The US media regulator has finally made a decision regarding the merger of America's two satellite radio networks XM and Sirius, and it got a conditional approval by a 3-2 vote among the FCC bigwigs.
FCC chief Kevin Martin, initially against the merger but more recently persuaded of the benefits, successfully convinced two of his colleagues to think likewise. As previously reported, whether or not the merger should get the go ahead depending on whether you thought XM and Sirius competing in the satellite radio sector (which they will now monopolise) or in the much more crowded market place of radio and webcast based music and audio services.
Martin said in a statement this weekend: "The merger is in the public interest and will provide consumers with greater flexibility and choices. Consumers will enjoy a variety of programming at reduced prices and more diversified programming choices. It will also spur innovation and advance the development and use of interoperable radios, bringing more flexible programming options to all subscribers". A lot of those remarks allude to conditions for merger previously agreed to by XM and Sirius, in particular offering a wide range of programming and more interoperability between radio technologies.
Such was the controversy surrounding this merger it has been up for review for nearly 18 months - the original merger plans having been announced way back in February 2007. I hope it was worth the wait.