Blessing v. SiriusXM Class Action Settlement

Blessing v. SiriusXM Class Action Settlement 

By Sarah Pierce

A federal judge has approved a $180 million class action lawsuit settlement with SiriusXM Satellite Radio that accuses SiriusXM of breaking the law by raising subscription rates following its 2008 merger. The settlement will provide a number of benefits to current and former SiriusXM subscribers, including one free month of service.

The SiriusXM class action lawsuit was filed in 2009 by SiriusXM subscriber Carl Blessing, who alleged the company violated antitrust and consumer protection laws by raising some prices and fees following the 2008 Sirius-XM merger. The case is Blessing v. Sirius XM Radio, Inc., Case No. 09-cv-10035.

Class Members of the Blessing v. SiriusXM Radio class action settlement include all persons or entities who reside the U.S. who had subscribed to SiriusXM Satellite Radio and who, during July 19, 2008 through July 5, 2011: (1) paid a U.S. Music Royalty Fee; (2) own and activated additional radios and paid the increased monthly charge of $8.99 per additional radio; or (3) did not pay to access the content available on the 32 bkps or 64 bkps connections on the Internet but are now paying the Internet access monthly charge of $2.99.

Under the SiriusXM class action lawsuit settlement, customers who terminated their SiriusXM service at any time between July 29, 2009 and July 14, 2011, and who are no longer active customers, can elect to receive 30 FREE days of SiriusXM service via Internet or satellite radio without paying a reconnection fee. To determine eligibility for or to redeem this benefit after the settlement has become final, call (866) 577-7474.

SiriusXM has also agreed under the class action settlement to keep its prices at or below current rates through December 31, 2011 for multi-radio subscriptions, Internet streaming, and “premier” and “premier family friendly” packages, and the U.S. Music Royalty Fee. Customers who are scheduled to renew their plans before December 31, 2011 do not need to do anything to claim this settlement benefit — their plans will automatically renew at current prices. Current customers who not scheduled to renew their plans after December 31 and who want to restart their long-term plan before this date at current rates should also call (866) 577-7474.

You can find more information about your rights in the Blessing v. SiriusXM Class Action Lawsuit Settlement at www.SatelliteRadioSuit.com.