MSNBC reports that shareholders of both XM Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio have approved a merger between the two companies.

While a major hurdle has been cleared, the companies need regulatory approval from the FCC.  The FCC had previously issued a ruling that the two companies could not combine, citing potential anti-trust violations.  With the increased popularity of portable mp3 players and ‘pod’-casting (with all my heart I sincerely hate this term), XM and Sirius have convinced the FCC that there is adequate competition from other digital music sources to allow the merger.  

It remains unclear at this time what access XM and Sirius customers would have to the other’s stations after the merger.