Commissioner Copps: Ixnay on XM + Sirius...

The path towards satellite radio approval hit some turbulence on Tuesday, thanks to a vote against by Federal Communications Commissioner (FCC) Michael Copps. The Democratic Copps, a critic of media consolidation, offered the first nay. Earlier, chairman Kevin Martin and commissioner Robert McDowell offered approvals. The development puts more focus on Republican Deborah Taylor Tate, considered a swing vote. Elsewhere, remaining commissioner Jonathan Adelstein has dangled the possibility of an approval, subject to a host of conditions. That includes agreements that ensure pricing caps and spectrum allocation for community broadcasting, as well as the installation of an independent monitor to ensure compliance with various conditions. Story by news analyst Alexandra... [read full story]