SBCA PRESIDENT RICHARD DALBELLO ANNOUNCES PLANS TO FILE COMMENTS WITH FCC IN RESPONSE TO NAB ATTACKS ON SATELLITE RADIO

Alexandria, Va., April 27, 2004 – The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association (SBCA) today announced its plans to file formal comments with the FCC following last week’s criticism from the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) alleging that satellite radio providers, SIRIUS and XM Satellite Radio, violated FCC regulations by providing local weather and traffic reports to their subscribers.

“The claim that satellite radio is violating FCC regulations is just plain wrong,” said Richard DalBello, president of SBCA. “Sirius and XM are providing local weather and traffic reports and all other service in full compliance with FCC rules and regulations. Recent NAB efforts to alter the licenses held by SIRIUS and XM are the NAB’s response to satellite radio’s success in the marketplace. This is another veiled attempt by NAB to eliminate or slow competition. The content restrictions proposed in the NAB petition are unnecessary, anti-consumer, and unconstitutional.”

“Satellite radio is offering listeners a choice. It provides commercial-free music and multi-channel entertainment and news radio to consumers willing to pay for that option. It will not alter free-to-air terrestrial broadcasting as a news source for the community,” continued DalBello.

According to recent subscriber acquisition announcements from SIRIUS and XM Satellite Radio, over two million consumers already subscribe to satellite radio service in the United States.

The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association is the national trade organization representing all segments of the satellite industry. It is committed to expanding the utilization of satellite technology for the broadcast delivery of video, audio, data, music, voice, interactive, and broadband services. SBCA is composed of DBS, C-band, broadband, satellite radio, and other satellite service providers, content providers, equipment manufacturers, distributors, retailers, encryption vendors, and national and regional distribution companies that make up the satellite services industry. Additional information can be found at www.sbca.com.