The newly-combined satellite radio company Sirius XM Radio has officially launched new programming packages that allow existing subscribers to the Sirius Satellite Radio or XM Satellite Radio service enjoy programming from the other provider as well.
Called the Best of Both programming, customers can pay US$4 more ($16.99/mo.) to receive Howard Stern, Martha Stewart Living Radio, Sirius NFL Radio, Sirius NASCAR Radio, and Playboy Radio through XM radio receivers; or Oprah & Friends, The Virus, XM Public Radio, select NBA and NHL games, PGA Tour coverage, and college conferences on a Sirius radio. The company claims that "most subscribers" will be able to add the programming without purchasing a new receiver.
There will be new radios that are capable of receiving select "a la carte" programming from either service, along with a la carte packages. The first such product, the Sirius Starmate 5, is available now, and selling for US$129.99.
While Sirius and XM have officially merged in the U.S. to form a combined company, there has been no such venture in Canada. Sirius Canada and XM Canada license the names from the U.S. companies, but operate independently of them. Both companies have said, however, that they are examining the situation in the U.S., and considering the options for the Canadian market.
If you are a U.S.-based subscriber to XM, you can order The Best of Sirius add-on channels at 1-866-9SIRIXM; and Sirius subscribers looking for the XM add-on pack can call 1-888-7BESTXM.
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22 comments »
Joey October 31, 2008, 00:00 am
I hope the stock stays at .35cents. I am buying it by the thousands. And, in five years it will be worth millions.
David October 13, 2008, 00:00 am
As far as having the internet in their cars, this isn't coming in a reasonable way any time soon. Ask any network engineer (me) about the complexity of doing this in a usable way to cover even the major cities and they'll tell you this is at least 10 years off ... at LEAST. The benefit of cars in computers is ... what? Having your own playlist? Internet radio? A personal playlist is already there, it's called and iPod (or other competitor) and that clearly hasn't killed the market because not everyone WANTS to know exactly what's coming on next, they want to hear something new and/or different. As far as internet radio, see earlier comment. The infrastructure is not there and will not be for the foreseeable future. So no, SiriusXM isn't going anywhere anytime soon and I expect a jump in price within 6 months after the turmoil of the financial industry dies down a little bit.
David October 13, 2008, 00:00 am
Correcting the previous post, I meant computers in cars of course.
Roger October 07, 2008, 00:00 am
miracle is right, once you have it you love it, as far as the stock -- look around everyone is loosing their shirt. Last I checked Google was 500 plus now its under 300 -- if you guys were smart you would be buying Sirus XM its a steal. For what I paid for 100 shares 2 years ago, I can get 2000 now. Trust me this company isnt going anywhere.
Albert October 07, 2008, 00:00 am
"Cars will soon have internet access. " Oh really? Yeah I can see that. Maybe in 7-10 years but what consumer would want to pay for that when you can have satellite radio with clearer sound and over 100 channels. Satellite radio is not going anywhere, other than up. What other options are there for the auto? Ipod, check. FM/AM...ugh reception issues and commercials galore. HD radio, like FM/AM stations except the reception is clearer but you still get the same stations. I've bought into this technology two years ago when I upgraded to a lifetime subscription for $399.00. I also recently bought stock in this company. Remember Satellite TV and how long it took before it got going? People thought no one would pay for content but they did.
John October 07, 2008, 00:00 am
The stock price talks for itself. Unforunately, this company is heading further south for the winter. People are afraid to buy it because of the debt load, no p/e. Bankrupt 1st then higher. Oh Yeah, you need 2 shares to buy a candy bar. Great company.
bruucce October 07, 2008, 00:00 am
Internet in cars? yeah good idea but who the F*** is gonna pay for or be able to afford that kind of setup? if your complaining about a $4 increase, your not gonna pay for that kind of setup in your car especially if its a new product for the market. sat radio isnt goin anywhere, alot of people have lost sight on the benifits of satellite radio, now with being able to have that many channels combined. many commercial free. now u can have all sports and nascar. seems to me that people just want to complain about them.
joedogjoe October 07, 2008, 00:00 am
"Called the Best of Both programming, customers can pay US$4 more ... to receive Howard Stern, Martha Stewart Living Radio, Sirius NFL Radio, Sirius NASCAR Radio, and Playboy Radio through XM radio receivers; or Oprah & Friends, The Virus, XM Public Radio, select NBA and NHL games, PGA Tour coverage, and college conferences on a Sirius radio." Somehow, that doesn't sound like, "the Best of Both". I have and enjoy the service on XM but wouldn't pay the extra $4 for tired crappy programming if I was on either service. I would pay more if they beefed up some of the music channels on there that currently sound like 24 hour tape loops. That sucks about the loss in money but I am tempted to throw away some money on a penny stock gamble. The odds may be a little better than Vegas. "Most of the internet radio I have heard is illegal and doesn't pay royalties" Seriously, Tim? Either you have really bad taste in music or just haven't been looking hard enough. There are plenty that do that provide great programming and pay their legal dues.
The Voice of Reason October 06, 2008, 00:00 am
Wow, I thought this merger was going to benefit the consumer. I'm not sure how paying $4 more than the regular subscription rate is going to help anyone but Sirius XM. What a sham...
Not bad October 06, 2008, 00:00 am
It's only $4 more. And if that's difficult to afford then people should be looking at saving their money and not spending it.
Down the toilet October 06, 2008, 00:00 am
This company is going down soon away. They wont be able to fiance there debt with this stock price. I hope you didnt get a 3 year subscription.
tim October 06, 2008, 00:00 am
this company is not going anywhere! They bring in a billion dollars a year and they grow at 40% every year. I love guys like "down the toilet" who try to make intelligent comments but can't manage to spell the word "Finance"! And genius, they already have the money, it's called RE-Financing the debt. Idiot. Plus it's "their debt" Not "there debt" Take a middle school english exam, you moron
waste October 06, 2008, 00:00 am
I owned their stock and lost half of my money.....thousands.. I don't think they will be around next year....
DEBBIE October 06, 2008, 00:00 am
We've lost thousands as well, originally had over 1,000 shares, thought we had a fortune once we heard about the merger, but now going for 46 cents what a total unfortunate thought on our part. We cant even pull out of this bad stock investment. They can bring all the different labels they want, but no one is jumping out there ti invest once they downgraded the stock. WATCH OUT THIS COMPANY IS A FARCE.
Anthony October 06, 2008, 00:00 am
Um....hello? Sirius AND XM subscribers still pay the same old price ($12.95/month) for ALL of the programming that they received before the merger (the key word being all). They now have the option to pay $4 more a month to get MORE programming (the key word being MORE). Going by this logic, doesn't it benefit the consumer that instead of buying a new radio and paying an extra $12.95/month for XM, they can get all of the programming that anyone would ever want from XM for only $4 more a month? Nothing's changed, things have only gotten better, and only people on the outside (non-subscribers) who have been on the outside for a while think otherwise.
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