"The deal faces substantial obstacles in Washington, including a
Federal Communications Commission provision that specifically forbids the two companies to combine.
Analysts have noted that the FCC could change the rule, but in a statement late Monday FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said that the "hurdle" would be "high" to prove that the deal would be in the public interest.
"The companies would need to demonstrate that consumers would clearly be better off with both more choice and affordable prices," Martin said.
A combination would also have to meet antitrust approval from the
Department of Justice. The companies are expected to argue that they compete not only with each other but also with traditional radio and a growing base of digital audio sources such as iPods, mobile phones and non-satellite digital radio."