Radio, radio! After months of review and negotiations, on Friday the FCC approved the merger of Sirius and XM, the two U.S. satellite radio companies, in a 3-2 vote. As a Sirius subscriber for the past few years, I supported the plan and remain cautiously optimistic.

When satellite radio was first introduced in the late ’90s, its clear point-of-difference was delivering programming folks wanted (in myriad musical genres) and doing so commercial-free. Take that, traditional radio stations! But in the past few years, countless other ways to consume music have sprung up (iPods, internet-radio, digital radio), offering new avenues to hear whatever floats your boat, at home or on the go (build your own playlists, too, if you so desire); satellite radio no longer competes solely against traditional broadcast stations. Plus, once you’d signed up for either service (Sirius or XM), the costs related to switching to the other (new receiver, installation, subscription) meant sticking with your first love for the long haul.

Since I do love Sirius, I hope there aren’t drastic changes ahead for the programming I’ve grown accustomed to. The Big ’80s channel, for instance, features the original MTV VJs; changing that would be totally bogus. (I particularly enjoy the Top 40 Countdown with Nina Blackwood, which airs every weekend.) If the new Sirius-XM means expanded playlists on every channel, so the less-big hits get some exposure alongside the monster smashes everyone can sing along to, well, that would be my one wish.

We’ll have to wait and see what announcements come next. With Sirius and XM coming together, here’s hoping we get the best of both satellite worlds. Welcome, Oprah & Friends!

(I’m only half-kidding. Gayle and Nate, yes. Dr. Robin, no.)