NEW DETAILS ON SIRIUS/XM PRICING AFTER MERGER

Newly filed FCC documents show that IF, and that is a big IF, the merger between Sirius and XM is approved, prices for some services will increase, others will remain the same, and some will be lower. Here is the breakdown from an AP story at The New York Times.

Lower Price
For customers who choose to receive fewer channels than they currently receive, prices will decrease from the $12.95 monthly rate. Which channels and how much the price will drop is not detailed. Currently, customers can choose to block certain channels like the Playboy channel, but they do not receive a discount for doing so.

Same Price
For customers who choose to keep their same service, expect the price to remain the same.

Higher Price
Customers who choose a "best-0f" service from both providers can expect to pay a "modest premium" above the regular $12.95 fee.

Also from the article:

Sirius and XM were explicitly forbidden from merging when their licenses were granted a decade ago, but the companies are arguing that much has changed since then, and that the companies now face increased competition in audio entertainment from iPods and Internet radio, as well as traditional terrestrial radio.

On Tuesday, a group of six consumer and advocacy groups asked the Senate panel to call for a tough regulatory review of the transaction, which would eliminate one of the only two competitors in the emerging satellite radio business.

The statement from Consumers Union, the Consumer Federation of America and others said that the deal would reduce competition, decrease choices for consumers and possibly lead to higher prices.