Filed by Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.
Pursuant to Rule 425 under the
Securities Act of 1933 and deemed filed
pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Subject Company: XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc.
Commission File No.: 0-27441
This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to,
statements about the benefits of the business combination transaction involving Sirius Satellite
Radio Inc. and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., including potential synergies and cost savings and
the timing thereof, future financial and operating results, the combined companys plans,
objectives, expectations and intentions with respect to future operations, products and services;
and other statements identified by words such as anticipate, believe, plan, estimate,
expect, intend, will, should, may, or words of similar meaning. Such forward-looking
statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of SIRIUS and XMs management and
are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and
contingencies, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of SIRIUS
and XM. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking
statements.
The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the
anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statement: general
business and economic conditions; the performance of financial markets and interest rates; the
ability to obtain governmental approvals of the transaction on a timely basis; the failure of
SIRIUS and XM stockholders to approve the transaction; the failure to realize synergies and
cost-savings from the transaction or delay in realization thereof; the businesses of SIRIUS and XM
may not be combined successfully, or such combination may take longer, be more difficult,
time-consuming or costly to accomplish than expected; and operating costs and business disruption
following the merger, including adverse effects on employee retention and on our business
relationships with third parties, including manufacturers of radios, retailers, automakers and
programming providers. Additional factors that could cause SIRIUS and XMs results to differ
materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in SIRIUS and XMs
Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, and Quarterly Reports on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007, which are filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the SEC) and available at the SECs Internet site (http://www.sec.gov). The
information set forth herein speaks only as of the date hereof, and SIRIUS and XM disclaim any
intention or obligation to update any forward looking statements as a result of developments
occurring after the date of this communication.
Important Additional Information Will be Filed with the SEC
This communication is being made in respect of the proposed business combination involving
SIRIUS and XM. In connection with the proposed transaction, SIRIUS plans to file with the SEC a
Registration Statement on Form S-4 containing a Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and each of SIRIUS
and XM plans to file with the SEC other documents regarding the proposed transaction. The
definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus will be mailed to stockholders of SIRIUS and XM.
INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF SIRIUS AND XM ARE URGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN
THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED
TRANSACTION.
Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the Registration
Statement and the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus (when available) and other documents filed with
the SEC by SIRIUS and XM through the web site maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Free copies of
the Registration Statement and the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus (when available) and other
documents filed with the SEC can also be obtained by directing a request to Sirius Satellite Radio
Inc., 1221 Avenue of the Americas, 36th Floor, New York, NY 10020, Attention: Investor
Relations or by directing a request to XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., 1500 Eckington Place, N.E.
Washington, DC 20002, Attention: Investor Relations.
SIRIUS, XM and their respective directors and executive officers and other persons may be
deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction.
Information regarding SIRIUS directors and executive officers is available in its Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, which was filed with the SEC on March 1, 2007, and
its proxy statement for its 2007 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on
April 23, 2007, and information regarding XMs directors and executive officers is available in
XMs Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2006, which was filed with the SEC
on March 1, 2007 and its proxy statement for its 2007 annual meeting of stockholders, which was
filed with the SEC on April 17, 2007. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy
solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or
otherwise, will be contained in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other relevant materials
to be filed with the SEC when they become available.
***
The following is a press release issued on June 14, 2007.
NEW STUDY SHOWS THAT SIRIUS-XM MERGER ENHANCES AUDIO COMPETITION
Report from Leading Economist Concludes SIRIUS-XM Merger will Expand Programming Options,
Improve Content Quality and Benefit Consumers
NEW YORK and WASHINGTON, DC June 14, 2007 Thomas Hazlett, the former Chief Economist of the
Federal Communications Commission, Professor of Law & Economics at George Mason University, and a
principal in Arlington Economics, today released a study regarding the merger of SIRIUS Satellite
Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) and XM Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: XMSR).
The paper, The Economics of the Satellite Radio Merger, explores the financial and strategic
rationale behind the SIRIUS-XM merger and concludes that the merger offers the potential to yield
substantial efficiencies, benefit consumers and enhance the dynamics of competition within the
audio entertainment marketplace. The paper was prepared for XM and SIRIUS and was filed today at
the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as part of the companies merger application.
Commenting on the merger, Professor Hazlett stated, After a thorough analysis, it is my opinion
that the merger of XM and SIRIUS will predictably enhance consumer welfare. The National
Association of Broadcasters (NAB) staunch opposition to the merger illustrates their similar
expectation. The improved economic vitality of a combined satellite radio company would drive
industry innovation, promote competition and enhance programming and pricing options for
customers.
Key findings from the study include:
The proposed XM-SIRIUS merger will increase competition among providers of audio entertainment.
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AM/FM radio free radio competes with satellite radio, as
evidenced by long-standing opposition by terrestrial stations to
satellite rivalry and to the proposed merger. |
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If the terrestrial broadcasters genuinely believed that the merger
would substantially increase price, they would support not
oppose the merger, given that higher prices for satellite radio
would translate into larger audiences and ad revenues for them. |
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Since satellite radio first appeared on the scene, broadcasters
have consistently attempted to restrain this new service to
protect their interests at the expense of market competition. |
Numerous independent investment analysts have concluded that the proposed merger will yield
substantial efficiencies.
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The merger is expected to lift the financial prospects of
satellite radio, lower capital financing costs, and foster
economies of scale. Consensus estimates identify cost synergies
of between $3 billion and $7 billion in net present value. |
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These efficiencies will permit more aggressive investment in
satellite systems and products and prompt competitive responses
from terrestrial broadcasters and other rivals. |
By any measure, satellite radio is dwarfed by terrestrial radio.
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The most common measure of economic size is revenue. Terrestrial
broadcasters accounted for over $21 billion in sales in 2006, as
compared to just $1.6 billion for satellite less than 7% of
overall radio broadcasting revenues. |
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In market value, terrestrial stations have an estimated enterprise
value, in aggregate, of about $82 billion as compared to about $9
billion for XM and SIRIUS combined.
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XM and SIRIUS compete in a complex and dynamic market. When iPods
and other digital audio media are considered in addition to
terrestrial broadcasting, satellites revenue share falls to 4%. |
Consumers will benefit from the proposed merger.
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By combining two small players in the audio
entertainment market, the transaction will bring
economic vitality to satellite radio. This, in
turn, will sustain a wide range of valuable
consumer options and spawn new services and
products. |
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Consumers benefit from lower-cost products and
services, as well as wider program choice. By
combining operations, satellite operators seek to
create greater scale economies in radio
receivers, and to supply a wider array of popular
programming to subscribers. |
There is intense inter-modal competition among providers of audio entertainment.
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Consumers have a wide range of audio entertainment choices, including
advertising-supported terrestrial broadcasting, subscription satellite radio, MP3
devices, and other emerging digital media. The fact that there are widely disparate
pricing models among these platforms demonstrates that the competitive frontier is
largely defined in terms of quality and convenience of service, rather than price. |
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Taking the fluid nature of the market into account, it is clear that satellite radio
broadcasters are not dominant players but compete with a host of other products and
services. |
Investment analysts see the merger as an attempt by satellite radio providers to drive costs down
and to offer a more competitive product.
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Independent projections show an increase in subscriber growth and
more programming choices a strongly pro-consumer outcome. |
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A merger that reduces effective prices to subscribers and delivers
billions of dollars worth of cost saving efficiencies is in the
public interest under either a consumer welfare or a total
welfare standard. |
Hazlett concludes that it is for these reasons that Wall Street analysts have argued in favor of
this transaction since long before the parties negotiated a merger agreement. Likewise, these same
reasons serve as the basis for incumbent broadcasters opposition.
The analysis and views expressed in this study are solely those of Professor Hazlett, whose
research on both high-tech markets and economic regulation has been published in leading economics
journals and law reviews. Professor Hazlett received financial compensation for his time in
assembling this paper.
To view the full paper or to learn more about the SIRIUS-XM merger, please visit XMmerger.com or
SIRIUSmerger.com.
# # #
About SIRIUS
SIRIUS, The Best Radio on Radio, delivers more than 130 channels of the best programming in all
of radio. SIRIUS is the original and only home of 100% commercial free music channels in satellite
radio, offering 69 music channels. SIRIUS also delivers 65 channels of sports, news, talk,
entertainment, traffic, weather and data. SIRIUS is the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the
NFL, NASCAR, NBA and NHL, and broadcasts live play-by-play games of the NFL, NBA and NHL, as well
as live NASCAR races. All SIRIUS programming is available for a monthly subscription fee of only
$12.95.
SIRIUS Internet Radio (SIR) is a CD-quality, Internet-only version of the SIRIUS radio service,
without the use of a radio, for the monthly subscription fee of $12.95. SIR delivers more than 75
channels of talk, entertainment, sports, and 100% commercial free music.
SIRIUS products for the car, truck, home, RV and boat are available in more than 25,000 retail
locations, including Best Buy, Circuit City, Crutchfield, Costco, Target, Wal-Mart, Sams Club,
RadioShack and at shop.sirius.com.
SIRIUS radios are offered in vehicles from Audi, Bentley, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Infiniti,
Jaguar, Jeep®, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercury, Maybach, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, MINI,
Mitsubishi, Nissan, Rolls Royce, Scion, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo. Hertz also offers SIRIUS in
its rental cars at major locations around the country.
Click on www.sirius.com to listen to SIRIUS live, or to purchase a SIRIUS radio and subscription.
About XM
XM is Americas number one satellite radio company with more than 8 million subscribers.
Broadcasting live daily from studios in Washington, DC, New York City, Chicago, the Country Music
Hall of Fame in Nashville, Toronto and Montreal, XMs 2007 lineup includes more than 170 digital
channels of choice from coast to coast: commercial-free music, premier sports, news, talk radio,
comedy, childrens and entertainment programming; and the most advanced traffic and weather
information.
XM, the leader in satellite-delivered entertainment and data services for the automobile market
through partnerships with General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Porsche, Subaru, Suzuki and
Toyota is available in 140 different vehicle models for 2007. XMs industry-leading products are
available at consumer electronics retailers nationwide. For more information about XM hardware,
programming and partnerships, please visit http://www.xmradio.com.
# # #
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to,
statements about the benefits of the business combination transaction involving SIRIUS Satellite
Radio Inc. and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., including potential synergies and cost savings and
the timing thereof, future financial and operating results, the combined companys plans,
objectives, expectations and intentions with respect to future operations, products and services;
and other statements identified by words such as anticipate, believe, plan, estimate,
expect, intend, will, should, may, or words of similar meaning. Such forward-looking
statements are based upon our current beliefs and expectations and are inherently subject to
significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many
of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond our control. Actual results may differ
materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements.
The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the
anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statement: general
business and economic conditions; the performance of financial markets and interest rates; the
ability to obtain governmental approvals of the transaction on a timely basis; the failure of
SIRIUS and XM shareholders to approve the transaction; the failure to realize synergies and
cost-savings from the transaction or delay in realization thereof; the businesses of SIRIUS and XM
may not be combined successfully, or such combination may take longer, be more difficult,
time-consuming or costly to accomplish than expected; and operating costs and business disruption
following the merger, including adverse effects on employee retention and on our
business
relationships with third parties, including manufacturers of radios, retailers, automakers and
programming providers. Additional factors that could cause our results to differ materially from
those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2006 which is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the SEC) and available at the SECs Internet site (http://www.sec.gov). The information set
forth herein speaks only as of the date hereof, and we disclaim any intention or obligation to
update any forward looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this
press release.
Important Additional Information Will be Filed with the SEC
This communication is being made in respect of the proposed business combination involving SIRIUS
and XM. In connection with the proposed transaction, SIRIUS plans to file with the SEC a
Registration Statement on Form S-4 containing a Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and each of SIRIUS
and XM plan to file with the SEC other documents regarding the proposed transaction. The
definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus will be mailed to stockholders of SIRIUS and XM.
INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF SIRIUS AND XM ARE URGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY
BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.
Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the Registration Statement and
the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus (when available) and other documents filed with the SEC by
SIRIUS and XM through the web site maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Free copies of the
Registration Statement and the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus (when available) and other
documents filed with the SEC can also be obtained by directing a request to SIRIUS Satellite Radio
Inc., 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, Attention: Investor Relations.
SIRIUS, XM and their respective directors and executive officers and other persons may be
deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction.
Information regarding SIRIUS directors and executive officers is available in its Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, which was filed with the SEC on March 1, 2007, and
its proxy statement for its 2007 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on
April 23, 2007, and information regarding XMs directors and executive officers is available in
XMs Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2006, which was filed with the SEC
on March 1, 2007 and its proxy statement for its 2007 annual meeting of shareholders, which was
filed with the SEC on April 17, 2007. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy
solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or
otherwise, will be contained in the Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become
available.
SIRIUS
Media Relations
Patrick Reilly
212-901-6646
PReilly@siriusradio.com
Joele Frank / Eric Brielmann
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
212-355-4449
ebrielmann@joelefrank.com
XM
Media Relations
Nathaniel Brown
212-708-6170
Nathaniel.Brown@xmradio.com
Chance Patterson
202-380-4318
Chance.Patterson@xmradio.com