Sirius CEO Mel Karmazin may be pitting Malone and Ergen against each other to save the company he formed almost seven months ago. Malone, 67, and Ergen, 55, control the largest and second-largest satellite-TV broadcasters respectively and could use Sirius' capacity to integrate radio and TV services, said Fred Moran, an analyst at Stanford Group. Over the decades, the two men have competed for customers and over acquisitions. In 2003, Ergen abandoned a bid on DirecTV's then-parent company, Hughes Electronics Corp. "John Malone and Charlie Ergen would both be absolutely satisfied to put down the other in a public way," Bishop Cheen, a bond analyst at Wachovia Securities in Charlotte, N.C., said in an interview. 
Share:  <span class="company">Sirius</span> CEO Mel Karmazin may be pitting Malone and Ergen against each other to save the company he formed almost seven months ago. <span class="sent"> Malone, 67, and Ergen, 55, control the largest and second-largest satellite-TV broadcasters respectively and could use <span class="company">Sirius</span>' capacity to integrate radio and TV services, said <span class="analyst">Fred Moran</span>, an analyst at Stanford Group. </span> Over the decades, the two men have competed for customers and over acquisitions. In 2003, Ergen abandoned a bid on DirecTV's then-parent company, Hughes Electronics Corp. "John Malone and Charlie Ergen would both be absolutely satisfied to put down the other in a public way," Bishop Cheen, a bond analyst at Wachovia Securities in Charlotte, N.C., said in an interview. ...<span class="company">Sirius</span> CEO Mel Karmazin may be pitting Malone and Ergen against each other to save the company he formed almost seven months ago. <span class="sent"> Malone, 67, and Ergen, 55, control the largest and second-largest satellite-TV broadcasters respectively and could use <span class="company">Sirius</span>' capacity to integrate radio and TV services, said <span class="analyst">Fred Moran</span>, an analyst at Stanford Group. </span> Over the decades, the two men have competed for customers and over acquisitions. In 2003, Ergen abandoned a bid on DirecTV's then-parent company, Hughes Electronics Corp. Tweet this 

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. 
Share:  This is media theater at its best." . <span class="sent"> Malone and Ergen, both based in Englewood, Colorado, control the largest and second-largest satellite-TV broadcasters respectively and could use <span class="company">Sirius XM</span>'s capacity to integrate radio and TV services, according to <span class="analyst">Fred Moran</span> , an analyst at Stanford Group. </span> 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 <span class="company">Sirius XM</span>'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. ...This is media theater at its best." . <span class="sent"> Malone and Ergen, both based in Englewood, Colorado, control the largest and second-largest satellite-TV broadcasters respectively and could use <span class="company">Sirius XM</span>'s capacity to integrate radio and TV services, according to <span class="analyst">Fred Moran</span> , an analyst at Stanford Group. </span> Over the decades, the two men have competed for customers and over acquisitions. In 2003, Tweet this 

A rival might seek to buy a controlling interest in stock and then infuse the company with cash, which would keep the company out of bankruptcy court and could frustrate Ergen's plans. Stanford Group analyst Frederick W. Moran told Forbes that "it appears that Charlie Ergen and EchoStar have been buying the bonds in the open market as a backdoor way of gaining control of Sirius should it go into bankruptcy," which is an increasingly likely scenario as the firm lacks any positive cash flow to support its debt burden. Sirius XM was created by the combination of satellite radio companies Sirius and XM in July (see "XM And Sirius Pay To Play" ), but the company has since suffered from a sharp slowdown in auto sales, which hurt subscriber growth for 2008 and 2009 (See "A Band Aid Or A Bailout?" ) The company generates many of its new customers through sales of cars that have its radios installed at the factory (See "Sirius-ly In Debt" ; "SiriusXM Fights The Static" ; and "SiriusXM Loss Balloons On $4.8 Billion Impairment Charge; Revs Grow 16%." 
Share:  A rival might seek to buy a controlling interest in stock and then infuse the company with cash, which would keep the company out of bankruptcy court and could frustrate Ergen's plans. <span class="sent"> Stanford Group analyst <span class="analyst">Frederick W. Moran</span> told Forbes that "it appears that Charlie Ergen and <span class="company">EchoStar</span> have been buying the bonds in the open market as a backdoor way of gaining control of Sirius should it go into bankruptcy," which is an increasingly likely scenario as the firm lacks any positive cash flow to support its debt burden. </span> Sirius XM was created by the combination of satellite radio companies Sirius and XM in July (see "XM And Sirius Pay To Play" ), but the company has since suffered from a sharp slowdown in auto sales, which hurt subscriber growth for 2008 and 2009 (See "A Band Aid Or A Bailout?" ) The company generates many of its new customers through sales of cars that have its radios installed at the factory (See "Sirius-ly In Debt" ; "SiriusXM Fights The Static" ; and "SiriusXM Loss Balloons On $4.8 Billion Impairment Charge; Revs Grow 16%." Tweet this 

Ergen's EchoStar has been buying a substantial amount of Sirius bank debt, possible looking to take control of the company during bankruptcy proceedings (See "Confirmed: Echostar Is Buying Sirius' Bank Debt, Not Convertible Debt; Aiming For Control?" ) Ergen has offered to inject $500 million of capital into the satellite radio company, though his plan does not involve buying out existing shareholders. The outstanding equity of Sirius is worth only $260.0 million. A rival might seek to buy a controlling interest in stock and then infuse the company with cash, which would keep the company out of bankruptcy court and could frustrate Ergen's plans. Stanford Group analyst Frederick W. Moran told Forbes that "it appears that Charlie Ergen and EchoStar have been buying the bonds in the open market as a backdoor way of gaining control of Sirius should it go into bankruptcy," which is an increasingly likely scenario as the firm lacks any positive cash flow to support its debt burden.  
Share:  Ergen's EchoStar has been buying a substantial amount of <span class="company">Sirius</span> bank debt, possible looking to take control of the company during bankruptcy proceedings (See "Confirmed: Echostar Is Buying <span class="company">Sirius</span>' Bank Debt, Not Convertible Debt; Aiming For Control?" ) Ergen has offered to inject $500 million of capital into the satellite radio company, though his plan does not involve buying out existing shareholders. The outstanding equity of <span class="company">Sirius</span> is worth only $260.0 million. A rival might seek to buy a controlling interest in stock and then infuse the company with cash, which would keep the company out of bankruptcy court and could frustrate Ergen's plans. <span class="sent"> Stanford Group analyst <span class="analyst">Frederick W. Moran</span> told Forbes that "it appears that Charlie Ergen and EchoStar have been buying the bonds in the open market as a backdoor way of gaining control of <span class="company">Sirius</span> should it go into bankruptcy," which is an increasingly likely scenario as the firm lacks any positive cash flow to support its debt burden. </span>...A rival might seek to buy a controlling interest in stock and then infuse the company with cash, which would keep the company out of bankruptcy court and could frustrate Ergen's plans. <span class="sent"> Stanford Group analyst <span class="analyst">Frederick W. Moran</span> told Forbes that "it appears that Charlie Ergen and EchoStar have been Tweet this 

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. 
Share:  If true, the move creates a tense situation with <span class="company">DirecTV</span> 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. <span class="sent"> "It makes sense for Sirius to talk to <span class="company">DirecTV</span> about financing alternatives," said <span class="analyst">Fred Moran</span>, managing director and media analyst for the Stanford Group. </span> "Clearly, Sirius has next to no chance of getting any help from banks or lenders. ...If true, the move creates a tense situation with <span class="company">DirecTV</span> 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 injec Tweet this 

Both EchoStar and DirecTV, controlled by Malone's Liberty Media, could use Sirius XM's satellite capacity to integrate radio and television services, Fred Moran, an analyst at Stanford Group, told Bloomberg News today. 
Share:  <span class="sent">Both EchoStar and <span class="company">DirecTV</span>, controlled by Malone's Liberty Media, could use Sirius XM's satellite capacity to integrate radio and television services, <span class="analyst">Fred Moran</span>, an analyst at Stanford Group, told Bloomberg News today.</span>...<span class="sent">Both EchoStar and <span class="company">DirecTV</span>, controlled by Malone's Liberty Media, could use Sirius XM's satellite capacity to integrate radio and television services, <span class="analyst">Fred Moran</span>, an analyst at Stanford Group, told Bloomberg News today.</span> Tweet this 

Both EchoStar and DirecTV, controlled by Malone's Liberty Media, could use Sirius XM's satellite capacity to integrate radio and television services, Fred Moran, an analyst at Stanford Group, told Bloomberg News today. 
Share:  <span class="sent">Both <span class="company">EchoStar</span> and DirecTV, controlled by Malone's Liberty Media, could use Sirius XM's satellite capacity to integrate radio and television services, <span class="analyst">Fred Moran</span>, an analyst at Stanford Group, told Bloomberg News today.</span>...<span class="sent">Both <span class="company">EchoStar</span> and DirecTV, controlled by Malone's Liberty Media, could use Sirius XM's satellite capacity to integrate radio and television services, <span class="analyst">Fred Moran</span>, an analyst at Stanford Group, told Bloomberg News today.</span> Tweet this 

Both EchoStar and DirecTV, controlled by Malone's Liberty Media, could use Sirius XM's satellite capacity to integrate radio and television services, Fred Moran, an analyst at Stanford Group, told Bloomberg News today. 
Share:  <span class="sent">Both EchoStar and DirecTV, controlled by Malone's <span class="company">Liberty Media</span>, could use Sirius XM's satellite capacity to integrate radio and television services, <span class="analyst">Fred Moran</span>, an analyst at Stanford Group, told Bloomberg News today.</span>...<span class="sent">Both EchoStar and DirecTV, controlled by Malone's <span class="company">Liberty Media</span>, could use Sirius XM's satellite capacity to integrate radio and television services, <span class="analyst">Fred Moran</span>, an analyst at Stanford Group, told Bloomberg News today.</span> Tweet this 

Both EchoStar and DirecTV, controlled by Malone's Liberty Media, could use Sirius XM's satellite capacity to integrate radio and television services, Fred Moran, an analyst at Stanford Group, told Bloomberg News today. 
Share:  <span class="sent">Both EchoStar and DirecTV, controlled by Malone's <span class="company">Liberty Media</span>, could use Sirius XM's satellite capacity to integrate radio and television services, <span class="analyst">Fred Moran</span>, an analyst at Stanford Group, told Bloomberg News today.</span>...<span class="sent">Both EchoStar and DirecTV, controlled by Malone's <span class="company">Liberty Media</span>, could use Sirius XM's satellite capacity to integrate radio and television services, <span class="analyst">Fred Moran</span>, an analyst at Stanford Group, told Bloomberg News today.</span> Tweet this 

Both EchoStar and DirecTV, controlled by Malone's Liberty Media, could use Sirius XM's satellite capacity to integrate radio and television services, Fred Moran, an analyst at Stanford Group, told Bloomberg News today. 
Share:  <span class="sent">Both EchoStar and DirecTV, controlled by Malone's Liberty Media, could use <span class="company">Sirius XM</span>'s satellite capacity to integrate radio and television services, <span class="analyst">Fred Moran</span>, an analyst at Stanford Group, told Bloomberg News today.</span>...<span class="sent">Both EchoStar and DirecTV, controlled by Malone's Liberty Media, could use <span class="company">Sirius XM</span>'s satellite capacity to integrate radio and television services, <span class="analyst">Fred Moran</span>, an analyst at Stanford Group, told Bloomberg News today.</span> Tweet this