Satellite Radio Is Doomed

Company to get stake in Sirius in return for fending off Echostar

(NEWSER) - Sirius XM may have found its white knight just in time, the Financial Times reports. The deadline for the satellite radio firm to restructure its debt or file for bankruptcy protection is today, and Liberty Media is believed to be readying a last-minute rescue deal that would give it a stake in the company in exchange for $250 million in debt payments. More»

(NEWSER) - Sirius XM is preparing to file for bankruptcy this week, the New York Times reports. The satellite radio company, which has more than $5 billion in assets and a stable of personalities such as Howard Stern, is working with financial advisers to prepare the Chapter 11 filing. The development could force the hand of Charles Ergen, chief executive of Dish Network, who recently acquired Sirius debt. If he's going to make an offer for the company, he may have to do so before the bankruptcy filing. More»

If company files for bankruptcy, they could ask judge to remove him

(NEWSER) - Sirius XM Radio's creditors want the company to make a deal with an investor rather than file for bankruptcy, and they're prepared to go after CEO Mel Karmazin's job if things don't go their way, the Wall Street Journal reports. "The board of directors should carefully consider the ramifications" of bankruptcy, a lawyer for the creditor group said. The company's decision is expected today. More»

Sirius reportedly planning to file for bankruptcy

(NEWSER) - Despite reports that Sirius XM radio plans to file for bankruptcy, Howard Stern says the format is headed in the right direction and will survive, Reuters reports. “Everybody's wondering about this whole bankruptcy thing with Sirius,” he said on his radio show. “I'm not concerned. I think satellite radio is great and will be a successful business and it will survive.” He called its current troubles “growing pains.” More»

Justice Dept. doesn't see threat to competition; FCC must still weigh in

(NEWSER) - The Justice Department today approved the proposed merger between satellite radio firms Sirius and XM, the Wall Street Journal reports. The FCC must still sign off, but the pair appears to have allayed antitrust concerns about the merger of the industry's two largest companies by arguing that they face competition from all music providers, including conventional radio. More»