Howard Stern, Clear Channel and Satellite Radio (XM vs Sirius)

[BlueEyedSon]

In the wake of the Howard Stern suspension, many mentions have been made of Clear Channel, and a few made of XM Satellite Radio. This post is directed at current and potential Satellite Radio users.

Where possible, I try to "vote" with my dollars in the marketplace. After studying the XM vs Sirius question, here's what I found out.

1. XM is part owned by Clear Channel. Clear Channel's politics and monopolistic acquisition of local (terrestrial) radio stations are well known. Point Sirius.

2. Sirius has no commercials on their music streams, but costs a few dollars more per month. Tie.

3. XM has more subscribers (1 mil vs 200k?). I think competition is important for pricing and programming quality, so I wouldn't want Sirius to go away - regardless of which service I subscribed to. Point Sirius (OK, it's a mercy point).

4. Sirius appears to be more "lefty" with 3 NPR stations and dedicated streams for "Left Talk" and Gay programming (for balance they do have a Talk Right stream too). Point Sirius.

5. Sound quality/reception of XM and Sirius are comparable and is affected mostly by the quality of the receiver. Tie.

At the time I was interested in Satellite, Sirius and Jensen were running a promotion: $99 for all the hardware I needed and $100 rebate upon activation. Occasionally you can find similar deals, try Google. Prepaying for a full-year subscription also entitled me to a small discount.

In summary, I would recommend Sirius highly to interested folks, especially on "political" grounds.

BlueEyedSon

[La_Serpiente]

1. I like Sirius too

It works fine for me. I mostly listen to Signoreli and the show afterwards :P

Here is Sirius's stock value for one year:



more info:

http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=SIRI&d=t

Eeeek, but over 5 years, it hasn't done so well.



I guess you just have to wait for the earnings to materialize...soon I hope.

[fishnfla]

2. I have XM

free for 3 mos. with a new vehicle. The BBC and Bloomberg are good. The music channels leave alot to be desired for someone who is used to broadband radio. In fact, except for reggae, it sucks. But thats just me

[slippery_pete]

3. I'm a subscriber to sirius

xm has better equipment, but sirius has the better programming hands down. the equipment doesn't bother me b/c it won't take long for sirius to catch up with xm.

here is a great forum to answer any questions about sirius you might have... http://www.siriusbackstage.com

[La_Serpiente]

4. And ugggh

the FCC is now looking at the content on Sattelite radio

Reuters Summit-FCC's Martin ponders indecency on pay TV, radio

NEW YORK, Feb 25 (Reuters) - U.S. regulators should consider whether radio and television services carried by cable and satellite must adhere to indecency standards, Federal Communications Commissioner Kevin Martin said on Wednesday.

Pressure has been building in recent months to address the growing coarseness on television and radio, with some lawmakers and regulators pondering whether the limits on over-the-air broadcasts can be applied to cable and satellite services.

Speaking to the Reuters Technology, Media and Telecommunications Summit, Martin noted that shock jocks Opie and Anthony, fired after a stunt involving sex in famous places, were now on satellite radio.

"I think you are hearing from the radio side the complaint that 'We'll live by whatever rules, but we think the rules have to be fair to everyone who is in this medium,' and you're hearing from the broadcast television side as well," he said.

more...

Reuters Summit-FCC's Martin ponders indecency on pay TV, radio

[SoCalDem]

9. "Indecency" is their new "code" word, folks

You can bet your last buck, that when anything negative to * is mentioned, it will be somehow construed to be "indecent"..:(

[spinbaby]

5. Thanks, this is good to know

I had thought about XM radio but was put off when I went to their Web site and saw all the right-wing idiots they host. Good to know that there's an alternative.

[Eurobabe]

7. just got XM with new car too

wondered about the wingnut stations (talk shows) hearing this makes sense.

[americanstranger]

6. Thanks for the info, 7....

I'm surprised that few people know of Clear Channel's stake in XM - I have a brother-in-law who is a pretty big East Coast voiceover talent, and he didn't know it until I told him.

In a new venture like sat radio, whoever's got the most bucks usually wins. That's why I fear Sirius being bought out by Clear Channel in the future.

-as

[La_Serpiente]

8. What if Stern went over to Sirius?

That is all they are talking about on the Yahoo Message Boards

http://finance.yahoo.com/q/mb?s=SIRI

It went up a little today, but nothing dramatic.

[BlueEyedSon]

10. I would be stoked.... even if i never listen to him!

[GOPisEvil]

11. Here are XM's "strategic partners"

http://www.xmradio.com/corporate_info/strategic_partners_category.jsp?category=investment

[BlueEyedSon]

12. DirecTV is a partner

:(

Another reminder I need to dump DirecTV in favor of Dish.

[La_Serpiente]

13. Here is a list of their genres

http://www.siriusoutq.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Sirius/CachedPage&c=Page&cid=1065475754133