Justice Dept. Decision on Sirius/XM Merger 30 Days Away

Sources tell ALL ACCESS that SIRIUS and XM have certified the second round of paperwork to the DEPT. OF JUSTICE. Unless an extension is requested to accumulate even more paperwork, the DOJ is expected to render its decision within 30 days -- on OCT. 6th. If no request for extension is made and no denial is issued, the merger would be approved.

Of course, the SIRIUS/XM deal still needs to get signed off by the FCC; that decision is not expected for three months. However, DOJ approval is widely considered to be the tougher hurdle of the two.

For its part, the FCC will hold its fifth official media ownership hearing on SEPT. 20 at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters on CHICAGO's South Side. While the main topic of conversation will no doubt be consolidation, the public will be able to weigh in on the SIRIUS/XM merger, which might prompt comment from the FCC Commissioners in attendance.

« see more Net News