Satellite Radio

"Breakfast With the Beatles," the long-running L.A. radio staple devoted to the music of the Fab Four, makes the jump to satellite radio starting this Sunday, when it premieres on Sirius XM Satellite Radio as part of Little Steven's Underground Garage lineup. The show, broadcast in Los Angeles on KLOS-FM (95.5) and hosted by Chris Carter, will go out Sundays at 6 a.m. Pacific time on Sirius XM Channel 25, (with a repeat at 9 p.m.) while remaining in its 9 a.m. slot at KLOS. Each show will be different, Carter said Monday.

THERE are people -- quite reasonable people, in fact -- who believe that viewing golf on television is as exciting as watching paint dry. To all of those naysayers, I say this: Try listening to it on the radio. XM radio has many great channels; my programmed buttons include alternative rock's Lucy and the unexpectedly clever XM Kids. But no satellite radio channel can compare to XM 146, the network's station devoted to the PGA Tour. It's so strange, it's actually brilliant.

Federal regulators formally approved the merger of the nation's only two satellite radio operators Friday, ending a 16-month-long drama closely watched by Washington and Wall Street. Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.'s $3.3-billion buyout of rival XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. means that more than 18 million subscribers will be able to receive programming from both services.

Federal regulators appeared poised Wednesday to give final approval to the merger of the nation's only two satellite radio operators, which would bring together the two struggling companies after a 17-month quest. Deborah Taylor Tate, a Republican who held the swing vote on the five-member Federal Communications Commission, reportedly was ready to vote in favor of the $3.9-billion merger if Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. agreed to new conditions.

The static may be lifting on the long-pending merger between the nation's only two satellite radio operators after a key regulator backed its approval Monday. The conditions requested by Kevin J. Martin, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, could lead to lower prices for the next three years for subscribers of Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc.

The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission is recommending approval of a $5-billion merger between the nation's two satellite radio broadcasters in exchange for concessions that include turning over 24 channels to noncommercial and minority programming. That condition -- along with others, including a three-year price freeze for consumers -- convinced FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin on Sunday to recommend approval for Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.'

When satellite radio broadcasters Sirius and XM argued that they should be allowed to merge into a monopoly because they actually compete against terrestrial radio, iPods, cellphones and other listening choices, I didn't buy it. Now, like the song says, I'm a believer. The Justice Department gave its blessing this week to a $4.6-billion buyout of XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. by rival Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.

Through the years, Bob Dylan's dealings with the public have been difficult. Hear him live and he can be a mumbling and aloof musician. Riffle through interviews with Dylan on YouTube and you discover a contentious, pretentious artist who is laconic, distant, apparently indifferent to enunciation, pleasantries and other everyday social constructs.