This should be a fun ride: The National Association of Broadcasters has filed a petition with the FCC, calling for the Commission to deny the transfer of WCS licenses to XM Satellite Radio or at a minimum, remove XM’s application for the licenses from “streamlined” consideration. Last month, XM bought out WCS Wireless and its portfolio of wireless spectrum licenses, and some analysts said that this acquisition would allow XM to expand its local data offerings such as traffic services, launch a video service, or add additional satellite-radio stations targeted to certain markets.
The NAB has cried foul, contending the local and regional wireless spectrum licenses that XM gets runs contrary to XM’s FCC license, which intended satellite radio as a national radio service. The NAB has never been happy that both XM and Sirius Satellite Radio have decided to use some of their channels to broadcast local weather and traffic information in top cities, a lucrative hallmark of traditional radio stations.
From the petition, which you can download here (PDF file): “There is a serious risk that, after the transfer of control is consummated, XM would
seek to use these licenses in a way that could jeopardize the public benefits of local terrestrial radio.”
Related:
– XM Satellite to Acquire WCS For $195 Million; Eyes Video Service
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