Washington - As momentum builds toward the completion of their multi-billion dollar merger, shares of DC-based XM Satellite Radio (NASD: XMSR) and New York-based Sirius (NASD: SIRI) tumbled on Thursday following an analyst report that questioned the very future of satellite radio. Goldman Sachs analyst Mark Wienkes cited a dramatic slowdown in subscriber growth, with younger consumers buying alternatives such as MP3 players and iPhones.

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 - XM Satellite Radio (NASD: XMSR), the satellite radio provider awaiting government approval to merge with rival Sirius, disclosed in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that it must come up with $120 million in financial commitments to avoid an "adverse effect" on its financial position.

Washington - As it continues to await the approval of the Federal Communications Commission to complete its multi-billion-dollar merger with Sirius (NASD: SIRI), XM Satellite Radio (NASD: XMSR) on Monday reported a higher first-quarter loss, despite a healthy gain in subscribers.

Washington - Still awaiting approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), XM Satellite Radio (NASD: XMSR) and Sirius Satellite Radio (NASD: SIRI) have agreed to extend their merger deadline, which otherwise would have expired on May 15.

New York - Sirius Satellite Radio (NASD: SIRI) said on Tuesday it has signed a deal with Logitech, to make over 80 Sirius channels available for streaming on the company's Squeezebox line of network music players. The offering includes music channels plus programs featuring Howard Stern, Martha Stewart and NFL Radio.

Washington - With their merger possibly on the brink of completion, XM Satellite Radio (NASD: XMSR) and Sirius Satellite Radio (NASD: SIRI) both announced on Tuesday that they would both postpone their annual meetings. The two companies continue to await a decision on the deal by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Washington - Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), a high-ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee, on Friday wrote to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) asking the agency to block the $5 billion merger of satellite radio firms XM (NASD: XMSR) and Sirius (NASD: SIRI), Reuters reported.

Washington - The U.S. Justice Department on Monday approved Sirius Satellite Radio's (NASD: SIRI) $5 billion purchase of rival XM Satellite Radio (NASD: XMSR), a deal announced more than a year ago that has been held up by regulators who said today that the combined company is not likely to harm competition or consumers. The proposed transaction still needs approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC); shareholders of both companies approved the deal in November.

Washington - The head of Sirius Satellite Radio (NASD: SIRI) said on Wednesday that he is hopeful the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will rule on his company's proposed $4.2 billion merger with XM Satellite Radio (NASD: XMSR) by the end of this month, Reuters reported.

Washington - Still awaiting approvals from the Justice Department and Federal Communications Commission, D.C.-based XM Satellite Radio (NASD: XMSR) and New York-based rival Sirius (NASD: SIRI) said on Friday that they have extended their merger deadline until May 1. Both companies have expressed optimism about receiving the necessary regulatory approvals, although some analysts have expressed concerned about the delays in recent weeks.

Washington - As the company continues to wait for a decision from federal regulators concerning its proposed merger with rival Sirius (NASD: SIRI), XM Satellite Radio (NASD: XMSR) on Thursday said that it boosted its revenue and narrowed its net loss during the fourth quarter.

Washington - One year after announcing plans to merge with rival Sirius (NASD: SIRI), XM Satellite Radio (NASD: XMSR) continues to spend large amounts of money in an effort to land regulatory approval to complete the proposed $5 billion deal, the Associated Press reported.

New York - Sirius Satellite Radio (NASD: SIRI) said on Wednesday that it has extended its exclusive satellite radio partnership with automaker Chrysler through September 2017. The agreement, which covers Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge models, targets a penetration rate for Sirius factory-installed radios of 70% for vehicles built for the U.S. by Chrysler.

DMW’s CEO & Publisher provides a wrap-up of the top stories of the week. Who’s hot, who’s not and what’s the industry buzz?

In my column last week, I predicted that there may be a silver lining in Yahoo’s recent troubles and low share price in the form of a possible takeover bid from rival Microsoft. Voilà! In a bold move that sent ripples through Silicon Valley before sunrise on Friday, Microsoft (NASD: MSFT) announced that it has made an unsolicited $44.6 billion takeover bid

DMW’s CEO & Publisher provides a wrap-up of the top stories of the week. Who’s hot, who’s not and what’s the industry buzz?

There was no shortage of news for the week of Jan. 21-25. The biggest story: The Federal Reserve lowered the benchmark federal funds rate by three-quarters of a percentage point to 3.5%, its lowest level since September 2005, but the Fed’s actions couldn’t stop an already shaky stock market from continuing its downward spiral. After a sharp mid-week increase on news of the rate cut, the DMW100 ended slightly lower on the week.

Washington - Following months of conjecture and anticipation, federal regulators could be on the verge of approving XM Satellite Radio's (NASD: XMSR) merger with rival Sirius (NASD: SIRI), according to a published report. Briefing.com on Wednesday cited an unnamed source in reporting that the merger "could receive approval from DOJ and FCC tonight."

Washington - Satellite radio providers XM (NASD: XMSR) and Sirius (NASD: SIRI), which are awaiting federal regulators' approval of their proposed $13 merger, on Thursday announced additional support for the deal from Reps. Joe Baca (D-Calif.), Bob Filner (D-Calif.) and Connie Mack (R-Fla.), along with General Motors (NYSE: GM) and several on-air personalities. Among the talent voicing support for the deal were Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Productions, Wynton Marsalis, Cal Ripken Jr. and Barry Switzer.

New York - Sirius Satellite Radio (NASD: SIRI) said on Tuesday that Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) plans to expand to around 70% factory penetration of Sirius radios, beginning with 2009 model year Ford and Mercury vehicles. Over 1 million Ford vehicles have already shipped with factory-installed Sirius radios. Ford has also extended its relationship with Sirius to all Ford brands, including Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Land Rover, Jaguar, Volvo and Mazda.