Gizmodo: merger

The Comcast-NBC Merger Nutrition Facts

Jesus Diaz — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:20:00 EST

The Comcast-NBC merger is going to be a huge bag of hurt for everyone. A cable company owning a channel that reaches 99% of U.S. homes, controlling 1 out of every 5 TV viewing hours? Doesn't seem healthy to me.

Click to zoom in.

Too much fat, not enough flavor, and a tongue-itching texture. No, I don't want this in my diet, thank you very much. [Freepress via BoingBoing]

CEO: Fully Merged Sirius XM Devices To Hit Shelves In Q1 2009

Matt Hickey — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 23:00:30 EDT

When Sirius and XM finished their merger dance it was said that they would be able to offer interoperable radios—that is units that work with the full lineups of both XM and Sirus—within a year of the merger. Then they told the FCC they'd have devices within nine months. Now Mel Karmazin, CEO of the new merged company, has said that we can expect merged receivers "a number of months" before that deadline, likely in the first quarter of 2009. This is both good and bad news for the consumers. It's good because they'll get the full benefits of the merged systems, but it's bad because to get those benefits they'll have to purchase another receiver. Karmazin also said that "a la carte" radios—those that would offer a full lineup of either XM or Sirius and individual channels from the other service—will be here for the holidays, but we'd hold off.[OrbitCast]

XM-Sirius Merger Nears Approval, Comes Down To One Commissioner's Vote

John Mahoney — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:05:45 EDT

And here she is. After FCC commissioner Johnathan Adelstein withdrew his support today, the vote is now deadlocked and awaiting the yea or nay from Deborah Taylor Tate, a Republican who is expected to approve the merger so all of this can finally be over and done with (something tells me a large batch of high-end satellite radio gear is now being priority-overnighted to Taylor's office to make sure everything is greased appropriately). If you're a subscriber, not a whole lot will change once the deal is finalized and the two merge parts of their programming, but you'll need new gear to take full advantage of any new subscriptions once the merger is wrapped up. [WSJ via CrunchGear].

Helio Stores And Kiosks Closing Soon, Company In Trouble?

Jason Chen — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:59:59 EDT

A tipster told us that the talks between Virgin Mobile and SK Telecom/Helio are going nowhere, with Virgin backing out unless there's some sort of bankruptcy declaration or huge liquidation. Our tipster says that Helio's corporate stores and kiosks will be closing very soon, which is backed up by similar info from Engadget. They say that there's no merger between Helio and Virgin, and that customers might just be moved over to Virgin's network.

When we called up Helio stores, their people sounded like they were reading off a script, or that they've gotten a memo, and were trying to convince us that they shouldn't worry if Virgin takes them over. So in essence, Helio customers won't be plan-less if Virgin does take over their customers—you'll just be making out your checks to Virgin instead of Helio.

Yahoo Flirting With AOL Something Fierce, Microsoft Still On Doorstep With Flowers

Wilson Rothman — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:24:51 EDT

An unnamed source (aren't they all?) confirmed a rumor that had been floating before: that Yahoo, in order to escape being grabbed by Microsoft, would hurl itself at the second-ugliest suitor in the room, AOL. The new details say that Time Warner would pay some cash up front for a 20% stake in a joint AOL-Yahoo program. The AOL side, valued at $10 billion, would include all properties (such as our worthy competitor Engadget) but not the dial-up service that your grandma and pretty much no one else still has. Microsoft still may get its way, though: Word is that it's teaming with MySpace-owner News Corp for some kind of a three-way proposition. [Reuters]

Craigslist Auction for Nintendo & Apple Merger Documents Has Us Reaching for Our Wallets

Haroon Malik — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 01:59:00 EDT

We know you can find an occasional bargain on Craigslist, but this takes the biscuit: documents actually detailing a merger between Apple and Nintendo. We knew Nintendo and Apple were up to something—has no one else noticed all the plastic white styled similarities? C'mon you guys, it's just makes sense! Now, we're off to put in our bid. Expect some seriously breaking news soon. [Kotaku]

Update: Microhoot/Yahoosoft! a No Go?

blongo3 — Fri, 04 May 2007 21:16:53 EDT

According to the WSJ, it looks like Yahoo is going to turn down Microsoft yet again. They claim that Yahoo just wasn't feeling the MS vibe.

These two star-crossed lovers seemed to be doomed to a world just friendly-flirting.

And thanks to the reader, only known to us as "Dean", for envisioning what the possible merger could of looked like down the road. Mmmm, pie.– Ben Longo

Microsoft, Yahoo Discussed Deal [WSJ via TechCrunch]

Microsoft and Yahoo Shopping For Rings (Again) [Gizmodo]

Microsoft and Yahoo Shopping for Rings (Again)

Wilson Rothman — Fri, 04 May 2007 11:00:00 EDT

The Wall Street Journal says that Microsoft and Yahoo are back to talking about a merger, after a serious flirtation a year ago. Seems the Goog has grown stronger of late (something to do with utter dominance of online advertising, coupled with new and promising consumer software apps) and one thing Yahoo and Microsoft can do about it is get together, like platonic friends from college who meet up again, desperate and lonely, at their 10-year reunion. Will it work? Can you imagine the branding nightmare? They say "merger" but can you really see Gates, Ballmer and the rest of Redmond sharing the keynote stage, especially with Terry Semel? Feel free to share your vision of the scariest (or most surprisingly utopian) Microsoft-Yahoo mashup. – Wilson Rothman

Microsoft, Yahoo Reconsider Merger [The Wall Street Journal]

Sirius CEO Talks A La Carte Satellite Radio Packages

Travis Hudson — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 17:00:33 EST

As the resident satellite radio junkie, this bit of information definitely makes my ears perk. Mel Karmazin, the Sirius head-honcho, talked before a House Judiciary Committee Antitrust Task Force about the merger and some a la carte programming packages that may be in the works. He said that there is no current way to pick and choose a completely customized subscription, but there may be "tier packages" available in the future. For example you could pick and choose between music, sports, talk and family tiers. He also added that that the current $12.95 price tag is a ceiling and these tier packages would allows users to get satellite radio for less. Good to hear, Karmazin. –Travis Hudson

Karmazin on post-merger packages and pricing [Orbitcast]

Mr. Karmazin Goes to Washington: Siriusly You Guys, Let Us Merge! We'll Do Anything

Matt Buchanan — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 09:00:38 EST

Mel Karmazin, Sirius's head honcho, wants that merger baaaad. He took to Capitol Hill this week to try to give the merger-to-be a running start toward clearing the significant regulatory hurdles (and doubts) it's likely to face in the coming months. Talking to the antitrust taskforce on the House Judiciary Committee, he revealed that they're "prepared to make concessions, and we're willing to work with the FCC on doing it."

What kind of concessions? How about the one everybody wants to hear: price controls. Yep. He added that they'll "leave it to the regulators" to enforce promises they're making about "more programming and better services at lower prices." Whether or not you trust the regulators is another story though, I suppose.

Also combatting suggestions that the new company would be a monopoly, Karmazin repeatedly emphasized that within the context of the broader market—traditional radio, internet radio and mp3 players—they are not.

There is, I feel, some weight to his argument, as much like it sounds like hot air. I have an iPod—I don't think about satellite radio, though I might if I didn't. There's enough competitive pressure coming in from all sides, it seems, to drive them to keep things balanced, lest subscribers flock elsewhere. Whether or not Congress and the FCC buys that argument remains to be seen. – Matt Buchanan

Sirius Chief Talks of Ways to Get XM Deal Approved [NYT]

XM & Sirius Satellite Merger in a Nutshell

Brian Lam — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 22:44:07 EST

XM and Sirius Satellite radio companies spend way too much on exclusive radio talent like Oprah, Howard Stern, and Major League Baseball games. For better financial health, they're proposing a "merger of equals", where Sirius plans to buy XM for 4.6 Billion in stock. The FCC may oppose it, worrying about an anti competitive marketplace. Meanwhile, the two companies are whining that iPods are kicking its ass. I'd agree.

My thoughts...

If the FCC allows this, yes, they would be the only sat radio folks in town, and the word monopoly comes to mind. But that doesn't mean that we have no where else to get music from. So, If XM and Sirius try to jack their prices, and lose their competitive edge they'll lose customers. I'd say, the merger should help us all. As long as prices stay the same, and content stays as rich, we won't have to choose between the talent on each network. A big if, especially in the long term, but I believe the market will sort it all out.
–Brian Lam

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070220/wr_nm/xm_sirius_dc [Yahoo!]

HTC Wants to Merge With Sony Ericsson?

Jason Chen — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 18:55:45 EST

File this rumor under "Ich don't think so". It seems like Peter Chou, CEO of HTC, has made some grumblings about HTC being a good fit in a merger between it and Sony Ericsson. Really? A maker of Windows Mobile smartphones that aren't very stylish combining with a company that makes handhelds and musicphones? Seems iffy.

Sure, they'd make a good match to service the entire spectrum of cellphones, but whether the two companies or the two engineering cultures would fit together is another story. Plus, there's SE's love of Symbian, which doesn't quite fit in with HTC's Windows Mobile lust. – Jason Chen

Interview with Peter Chou [Di.se via Gearfuse via Crunchgear]

Rumormill: XM, Sirius Merger Announced Today?

Travis Hudson — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 13:35:42 EST

Supposedly yes, according to the sources at theflyonthewall. An announcement of a merger between the two largest satellite radio companies, XM and Sirius, is expected to be announced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit later today. I still unsure if this would be a good move. Being a Sirius listener and fan I enjoy everything about the stations as it is and I don't want to see a merge of content losing stations and gaining other undesireable ones. And what about the hardware? Will I have to buy a new receiver to accommodate the possible merger. There are too many hurdles to overcome for this to work out successfully. –Travis Hudson

XM-Sirius Merger Plans to be Announced Today? [Orbitcast]

Sirius, XM Merger Fo' Real? Nah, Not Really

Travis Hudson — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 16:40:07 EDT

Sirius Radio Chief Executive, Mel Karmazin, said that he would like to buy XM radio but there would be quite a few hurdles to jump.

"Regarding XM - would we like to buy them? Sure. We'd love to buy them. Price would matter, so that would be an issue ... (and) there would definitely be the regulatory issue," he said.

Karmazin continues to say that Sirius is definitely not up for sale and that a merger probably wouldn't work out. He was quoted saying that the current Sirius business plan does not include making any kind of deals and he also said that he would be gone if any kind of merger happened. Well, I guess that kills hope for a universal satellite radio to compete with terrestrial radio. Thanks for the buzz kill, Karmazin. Thanks to Orbicast for the nifty image and hit up their link below for some insightful commentary on the entire situation. – Travis Hudson

Mel Karmazin opens Convergence 2.0 [Via Orbicast, Reuters]

Nokia and Siemens Merger Thing: BFD

Travis Hudson — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 15:42:43 EDT

So here is the word on Siemens latest venture to make BenQ Siemens Nokia Sprint Nextel AT&T Cingular. Okay it is really just Siemens and Nokia, but it seems like all of these cellphone giants are merging faster than we can handle.

This merger will be a 50-50 joint venture of Nokia's Networks Business Group and Siemens' carrier-related operations for fixed and mobile networks. So what the hell does that mean? Well hopefully it with improve the global phone service and technology between the two companies. So, better technology, and better service all around for Nokia and Siemens users across the globe. All-in-all this doesn't seem like that big of a deal, but maybe we will be surprised and Nokia and Siemens will do something pretty groundbreaking, but probably not. – Travis Hudson

Nokia and Siemens to Merge Their Communications Service Provider Businesses [PR Newswire]

Sony, NEC Getting Friendly in the Optical Drive Business

Travis Hudson — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 18:06:00 EST

Sony and NEC have officially signed an agreement which would merge both of their respected optical drive businesses. With the agreement Sony will control 55 percent of the company while NEC will control the other 45 percent. The company, named Sony NEC Optiarc Inc., will begin manufacturing merged optical drives this spring.

The kicker, Sony is one of the leaders of the Blu-Ray movement, while NEC has publicly backed the HD DVD format. Even though both of the new formats are engaged in a heated battle to the death, Sony has already said that they may produce HD DVD drives alongside their Blu-Ray drives.

Sony, NEC To Form "Optiarc" Drive Business [Extremetech]