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 quarters ended March 31, 2007 and June 30, 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 has filed with the SEC an
amended Registration Statement on Form S-4 containing a preliminary 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 PRELIMINARY JOINT
PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND THE DEFINITIVE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS WHEN IT BECOMES
AVAILABLE, AS WELL AS 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 can obtain free copies of the Registration Statement and the
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus 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 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, is contained in the preliminary Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus filed with the SEC.
***
SIRIUS website, which is available at www.SIRIUSmerger.com and has information about SIRIUS
proposed merger, has been updated. The updates include the information being filed herewith.
In addition, the In the News page of the website also contains links to the following third-party
articles:
XM and Sirius shares climb on growing hope that their proposed merger will be approved
26 September 2007
Associated Press Newswires
NEW YORK (AP) Shares of Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc.
continued making gains Wednesday as the testimony of a U.S. Justice Department official
strengthened the perception that the two digital radio companies will be allowed to join forces.
Both companies stocks have risen sharply since mid-August on heightening optimism that U.S.
regulators will clear a proposed merger.
According to published reports, the Justice Departments antitrust chief, Thomas Barnett, told
Congress Tuesday that more information is needed to make a decision, but the department will act as
quickly as possible.
Shares of Sirius climbed 17 cents, or 5.2 percent, to $3.45. Shares of XM gained 83 cents, or 6.1
percent, to $14.35.
Banc of America Securities analyst Jonathan A. Jacoby said in a research note that the big question
is what does more information mean? The market expects the Justice Department to decide in 15 to
45 days, he said, but it could take longer.
Jacoby said the stocks recent prices imply that people think there is an 85 percent chance the
deal will be approved. He is more skeptical, though, with his sources pegging just a 30 percent
chance of approval by the end of the first quarter of 2008.
September 27, 2007
Beyond the Fairness Doctrine: Radios Fight over the XMSirius Merger
by Edwin Meese, III and James L. Gattuso
WebMemo #1646
Theres a radio war going on in Washington, and this one has nothing to do with the Fairness
Doctrine. Talk of re-imposing the requirement by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that
broadcasters air opposing views on controversial topics sparked an intense and highly publicized
debate this summer. Almost lost in the fairness furor, however, has been a second, but no less
intense, radio industry battle over the merger of satellite radio providers XM and Sirius. After
months of review, a ruling from the Justice Department is expected within weeks, to be followed by
a decision by the FCC, which also must approve the transaction. The merger debate is different from
the fairness debate in that it involves the structure, rather than content, of the radio
industry. Like the fairness debate, however, the outcome could determine how Americans will
listen to the radio for years to come.
Background
Satellite radiothe transmission of radio programming directly via satellite rather than via
broadcasts from land-based towersis a relatively new service. The FCC, overcoming the opposition
of radio broadcasters, auctioned frequencies for two satellite radio providers in 1997, which were
won by XM and Sirius for a combined $173 million.[1] The two firms began offering service until
2001 and 2002, respectively.
Growth for the new services has been rapid, with combined subscribership nearing 14 million last
year. But despite this expansion, the firms have struggled financially. The cost of launching and
maintaining satellites and other infrastructure is high, as is the cost of programming. (Howard
Stern alone costs Sirius some $100 million per year.[2]) Neither XM nor Sirius has ever made a
profit. In 2006 alone, Sirius lost $1.1 billion, and XM lost $719 million.[3]
Hoping to turn this dismal financial performance around, XM and Sirius announced plans to merge in
February of this year. Among the benefits they foresee: accelerated development of new technologies
as research budgets are combined; increased variety of programming due to increased channel
capacity; and perhaps $3 billion to $7 billion in net present value cost savings.[4]
Of course, none of these benefits are guaranteed.[5] In dynamic markets, no particular outcome is
ever certain; the specific results can only be determined in the marketplace. Nevertheless, the
potential for real consumer gains from this transaction is real and substantial.
Merger Would Preserve, Strengthen Competition
Traditional AM and FM broadcasters, among others, are fighting the deal, arguing that since Sirius
and XM are the only two firms offering satellite radio, the merger would create a monopoly. The two
sides have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on their campaigns, along with allies ranging
from former Attorney General John Ashcroft (against the merger) to Frank Sinatra Enterprises
(supporting the merger). Highlighting the intensity of the battle, the National Association of
Broadcasters
(NAB), the trade association for traditional radio, even hung on its D.C. headquarters
building an outsized banner, proclaiming: XM + Sirius = monopoly.[6]
This argument, however, doesnt square with the facts. Sirius and XM have plenty of competitors,
starting with the broadcasters themselves. In fact, counting both broadcast and satellite services,
Sirius and XM have only 3.4 percent of the total radio listenership.[7]
But that is only the beginning. Internet-based service is increasingly becoming a player in radio.
Moreover, other forms of audio entertainment compete for American ears. In fact, i-Pods and other
MP3 devices, which have grown phenomenally in recent years, may be the biggest challenge to radio
of any kind.[8]
Even the National Association of Broadcasters has noted the broad nature of competition in audio
entertainment, stating to the FCC this January ...there can be no reasonable doubt that the
current media marketplace is robustly competitive, and indeed exploding at the seams with consumer
choices for both delivery mechanisms and content."[9]
More directly, NAB president David Rehr remarked on the tough competitive landscape: Who are our
newer competitors? On the radio side, we have satellite radio, Internet radio, iPods, other MP3
players, cell phones, and others.[10] Far from monopolizing anything, satellite radio is still an
upstart challenger in the audio entertainment marketplace.
Yet, opponents maintain that Sirius and XM have no competition. Economist Gregory Sidak of
Criterion Economics has argued that competition in one aspect of the market doesnt necessarily
mean there is competition in others. Specifically, he maintains that radio is a two-sided market,
in which terrestrial and satellite radio compete for advertisers, but not for listeners. For
listeners, Sidak argues, the two types of radio are complements, not substitutes, for each
other.[11]
That claim doesnt hold water. While many consumers do enjoy both types of radio, the relative
merits of AM and FM radio certainly impact a consumers decision as to whether to subscribe to
satellite service. Conversely, the merits of satellite service certainly affect how much its
subscribers will listen to terrestrial programming. This view was expressed by the National
Association of Broadcasters itself, which in a 1995 filing to the FCC wrote that satellite radio
fundamentally will compete with terrestrial broadcasters for listeners.[12]
NABs Rehr used a slightly different argument in a recent letter to Congress on the competition
issue.[13] He argued that while AM and FM broadcasters do provide competition to satellite radio in
individual local markets, they cant compete in the market for national programming, since they
dont have nationwide signals. This argument also is flawed. While broadcasters transmit signals
locally, national programmingvia networks and syndicationis commonplace.
Conclusion
The merger of XM and Sirius would not create a monopoly. Satellite radio is just one choice in an
increasing array of audio entertainment options available to consumers.
Rather than destroy competition, the proposed merger would increase it by allowing satellite radio to offer improved
services to consumers. Regulators should reject the false arguments of satellite radios earthbound
rivals and allow the merger to go forward.
Edwin Meese III is Ronald Reagan Distinguished Fellow in Public Policy and Chairman of the Center
for Legal and Judicial Studies, and James L. Gattuso is Senior Research Fellow in Regulatory Policy
in the Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies, at The Heritage Foundation.
[1]Federal Communications Commission, Auction 15: Digital Audio Radio Service (DARS)
wireless.fcc.gov/auctions/default.htm?job=auction_factsheet&id=15.
[2] Sirius Satellite Radio, Howard Stern and Sirius Announce the Most Important Deal in
Radio History, press release, Oct. 6, 2004, at
www.sirius.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Sirius/CachedPage&c=PresReleAsset&cid=1097008921509.
[3]XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., and Sirius Satellite Radio Inc., Consolidated Application for
Authority to Transfer Control of XM Radio Inc. and Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.(MB Docket No.
07-57), filed with the Federal Communications Commission, March 20, 2007, at
svartifoss2.fcc.gov/servlet/ib.page.FetchAttachment?attachment_key=-126018.
[4]SeeThomas W. Hazlett, The Economics of the Satellite Radio Merger, June 14, 2007, at
fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/retrieve.cgi?native_or_pdf=pdf&id_document=6519527923.
[5]Sirius and XM have made a variety of commitments regarding their post-merger practices, ranging
from a price freeze to allowing customers to choose channels on an a la carte basis. While these
commitments are apparently based on the firms expectation of benefits from the merger, no service
guarantees should or need be mandated by regulators as a condition of the merger.
[6]NAB Pulls out the Big Guns: Hangs Banner out the Window, Orbitcast, June 13, 2007, at
www.orbitcast.com/archives/nab-pulls-out-the-big-guns-hangs-banner-out-the-window.html.
[7]Arbitron: Satellite Radio Accounts for 3.4% of All Radio Listening, RadioInk.com, at
www.radioink.com/HeadlineEntry.asp?hid=137022&pt=archive.
[8]See remarks of David Rehr, National Association of Broadcasters, National Press Club, October 4,
2006, p. 5.
[9]Reply comments of the National Association of Broadcasters, 2006 Quadrennial Regulatory
ReviewReview of the Commissions Broadcast Ownership Rules and Other Rules Adopted Pursuant to
Section 202 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, MB Docket No. 06-121, at 34 (filed Jan. 16,
2007).
[10] See remarks of David Rehr, National Association of Broadcasters, National Press
Club, October 4, 2006.
[11]Sidak, J. Gregory, Supplemental Declaration of J. Gregory Sidak Concerning the Competitive
Consequences of the Proposed Merger of Sirius Satellite Radio, Inc. and XM Satellite Radio, Inc,
July 9, 2007.
[12]Federal Communications Commission, In the Matter of Establishment of the Rules and Policies for
the
Digital Audio Radio Satellite Service in the 2310 to 2360 MHz Frequency Band: Reply Comments of the
National Association of Broadcasters, IB Docket No. 95-91 (October 13, 1995), p. 34 (cited in
Hazlett, Economics of the Radio Satellite Merger.) Some also argue that competition is uneven
because satellite radio is subscription-based andunlike broadcasters, whose ad revenue depends
upon ratingsdoesnt lose money
unless a customer drops his subscription. But subscription or not,
satellite radio companies have no permanent lock on customers. A radio subscription isnt like an
electric bill; few consumers see it as a must-have. If radio broadcasters provide enough of what
they want, subscribers will drop satellite in a second.
[13]David K. Rehr to the Hon. John Conyers, March 12, 2007.
In addition, the What People Are Saying page of the website contain links to the following
information included on the website:
September 4, 2007
The Honorable Kevin J. Martin, Chairman
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20554
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Application for Authority to Transfer Control of
XM Radio Inc. and Sirius Satellite Radio Inc., MB Docket No. 07-57 |
Dear Chairman Martin:
I am writing to express my support for the proposed merger of XM Radio Inc.
and Sirius Satellite Radio Inc., which is currently under your review in MB Docket
No. 07-57. The proposed merger should be considered in the context of a broad
market definition, which includes the entire marketplace for audio entertainment.
Under such an appropriate definition, the merger would combine only a small
percentage of the market, but would lead to significant pro-consumer benefits. I,
therefore, believe the merger is in the public interest and urge that the
Commission approve it.
The relevant market for competition purposes is the entire marketplace for
audio entertainment, including terrestrial radio, Internet radio and
Internet-protocol enabled applications. The relevant market clearly includes all of
terrestrial radio, as evidenced by repeated statements by leading broadcast
companies that they are in competition with satellite radio. The strong opposition
of the NAB to the merger lends credence to the reality that terrestrial and
satellite radio are in direct competition.
The relevant market also includes Internet radio and both Internet-based
streams and Internet delivered downloads of music.
In that large, highly competitive market, satellite radio is a small player.
In a Fall 2006 Arbitron survey, satellite radio listening accounted for only 3.4%
of all radio listening. That same survey showed that satellite radio listeners are
avid listeners to terrestrial radio. In fact, satellite radio listeners listen to
XM or Sirius for 10.75 hours weekly while they listen to terrestrial radio more,
for an average total of 14 hours weekly. They listen to Internet radio 8.25 hours
weekly.
The Honorable Rick Boucher
September 4, 2007
Page 2
These figures clearly show that satellite radio is in competition with terrestrial radio, that
people who listen to satellite radio interchange their listening patterns among various radio
sources and that satellite radio listeners are listening to terrestrial radio more than twice as
much as they listen to satellite radio. Not only do listeners treat the market as unified among
satellite, terrestrial and Internet radio, they prefer terrestrial radio to either of the other
mediums.
With respect to consumer benefits, both companies maintain separate entertainment offerings at
the present time. The merger would extend to consumers larger choices from among those program
offerings. The companies recently announced that they will offer a total of eight program packages
post-merger, including several options that will enable consumers to select channels on an a la
carte basis. Moreover, the extra bandwidth which the elimination of duplication would produce will
result in the offering of more public interest programming than either company now offers. The
combined company will be able to expand diverse programs for underserved interests, such as for
foreign language and religious programming.
For these reasons, I urge the Commission to complete its review of this transaction and allow
the two companies to proceed with their merger plans.
Thanking you for your consideration of these comments, I remain with kind personal regards
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Sincerely, |
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Rick Boucher |
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Member of Congress |
RB/jas
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Commissioner Michael J. Copps
Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein
Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate
Commissioner Robert M. McDowell |
ELIOT L. ENGEL
17TH DISTRICT, NEW YORK
COMMITTEE ON
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
CHAIRMAN
WESTERN HEMISPHERE SUBCOMMITTEE
OTHER SUBCOMMITTEES:
EUROPE
MIDDLE EAST AND SOUTH ASIA
COMMITTEE ON
ENERGY AND COMMERCE
SUBCOMMITTEES:
HEALTH
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND THE INTERNET
ASSISTANT DEMOCRATIC WHIP
Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515-3217
September 18, 2007
2161 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON, DC 20515-3217
(202)225-2464
DISTRICT OFFICES:
3655 JOHNSON AVENUE
BRONX, NY 10463
(718) 798-9700
6 GRAMATAN AVENUE
SUITE 205
MOUNT VERNON, NY 10550
(914) 899-4100
261 WEST NYACK ROAD
WEST NYACK, NY 10994
(845) 735-1000
WEBSITE: http://engel.house.gov
Kevin Martin, Chairman
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20554
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Re: |
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Application for Authority to Transfer Control of XM
Radio Inc. and Sirius Satellite Radio Inc., MB Docket No. 07-57 |
Dear Chairman Martin:
After much deliberation, I am writing to voice my support for the pending merger of
Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and XM Radio Ino. I believe that this merger will improve the
variety and quality of satellite radio services to consumers.
I have carefully considered the proposal, attended our committee hearings, and I do not
take this decision lightly. I have heard all of the testimony and the pros and cons and feel
that ultimately the merger has to be looked at in the context of the totality of
entertainment choices that consumers have available to them. With the advent of the IPOD,
downloading, HD Radio and the like, I believe that you cannot isolate pay radio as its own
medium.
Right now a customer desiring pay radio must choose between the two companies and
select programming rather than having access to all channels. This often results in a
consumer being unable to get some desired programs. The merger will allow subscribers to get
all the programs they wish to hear, which is often not possible and feasible currently.
As with any situation, there are good points on both sides. But on balance, I believe
that the FCC should complete its review of this transaction to allow Sirius and XM to
proceed with their merger plans.
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Sincerely, |
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Eliot L. Engel |
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Member of Congress |
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Commissioner Michael J. Copps
Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein
Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate
Commissioner Robert M. McDowell |
Len
Hunt
Executive Vice President
Chief Operating Officer
August 21, 2007
The Honorable Thomas Barnett
Assistant Attorney General
Antitrust Division
United States Department of Justice
950 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530
The Honorable Kevin J. Martin
Chairman
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554
Dear Assistant Attorney General Barnett and Chairman Martin:
On behalf of Kia Motors America, I ask you to approve the proposed merger of XM and Sirius.
Kia Motors America is dedicated to building high-quality, high-value vehicles at highly
competitive prices. Our consumers demand the best available product at the lowest possible
price. We are pleased to offer our customers Sirius Satellite Radio standard equipment but
believe the merger of Sirius and XM has the potential to bring our customers the
additional value they desire.
We understand that the merger will eliminate the sometimes confusing issues about what
programming is offered by which company by creating packages offering the best of both
services for significantly less than the current combined price of both services. We
should not expect our customers to incur additional hassle and fees to install a second
satellite radio receiver or be forced to choose between the NFL and the MLB and Martha
Stewart and Oprah. Additionally, the merger will allow Kia customers to select smaller
packages at much lower prices. This expanded choice and lower price is exactly the
value our consumers want and deserve.
The merger between Sirius and XM will further enhance Kias goal of providing our
customers with high-quality, high-value products. We believe that is in our customers
interests and the public interest to allow Sirius and XM to merge. We respectfully ask
that you approve the merger and thank you for considering the views of Kia Motors America.
Sincerely,
Len Hunt
In addition, the Merger Resources page of the website also contains a link to the
following advertisement, which was first run on September 25,
2007:
FINALLY, DEMOCRATS AND AGREE ON . 70% * ARE IN FAVOR OF AND BEST OF BOTH
THAT WOULD BE OFFERED In fact, voters agree that the merger is in the But it#fs not just
Republicans and Democrats who People of all ages. People who live in the
*Based on a national survey of 800 registered voters, August 7-
For more information on the poll, For more information on the poll, please visit: please visit:
SIRIUSmerger.com XMmerger.com In connection with the proposed merger, SIRIUS has led with the Securities and Prospectus and
each of SIRIUS and XM plans to le with the SEC other documents Prospectus and the de nitive Joint
Proxy Statement/Prospectus when it becomes Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, as well as other
lings containing information sec.gov). Copies of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the
Securities and Radio Inc., 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, Attention: Investor
Investor Relations. Information regarding SIRIUS#f and XM#fs directors and executive by security
holdings or otherwise, will be available in the Joint Proxy Radio Inc. The XM name and related logo
are registered trademarks of XM Satellite |