A merger of XM and Sirius satellite radio networks will not create anti-trust conditions according to the US Justice Department. Today’s decision is likely to pave the way for a full merger approval soon, which will need to come from the Federal Communications Commission.

Many feel the government has been dragging its regulatory feet on the merger given concerns expressed by the radio lobby and several prominent US Congress members including John Conyers.

With the Justice Department’s OK it would be unusual for the FCC not to follow along and grant merger approval to Sirius and XM, who claim the merger will increase business efficiencies and provide more choice for their combined radio audiences. The radio industry worries that the merger will lead to anti-competive programming and advertising activity by what will become the world’s largest and highest reach radio network.

Source: Reuters