found this on Satwaves site this morning, a quote from a rapid tv news article. pretty interesting.
Sirius-XM WILL go global | Print | E-mail
Written by Chris Forrester
Monday, 01 March 2010 10:05
Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei has confirmed that Worldspace, which Liberty is in the process of acquiring from bankruptcy, will go global.
Mr Maffei told analysts that Worldspace has L-band spectrum access worldwide [not quite true] and that Liberty was looking to develop the now somewhat lapsed Worldspace assets.
His comments must be read in close conjunction with those of Sirius-XM, in which Liberty holds a 40% stake. Last week Sirius-XM said: “We have entered into a letter of intent with a Mexican company, ACIR DARS Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., to pursue a license to offer satellite radio in Mexico. ACIR DARS Mexico has filed an application for a license to offer satellite radio with the Mexican government. The letter of intent contemplates us receiving a royalty from ACIR DARS Mexico as well as an option to acquire an equity interest in such Mexican business.”
The ‘not quite true’ statement concerns the UK, where Qualcomm has the L-Band terrestrial frequency rights.
An SEC ‘annual report’ filing made Feb 25 by Sirius-XM also talks of Sirius-XM’s long-held relationship with Worldspace, in particular a Technology Licensing Agreement dated January 1 1998 (and amended six months later). A key – but telling – phrase says bluntly: “Other regions. We are in discussions with various parties regarding possible joint ventures in other countries.”
It is also worth remembering how all-embracing Sirius-XM is in North America, and how these vehicle brands are just as well known outside its current operating region. “We have agreements with every major automaker — Acura/Honda, Aston Martin, Audi, Automobili Lamborghini, Bentley, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Ferrari, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti/Nissan, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Land Rover, Lincoln, Lexus, Toyota, Scion, Subaru, Maybach, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mercury, MINI, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Volvo and Volkswagen — to offer either SIRIUS or XM satellite radios as factory or dealer-installed equipment in their vehicles. As of December 31, 2009, satellite radios were available as a factory or dealer-installed option in substantially all vehicle models sold in the United States,” says the SEC filing made by Sirius-XM.
As far as Worldspace itself is concerned there will be a hearing this coming Friday in a Delaware courtroom regarding the closing stages of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
© Rapid TV News 2010
AI
