The FCC apparently wants us to do their job. We'll offer our due diligence and the agency will make the call. Wouldn't the FCC be better served by getting their hands dirty and getting a real feel for what the public desires by actually asking people in town meetings? And what happens if it turns out that the majority of subscribers don't want a price increase from Sirius XM, will the agency rescind the merger or set a dangerous precedent of regulating subscription rates in an industry they don't regulate???
The commission states in its notice that Sirius XM has begun charging $2.99 a month for Internet radio access and changed the price for each additional monthly subscription above the $12.95 monthly basic subscription price from $6.99 to $8.99 a month. The agency asks whether any modified price cap should cover the charges for online access, additional subscriptions or other fees related to the satellite radio service. Sirius XM agreed to keeping a 3-year cap, but they were not asked to maintain any other cap at the end of the agreement. Whatever they decide to increase the monthly subscription to - that should be up to them, not the FCC. Their subscribers will tell them if it's too high or not...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1865] Free at last: Slavery is abolished with the ratification of the 13th amendment...
2.1949] A little bit of soap: The first daytime soap, "These Are My Children" airs on Chicago's NBC-TV affiliate. The 15-minute show runs on weekdays in January and February of '49. This soap will beget hundreds of other soaps, including "All My Children"...
3.1958] Outta Space: The U.S. enters the "Space Age" by launching its first satellite into orbit - Explorer I...
4.1970] Hot as a Pistol: LSU's sensational Pistol Pete Maravich breaks Oscar Robertson's college scoring record with a career total of 2,974 points by scoring 53 against Mississippi...
5.1971] Fly me to the moon: Astronauts Alan B. Shepard Jr., Edgar D. Mitchell and Stuart A. Roosa blast off for the moon on Apollo 14...
6.1974] SOLD to the highest bidder: McDonald's founder Ray Kroc buys the San Diego Padres...
7.1984] Curtains: Edwin Newman retires from NBC News after 35 years at the network...
8.1993] Super Bowl Sunday: SBXXVII goes to the Dallas Cowboys who win the 1st of 3 SB's in the '90s. They crush Buffalo 52-17...
9.2000] Off his rocker: Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker is suspended by baseball commissioner Bud Selig for his disparaging racial remarks, mostly about the straphangers on the no. 7 to Shea Stadium. He makes the statements in a Sports Illustrated article...
10.2005] Beats it: Jury selection begins in Santa Monica (CA) for Michael Jackson's child molestation trial. Jackson will be acquitted...
Music Memories:
- 1963] Recorded on this date: "Surfin' U.S.A./Shutdown" - Beach Boys...
- 1965] Number One on this date: "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" - Righteous Bros...1974] "The Way We Were" - Barbra Streisand...1978] "Love Rollercoaster" - Ohio Players...1981] "The Tide Is High" - Blondie...1984] "Karma Chameleon" - Culture Club...
- 1979] U.S. tour debut: The Clash who loved R&B acts for their opening acts, choose Bo Diddley on their first U.S. tour...
Events:
The Smokin' Hit Songwriters Seminar/Retreat will take place on March 18 - 20 at Jim Oliver's Smoke House, 850 W. Main Street in Monteagle (TN). Admission is $150 per person. For additional information check out the event on Facebook by doing a search for the under 'Smokin''...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Justin Timberlake (30), Portia de Rossi (38), Minnie Driver (41), Johnny Lydon aka Johnny Rotten (55), KC aka Harry Casey (60), Nolan Ryan (64), Jessica Walter (70), Ernie ("Let's play two") Banks (80) & Carol Channing (90)...
Timeline Countdown: 6 days until Super Bowl XLV, 13 days until pitchers & catchers report, 14 days until Valentines Day & 21 days until Presidents' Day...
