In total, the companies announced a suite of eight post-merger programming options, all
of which adhere to the companies’ commitment to maintain and enhance service to
existing devices and to ensure that no consumer pays more after the merger for the
service they enjoy today.
“The a la carte options and other packages unveiled today demonstrate that consumers
will be the beneficiaries of this merger. The efficiencies of the merger will allow the
combined companies to save hundreds of millions of dollars a year and give us the
opportunity to increase the number of programming options available to subscribers,”
said Mel Karmazin, CEO of SIRIUS Satellite Radio.
A La Carte Programming
The combined company will offer two a la carte packages. Consumers will select their
channels on-line allowing them to easily review the full-range of each company’s
programming choices. A la carte programming will only be available for subscribers
using new radios, which will be developed following approval of the merger.
• A La Carte – 50 Channels ($6.99) – Currently the only standard package offered by
either company is $12.95 a month. Under this new option, for only $6.99 per month
– a savings of 46 percent – consumers will be able to choose either 50 SIRIUS
channels from approximately 100 SIRIUS channels or 50 XM channels from
approximately 100 XM channels. Additional channels can be added for 25 cents
each, with premium packages priced at additional cost. However, no one choosing
this option will pay more than $12.95 a month.
• A La Carte – 100 Channels ($14.99) – Consumers may also choose an a la carte
offering of 100 channels each. SIRIUS customers will be able to choose from some
of the best of XM’s programming and XM customers will be able to choose from
some of the best of SIRIUS’ programming. Today this programming would require
two monthly subscriptions, totaling $25.90. The new 100 channel a la carte option
represents a savings of 42 percent.
Best of Both Packages Will Be Available on Existing Radios
Today, if consumers want the best of both XM and SIRIUS, they need two satellite radios
and two separate monthly subscriptions totaling $25.90. Following the merger of
SIRIUS and XM, consumers will be able to obtain the best of both SIRIUS and XM, on
any of today’s satellite radio devices with one monthly subscription. XM customers
would continue to receive their existing XM service, and be able to obtain certain
SIRIUS programming. SIRIUS customers would continue to receive their existing
SIRIUS service, and be able to obtain certain XM programming. This will be available
through existing SIRIUS and XM radios at a monthly cost of $16.99, a savings of 34
percent, compared to what it would cost to receive both services today.
Discounted Family-Friendly Packages
Both companies enable comprehensive channel blocking and parental controls today.
After the merger, consumers who purchase a family friendly version of XM Everything
or SIRIUS Everything can do so for $11.95, a credit of $1.00 per month.
SIRIUS customers will also be able to choose a family-friendly version of SIRIUS
programming that includes select XM programming. And XM customers can select a
family-friendly XM programming option that includes select SIRIUS programming.
These packages will cost $14.99 per month, a credit of $2.00 per month from the cost of
the “best of” packages. Today, a consumer would have to purchase two subscriptions for
$25.90 to get this combined content.
Get Mostly Music or Just News and Sports and Save 23 Percent
Following the merger, consumers will also have the option of choosing a package of
SIRIUS Mostly Music programming or XM Mostly Music programming. Subscribers
will also be able to choose a package of SIRIUS News, Sports and Talk programming or
XM News, Sports and Talk programming. Each of these packages will be $9.99 per
month, a savings of 23 percent compared to today’s standard subscription of $12.95.
Like What You Have Today? It Will Still Be Here Tomorrow
From day one, SIRIUS and XM have promised that no subscriber will pay more after the
merger for a service similar to what they enjoy today and that no existing radio will be
made obsolete by the merger. The XM Everything and SIRIUS Everything packages will
offer a service similar to that offered today for the standard subscription of $12.95.
Customers who choose to keep the subscription package they have today can continue to
do so for $12.95 per month. Customers who purchase XM Everything and SIRIUS
Everything packages will also be able to continue their current $6.99 multi-receiver
subscriptions.
Additional detail on the packages is attached to this news release and available at either
www.siriusmerger.com or
www.xmmerger.com.
The companies anticipate the merger will close in late
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