The proposed $5 billion merger, which was announced more than a year ago, must still be approved by the Federal Communications Commission. The merger is opposed by consumer groups and broadcasters who say it will force up prices and reduce the programming now available from the two competing systems.Perhaps some enterprising reporter that covers TV/Radio at a local newspaper might look into why Van Hollen decided to stick his nose into this federal matter in the first place.
The Justice Department’s antitrust division announced Monday that it approved the merger after determining that prices were not likely to rise, in part because of competition from other program sources, like HD Radio as well as iPods and other MP3 players that can be connected to home or car audio systems. The deal, the agency said, was unlikely to hurt competition or consumers.
Meanwhile, that happy guy humming a tune while riding his bike is Nick Schweitzer, who now gets to listen to both baseball and football, and possibly even George Carlin discussing both. Unless of course the FCC listens to Clear Channel, in which case Nick's expanded radio choices may be limited again.
