Two of the MediaBistro Fishbowls recently provided similar, but different, coverage of the satellite wars. In one corner, we have CBS eyeing (ha!) the purchase of XM*. In the other corner, we have the apparent trouncing of XM by Sirius.
Of course it’s too early to declare a winner, and given the fact that it’s a big planet, we don’t really need a winner (though at least one ‘loper has predicted a merging of the two satellite providers, at which point, you really will need a “Super-High Intensity Toggle Controller”).
For those of you who read tea leaves in the form of delayed launches of programming hosted by Bob Dylan (you know who you are), it’s all over for XM. Hopefully, Sirius will pick up MLB because that’s what satellite radio is for, when you think about it.
But I digress. Isn’t it time to end the stunt disk jockey programming? These two entities are going to kill each other with expensive acquisitions — which, unlike ill-advised durable goods purchases, cannot be returned without breaking legal agreements. Mel Karmazin noted, and one can only imagine him cringing inside,
“It’s scary how much they cost, but I would rather have them and find a way to make money with them rather than compete against them,” Karmazin said at the Sports Business Journal’s annual World Congress of Sports event.
Mel’s a smart guy and he knows that red ink can only flow forever. He also knows that one can only get a Howard Stern bump for so long. Unless something really juicy happens (and it’s rather terrifying to contemplate juicy and Leslie Moonves in the same thought), people will grow bored with the Stern/CBS feud. Legal wrangling does that to people.
A Friend-of-Medialoper (FOM) is both an early adopter and zealot when he acquires new technology. No, seriously, you don’t have it yet? I’ve had it for five minutes. It’s the best thing. Ever. You know the guy — and he’s not talking about how cool satellite is yet.
Meaning an increase in visibility due to one thing or the other doesn’t carry much meaning yet. Give it some time, some market saturation. And keep an eye on new car purchases — what player are those people choosing?
* – No, CBS, don’t do it. The Howard Stern obsession is controlling your mind. Save yourself while you can.