Sirius/XM Plan Gets Overhauled

In another attempt to attract the blessing of the FCC, satellite radio companies Sirius and XM have announced a new plan:

"'Our definition of the public interest,' Karmazin explained, 'is that [the merger] will result in more choice and lower prices for consumers.'"

The pricing plans announced Monday range from $6.99 per month for 50 channels from either Sirius or XM, to a $16.99 per month subscription, which would allow customers to keep their existing service and cherry-pick channels from the other provider's service.

For me, I'd be able to get the music channels I want and then add Howard Stern and the NFL. If I don't want to pay for the Martha Stewart channel, I don't have to. If I don't want to pay for the NHL or MLB channels, I don't have to. If I don't want twenty different rock channels, I don't necessarily have to pay for them all. How would this arrangement harm the consumer? The only problem would be the possibility that the existing customers would have to buy new radios:

"To subscribe to the “à la carte” plans, consumers would have to buy new radios."

I was under the impression that previously, this was one of the concerns of the FCC. And that could pose problems. I only paid $25 for my radio. I'd be happy to buy a new one; the lowered cost of my subscription plan would more than pay for it over a few months. Others have paid considerably more and that's where the problems would arise. As I said previously, I seriously doubt the merger will happen. But I have hope.