Today’s report that Sirius and XM plan to merge vindicates the antitrust analysis offered here last June.
Regulators should analyze the merger from a broad “audio market” perspective that includes terrestrial radio. Considering the extensive non-satellite content available to listeners, and considering as well the efficiencies associated with the Sirius/XM combination, it is reasonable to conclude that consumers will benefit from the deal and that regulators should therefore allow it (after careful review, to be sure).
The question I’m left with is: how long will it take for GM/Ford to follow?
