It's been a year since the XM-Sirius merger was first proposed. Despite predictions that approval for the merger is imminent, tell that to Mel Karmazin. If antitrust groups, the NAB and Clear Channel have anything to do with it, it will be over - the decision, not the merger. Was there a message in FCC chairman Kevin Martin's quote of a year ago, when he referred to the hurdle to a merger as "being high as the commission originally prohibited one company from holding the only two satellite radio licenses."???
Reports indicate that the Department of Justice will approve the deal with "conditions". Pricing for consumers and perhaps combining programming on one compatible radio could be part of those conditions. Should they not approve the deal, it's back to square one and an attempt to rework the marriage between Sirius and XM. Either that or one of the two will go bye-bye. One year ago, I wrote the following, "the two companies have an enterprise value of about $13 billion including $1.6 billion in net debt." How much have those numbers changed in a year's time???
Lots of nervous people sit and wait while billions of dollars are on the line. They've been waiting a year. The decision can't be too far away, can it???
10 Timeline Memories:
- 1792] Going postal: George Washington signs the Postal Service Act, creating the U.S. Post Office. Hopefully this video clip was not taken at your PO: http://youtube.com/watch?v=4FZOe-nkYPg ...
- 1872] In the eye of the beholder: The Metropolitan Museum of Art opens in New York City. It's still there 136 years later...
- 1952] Premiered on this date: "The African Queen" starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn opens at the Capitol Theater on Broadway. Here's the trailer: http://youtube.com/watch?v=8s2r8_BwkQo ...
- 1962] Going in circles: John Glenn makes space history, orbiting the earth 3 times to become the first American to orbit the earth aboard 'Friendship 7'...
- 1974] "D-I-V-O-R-C-E": Cher files for separation from husband Sonny Bono. America's favorite couple were married for 10 years...
- 1982] Wedding Bells: Pat Benatar and her band's guitarist Neil Giraldo rock down the aisle. The rockers have two daughters during their marriage...
- 1988] Olympic gold: Brian Boitano wins the gold medal in figure skating, the first gold medal won by the U.S. at the Calgary Winter games...1998] American Tara Lipinski, 15, is the youngest gold medalist in Winter Olympic history when she wins the Ladies figure skating title in Nagano: http://youtube.com/watch?v=_X9MrZmKChg&feature=related ...
- 1992] Won't you wear my ring: Paula Abdul and Emilio Estevez announce their engagement. They will marry in April of '92 for 2 years...
- 1999] 'Happy Trails': Movie critic Gene Siskel dies from complications following brain surgery at 53...2005] Rock & Roll journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson shoots himself to death at 67... 2006] Curt Gowdy loses his extended battle with leukemia at 86. Curt's funeral procession circles Fenway Park before he's interred...
- 2003] Death by fire: Fire breaks out in a West Warwick (RI) club killing 100 including Great White guitarist Ty Longley. 200 are injured. Law suits are still being settled 5 years later...
Music Memories:
- 1949] On the Radio: Ricky Nelson joins his family's cast on their radio show...
- 1964] Recorded on this date: "Don't Worry Baby" - Beach Boys. This is one of the best BB videos I've ever seen: http://youtube.com/watch?v=3QCZ_bv9aLc ...
- 1970] Released on this date: "Instant Karma" - John Lennon (with blindfolded knitting by Yoko): http://youtube.com/watch?v=MieDFkhlByo ...
- 2000] Tutti Frutti, oh Rootie: ABC-TV airs the "Little Richard" movie...
Commentary:
Belated congratulations to Joe D'Ambrosio who had 3 clients that won Grammy Awards. Congratulations to: Tony Visconti & Mario McNulty ("Best Contemporary World Music Album" for Angelique Kidjo's Djin Djin, Razor & Tie) and Mick Guzauski ("Best Contemporary Blues Album" for J.J. Cale & Eric Clapton's Road to Escondido)...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Rihanna (20), Lauren Ambrose (30), Lily Taylor (41), Cindy Crawford (42), French Stewart (44), Charles Barkley (45), Patricia Hearst (54), Walter (Steely Dan) Becker (58): http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ns58ird_Vgc , Ivana Trump (59), J. Geils (62), Sandy Duncan (62), Phil Esposito (66), Buffy Sainte-Marie (67), Nancy Wilson (71), Sidney Poitier (81) and Gloria Vanderbilt (84)...
Timeline Countdown: 18 days until Daylight time, 30 days until the beginning of spring and 35 days until opening day...
