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It has been a while (since April to be exact) since we heard discussions of the ever-rumored Sirius video service. Now Sirius Satellite Radio CEO Mel Karmazin is talking up again, saying that consumers can expect to see live satellite video service in cars by late 2007. Karmazin said that the service will be available starting in 2008 car models, which will be appearing toward the end of next year.

“We have three content deals that are very close to being finalized. I don’t know if they will be done by CES, but that is what we are shooting for,” Karmazin said. “We will have video in the rear seat of the car up and running.”

The concept of video in cars is a little scary, but if they do a good job regulating what video can be in the car and where (in the backseat only) I think it will be ok. What I am excited for, is when this moves from cars to mobile video players, 2008 anyone?

Read [Orbitcast]

Mel Karmazin sounds like quite a character.  On Monday, he was interviewed by SmartMoney and had quite a bit to say.  He started out the interview blaming XM for the “hiccups” in the industry.  Then later in the interview, he talks of a possible merger with XM.  Mel says that he’s based his entire career on shareholder value - I’d say that forming a monopoly in the satellite radio industry would bring quite a bit of value.  It’s also notable that he no longer thinks government regulations will stop a merger from happening (to which I’m going to disagree, but he would know better than me).  He notes the following:

If there’s an iPod with terrestrial radio, it’s hard to believe government is worried about two satellite radio companies combining.

Read [SmartMoney]