WASHINGTON, DC – Former Federal Trade Commission Chairman James Miller filed a statement with the FCC today addressing the notion that satellite radio is a luxury item.
"Some have suggested that since satellite radio is a 'luxury,' federal antitrust and communications officials should adopt a 'hands-off' attitude toward the proposed XM/Sirius merger. This would be a mistake," said Miller in his statement.
"The predicate is false," Miller continued, noting several statistics related to satellite radio subscribers. "A large portion of satellite radio consumers have incomes that are relatively modest, and for many of them the service is more essential than luxury."
James Miller is the former chairman of the Federal Trade Commission and former director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget during the Reagan administration. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia in 1964, and a doctorate in economics from the University of Virginia in 1969.
The National Association of Broadcasters retained Miller to examine the proposed satellite radio merger and offer his assessment as a respected economics expert.
About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is a trade association that advocates on behalf of more than 8,300 free, local radio and television stations and also broadcast networks before Congress, the Federal Communications Commission and the Courts. Information about NAB can be found at www.nab.org.
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