To thyself be true
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If SIRI and Liberty gets WorldSpace going after all the BK hoopla, couldn't it be that the shut down in India is only for name changes and license paperwork to get it officially into Liberty-SiriusXM company (if SiriusXM will run it)? It may only be a formality.
........Since Steve Jobs return, Apple has changed the music world with the inventions of the Ipod along with the Itunes store. The original creator of music from what I could remember before the Ipods, was Napster. I’m not quite sure what ever happened to Napster, but I do remember some legal issues they had. Apple stepped in and dominated the music world generating billions of dollars for the company and continues to do so today. The Itunes store has created a cash puppy as people pay up to .99 cents to download their own personal favorite songs to be stored on their Ipods and Iphones.?There is currently a news media “Revolution”. Once again it is Apple that is leading the way to let technology simplify people’s lives. The creation of the Apple I-phone 3G in July 2008 plus the merger of Sirius + XM Radio ( July 2008 ) along with the use of the Apple Iphones to download social media networks application for Twitter and facebook, has brought the world that much closer. Today, people can access information instantly via their Iphones along with getting news from their cars via Sirius XM Radio.?On November 10th, Sirius XM Radio’s Skydock will turn in all those millions of sold Ipod Touches and Iphones into Sirius XM Radio receivers. The Skydock will duplicate the process for Apple and turn the Sirius XM Skydock into an ATM machine for Apple as they will get revenue for each Itunes download that comes from the Sirius XM Skydock. Apple and Sirius both will work together to go globally, so that the world will be able to access the 100,000 Apple applications and growing. The Iphone and Itouch provides info to its customers. This partnership will change how people access Live information from sports, TV shows, business and political news. It will be the end to Rupert Murdoch and his newspapers. We are only at Iphone 3GS, next up is 4G and 5G. China here we come.
Apple is the one of a kind Revolutionary company of all time. They changed personal computers, the music world and now they are part of a “ news media Revolution “ that will change the world forever and bring the news to the people instantly 24/7 via their cutting edge technology. Apple turned the cell phone industry into a wireless walking computer. The Apple Iphone of the future will be the one gadget that does it all. The internet, GPS, camera, video, social media, cell phone, Ipod for music and you will access live news and sports instantly via the Sirius XM Skydock. This one single gadget will do everything for you.
Richard Keane, narrator Stock Shock 12/14/09
http://siriusnews.com/blog/
WORLDSPACE from SIRI board:
Posted by: WoodyDog Date: Monday, December 14, 2009 11:30:32 PM
In reply to: None Post # of 14353
http://www.rapidtvnews.com/index.php/200912135425/worldspace-sats-considered-for-de-orbiting.html
Worldspace sats considered for de-orbiting | Print | E-mail
Chris Forrester
13-12-2009
The lawyers advising the unsecured creditors to Worldspace’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy have considered plans for de-orbiting the two Worldspace satellites.
A Liberty Media subsidiary is now effectively in control of Worldspace, and Liberty CEO Greg Maffei last week confirmed that Liberty is working with Sirius satellite radio to expand its pay-radio service internationally.
Thanks to the monthly billing statements filed at the Delaware Bankruptcy Court on Dec 10 we can confirm that on Sept 14 and 15 one of the lawyers involved at Arent Fox LLP (co-counsel to the official committee of unsecured creditors) in the long-running liquidation of Worldspace’s assets had assorted telephone conversations and meetings in regard to “Liberty’s attempt to block payments to professionals and potential responses and implications”.
The following day a telephone conversation took place that covered “funding issues, need to de-orbit satellites…”
The assorted discussions, which took place throughout September, were largely concerned with the position of Liberty coming in as the new owner of Worldspace’s debt obligations.
It could well be that the de-orbiting options were reviewed in case Liberty did not come through with fresh funding (which subsequently did happen
Last Dec 2008 price was
Historical Prices
Date Open High Low Close Volume
2008/12/16 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.020 52,834
What do you think here on the board? How to rid SiRI of Stern and make a great package deal. Direct TV would offer a package with SiriusXM included. Being that Direct TV is family oriented (loosely anyway), Stern would be a liability. Just a thought.
This is fantastic for Worldspace - Liberty Media will “look at opportunities” to introduce Sirius XM in other countries........."
Liberty Made About $175 Million on Sirius XM’s Debt
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=conews&tkr=siri
Dec. 8 (Bloomberg) -- Liberty Media Corp’s investment in Sirius XM Radio Inc.’s debt has returned about $175 million, Chief Executive Officer Greg Maffei said.
Liberty made about $75 million on Sirius XM’s senior debt and about $100 million on the satellite radio company’s junior debt, Maffei said today at the UBS Global Media and Communications Conference in New York.
The Englewood, Colorado-based company loaned $530 million to Sirius XM in February to help prevent the New York-based broadcaster from filing for bankruptcy protection. The loans have been repaid and Liberty received warrants worth more than $1.7 billion after nine months, Maffei said last month.
Maffei said Liberty will “look at opportunities” to introduce Sirius XM in other countries. The pay-radio broadcaster is currently only available in the U.S. and Canada.
Separately, Maffei said Liberty would “look at” Metro- Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., the film studio considering selling itself. News Corp., Time Warner Inc. and Qualia Capital LLC are interested in MGM, people with knowledge of the situation said last month.
Liberty Capital, a tracking stock for the company, rose 8 cents to $22.11 at 4 p.m. New York time in Nasdaq Stock Market trading. Sirius XM, run by Mel Karmazin, increased less than 1 cent to 63 cents and had gained more than fivefold this year before today.
Liberty Media, controlled by Chairman John Malone, has assets including the Starz cable network and the QVC shopping channel.
I buy from QVC and they are in big with factories in Italy's gold business for jewelry and they have other fashion items like purses, shoes, certain art work, expensive clothes.........etc I definitely see how it would benefit QVC.
Plus India is an English speaking country (most of the educated at least), which is good for American products.
Yes and he doesn't say much, but he gets things done. He doesn't waffle, feel he has purpose for all his moves and they usually have long term goals. Saw his interview with David Farber and his personality shined through. Didn't know about him personally, but this guy is a mogul IMHO.
NY73-so true.....:o}
MGTY1-I have been following Malone and owned stocks of his since 1993 and you have a good perspective of his motivations. At this time he is more interested competing with the other moguls. 1993 there weren't as many.......lol Now is also the turning point in media/wireless/content and mobile.
MGTY1 This is somewhat on a personal note about Satellite Technology around the world.
I have two sons and they both work in classified capacity (2 different branches of gov.) One does work with unmanned aircraft the other works with NASA, on an ongoing as they need bases.
Both said to me they work exclusively via Satellites. It is not a far jump that the commercial side of society will be more and more reliant on it.
That was in June, everything has changed since then. Signed up to listen to the Media Conference 8 AM tomorrow.
Event Reminder
2009 UBS Global Media and Communications Conference
12/8/2009 8:00:00 AM ET
http://investor.sirius.com//eventdetail.cfm?eventid=75455
Daimler Predicts Deliveries Will Grow ‘Significantly’
By Chris Reiter
Dec. 7 (Bloomberg) -- Daimler AG, the world’s second- largest maker of luxury cars, said the Mercedes-Benz Cars unit’s fourth-quarter sales will rise “significantly” following the biggest gain in monthly deliveries this year.
Demand for Mercedes-Benz E- and S-Class sedans boosted sales 16 percent in November to 98,400 cars and sport-utility vehicles from 84,500 a year earlier, the Stuttgart, Germany- based company said today in a statement.
“We further expanded our position and gained additional market share,” Joachim Schmidt, head of sales for Mercedes, said in the statement. An E-Class station wagon that arrived in showrooms on Nov. 21 is “a big hit” with customers and will provide “additional sales momentum.”
Daimler is targeting savings of as much as 5 billion euros ($7.4 billion) this year as it seeks to recover from the worst auto-industry crisis in decades. Chief Executive Officer Dieter Zetsche aims to boost Mercedes-Benz’s profit by introducing small cars and cleaner engines faster than competitors.
Deliveries of the full-sized E-Class sedan, which was updated earlier this year and will face tougher competition next year when Bayerische Motoren Werke AG introduces a new version of its 5 Series model, doubled to 15,700. The top-end S-Class posted a gain of 35 percent to 5,500 vehicles. Sales of the Smart minicar fell 3.8 percent in November to 9,800.
‘Start Tumbling’
“It is striking that only models that are basically brand- new sell better than average,” said Hans-Peter Wodniok, a Frankfurt-based analyst at Fairesearch. “New models have growing sales for 12 to a maximum of 24 months, than they start tumbling.”
The C-Class, the best-selling Mercedes-Benz model, recorded a 6 percent increase in sales, two years after its 2007 launch. CEO Zetsche addressed workers today at a factory in Sindelfingen, Germany, where workers have been protesting against plans to shift production of the model to other plants, including one in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Zetsche said he wouldn’t fire anyone as a result of the move and agreed to continue assembling E- and S-Class models at the site, which is Mercedes-Benz’s largest factory. Employees affected by the C-Class move in 2014 could be engaged in assembling seats as well as components for hybrid vehicles, which combine conventional engines with electric motors.
Eleven-month group sales declined 12 percent to 1.16 million vehicles as the global recession hurt demand earlier this year. Mercedes-Benz Cars’ monthly deliveries rose for the first time this year in October.
Mercedes-Benz sales in China almost tripled to 8,700 vehicles, surpassing growth at BMW, the world’s largest maker of luxury cars. The Munich-based manufacturer of BMW and Mini vehicles sold 8,470 cars last month in China, said Markus Sagemann, a spokesman.
To contact the reporter on this story: Chris Reiter in Berlin at creiter2@bloomberg.net
Last Updated: December 7, 2009 09:27 EST
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601100&sid=aySaktOas_HQ
SIRIUS Traffic Available on Model Year 2010 Mercedes-Benz Vehicles / SIRIUS Traffic expected to be installed in 70% of Mercedes-Benz Model Year 2010 Vehicles
MONTVALE, N.J. and NEW YORK, Dec. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mercedes-Benz USA and SIRIUS XM Radio today announced that SIRIUS Traffic is available on all Mercedes-Benz 2010 Model Year vehicles equipped with navigation and SIRIUS satellite radio.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080819/NYTU044LOGO )
SIRIUS Traffic is expected to be installed in 70% of the Mercedes-Benz Model Year 2010 lineup, and will be standard on the S-Class, CL-Class, CLS-Class and G-Class models.
SIRIUS Traffic comes pre-activated with a six-month trial subscription for Mercedes-Benz customers along with a six-month trial subscription of the "SIRIUS Everything" satellite radio package.
SIRIUS Traffic provides traffic speed and flow information to vehicles over SIRIUS' nationwide satellite radio network. SIRIUS Traffic also provides information on traffic incidents, scheduled road closings and road construction. Since SIRIUS Traffic is integrated with the vehicle's navigation system, the service assists drivers in picking the quickest, safest routes based on real-time traffic conditions.
"SIRIUS Traffic will benefit Mercedes-Benz drivers with traffic information to help them navigate through our country's major roadways," said Sascha Simon, Department Manager, Advanced Product Planning, MBUSA. "We are pleased to add this service to SIRIUS' audio entertainment in Mercedes-Benz vehicles."
"Mercedes-Benz is a renowned brand, famous for its exceptional performance and technology," said Steve Cook, Group Vice President and General Manager, Automotive Division, SIRIUS XM Radio. "SIRIUS XM is thrilled to make the SIRIUS Traffic service available on new 2010 Mercedes-Benz vehicles."
For information on SIRIUS XM Radio and SIRIUS Traffic, please visit http://www.sirius.com/traffic.
About Mercedes-Benz USA
Mercedes-Benz USA, headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the sales, marketing and customer service for all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. For more than 40 years, MBUSA has taken pride in its commitment to the customer by providing superior quality luxury vehicles coupled with outstanding customer support. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found at http://www.mbusa.com/ and http://www.maybachusa.com/.
About SIRIUS XM Radio
SIRIUS XM Radio is America's satellite radio company delivering to subscribers commercial-free music channels, premier sports, news, talk, entertainment, and traffic and weather.
SIRIUS XM Radio has content relationships with an array of personalities and artists, including Howard Stern, Martha Stewart, Oprah Winfrey, Rosie O'Donnell, Jamie Foxx, Barbara Walters, Opie&Anthony, Bubba the Love Sponge®, Bob Edwards, Chris "Mad Dog" Russo, Jimmy Buffett, The Grateful Dead, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan and Tom Petty. SIRIUS XM Radio is the leader in sports programming as the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the NFL, Major League Baseball®, NASCAR®, NBA, NHL®, and PGA TOUR® and major college sports.
SIRIUS XM Radio has arrangements with every major automaker. SIRIUS XM Radio products are available at shop.sirius.com and shop.xmradio.com, and at retail locations nationwide, including Best Buy, RadioShack, Wal-Mart and independent retailers.
SIRIUS XM Radio also offers SIRIUS Backseat TV, the first ever live in-vehicle rear seat entertainment featuring Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network; XM NavTraffic® service for GPS navigation systems delivers real-time traffic information, including accidents and road construction, for more than 80 North American markets.
Another fr. June-Sirius stays flat on Worldspace reports
Chris Forrester
06-12-2009
The news that Sirius Satellite Radio is keen to help Liberty Media in its push for an international service, using Worldspace, hasn't impressed the US share price one jot. See also the separate story today on radio technology company Delphi signing an exclusivity deal with Ondas Media.
Sirius (SIRI) has traded at around 60-70 cents since September, and while every 1 cent move up or down makes a meaningful difference to the pay-radio broadcaster's market capitalisation (currently $2.46bn, and with trading at 64c), it would seem fair to say that Sirius' shareholders seem not to be that impressed by any thoughts of an international roll-out for Sirius. CEO Mel Karmazin has fairly stated that he didn't see any international investment plans for Sirius other than there could be opportunities on the revenue side of the balance sheet.
Which brings us to Liberty Media (40% shareholder in Sirius). This coming week Greg Maffei (Liberty's president/CEO) will be addressing UBS' Global Media conference at the Grand Hyatt, New York.
We might learn something new from his presentation, but meanwhile there's the question of wrapping up Worldspace's Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which is ongoing. A meeting that was originally scheduled to take place at the Delaware Bankruptcy Court last week (Dec 2) was scrubbed. Worldspace now has until January 31st to file a restructuring plan and has until April 1st to - hopefully - wrap its bankruptcy protection up although it is worth stressing that these dates can be extended.
However, it would seem from a reading of the various Court filings by the assorted lawyers to Worldspace that Liberty is firmly in the driving seat for the failed radio broadcaster and in effect controls the two somewhat tired Worldspace satellites (AfriStar and AsiaStar), both now nearing the end of their working lives. Afristar was launched in October 1998 and has solar-panel problems, and with an operational design life of just 12 years - which is close - although it could stay on station (+/- 1 deg) for a further 3 years or so. Asiastar was launched in March 2000, again with a 12-year lifespan, so this craft has a slightly longer "use by" date.
Worldspace also has an ‘asset' in the shape of Worldspace 3, a craft that's sitting in a satellite warehouse in Toulouse. It would be unfair to call it DustSat, given that it is carefully stored in a temperature and humidity-controlled clean environment, but by any measure the satellite now has some tired components that would need replacement - and that costs cash.
This third Worldspace satellite will also need technical modification to permit it to more aggressively target Europe. Finally, a new owner needs to stump up the launch and insurance costs for WS3 - and this means real money measured in the tens of millions of dollars. Liberty Media's satellite arm is going to have to fund this if it hopes to launch a real L-Band service across greater Europe.
To summarise, Worldspace has to emerge from Chapter 11, staff hired and battered relationships rebuilt. Cash must then be paid to fund the modifications of Worldspace 3, then a launch slot secured (and this is not easy) and insurance taken out. This summarised list is but the tip of an iceberg of challenges, and is by no means a pushover even for Dr John Malone.
© Rapid TV News 2009
Media-Deals-Mergers that are going on, behind closed doors-Can have impact on SIRI-Liberty-Worldspace. content/coverage is going to be king.
DEALTALK-Comcast-NBC deal could spur more M&A
Thu Dec 3, 2009 4:17pm EST
By Anupreeta Das and Jui Chakravorty
NEW YORK, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Comcast Corp's (CMCSA.O) plan
to take a controlling stake in NBC Universal has spurred many
behind-the-scenes conversations, but whether any will result in
actual deals depends on the outcome of a regulatory review that
could take months.
Comcast on Thursday announced its deal to buy a 51 percent
stake in NBC Universal from General Electric Co (GE.N). GE will
eventually sell the remaining 49 percent to Comcast, giving it
full control of a rich array of programming and content,
including Universal Studios. [ID:nN03267923]
The deal will reshape the media industry by bringing
Comcast -- the top U.S. cable distributor and leading Internet
service provider to homes -- under the same umbrella as NBC
Universal, owner of cable TV networks like Bravo and CNBC.
U.S. regulatory scrutiny is expected to be heavy, and the
deal could take more than a year to be cleared. [ID:nN0387883]
Media dealmaking could pick up if regulators impose minimal
conditions on the NBC Universal transaction, said Brette Simon,
a mergers and acquisitions partner at law firm Jones Day.
"If the deal goes through in some measure, I think it will
absolutely drive more content-driven deals," Simon said. Rivals
will have to take stock of their position and consider what
strategic alternatives would make sense for them, she added.
Media industry watchers have called the deal a game-changer
for Comcast, which will now have control over the programming
it distributes through its cable and Internet operations, and
potentially command better terms from advertisers.
But the deal will also have wider implications for the
media industry, which is grappling with the challenges of
making money off consumers who increasingly get their news and
entertainment online or on the move.
THE BUYING PARTY
Cable and satellite operators, including Time Warner Cable
(TWC.N), DirecTV (DTV.O), Dish (DISH.O) and Charter
Communications CHTRa.BE, could seek to buy media content
companies, bankers and analysts said.
Last month, media mogul John Malone told the Associated
Press that the NBC Universal deal would give Comcast too much
market power and push rivals to consider similar deals. Malone
is chairman of Liberty Media (LINTA.O), which is spinning off
U.S. satellite TV operator DirecTV into a separate entity.
While DirecTV could itself be snapped up in a year or two
by either Verizon (VZ.N) or AT&T (T.N) as these phone companies
seek to become bigger pay-TV players, the desire to own content
will drive most M&A, bankers and analysts said.
Verizon and AT&T have spoken to Liberty about DirecTV, but
talks fizzled over a few concerns including regulatory
approval, a source familiar with the matter said. The
discussions could regain traction if the Comcast-NBC deal get
the regulatory green light with few conditions, bankers said.
Companies that own cable channels, movie and TV libraries,
or create programming, such as Discovery Communications
(DISCA.O), The CW Television Network and Scripps Networks
Interactive (SNI.N), could also become targets.
The potential sale of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the famed and
debt-ridden studio, is likely to elicit interest from many
bidders, including Time Warner Inc (TWX.N), News Corp (NWSA.O)
and Lions Gate Entertainment (LGF.N), sources have said.
"You now have ABC and Disney as a combined entity, next you
could have have NBCU and Comcast joining forces. Who's next?
CBS, Fox, the CW?" said a person who works on media deals.
Some media companies have already approached investment
bankers to assess their balance sheets and business models, and
figure out if they can compete with the Comcast-owned NBC
Universal, said a source familiar with these discussions.
These people spoke anonymously because many of these
discussions are confidential.
EXECUTIVES MULL OVER DEAL
In contrast to the bullishness of many bankers, media
industry executives have mixed feelings about the impact of the
deal on the industry.
IAC/InterActiveCorp (IACI.O) CEO Barry Diller called the
deal a "real shift" that will have a profound effect on the
media industry in the next few years.
But Time Warner Cable Chief Executive Glenn Britt debunked
the idea that his company would seek a similar deal. Merging
content and distribution brings no operating benefits, which is
why Time Warner spun off its cable operations, he said.
"What people do at Warner Bros. everyday are very different
than what I do... the businesses are very different. So you
really can't operate them together."
Christopher Vollmer, a partner at Booz & Co who specializes
in media and entertainment, said the industry has been active
in dealmaking this year, referring to The Walt Disney Co's
(DIS.N) $4 billion purchase of Marvel Entertainment Inc (MVL.N)
and Scripps Networks' acquisition of Travel Channel.
The Comcast-NBC deal will lead to more activity but "is
unlikely to be a catalyst for similar types of large-scale
deals that bring together content and distribution," he said.
"Where we do see more media M&A action ... is towards
higher growth areas such as video games, advertising/marketing
services and related technologies, Internet, and, perhaps, the
few remaining cable network groups that are not part of a major
conglomerate," Vollmer added.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idCNN0350930320091203?rpc=44
Media-Deals-Mergers that are going on, behind closed doors-Can have impact on SIRI-Liberty. content/coverage is going to be king.
DEALTALK-Comcast-NBC deal could spur more M&A
Thu Dec 3, 2009 4:17pm EST
By Anupreeta Das and Jui Chakravorty
NEW YORK, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Comcast Corp's (CMCSA.O) plan
to take a controlling stake in NBC Universal has spurred many
behind-the-scenes conversations, but whether any will result in
actual deals depends on the outcome of a regulatory review that
could take months.
Comcast on Thursday announced its deal to buy a 51 percent
stake in NBC Universal from General Electric Co (GE.N). GE will
eventually sell the remaining 49 percent to Comcast, giving it
full control of a rich array of programming and content,
including Universal Studios. [ID:nN03267923]
The deal will reshape the media industry by bringing
Comcast -- the top U.S. cable distributor and leading Internet
service provider to homes -- under the same umbrella as NBC
Universal, owner of cable TV networks like Bravo and CNBC.
U.S. regulatory scrutiny is expected to be heavy, and the
deal could take more than a year to be cleared. [ID:nN0387883]
Media dealmaking could pick up if regulators impose minimal
conditions on the NBC Universal transaction, said Brette Simon,
a mergers and acquisitions partner at law firm Jones Day.
"If the deal goes through in some measure, I think it will
absolutely drive more content-driven deals," Simon said. Rivals
will have to take stock of their position and consider what
strategic alternatives would make sense for them, she added.
Media industry watchers have called the deal a game-changer
for Comcast, which will now have control over the programming
it distributes through its cable and Internet operations, and
potentially command better terms from advertisers.
But the deal will also have wider implications for the
media industry, which is grappling with the challenges of
making money off consumers who increasingly get their news and
entertainment online or on the move.
THE BUYING PARTY
Cable and satellite operators, including Time Warner Cable
(TWC.N), DirecTV (DTV.O), Dish (DISH.O) and Charter
Communications CHTRa.BE, could seek to buy media content
companies, bankers and analysts said.
Last month, media mogul John Malone told the Associated
Press that the NBC Universal deal would give Comcast too much
market power and push rivals to consider similar deals. Malone
is chairman of Liberty Media (LINTA.O), which is spinning off
U.S. satellite TV operator DirecTV into a separate entity.
While DirecTV could itself be snapped up in a year or two
by either Verizon (VZ.N) or AT&T (T.N) as these phone companies
seek to become bigger pay-TV players, the desire to own content
will drive most M&A, bankers and analysts said.
Verizon and AT&T have spoken to Liberty about DirecTV, but
talks fizzled over a few concerns including regulatory
approval, a source familiar with the matter said. The
discussions could regain traction if the Comcast-NBC deal get
the regulatory green light with few conditions, bankers said.
Companies that own cable channels, movie and TV libraries,
or create programming, such as Discovery Communications
(DISCA.O), The CW Television Network and Scripps Networks
Interactive (SNI.N), could also become targets.
The potential sale of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the famed and
debt-ridden studio, is likely to elicit interest from many
bidders, including Time Warner Inc (TWX.N), News Corp (NWSA.O)
and Lions Gate Entertainment (LGF.N), sources have said.
"You now have ABC and Disney as a combined entity, next you
could have have NBCU and Comcast joining forces. Who's next?
CBS, Fox, the CW?" said a person who works on media deals.
Some media companies have already approached investment
bankers to assess their balance sheets and business models, and
figure out if they can compete with the Comcast-owned NBC
Universal, said a source familiar with these discussions.
These people spoke anonymously because many of these
discussions are confidential.
EXECUTIVES MULL OVER DEAL
In contrast to the bullishness of many bankers, media
industry executives have mixed feelings about the impact of the
deal on the industry.
IAC/InterActiveCorp (IACI.O) CEO Barry Diller called the
deal a "real shift" that will have a profound effect on the
media industry in the next few years.
But Time Warner Cable Chief Executive Glenn Britt debunked
the idea that his company would seek a similar deal. Merging
content and distribution brings no operating benefits, which is
why Time Warner spun off its cable operations, he said.
"What people do at Warner Bros. everyday are very different
than what I do... the businesses are very different. So you
really can't operate them together."
Christopher Vollmer, a partner at Booz & Co who specializes
in media and entertainment, said the industry has been active
in dealmaking this year, referring to The Walt Disney Co's
(DIS.N) $4 billion purchase of Marvel Entertainment Inc (MVL.N)
and Scripps Networks' acquisition of Travel Channel.
The Comcast-NBC deal will lead to more activity but "is
unlikely to be a catalyst for similar types of large-scale
deals that bring together content and distribution," he said.
"Where we do see more media M&A action ... is towards
higher growth areas such as video games, advertising/marketing
services and related technologies, Internet, and, perhaps, the
few remaining cable network groups that are not part of a major
conglomerate," Vollmer added.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idCNN0350930320091203?rpc=44
Here is an old article when the first rumblings of Global footprint started:
Sirius XM Goes Worldwide with Liberty Globalby: Satwaves June 03, 2009
By Steve Garcia
Looking at Liberty Media, and all its diverse holdings, I have been unabashedly excited at what I have found as it relates to SIRIUS XM (SIRI). There are many both fundamental and speculative reasons to be excited at this strategic partnership. Whether it be DirecTV (DTV), Wild Blue, Zoombak, mobile streams or any of the other Liberty Media holdings, one can’t help but wonder what is to come. Especially, as a fan of Sirius XM Radio. Though these things alone are enough to get any true fan daydreaming about the possibilities, there may be more to what is going on and in play than meets the eye.
With the APPLE (AAPL) OS 3 application just days from release, and with Sirius recently commenting on its Apple application coming before the end of the 2nd quarter, things are looking up. The iPhone app will undoubtedly be a player with Internet radio from a global perspective. It appears that things are also looking global for Sirius XM. To that end, let me bring to focus another piece of John Malone’s global empire, Liberty Global (LBTYA, LBTYB, LBTYK).
Liberty Global, Inc. (“Liberty Global”) is the leading international cable operator offering advanced video, telephone, and broadband internet services. We operate broadband communications networks in 15 countries principally located in Europe, Japan, Chile, and Australia. Liberty Global’s operations also include significant media and programming businesses such as Chellomedia in Europe, as well as interests in content businesses in each of our regional markets.?Through the efforts of 22,000 employees worldwide, Liberty Global connects 16.9 million customers to the world of information, communications, and entertainment. As of March 31, 2009, Liberty Global’s networks passed more than 34.0 million homes and served more than 26.0 million RGUs, including approximately 15.5 million video subscribers, of which 6.8 million were digital cable and DTH subscribers, 6.3 million broadband internet subscribers, and 4.8 million voice subscribers.?• Active in Europe (UPC Broadband, Telenet, Chellomedia), The Americas (VTR, Liberty Puerto Rico) and Asia Pacific (J:COM, Austar)
It would seem that Sirius XM is not just a taker, but also a giver to the Liberty companies and John Malone. They get exclusive content and can leverage it over multiple possibilities….which I am sure was part of the justification for the agreed investment stake just when Sirius outwardly appeared to be imploding. Liberty Global has a large subscription base already…just like Sirius, giving that base a potential purchase option of exclusive subscription programming can only help.
In addition, the iPhone app just might be a lot more important than we think. It seems that this all is coming together like a puzzle of a thousand pieces that is turning into global expansion without the hurdle of Spectrum licensing that is so expensive and difficult to procure.
As I close let me just say that there is a lot more to what is unspoken, than to what is constantly rehashed over and over again in the mainstream media. Jim Cramer stated that Sirius' stock was worthless. This is probably not something he should read. It would make too much sense….and who wants to deal with that?
http://seekingalpha.com/article/141113-sirius-xm-goes-worldwide-with-liberty-global
Sirius Outlook, Auto Sales Update December 06, 2009
by: Satwaves
By Brandon Matthews
It’s a good thing that Sirius XM Radio (SIRI) is aggressively marketing itself this quarter, because the OEM landscape is looking pretty bleak. Auto sales declined across nearly every auto maker on a month to month basis with the exception of Saturn, Volvo and Honda (HMC). As I mentioned on this week's Satwaves Radio show, the quarterly run rate is a little better than Q1 2009, yet falls short of Q2 2009 numbers. Both of these quarters resulted in negative subscriber growth earlier in the year.
The news may not be as bad as it looks however. Increases in production are continuing this quarter, which boosts paid promotional trials at the factory level. Cash for clunkers vehicles with 90 day free trials will be expiring this quarter also. Although most expect a decrease in the conversion rate of these vehicles, there are more of them to help offset any decrease. Sirius XM’s current ad campaign will likely stir the pot enough, to get many cash for clunkers purchasers to convert that would not have otherwise. Sirius XM also added Certified Pre-owned Programs throughout the year with most of their vehicle partners, which did not exist in earlier quarters.
Other potential offsets exist this quarter as well, with the most obvious being a potential return to positive retail subscriber additions. Satellite Radio sales are flourishing with the introduction of the XM SkyDock, which has been highlighted in many “best gift ideas” promotions. Even Apple (AAPL) sent emails Thursday to its customers recommending the XM SkyDock in their Holiday Gift Guide.
Wisely, Sirius XM has also been aggressively marketing itself to formerly deactivated subscribers. The potential penetration into this segment could prove to be very substantial. As awareness increases, it stands to reason that any penetration that can be achieved in this large potential market of over 10 million former satellite radio customers, can add substantially to Sirius XM’s fourth quarter subscriber numbers.
SIRI covers South America and Canada also.
Institutional Holdings - I don't know how accurate-interesting link
http://iifacts.com/WRSPQ-Q3-2008.html
Saw Elvis SIRI commercial at least 4 times last night, both on CNBC and History channel.
WRSPQ will probably become a subsidiary company of Liberty. The India portion is owed taxes that has to be paid plus other expenses. Makes sense that first the debt has to be cleaned up and then the assets will be sold. Of course I am not a lawyer, so what I am commenting is just my own opinion. I believe the licenses are super important assets so are SiriusXM content and satellites.
When John Malone and Barry Diller bought Home Shopping Network, I owned HSN, it promptly went from about 8 dollars down to 4 dollars. Sat on the stock. When it was done the stock shot up to 18 dollars. I don't remember if HSN was in bankruptcy, though. I believe it was a regular sale. Usually the company that is being bought increases in share price.
Sirius to launch globally?
Chris Forrester
08-09-2009
John Malone’s Liberty Media is buying the main financial claims against Worldspace. Malone has used a Colorado-registered company, Liberty Satellite Radio LLC, to acquire about $102m-worth of preference claims and court-guaranteed financial advances to Worldspace (as Debtor in Possession).
It is not unusual for businesses to ‘sell’ their bankruptcy claims to a third party. The usual rule of thumb is that it is better to get some cash for a claim where there may be doubt over when – or if – the full debt will be repaid.
However, Liberty Media is also the largest single shareholder in Sirius-XM satellite radio. The Liberty executive handling the purchase is Charles Tanabe, EVP and General Counsel to Liberty Media Corp., and Number 2 to Greg Maffei in the company’s hierarchy.
The transfer of these claims to Liberty brings to full circle the recent history of Worldspace. Sirius’ rival, XM Satellite Radio (now part of Sirius) actually invested $25m in Worldspace, while Sirius itself has never ruled out an international role beyond North America.
Two weeks ago it emerged that the planned sale of Worldspace’s main assets had fallen through. A company controlled by Worldspace’s founder Noah Samara had failed to come up with the $28m he bid to acquire the complete company.
It is not at all clear what this news could mean for the Ondas Media plan to launch a pay-radio service over Europe. Ondas has declined to comment on the Liberty Media action.
Liberty has bought the claims from:
Citadel Equity $48.5m
Highbridge Int’l $38.4m
Angelo Gordon $3m
OZ Master Fund $11.1m
© Rapid TV News 2009
http://www.rapidtvnews.com/index.php/200909084661/sirius-to-launch-globally.html
mkendra-Thought it was interesting, because it was from a radio music site on the web here is the link:
http://www.allaccess.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1774
They may not be in the bankruptcy and this debt will be taken care of in a sale this was in the Chapter 11 paperwork:
WorldSpace India Pte.
Owed in Taxes 17.2 million Rupees, or US $351,000 before interest and penalties.
As of February 26, 2009, approximately $2.1 million of payables in the aggregate, consisting of
(i) unpaid accrued wages, service center expenses, advertising & marketing expenses and
receiver & accessory purchase expenses (each category ranging from approximately $100,000 to
$250,000) plus (ii) payables in lesser amounts to various other vendors and suppliers.
Found this - Worldspace Sale To Yenura Called Off (August 31, 2009)
Law360, New York -- Bankrupt satellite radio company Worldspace Inc. has announced that its deal to sell its assets to Yenura Pte. Ltd. is off now that its debtor-in-possession lenders have thrown in the towel.
Worldspace said Friday that the DIP lenders exercised their right to terminate the purchase agreement after Yenura defaulted on payments and failed to remedy the defaults within the applicable cure...
Yenura Pte. Ltd.
c/o Aronson & Company
700 King Farm Boulevard, # 300
Rockville, Maryland 20850
Attention: Noah Samara, Mel Leshinsky
Facsimile: (301) 231-6206
Electronic Address: noahsamara@gmail.com
Plus Malone wants to compete with Echostar Charles Ergen, this is a crossroad for sure in the Media business. It used to be the Newspaper media, now it is all digital and wireless/mobile.
Liberty Media John Malone is very closed mouth (owned many of his stocks) and if they are spilling the beans about buying WorldSpace it is serious.
I feel SIRI is one of the pawns. These big media moguls are all trying to top each other (about 10-15 of them). Everything in the media is going to change to mobile/wireless and smaller and more powerful devices. Whoever has the most attractive bundle is going to lead the pack. Sounds like Alpha wolf pack...lol. But it is sort of...... That is why Worldspace is important, how many can do Global. I believe Liberty is gathering up more companies (like in Germany). Watch closely, they all are doing it. Liberty was not doing the lending of the 500 mil. to SIRI from the goodness of their heart. This looks to me like a very big chess game.
Yup-Just my take on it...eom
Did you notice India where all the revenues are coming from has not filed for protection........
WorldSpace India, a wholly owned independent business unit operating in the market where most of the Company's customers are located and revenues are generated, has not filed for protection from its creditors and continues its business activities in the ordinary course.
One company that could make you a millionaire in less than 4 years.
Posted by Gregory Wright on 11:01 AM on Dec 03 2009 EST
This month currently I do not have any good ideas because if I was going to
make an investment for the holiday shopping season I would have already done so
more than a month ago. Today I re stumbled upon this old and increasingly
promising stock SIRI Sirius XM Radio Inc. This is one hell of a company to keep
track of. Satellite radio services still have a very strong foothold in the
market but their services have always been a little overpriced. I do though see
a real potential here for one very serious come back sometime within the next
four years. I would not of course recommend that you buy any of this stock right
now but in the near future eventually satellite radio will make a come back. For
a along time Sirius and XM used to bitterly compete against each other until the
hole satellite radio industry near collapsed. You can see by looking at the
charts since Satellite radio giants have merged together within the past 15
months satellite radio has managed to make a bit of a comeback. One very
significant factor to consider it that in recent years the internet has become
heavily more regulated in regards to internet usage limitations. The days of
people freely getting their news and information for almost nothing over the
internet may be coming to and end and if such trends continue it will be only a
matter of time until SIRI satellite radio stocks go from where it is today at
around .63 cents a share back to around 10$ a share. The best times to invest in
satellite radio may be right before the 2012 presidential election season.
Sirius and XM have always excelled in providing a constant amount of
entertaining political programing. The presidential election season is usually
their times of peak coverage.
Dec.03, 2009 Sirius, Liberty, Worldspace Saga Continues
by Steve Garcia on Dec.03, 2009, under LCAPA, SIRI, WRSPQ
By Steve Garcia -
With Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) CEO Mel Karmazins recent announcement of possibly getting involved in Liberty’s (NASDAQ: LCAPA) Worldspace acquisition (OTC BB: WRSPQ), it is time to take a look at how it could pan out. I say could, because none of us are privy to what is actually taking place, but it is more apparent now than it ever has been that something is definitely going on between Liberty and Sirius, and Liberty and Worldspace through Worldspace’s Bankruptcy proceedings. The best news for Sirius shareholders is that no cash will be flowing from Sirius, at least not up front, for whatever finally does transpire.
In order to get a better grasp of the picture, let’s take a look at the Worldspace infrastructure. The company has 2 satellites currently in the air, which are nearing the end of their operational life. The company’s stated mission is to provide a variety of high quality programming through a subscription based service that uses low cost portable satellite radios and is available in underserved markets that today lack programming choice. Worldspace is the first and only company with rights to the world’s globally allocated spectrum for digital satellite radio. Its broadcast footprint covers over 130 countries including India and China, all of Africa and the Middle East and most of Western Europe, an area that includes five billion people and more than 300 million automobiles. Its two fully operational satellites and ground infrastructure are based on proprietary and patented technology.
The Worldspace Satellite network has 2 satellites (Afristar and Asiastar) that service 3 large geographic areas, through three beams which that are each capable of carrying up to 80 channels. The satellites are L-Band satellites with traveling wave tube amplifiers and on board baseband processors which link with Worldspace radio receivers. The receivers are equipped with micro integrated circuitry that processes the satellite signal into high quality audio and data transmissions. Broadcasters can uplink their content through a centralized hub site or an individual feeder link station. The satellite then transmits the signal received to any combination of the three downlink beams. Worldspace broadcasts in the frequency 1467-1492 MHz of the “L” band. Worldspace provided four of the original content channel programming on XM Satellite Radio, now part of Sirius XM, America’s and the world’s most successful Satellite Radio company. Worldspace was a founding shareholder of XM, and Worldspace proprietary and patented technology is used in each XM receiver. The Worldspace Satellite Radio Service has been available in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Europe.
The Afristar Satellite was to be replaced first, and a new satellite dubbed Afristar 2 was constructed and scheduled for launch in 2008. However, the launch never took place and the satellite was stored in Toulouse France due to financial issues Worldspace was having. The new satellite is more powerful and can cover more of Europe as well as part of Russia. There were several waivers granted for its launch as a replacement for Afristar, and a petition to prevent the permission to launch Afristar 2 from Ondas, the Spanish Satellite start up was denied (“44. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the petition to deny filed by Ondas Spain, SL, IS DENIED for the reasons set forth in this Order.”)
as seen here in the releases: http://www2.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/01-04-2006/0004242750&EDATE
We can now speculate that Liberty may launch Afristar 2, giving them good coverage into Europe, and use Sirius content for the European Service, possibly reworking contracts with European Auto makers like Fiat, who had signed on with Worldspace to have radios installed in their vehicles with Satellite chips. Worldspace also had repeater networks in Sweden/Austria, Germany and Italy either fully operational or started. Surely, adding Europe to the mix would also add subscriber numbers to the bottom line for Sirius XM. No doubt the IPod touch and the Iphone would somehow also likely be the platforms to receive the service, and with Liberty having huge reach into the European cable market, especially now with the 100% purchase of Unity media in Germany by Liberty Global, one of John Malone’s other companies which is a global Cable provider; We can begin to see much more clearly the great benefit that the partnership with Liberty has in terms of infrastructure for Sirius XM.
Clearly there is a huge situation brewing for Sirius XM and Liberty shareholders. If it is cut and dry as I have connected here, there are some fantastic moves coming in this stock price, which will alleviate the majority of the concerns in the financial world regarding Sirius XM and both its viability as a business and its ability to service its debt without any more issues regarding growth. As we wait for the situation to be fully revealed, it would appear prudent for people to do their own research regarding these two equities to verify what appears to be going on.
http://www.kingofalltrades.com/2009/12/03/1401.html
I feel SIRI is one of the pawns. These big media moguls are all trying to top each other (about 10-15 of them). Everything in the media is going to change to mobile/wireless and smaller and more powerful devices. Whoever has the most attractive bundle is going to lead the pack. Sounds like Alpha wolf pack...lol. But it is sort of...... That is why Worldspace is important, how many can do Global. I believe Liberty is gathering up more companies (like in Germany). Watch closely, they all are doing it. Liberty was not doing the lending of the 500 mil. from the goodness of their heart. This looks to me like a very big chess game.
Took a gamble bought some WRSPQ. Liberty Media usually is very closed mouth and if they are already talking about the possibility of SiriusXM and mergers.........very interesting IMHO
2nd part-Sirius XM Resolving Remaining 2009 Debt Will Provide Hints To Future
by king1 on Dec.02, 2009
.......................this was the last paragraph................
I believe the holder of these notes will convert to shares.
As you can see, a few hints and clues of this company going forward might be able to be seen in how debtors handle this last debt due in 2009. No major debt is due in 2010. This will be a welcome reprieve for Sirius XM, and they have now successfully navigated a debt due filled year. It has been a long dirt road filled with potholes, but this road is now paved with clear skies ahead in 2010.
http://www.kingofalltrades.com/
Nowadays anything wireless, Apple connection, global possibilities (like the internet), content, even being connected to the "Big Boys" like Malone plus services that can be designed for Satellite delivery, sure looks like a winner in the future.
WoodyDog-I don't know the answers, took the post from Yahoo.......:o}
From YAHOO...Siri + Apple + Cars + Cell Phones + China
27-Jul-09
Big names and huge numbers.
Siri 19 million subscribers
in most auto's of the future
Apple I-phones project 7 million more sales in next quarter ( Jul - Sept 09 ) means $$$ for siri
Next all other cell -phones incorporate siri applications into their newer phones for option to carry siri for small fee thru cell-phone plan ='s huge growth and revenue for siri.
PCF this quarter
News media constant bashing of sirius xm radio, finally exposed, forces the media to back off in the coming months.
Uptick rule re--instated, short selling by wall street comes to an end with re-instatement of rule and ID's required to short a stock. leads to no more naked shorting.
I can go on and on, bottom line is sirius xm radio is growing and is connected to big big names and technology of he future.
Social networking is growing rapidly, newspapers and Radio stations and going bankrupt and out of business. Sirius XM Radio is the new media technology of the future, as they have laid out the groundwork over the past few years and is here to stay.
Imagine this
Sirius XM Radio in every car on the road and every cell-phone in the world. WOW, are you kidding me and only .40 cents. get real
Every phone and every car, business releations with Apple & Direct TV and many others and soon all will want Sirius XM Radio content on their gadgets and cell phones.
once news media ( old Technology ) is exposed (Newspapers & AM/FM Radio ) this company is going to rocket.
what will help Sirius Xm Radio will be the 4 movies coming out in 2009, that will tell the world about the corruption of these old technologies ( newspapers & Radio ) as they try to survive. Newspapers and AM /FM radio has been in collusion together trying to stop the growth of sirius XM Radio. it is too late, the Apple I-phone has turned the cell phones into walking computers, access to information instantly, hence the no need or newspapers and AM/FM commercial radio. Their end is close as Sirius and the new technology moves forward intermixing with the new Social Media networks, like Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, etc. etc.
Hold onto your shares, all this is soon to be told to the World.
Ask yourself this
Every Car & Every Cell-phone.
Who is in them ( Sirius XM Radio )
How powerful is that.