Dorgan: DOJ Decision 'Doesn't Make Any Sense'
Sen. Byron Dorgan is among Capitol Hill's most outspoken critics of media consolidation so when the Justice Department blessed the merger of Sirius Satellite Radio and rival XM on Monday, he didn’t hold back. The North Dakota Democrat issued a statement expressing his disappointment with "this administration's blatant disregard for the public interest" in the media ownership realm.
"There seems to be no limit to the mergers this administration will approve. These two companies were issued licenses a decade ago to provide competing national satellite radio service. Their license approval included a clause that prohibits them from merging into one company," Dorgan said. "Now the Justice Department has decided the contract they signed can’t stand in the way of consolidation. That doesn’t make any sense to me."
Update: More reaction from Capitol Hill -- Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va., said he was pleased that DOJ determined the merger does not pose significant competition concerns. He believes the new company will bring numerous benefits to consumers, including the elimination of duplicative programming, which will free up spectrum.
Boucher also lauded the companies' intention to offer multiple post-merger subscription packages. "This unprecedented approach will provide subscribers with more choices and lower prices and will pave the way for a form of content acquisition based on the individual programming preferences of listeners," he said.
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