What Happens if Liberty Takes Over

[K6JHU]

Is Mel vs Liberty a battle of egos meaning no difference to the listeners or is Liberty planning to dismantle the company if they take over? Just what will happen to the listener's (e.g. me) as a result of this battle?

[ercjncpr]

Sirius will turn in to the old Muzak service. No alternative specualty music channels, no DJs, not too much sports, no BBC, Radio Classics , Book Radio etc

[TheBigA]

Let's face it: Mel hasn't done a whole lot since the merger.  All the synergies that were supposed to happen for the most part haven't happened.  Sure some channels have been merged, but certainly NOTHING like what was predicted.  Sirius programming retained the upper hand in most cases.  But they still have a lot of money tied up in facilities and personnel.

In this multi-media world, it's a huge disadvantage to run as a solo company like this.  It's like trying to run a single station competing in a market with clusters.  Liberty is a company that could better merchandise the brand and the assets in ways Sirius alone can't do.  Then again, when you look at the content companies Liberty owns, it's not very promising.  Has anyone here ever watched Starz?  Not me.  I have no reason to.  They're a blip on the radar.  So I wouldn't expect a lot of investment in content.  The music channels become like the old cable-delivered music channels (MusicPlus?) radio than hosted channels with PDs and identity.

It's very expensive to run Sirius XM, especially the way they're doing it.  Liberty operates at an antenna farm in Colorado.  Much cheaper than NY and DC.  The satellites will need to be replaced, the equipment will need to be replaced, and all that costs money.  Liberty has the capital it will take to move Sirius XM into the next generation.  My prediction is that it will be very different than it's been.

Having said all that, could Mel run to another white knight?  Someone who might be less threatening?

[K6JHU]

I keep looking at this as a DirectTV vs Dish service. Lots of overlap but DirectTV seems to have a better lock on additonal programming. Dish seems to have headed for the 'low price leader'. So I am really nervous about this turnnig out well if Liberty takes over.

On the other hand, you are right. Sirius/XM needs to do some serious (no pun intended) revamping of some of their channels. Why Grateful Dead and Elvis but not Beatles. Why is 'gplden oldies' spread across three channels. Where is a just plain old newscast (witout the TV cable punditry).

[Bill_W]

  Has anyone here ever watched Starz?  Not me.  I have no reason to.  They're a blip on the radar.  So I wouldn't expect a lot of investment in content. 

Yes, I have Starz in addition to HBO.  I have 3 small children and Starz has the rights to Disney movies.  Disney movies are always on one of the Starz channels.  I'm just waiting for Verizon to give me Starz play for no additional cost the way I get HBO Go for no additional cost.

[microbob]

Starz has Magic City, Spartacus, Boss are very good shows. I think Liberty will be good for Sirius/XM.

[Zach]

My city-run cable is so crappy, Starz! is the ONLY premium available in HD.

[JohnnyElectron]

If Malone would buy Dial Global programming and put it on the SiriusXM service, then that would be a great improvement, but again, we talking money and talent, something Mel didn't ever pay for, except for his pal Howard Stern.

[Mike]

Starz was good from 1994-2002 then they got bought out and added disney movies


and they put them on in prime time cant disney start up its own movie channel ?

[Zach]

Starz was good from 1994-2002 then they got bought out and added disney movies


and they put them on in prime time cant disney start up its own movie channel ?

Disney already puts movies on the Disney Channel, as well as the ABC and ABC Family networks.  Full of commercials, which is no doubt just the way The House of Mouse likes it.