Washington - Current Federal Communications Commission chairman Kevin Martin will resign and rejoin the nonprofit Aspen Institute, the Financial Times reported. Martin was appointed to the FCC by President Bush in 2001 and elevated to chairman in 2005. President-elect Barack Obama plans to instill venture capitalist Julius Genachowski as the new chair of the FCC, according to media reports.

Washington - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is set to introduce a set of public service announcements for the upcoming digital TV transition, which for the first time will feature the commissioners themselves, TVWeek.com reports. To this point, PSAs on the transition have been produced by networks and cable and satellite companies, and some had criticized the FCC for not taking a more direct role. "The chairman and commissioners truly understand the issues related to the DTV transition, and certainly have the expertise to help promote important factors related to the digital switch," an FCC spokesman told TVWeek.com.

Washington - Shares of XM Satellite Radio (NASD: XMSR) rose 6% by midday Monday after FCC chairman Kevin Martin said that he will recommend the approval of the company's merger with New York-based Sirius Satellite Radio (NASD: SIRI). The move could clear the way for the companies to complete the multi-billion-dollar deal, which has been in regulatory limbo for more than a year.

Washington - The head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is fearful that the nation's current credit woes could lead to lower bids in a major auction of wireless spectrum that is being closely watched by the local technology community that is scheduled for next Thursday.

Washington - One of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) five commissioners has asked FCC chairman Kevin Martin to open an inquiry into News Corporation's (NYSE: NWS) proposed $5.6 billion acquisition of Dow Jones (NYSE: DJ)  and The Wall Street Journal, Broadcasting & Cable reported.

Washington - Satellite radio firms Sirius and XM said in an SEC filing that they believe that Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules do not prohibit one company from owning two satellite radio licenses, Reuters reported.

Washington - The potential consumer impact of a proposed merger between XM Satellite Radio and rival Sirius is in need of "greater clarity," FCC Chairman Kevin Martin told The New York Times in an article on Wednesday.

Washington - Kevin Martin, the chairman of the FCC, told Reuters that a rule that would currently prohibit XM Satellite Radio from potentially merging with rival Sirius could be changed, Reuters reported.

Washington - Share prices of the nation's two satellite radio firms -- XM and Sirius -- fell sharply on Wednesday, after FCC chairman Kevin Martin said that a potential blockbuster merger between the companies would be prohibited by FCC rules.