The enemy of my enemy is my friend — sometimes.
When XM and Sirius Satellite Radio announced their proposed merger two weeks ago, the first to oppose the union was the National Association of Broadcasters. If satellite radio didn’t compete with terrestrial radio, this merger would be a lot more troubling – and a lot less bothersome to NAB.
NAB’s motive is transparent: it always seeks to harm XM and Sirius. Broadcasters have done that for 10 years, and they’re doing it still. Yet the two satellite companies have lured more than 13 million into paying nearly $13 a month for the news, talk and music they used to get for free.
The one lobbying group that might have something useful to say about this merger is the Recording Industry Association of America. Having had their own high-profile battles with the satellite companies, RIAA is the “enemy of the enemy,” if you will. But RIAA has decided to keep quiet. Why the silence? Read on.
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