Connect with Facebook
While the two satellite radio providers in the U.S., Sirius and XM Satellite Radio, move forward with a merged company, their namesakes in Canada (which simply license the name from the U.S. counterparts) are continuing efforts to operate as separate companies. Both Canadian companies, Sirius Canada and XM Canada, have recently made adjustments to their individual programming line-ups, adding several new channels of both music and talk programming.
Sirius customers will be able to access programming from Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and Willie Nelson via a traditional country station; and new channels like AC/DC Radio, Led Zeppelin Radio, the Grateful Dead Channel, and Bruce Springsteen's E Street Radio will also be available.
Channels like Southern Gospel, Book Talk, Pop Hits from the 1990s and 2000s, American Politics, Beautiful Music, and Singers Songwriters will also now be broadcast. One of the neatest new channel additions, in my opinion, is called Cinemagic, which will feature tunes from popular movie soundtracks.
Naturally, in keeping with Canadian content regulations, these channels will replace existing ones; while other stations may be renamed or moved to different channels on the Sirius service. For example, channel 9 used to host The Pulse, which included tunes from the 90s as well as today. The Pulse will now be found on channel 12, while the new 90s Pop Hits channel will appear on channel 9 (and aptly be named 90s on 9).
Deleted channels include Sirius Disorder, The Strobe, Boombox, Backspin, Universo Latino, E!, and Punk. However, tunes that would have been heard on these channels will be incorporated into other like ones.
Meanwhile, over at XM, the satellite radio provider is adding channel offerings from Bruce Springsteen, Jimmy Buffet, Elvis Presley, Grateful Dead, Eminem, Frank Sinatra, and Jamie Foxx. In sports, we'll see five new NBA play-by-play channels.
In other news, Sirius is offering a holiday promotion that consists of the Stratus 5 satellite radio receiver, vehicle kit, and a three-month subscription and activation for $80.
Subscribe to Blog
15 comments »
B November 30, 2008, 00:00 am
The have totally messed things up. Left of center is now XMU - which has lost quality and repeats the same music over and over. Boombox = Gone, they are apparently adding some of the content to alt nation which is lame.
Veronica November 28, 2008, 00:00 am
Well, I am actually an (((XM))) subcriber. Am totally proud to be one until now. Mergers in todays languages means "buy-out." I believe what Sirius has done was completely wrong. We now have less commercial-free music stations thanks to Sirius. Plus, we all know (((XM))) was the first that came out. Thus makes Sirius a rip-off of (((XM)))! I was a proud listener of The System 82... Now off the air thanks to Sirius. (((XM))) has always been original and better. I was never a fan of "Potty-Mouth-Howard-Stern." When will we have a choice free of megers. My contract expires on January. I called and requested to delete my credit information. I couldn't believe I spoke with an Indian/Iraqi. (((XM))) had All-American customer service representitives. I suppose Sirius is a firm believer of outsourcing. What a shame. Somewhat tempted to delete my account but it is going to expire on January. That is roughly a month away. I will give them a new year of one less customer. I suppose I will say hello to Live365 now... What do you think?
Wren November 24, 2008, 00:00 am
Can't believe they removed The Strobe and Backspin. Have been a customer for 3 years now and those two stations were 2 of my favorites. Will not be renewing contract.
Gibster November 21, 2008, 00:00 am
I don't mind Sirius and I enjoy some of the new channels, even though I liked XM. I just wish they'd given advance notice of the switch and advise the XM subscribers of the channel changes. The switchover was not a smooth one. I have to agree, however, that the reception is much better than XM was.
Gary Simonon November 16, 2008, 00:00 am
I am a SIRIUS sibcriber who thinks XM sucks. Plus, they got rid of backspin, the best channel on SIRIUS! There is no more old-school hip hop channel and that is terrible. Beyond terrible. Also, all of the XM channels sound like bad rip offs of the quality SIRIUS channels.
Star Dog November 14, 2008, 00:00 am
I really don't understand with all the complaining. First of all, Sirius is amazing! You get 69 commercial-free music channels. What can you ask more? Sirius and XM decided to merge channels that were practically identical. For the ones who are complaining about channels being removed, you will get the same on another XM channel that has been added. Some channels simply changed name but the content is the same.I am very happy with the changes! Thank you Sirius for making my days on the road entertained!
Ken Brandel November 13, 2008, 00:00 am
As a snowbird from Canada to Southern US,I am happy with my XM Radio -- HOWEVER --it sure would be nice to be able to get a CBC Station. Cheers Ken
max November 13, 2008, 00:00 am
The programming change was handled poorly with no notification and little consideration for subscribers. While Sirius/XM want to promote the change as adding content, they have really limited content and eliminated options. Jazz and World Music offerings are limited or non-existent, and the loss of Sirius Disorder is simply unforgiveable. Time to cancel the subscriptions and find an alternate source of entertainment. Ipod anyone?
Fred November 13, 2008, 00:00 am
I am so upset that they yanked Sirius Disorder. The Loft is no substitute. Radio consultants have taken over again.
Aaron November 13, 2008, 00:00 am
I can't understand why anyone would pay for this Sirius piece of crap! Sirius radio is a total ripoff... even with these new stations, the lack of variety is astounding. Ambient and electronic music offerings are pathetic and now the Strobe and Boombox are deleted... the only thing Sirius has is LAME comedy stations that repeat the same garbage over and over. For anyone considering purchasing sattelite radio PUHLEEEZE DONT! As soon as you get it set up you'll be forced to ask yourself "Why did I spend my hard earned $ on this?"
Gerald November 13, 2008, 00:00 am
Not sure what all the complaining is about. Sirius has it all. Even the CBC for Ken! Howard Stern and CNN is all I need!
val November 13, 2008, 00:00 am
My what a bunch of sour grapes has someone eaten. Why worry about someone else's tastes? I certainly would not listen to his negative suggestions. When one is denied even limited access to broadcasts because of location, the Sirius receivers in may cars are well appreciated. Unfortunately and I agree, the changes are sometimes not in my interest. But then, listening to one station at a time and being able to change categories is just fine. I consider my bucks well spent on the road wherever I am in North America.
Scott November 13, 2008, 00:00 am
I agree, while some of the changes are not necessarily better (ie. the deleting of certain channels), after listening for a couple days to the new programming, it is not all bad. Sure, I am going to miss The Beat on channel 36, but I am sure I will grow to like bpm now.
John November 13, 2008, 00:00 am
i have been a suscriber for two years now and i am happy with the programing but if they are going to mess with the channels we all love then whats the point. This is why I bought it in the first place ( because we had choice). And whats with the canadian content limitations, Like %#@& that just because we live in Canada, once again big business screws us, how lucky to be canadian. If they get rid of Octane 020 then I will cancel too.
murray November 13, 2008, 00:00 am
I had a Sirius subscription.They cancelled my fav Station,so i cancelled I have a big problem with the CBC owning 50% of the Canadian version of Sirius.CBC also owns galaxie music heard on Bell Sat TV
Leave a comment
Add your comment below
Please Note: by adding your comments you signify that you agree to the terms of our Code of Conduct.
You must be logged in to leave a comment. Log in | Sign up