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Friday, January 16, 2015

SiriusXM Reveals Selection Procedures for Leasing Channel

SiriusXM has announced the selection procedure to lease one Qualified Entity channel to be broadcast via satellite and available online.  The lease opportunity is part of SiriusXM's voluntary commitment stemming from the merger of Sirius and XM in 2008.

The FCC has made this set-aside available only to lessees that are not directly or indirectly owned, in whole or in part, by SiriusXM or an affiliate of SiriusXM; do not share any common officers, directors or employees with SiriusXM or any affiliate of SiriusXM; and do not have any existing relationships with SiriusXM for the supply of programming during the two years prior to October 19, 2010.

SiriusXM is looking for the following in making its selection for this set-aside:  Programming representing diverse viewpoints and/or diverse entertainment content; improved service to historically underserved audiences; original content of a type not otherwise available to SiriusXM subscribers; and access to new sources of content and new entrants to mass media.  Applications should demonstrate that the proposer has the financial, operational, and technical ability to perform its obligations under the lease.  SiriusXM will select a programmer that, in its judgment, will be able to meet its obligations and deliver its proposed mix or type of programming for the duration of the lease term.

The satellite channel will be available only on SiriusXM satellite radios designed to receive the Sirius satellite network, online at SiriusXM.com and via the SiriusXM Internet Radio App for smartphones and other connected devices.

Applications are due by March 2, 2015.  SiriusXM intends to inform the FCC of its tentative selection on or before April 27, 2015.  SiriusXM expects to sign a lease agreement by June 11, 2015.

At the same time, SiriusXM will also select one additional channel for its public interest set-aside.  This channel will also be receivable only on satellite radios designed to receive the Sirius satellite network and via the SiriusXM Internet Radio App for smartphones and other connected devices, as well as online at siriusxm.com.  For updated information and procedures for submitting applications for these set-aside channels, please visit siriusxm.com/qualifiedentity.

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