XM, Still One Step Ahead of Sirius: Rivals Vie for Audience's Divided Attention

Washington Post ^ | July 29, 2005 | Annys Shin

[Brian328i]

Until recently, XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. and its rival Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. were engaged in a tit-for-tat, deal-for-deal face-off. Sirius landed the NFL; XM responded with baseball. XM signed an exclusive deal with General Motors Corp.; Sirius partnered with DaimlerChrysler AG. XM scored former NPR Morning Edition host Bob Edwards; Sirius lured away shock jock Howard Stern from terrestrial radio giant Infinity Broadcasting.

But for all the billions the two companies have committed to differentiating themselves from each other, they are increasingly following similar business strategies, analysts say. And that might not be a bad thing for the satellite radio business, which while growing rapidly, has so far attracted only a tiny portion of the 193 million people market research firm NDP Group estimates listen to traditional radio. Satellite radio subscribers pay a monthly fee to receive more than 100 channels, including music, news, talk and sports.

Analysts expect XM and Sirius to generate enough revenue to cover the cost of their operations in the next two years. But as the two companies move into the home, laptop and personal music player, they are vying for consumers' attention with podcasts, online radio and downloaded music. Which prompts the question: Will satellite radio's audience be eroded by whiz-bang gadgets before the industry escapes the red?

A recent NPD Group survey found that more people still listen to downloaded music than satellite radio. But the satellite radio audience is likely to grow as deals the two companies have made with automakers start to generate a critical mass. April Horace, an analyst for Hoefer & Arnett Inc., estimates the total number of satellite radio subscribers will reach 20 million in five years.

[Brian328i]

Satellite Radio (Sirius/XM) Ping List
Freepmail me to be added.

[HitmanLV]

Sirius works for me!

[Chicos_Bail_Bonds]

XM works for me. Love it.

[HitmanLV]

I can't listen to broadcast radio. It's just so crappy!

[Jabba the Nutt]

XM or Sirius, which is better for Talk Radio?
Are there differences as far as equipment needed?
Does one cost more for equipment and monthly subscription?

I will be in the market in 5 weeks, new job with a lot of
driving.

[Atlas Sneezed]

XM or Sirius, which is better for Talk Radio?

---

Very close. If you have a favorite host on one and not the other, that will tip the balance.

It was the most important factor in my selecting between the two, and it turns out that since I have rediscovered the joy of music, I almost never listen to the talk channel.

And I suggest the "bootcamp" approach, wherein you listen to each station for a day (at least for an hour or more) so you can really learn what is out there. There were only a couple on XM that I could not stand for an hour. These guys really program the best of each type.

[Brian328i]

I've never listened to the talk radio on satellite radio so I can not respond. Subscriptions now cost the same, 13 a month for Sirius and XM. Depending on what you want for equipment can dictate how much you spend. If you want a new head unit you'll spend that plus about 100 dollars for the receiver for the sat radio. I paid $80 for the Alpine Sirsat-1 or whatever its called.
Heres the listings of what Sirius/XM have for talk radio.
http://sirius.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Sirius/CachedPage&c=Page&cid=1065475754144
http://www.xmradio.com/programming/neighborhood.jsp?hood=talk_and_variety

As for the equipment, if you get a plug and play unit, I would suggest getting the adapter that connects to your car headunits's antenna in the read of the HU so you will not receive interferance from other radio signals.
Heres the equipment for both:
http://sirius.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Sirius/CachedPage&c=Gateway&cid=1066857398016
http://www.xmradio.com/catalog/product_category.jsp?type=Tuner

[luv2ski]

My husband has XM and I have Sirius. I like being able to get the NFL, especially during the playoffs. We drive in the mountains quite a bit and it's nice to be able to listen to Fox News all the way. (The radio reception in the mountains is terrible!) I don't really think there is much difference between the 2.

[Brian328i]

ALSO, I forgot to add. Goto Sirius or XM and sign up for the 3 day pass and listen to the stations. It's a nice way to determine which one you'll be happy with. I had XM before I got my Sirius and I didn't really like it. (It's probably changed in the past year though. THat damn 20 on 20 drove me crazy.) Good Luck :)

[Bogey78O]

The equipment is exclusive. There is no dual use equipment out mainly because XM is whipping Sirius hands down in the tech department and doesn't want to lose that advantage by going dual-use.

The monthly cost is the same. XM does provide is addition to the monthly fee unlimited use of their streaming web radio which simulcasts most of their popular channels.

If you have a post 2003 GM vehicle XM sells kits that can hardwire the radio into the factory installed unit. They also offer small modular units that can switch between vehicles and base stations for ease of use. They also offer the only true portable unit, the MyFi though Sirius is about to release a somewhat similar unit that offers less capability. Each one planning on having storage for recording shows with the MyFi topping out at 5 hours or so and the Sirius unit being just under an hour.

Both can be aftermarketed installed in any vehicle with a FM modulator.

XM recently announced a new unit they plan on releasing with mp3 capabilities that mimic the famous apple iPod using Napster's service.

As far as content XM has Opie & Anthony as well as Ron & Fez compared to Sirius' Stern. XM has 2 dedicated political channels, XM Right (Glen Beck, Laura Ingraham, Michael Medved, Reagan, and Rusty Humphries) and Air America. As well as simulcasts of Fox News, BBC, ABC radio (Sean Hannity included), and various special interest (Disney, Comedy, etc) channels.

[monkapotamus]

Attention everyone who uses AOL:

Load AOL Radio (keyword "radio") - XM stations are now on it if you want to check them out.

[1stFreedom]

>> can't listen to broadcast radio. It's just so crappy!

Either you listen to AM or you've been sold...

In case you weren't aware, FM is superior to digital audio (CD/sattelite)..

[HitmanLV]

I'm sorry I wasn't clear: I was referencing content, and not sound quality.

[buccaneer81]

I love my XM.

[Arkinsaw]

Sirius for me. Had a friend who had XM but it seemed to repeat too much so I tried Sirius and am sticking. Plus, I like the up-and-comer underdog. I like that they have the old MTV V-Jay cast-offs for their 80's station (Alan Hunter, Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman), sorta cool.

[Crapgame]

As I type I am streaming XM radio channel 13, Hank's Place. I stream it at work as well. I love that old country music with no commercials. None of that pop-watered down rock and roll country on this channel. Good Lord they actually play Johnny Bush on this channel. I just got a buddy of mine at work turned on to it as well. I can't speak to the talk radio on Sirius but just the fact that they hired Howard Stern would be enough to steer me away. I like having Foxnews, America Right and the BBC all programmed into my preset buttons.

[dts32041]

xm 40, bitt hume and tony snow, been using xm for almost two years have to sky fi's and a Polk component system.

BTW the guy who says the quality is worse than FM you have to be able to receive FM to have good quality.

I live in the area of the country which without a doubt has the worse FM radio reception, BTW they talk to much on FM radio.

[IrishCatholic]

bookmark for later referral to my tech support. Mrs. IrishCatholic.

[VeniVidiVici]

I got a Delphi MyFi and XM. I got it because I just can't stand listening to all of the commercials on broadcast radio now.

I am just amazed. It's probably one of the best things I've ever purchased.