Sirius XM Radio Inc. (SIRI) - Frederick Moran at Stanford Group

This is media theater at its best." . Malone and Ergen, both based in Englewood, Colorado, control the largest and second-largest satellite-TV broadcasters respectively and could use Sirius XM's capacity to integrate radio and TV services, according to Fred Moran , an analyst at Stanford Group. Over the decades, the two men have competed for customers and over acquisitions. In 2003, Ergen, 55, abandoned a bid on DirecTV 's then-parent company, Hughes Electronics Corp. EchoStar has been buying some of New York-based Sirius XM's debt after Karmazin turned down its unsolicited bid for the company, a person familiar with the plan said Feb. 10. `Cunning Negotiators' "These are three of the most cunning negotiators on the planet," said Chris Marangi , an analyst for Rye, New York-based Gabelli & Co., whose affiliate Gamco Investors Inc owns Liberty and EchoStar shares. "It's logical for Karmazin to pick up the phone and call Malone. 

The DIRECTV Group, Inc. - Frederick Moran at Stanford Group

If true, the move creates a tense situation with DirecTV facing rival EchoStar ((SATS Quote-Cramer on SATS-Stock Picks)) , which sells set-top boxes and was the former parent of Dish Network ((DISH Quote-Cramer on DISH-Stock Picks)) , in a showdown for control over Sirius XM. EchoStar and its CEO Charles Ergen had accumulated part of a $300 million tranche of set to mature on Feb. 17. Ergen has reportedly offered to restructure Sirius XM's debt and inject several hundred million dollars of capital into the company in return for control. Sirius XM was approached with the offer late in 2008 and declined, reports have stated, although the proposal still remains on the table. "It makes sense for Sirius to talk to DirecTV about financing alternatives," said Fred Moran, managing director and media analyst for the Stanford Group. "Clearly, Sirius has next to no chance of getting any help from banks or lenders. 

DISH Network Corp. (DISH) - Frederick Moran at Stanford Group

According to the Wall Street Journal and New York Times, EchoStar Chief Executive Charles Ergen has bought up the convertible debt as well as the $433 million loan that is due in December, and is using his holdings as leverage in negotiations with Mr. Karmazin.. Mr. Ergen, who is also the majority owner of EchoStar s sister company Dish Network Corp, may be pressuring Mr. Karmazin to hook up with EchoStar. Published reports claim talks between Mr. Ergen and Mr. Karmazin ground to a halt on Tuesday.. Given Sirius lack of alternatives, talking to Charlie Ergen would be advisable, Stanford Group analyst Frederick Moran told Reuters.. From a strategic standpoint, if Dish can gain control of Sirius for pennies on the dollar, it could be of strategic benefit long term. . Clearly, bankruptcy would give Mr. Karmazin the most room to maneuver.. This is far from a slam dunk for Charlie [Ergen], said Robert Unmacht, a principle in iN3 Partners, a media consulting firm. A bankruptcy filing could give [Mr. 

Sirius XM Radio Inc. (SIRI) - Frederick Moran at Stanford Group

According to the Wall Street Journal and New York Times, EchoStar Chief Executive Charles Ergen has bought up the convertible debt as well as the $433 million loan that is due in December, and is using his holdings as leverage in negotiations with Mr. Karmazin.. Mr. Ergen, who is also the majority owner of EchoStar s sister company Dish Network Corp, may be pressuring Mr. Karmazin to hook up with EchoStar. Published reports claim talks between Mr. Ergen and Mr. Karmazin ground to a halt on Tuesday.. Given Sirius lack of alternatives, talking to Charlie Ergen would be advisable, Stanford Group analyst Frederick Moran told Reuters.. From a strategic standpoint, if Dish can gain control of Sirius for pennies on the dollar, it could be of strategic benefit long term. . Clearly, bankruptcy would give Mr. Karmazin the most room to maneuver.. This is far from a slam dunk for Charlie [Ergen], said Robert Unmacht, a principle in iN3 Partners, a media consulting firm. A bankruptcy filing could give [Mr. 

Sirius XM Radio Inc. (SIRI) - Frederick Moran at Stanford Group

Sirius XM has US$3.25-billion in total debt and has until Feb. 17 to repay US$175-million in bonds held by EchoStar. Both EchoStar and DirecTV, controlled by John Malone's Liberty Media Corp., could use Sirius XM's satellite capacity to integrate radio and television services, according to Fred Moran, an analyst at Stanford Group.  

EchoStar Corp (SATS) - Frederick Moran at Stanford Group

Sirius XM has US$3.25-billion in total debt and has until Feb. 17 to repay US$175-million in bonds held by EchoStar. Both EchoStar and DirecTV, controlled by John Malone's Liberty Media Corp., could use Sirius XM's satellite capacity to integrate radio and television services, according to Fred Moran, an analyst at Stanford Group.  

The DIRECTV Group, Inc. - Frederick Moran at Stanford Group

Sirius XM has US$3.25-billion in total debt and has until Feb. 17 to repay US$175-million in bonds held by EchoStar. Both EchoStar and DirecTV, controlled by John Malone's Liberty Media Corp., could use Sirius XM's satellite capacity to integrate radio and television services, according to Fred Moran, an analyst at Stanford Group.