A Sirius and XM Merger Would Benefit Indie Bands

Why Indie Bands Should Want the Sirius and XM Merger to Go Through

Right now in Cleveland Ohio (the biggest market I’m near) you can’t find much (if any) local music on the radio. In Akron you may find some on the college radio (but only if you play a certain style). Canton Ohio used to have a “Local licks” show, but I think that is gone as well (and probably on Sunday’s at 1 AM).

Right now we are waiting for the FCC to approve the Sirius and XM satellite company merger. This would be a good thing for local bands, and here is my thought behind this. If the two satellite companies merge, they create a great “National” level of radio stations. A person can drive from New York to San Francisco and never change the channel. They will focus on “National” acts.

So how will the local stations compete? They will need to find a niche? The niche is the locality. They can start featuring music you don’t here anywhere else (the current claim I tell to people when I’m speaking of Satellite radio).  It's time to start being nice to the DJs and program directors. It will take them some time to figure out, but eventually they will need to do something to set them apart from satellite, and that may just be playing your music.