Leaders of Second District AME Church Join the Call for Prompt FCC Approval of Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Radio Merger

Leaders of Second District AME Church Join the Call for Prompt FCC Approval of Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Radio Merger

'Commercial Radio Stations Tend to Program for a Narrow Audience that Often Excludes African American Voices' - Right Rev. Adam J. Richardson, Jr., Bishop, AME Church, Second District

WASHINGTON, June 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Second District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), serving Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, the District of Columbia and 150,000 members, today weighed in with its strong support for the merger of Sirius Satellite Radio (NASDAQ:SIRI) and XM Radio (NASDAQ:XMSR) before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

"While African American music and culture have moved more into the mainstream in the last decade, our community still remains neglected by major media companies," said the Right Reverend Adam J. Richardson, Jr., Bishop of the Second District of the AME Church. "Both XM Radio and Sirius have shown a true interest in providing a wealth of options to a large and diverse audience of Americans."

The variety of programming available on satellite radio, including the modern gospel station Praise, countless music stations showcasing the past, present and future of African American talent, and sports commentary with Tiki Barber and Keyshawn Johnson has provided the African American community with a significant new source of information, entertainment and spiritual fulfillment.

"Major radio stations tend to program for a narrow audience that often excludes African American voices," Bishop Richardson added. "It is in the public interest to strengthen the already challenged satellite radio industry in order to lower prices, give consumers more choice and create more options in the radio industry. To that end, we urge the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to expedite the approval of the merger of XM Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio."

Recognizing the efforts of Sirius and XM Radio to offer more diverse programming more efficiently and at a lower price for consumers, the Second District of the AME Church has joined a growing list of minority advocates, including the National Black Chamber of Commerce, Latino Coalition, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Hispanic Federation and the League of Rural Voters in supporting the merger for the continued benefit of America's consumers.

The Second Episcopal District encompasses the jurisdictions of Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and the District of Columbia. The district is organized into 5 annual conferences -- Baltimore, Washington, Virginia, North Carolina, and Western North Carolina and 10 presiding elder districts. Its 400 local congregation have a membership of 150,000 persons. Affiliated non- profits own and operate many other programs and services adding additional fiscal and qualitative value to the asset base of the Second Episcopal District.

Source: Sirius Satellite Radio

CONTACT: Patricia Smith, +1-202-561-3892, for Sirius Satellite Radio

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