Satellite Radio

[kgsilvas]

NEW YORK - Satellite radio provider Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. said Tuesday it recently topped more than 3 million subscribers to its service and expects a strong finish for the year.

Sirius sells more than 120 channels of commercial-free music, talk shows and other programming to subscribers. The company, which recently launched a Martha Stewart channel and agreed to a multimillion deal with Howard Stern, didn't provide additional information about its subscriber count or expectations for the year in its statement Tuesday.

Rival XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. has more than 5 million U.S. subscribers.
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Over 8 million PAYING for radio. I just don't get it.

I've heard that commercials are cropping up on some of the channels, so it isn't even ad-free any longer. With all the MP3 players, CDs, cassettes, and free radio available, it just doesn't make sense to me.

[Itsme]

What is also driving sign-ups is the new wave of receivers/players coming on the market. They not only receive the satellite fed programming, they enable you to use it like an MP3 player, and store and move around your music like with iTunes.

The other music providers are all unhappy with this since it measn you'll be able to download and store music for free.

In January the FOX News programs come to XM Radio.

Lots of additional programming coming.

[Yossarian]

i have sirius, got it as a x-mas present last year, and i love it. always a station /type of music on that i want to listen to, i get the NFL broadcasts, so i can listen to my Bills get ****stomped.

[sizemic1]

I'll never go back to regular radio.
Work great for me when i'm 4wheeling in the middle of nowhere and still get my tunes and NFL games
I've had XM and Sirius and I think Sirius' programming is much better.

[Cubsfan]

I've decided that people who haven't tried it probably won't "get it". For me, I love the fact that I can listen to music without commercials (there's some XM radio station ID breaks, but they are generally < 1 min and < 5 times/hour). Also, it's great to have an explicit comedy channel!

[Itsme]

I only listen to Classical Music, and a few talk radio programs. Twice, here in San Diego we have lost all classical music stations, and twice one has come back on the air.

I don't have XM yet, but if we lose the classical station again, probably for good, you can be sure I'll go satellite.

[Yossarian]

check both of them out, i know sirius has a few differnet classical stations as well

[Itsme]

check both of them out, i know sirius has a few differnet classical stations as well

I guess I just have a preference for XM because (1) my company designed and built the repeaters that are used in big cities where the satellite signal is easily blocked, and (2) some of the people who developed XM are from my old company.

Probably not the best reasons, but real.

You're probably right though. I really should base a decision on the programming that best fits my needs. I'm a Fox News fan and they are coming to XM...another plus.

[Itsme]

All Eyes on XM
By Rick Aristotle Munarriz (TMFBreakerRick)
December 30, 2005

Investors are watching for an announcement that XM Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: XMSR) has surpassed the 6 million subscriber mark -- days after Sirius (Nasdaq: SIRI) announced that it has 3 million listeners on board. After next week's Consumer Electronics Show, however, "watching XM" may take on an entirely new meaning.

At the show, XM will unveil a decked-out Lexus concept car with its XM Advanced Series set of features. Some seem awfully futuristic, like using the company's personalized traffic updates to ferret out parking lot space availability, or voice command technology that provides the hands-free ability to find desired content. The application I'm most eager to check out, though, is XM's ability to stream video content thanks to its partnership with On2 (AMEX: ONT).

Streaming video over satellite radio is not a new concept. Nearly a year ago, Sirius announced that it will begin offering video content through a software partnership with Inside Value pick Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) as early as next summer.

The quality of the video transmissions beyond cartoons, however, remains to be seen. Animated fare, though, would probably be just fine for satellite-radio streamers on the road who are seeking fresh content to entertain the restless kiddies in the back.

That's one thing that investors who may be bearish on satellite radio need to consider. A few decades ago, paying $20-$25 a month for cable television seemed preposterous when a pair of rabbit-ear antennas would pull in all the free major-network content. Then cable become an indispensable upgrade over the broadcast freebies. Then cable and satellite television providers began offering even more content and services, leading you to crack open that $95 DirecTV (NYSE: DTV) monthly bill.

No, XM or Sirius will never be commanding $95 monthly ransoms. However, when XM initiated a 30% price hike that went into effect back in April, nobody backed away. In fact, three months later, XM had to raise its guidance for its year-end subscriber count. As many of next week's features begin to roll out, XM will either be able to raise rates across the board or introduce premium offerings.

This should work out well for XM subscribers. After a great run through 2003 and 2004, the shares have stalled in 2005. That allowed Rule Breakers subscribers to get in at a reasonable price after it was recommended two months ago, given the sector's potential.

The only thing investors would want to see more than a successful video rollout -- for now -- may be CEO Hugh Panero announcing that XM has hit the 6 million subscriber milestone that he projected would happen by the end of the year. Panero has erred on the conservative side in the past. With Howard Stern joining Sirius a week from Monday, the last thing XM needs is to relinquish its leading role in signing up new subscribers.

We're watching, XM. Now just give us something to look for.

[SnowSurfer]

Sirius gets my vote, the programming is right on and I get signal pretty much everywhere (probably the same with xm). I'm not sure if you can listen to xm online through their website but I like being able to do that with Sirius.

[Cubsfan]

For people looking at these services, I think you should go to both websites and sign up for their free online trial so you can experience their programming.

Although there are some decision makers. NFL/Stern/NBA=Sirius MLB/Opie and Anthony/NHL=XM, etc...

[dbax791]

I don't know about Sirius, but I have XM, and honestly never use it except when going on road trips.

I can't imagine a single trucker or frequent road traveller not having satellite radio of either flavor.

The XM comedy channel rocks. Uncensored and totally hilarious stand-up. That's worth the price alone when you are on a long road trip.