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24 November, 2010 01:12:00
Sirius XM on the lookout for qualified
entities
As part of
gaining permission for a merger, surviving
satcaster entity Sirius XM is dedicating a tier
of channels to diverse outside programmers.
It has now posted information on what it
takes to qualify and set a proposal deadline
of 1/7/11.
The site containing the pertinent
information was referred to in a release by
the FCC and is already available for perusal.
It is located at
www.siriusxm.com/qualifiedentity.
From the page located there, the satcaster defines a qualified
entity: The FCC has made this set-aside
available only to lessees that (1) are not directly or
indirectly owned, in whole or in part, by Sirius XM or
an affiliate of Sirius XM; (2) do not share any common officers,
directors or employees with Sirius XM or
any affiliate of Sirius XM; and (3) do not have any existing
relationships with Sirius XM for the supply of
programming during the two years prior to October 19, 2010.
It says what it is looking for: In selecting programming for
this set-aside, we are looking for the
following: Programming representing diverse viewpoints and/or
diverse entertainment content;
improved service to historically underserved audiences; original
content of a type not otherwise available
to Sirius XM subscribers; access to new sources of content and
new entrants to mass media. Applications
should demonstrate that proposer has the financial, operational,
and technical ability to perform its
obligations under the lease. We will select programmers that, in
our judgment, will be able to meet their
obligations and deliver their proposed mix or type of
programming for the duration of the lease term.
It also refers potential applicants to several relevant websites
for more information.
The company notes that it plans to make tentative programmer
selections by 3/2/11 and sign leasing
agreements by 4/17/11.
RBR-TVBR observation: In the current regulatory and legal
environment, it is virtually impossible for
the government to steer anything to a specific societal niche,
and with that in mind, MMTC recently
petitioned the FCC to at least make an attempt to guide Sirius
XM's selections, suggesting guidelines that
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offered specifics leavened with an appropriate level of
vagueness.
From what it looks like, however, Sirius XM has the intent and
spirit of the tier in mind. Of course, the
proof will be in the pudding. It will be interesting to see what
services get the nod.
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