Grateful Dead

Sirius is owned by Mel Karmazin and from the interwviews with him that I've read, he has never been concerned with XM and what they're up to. He never talks about wanting to take away their listeners or monopolize the satellite market. All I hear him talk about is about how many people out there would enjoy this service and how to tap into that enormous market. Of course it's all about the money; it always is in the end. But I really think that the CEO's involved are thinking long term, to the millions that aren't hooked up yet. If they can make Satellite more attractive to all, more people sign up and profit goes up. They don't do that by raising prices and cutting programming.I probably sound terribly naive, but I do believe in this service and the industry. I'm not a stockholder (thank god!), but I'm coninually amazed by how good it is compaired to standard radio. In terms of the Grateful Dead Channel, I've seen both the Who Channel and the Rolling Stones Channel come and go, so I am prepared to be dissappointed. But this channel has had so much hype on Sirius that I'm just going to enjoy it for as long as it lasts... if it ever gets started!!!

The Grateful Dead Channel is on Sirius, so that doesn't have anything to do with the merger. I think the merger will go through, but I'm not convinced it will improve our service. Just look what Clear Channel has done to regular broadcasting. There will be one satellite provider, so they can do whatever they want, raise price, cut channels, whatever, and if you don't like it then yeah, get an ipod that plays MP3s or play CDs. Even on XM why was there only one hour a week for Dead music? I meant to ask David that question. Then Sirius decides to play an entire channel, so all the Dead heads will go to Sirius. That's how good competition works. Anyway I feel lot safer with two sat companies. The merger will just be a bait and switch. Sirius is shaping up nicely with the Dead Channel, live music and XM might take that away, or cut programming. I hope you guys are right, but I'm used to heads crying foul, when they don't get what they want for nothing. peace out

I disagree with the idea that the customers are going to lose out from this merger. Xm and Sirius are not just competing against themselves. There are only 15 million people that have the sevice in North America... that still leaves A LOT more folks out there listening to regular radio and ipod and cds, etc. These other forms of entertainment are the REAL competition. Why would the merged satellite companies start screwing their customers then? Believe me, they want new customers. They want to tap into the huge markets that they are barely scratching the surface of now. Satellite radio is a VERY expensive business; the satellites are very pricey, the receivers need to be developed and produced, and Howard Stern needs his 500 million! Why should these 2 companies have to compete against each other when most of the continent is listening to free radio and ipod? Bring on the merger and bring on the Grateful Dead Channel!!!!!

I've been listening to the Dead Hour for about 5 years on XM. I just switched over to Sirius two days ago, but didn't know about the dead channel. I just thought I would try something different. I'm glad David is putting the new Dead channel together. Who knows how the merger will work out for consumers. They are offering more selective channel selection from both after the merger, but they are just making that suggestion to see the deal through. There is nothing stopping each of them from offering a more selective programming now. Sirius and XM also have different compression so you would need a new receiver to listen to both. So that isn't going to happen for years. XM used to have better programming, live music channel, that they did away with. Also doesn't Clear Channel own most of the XM channels? The merger is going to be all about cutting corners and limited programming so the fat cats can make more cash. You might see a good offering in the first few years after the merger then they are going to hit you up. Well, any way it's good to see David here. I have enjoyed his show!

...shall we go, you and I while we can...There would be a public outpouring of the people's wishes to stimulate change? You know, like the sixties? Get yourselves in touch with Sirius, and if you're a subscriber, push for the station being on-air ASAP. If you're thinking about subscribing, Let them know you want assurances about the GD channel first. If you have programming feedback, provide that ,too.Wishing and writing about it here won't make it happen.

That Jerry/Bob interview was really cool... and funny!Can't wait for the full-time channel...but I guess i'll have to...

So when do we get a full time GD channel?I was getting VERY used to being able to listen to this station whenever I wanted. My favorite was an interview w/ Jerry and Bob where they talked about Phil's "angular" bass playing - and then played some clips to illustrate their point. Just great "inside the music" stuff. Sorry - I will go back to work now.

...shall we go, you and I while we can...Yeah, aud, you're right, waiting may have advantages except that 1) no one is thinking XM will buy out Sirius, 2) once Sirius buys out XM, Sirius will have control of the receiver market and the price of receivers MAY go up, and 3) If you buy right after the merger, it's sounding like you'll pay Christmas time rates for the receiver anyway. This deal's gonna happen, it's just too bad the lawyers aren't making good arguements for it to go through (yet). "Al A Carte" is a bad dining option and a worse marketing strategy. I'd try the "buffet" concept, myself.

I've been following this in the business news for a while, and frankly will be surprised if it doesn't come to pass. I definitely have no plans to buy into either until this thing shakes out. Lots of investment news on this thing this week with the NAB whining about how they aren't buying the "a la carte" argument that Karmazin has been touting. Anyway, meantime I still enjoy XM online (thanks to my boss' subscription for his cars) and my pal Denny's Sirius online login when he's not using it. Sitting back on my lawnchair waiting for it all the shake out one way or the other before I even think about shopping! And enjoying the hell out of this Boston show at work this morning...

...shall we go, you and I while we can... Mel Karmakin on Fox News who said he expected the merger with XM to take place before the first of the year. The strategy is to say that Sirius and XM are competing with any music delevery system you can put in your home, car, or office, thus avoiding the monopoly issue. He also said that post-merger, "ala carte" channel purchase an other "efficiencies" would reduce the monthly cost to $6.95 per customer. So kick back and enjoy that GD channel , because it isn't going anywhere. Look for deals on receivers and adapters at stores like Best Buy and Circuit City, 'cause their cheaper there.