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Top Senator Opposed To Sirius/XM Combo

The Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights has voiced strong opposition to any merger of XM and Sirius Satellite Radio.

In his letter to the Federal Communications Commission and the Justice Department's Antitrust Division, Senator Herb Kohl said he has concluded satellite radio is a separate market and a merger would leave it with no "viable competitive alternative." He advised both the FCC and DOJ to take "all necessary actions to deny approval of this merger and prevent the creation of this satellite radio monopoly."

The letter came after a hearing on the merger two months ago when Kohl said the committee had concerns over the proposed merger.
The opposition was welcomed by at least one trade group: The National Association of Broadcasters said it is "delighted" that Kohl "has recommended a rejection of this proposed monopoly merger. XM and Sirius are fierce competitors in the finite market of satellite radio."

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