You Won't Need a New Satellite Radio Receiver Unless...

The Sirius XM Satellite Radio merger was touted by its proponents as having various advantages for subscribers, including an "al la carte" programming option.

But, there is a catch according to what Adrian McCoy writes in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

"Current subscribers won't have to buy new satellite radio receivers, but anyone buying an a la carte package will need an a-la-carte-capable receiver, expected to be available around the time Sirius XM rolls out its new subscription packages. That's scheduled to be within the three months following the merger date, or by the end of October."

Some good news: McCoy reports Sirius XM will have a 3-year cap on subscription prices.

More: The Merger Effect: What a Combined XM and SIRIUS Satellite Radio Means to You