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Watch Shelly’s commentary on APPLE’s (NASD:AAPL) pricing plan for the new 3G iPhone and the iPhone application store.
The proposed XM (NASD: XMSR), SIRIUS (NASD: SIRI) merger is facing more regulatory hurdles. Sen. Sam Brownback (R.,Kan.) wants an unredacted copy of a letter a group of subscribers who oppose the merger sent to the FCC. Both companies have promised that if they are allowed to merge, subscribers will be able to use any manufacturer’s device to receive their signal.
Susan Lyne resigned as CEO of MARTHA STEWART LIVING OMNIMEDIA (NYSE: MSO). Lyne, who had been rumored to leave, joined MSLO 4 years ago. While Lyne’s management style has been praised, the company’s stock lost roughly 57% of its value during her tenure.
BERTELSMANN is hoping to fast track the sale of half of SONY-BMG back to SONY (NYSE: SNE). Bertelsmann and Sony have until August 2009 to complete a deal, however, sources say a deal could be brokered by as early as the end of the summer. While the two companies have been busy trying to hammer out a deal, major differences in the estimated value of Bertelsmann’s holdings are already causing problems.
LIVE NATION (NYSE: LYV) executives are in a finger-pointing battle over the company’s extremely expensive 360 deals with Madonna, Jay-Z and U2. The company threw over $270 in cash at major artists, however, the company’s chairman Michael Cohl wants deals with as many as 15 more artists. Live Nation, whose stock has fallen 44% since its deal with Madonna was announced in October, is just one of the major music companies experimenting with 360 deals.