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Federal regulators formally approved the merger of the nation’s only two satellite radio operators Friday, ending a 16-month-long drama closely watched by Washington and Wall Street. Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.’s $3.3 billion buyout of rival XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. will mean 18 million-plus subscribers will be able to receive programming from both services. Executives say it will mean huge cost savings that will lead to a first-ever profit for the relatively nascent industry. The Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 to approve the buyout, with the tiebreaker coming Friday night from Republican commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate. Tate had insisted that… Read more »

The Disney Channel has green-lighted a reality series centering on the pop-rock band the Jonas Brothers. The series, which is shooting under the working title “Jonas Brothers: Living the Dream,” will follow the on- and off-stage lives of the platinum-selling trio — Kevin, 20; Joe, 18; and Nick, 15 — on their current Look Me in the Eyes tour. “Dream” will get up close and personal with the brothers as they rehearse, travel on the tour bus and perform. It also will follow them as they interact with their parents and younger brother, go sky-diving and race go-carts. The series… Read more »

Just as he’s reached the top of the album charts for the first time, Kid Rock has made a major change at the top of his business operations. Rock’s manager, Detroit-based Ed “Punch” Andrews, who also handles Bob Seger, has resigned after seven years of working with the Michigan rocker. Sources tell Billboard.com that Andrews has decided to retire after shepherding Rock’s latest album, “Rock N Roll Jesus,” to release last week. “Rock N Roll Jesus” is Kid Rock’s first No. 1 album on The Billboard 200, selling just over 170,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Kid Rock has reportedly… Read more »

With an emphasis on the visual over the audio, MTV from its inception has never been “about the music.” But after seeing interest in its signature trophy show wane in recent years, the network put the spotlight where it belongs for a music awards show: on the concert stage. The result of this brainstorm, and a few other format changes to its Video Music Awards? The most watchable show in many a Moon Man outing. Even if that isn’t saying much. And this despite opening with an onstage career suicide by Britney Spears. More on that later. The 2007 VMAs… Read more »

Is the hardest button to button the one when you’re on diaper duty? Such are the thoughts undoubtedly preoccupying Jack White and his British model missus, Karen Elson, as the couple welcomed a new son on Tuesday. “Karen Elson and Jack White are now the proud parents of a healthy baby boy,” said Chloe Walsh, publicist for the White Stripes frontman. “The new child and his mother are both feeling very healthy and happy.” The infant, named Henry Lee White, is the second ankle biter for the couple. Henry’s sister, Scarlett Teresa White, was born in May 2006. The 32-year-old… Read more »

And then there was one. With the recent departure of drummer Rocky Gray and guitarist John LeCompt, Amy Lee is now the only member of Evanescence left who has been in the band since the release of its smash 2003 breakout album, Fallen. LeCompt was either fired by the band or decided to move on – depending which account you believe – while Gray left of his own accord recently, making them the latest members of the group to fall by the wayside. Original guitarist/ co-founder Ben Moody left in 2003 , and bassist William Boyd quit last June after… Read more »

The SaveNetRadio coalition today applauded Jay Inslee (D-WA) for introducing legislation that could save thousands of webcasters from bankruptcy. “The Internet Radio Equality Act” would reverse a March 2nd ruling by the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) that increased the fees webcasters pay to play music online by a stunning 300 to 1200 percent. “Since the CRB’s March 2nd decision to dramatically and unfairly increase webcaster royalty rates, millions of Internet radio listeners, webcasters and artists have called on Congress to take action,” said Jake Ward of the SaveNetRadio coalition. “Today Congress took notice, and we thank Mr. Inslee for leading… Read more »

Apple ® today announced that EMI Music’s entire digital catalog of music will be available for purchase DRM-free (without digital rights management) from the iTunes ® Store (www.itunes.com) worldwide in May. DRM-free tracks from EMI will be offered at higher quality 256 kbps AAC encoding, resulting in audio quality indistinguishable from the original recording, for just $1.29 per song. In addition, iTunes customers will be able to easily upgrade their entire library of all previously purchased EMI content to the higher quality DRM-free versions for just 30 cents a song. iTunes will continue to offer its entire catalog, currently over… Read more »

What’s up with all the different versions of Avril in her new video? Or, for that matter, Christina, Ciara and Beyoncé? Everywhere you look, it seems some pop diva has replicated herself so she’s the star of her clip several times over. Multiple versions are nothing new – Mariah and Madonna are old pros by now – but the idea has been spreading like a video virus, with Avril and others just the latest to be infected. It got us to thinking – are they copying themselves or someone else? Avril Lavigne’s “Girlfriend” Avril Lavigne gets to have it both… Read more »