More details on XM / Sirius merger revealed

There are a lot of questions surrounding the proposed merger of competing satellite radio providers XM and Sirius. USA Today had a chance to ask a few to Sirius CEO Mel Karmazin, the would-be CEO of the two companies if the merger is allowed to take place. Below are some bullet points from the interview with answers to the most burning questions.

• Fees would not likely be raised above $12.95/month
• Dual receiver radios will likely be available that can receive both XM and Sirius content
• People with radios that receive only one service can continue to receive just that service
• Both brands and services will remain intact
• Live, real-time satellite television will be offered

It's still not clear to us, at least, how exactly this merger will work. Karmazin says that content from service will be available to subscribers of the other service soon after the merger goes through, but it isn't clear whether those subscribers will need to purchase a compatible receiver, perhaps a dual receiver, or if XM channels will be broadcast across the Sirius network and vice versa. We'd also like to know what effect the merger will have on automakers who have already aligned themselves with one service and have been installing Sirius or XM receivers in their vehicles for years now. Clearly there are cost savings that can be realized, otherwise the merger would never have been proposed, but we're wondering if the imminent confusion caused by the merger will hurt the two brands in the long run.

[Source: USA Today via Kicking Tires]