to make a choice. Isn't that what America is all about? Freedom of choice?

Approve the merger - ignore the NAB!!