Bridge loan could save Sirius XM from Ergen’s grasp

Sat, Feb 14th, 2009

This past week we gave you a brief glimpse into the nightmare that Sirius XM’s business has become and since then things have basically been a cluster… err, mess. Sirius did take a big step in restructuring some of its future debts - $172.5 million that was due in December is now due in June 2011, a move that cost the company 60 million shares of stock. Forget the fact that Sirius XM has $227.5 million of December debt remaining, it also still has $175 million that comes due to Dr. Claw Charlie Ergen and EchoStar this Tuesday and another $350 million due in May. For the time being, the only thing standing between Sirius XM and bankruptcy is Ergen’s willingness to take control of the company, a fate Sirius XM seems to adamantly oppose. But wait! What’s that? A hero emerges to save the day? John Malone and his company, Liberty Media are rumored to be in negotiations with Sirius XM at this very moment and may gobble up a healthy chunk of the satellite radio provider’s debt in order to stave off bankruptcy filings or worse yet from the looks of things, Ergen. A quick look at Sirius XM’s near-future debt calendar:

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