Posted on 02/22/2005 10:32:00 AM PST by LittleMoe
By SCOTT LAUCK
It’s the nature of technology these days to change from analog to digital and to move from the earth to the sky. So perhaps it should come as no surprise that satellite radio is becoming increasingly popular. Satellite radio has been around for years but has only recently begun to make a big dent in the market. In December, the United States’ two satellite radio companies, XM Radio and Sirius, reported record numbers of subscribers.
While mainstream FM radio continues to dominate, there are clearly a number of listeners who are trying something different.
Fred Dimmel, a student at Missouri Western State College, is among them. He first heard about satellite radio from an uncle who owned a car with the service factory-installed.
Mr. Dimmel says he forgot about satellite radio until he began looking for a space-efficient way to listen to music in his Ford Ranger.
“All I had in my truck was the tape player,” he says. “Rather than try to fit CDs into a small truck or finding a place to put a CD changer, the satellite deal was kind of the cheap, easy option to put in there and still get digital music and a pretty good selection, so I didn’t feel limited like with normal radio.”
Unlike normal FM or AM radio, which only broadcasts on a limited number of frequencies, satellite radio includes hundreds of channels, exposing listeners to a much wider variety of music, as well as talk radio, sports and other features.
Because users pay a subscription fee, most programs contain no commercials. In addition, the receivers can usually be plugged into a home stereo or computer, allowing for in-home use.
Like the majority of satellite radio listeners, Mr. Dimmel subscribes to XM Radio, the nation’s largest such provider. The Washington, D.C.-based company was founded 12 years ago, and as of December had 3.1 million subscribers.
XM’s competitor, New York, N.Y.-based Sirius, reported at the same time that it had surpassed its goal of 1 million subscribers. Company CEO Mel Karmazin called 2004 a “watershed year.” “We believe that this enthusiasm will continue, and we expect to double our subscribers during 2005,” he says.
Although younger and smaller than XM, Sirius got a boost this year when radio shock jock Howard Stern said he would begin broadcasting with the company in 2006.
Mr. Stern’s decision highlights another difference between satellite and conventional radio: looser regulations. While the U.S. Federal Communications Commission enforces decency rules on publicly broadcast material, subscription-based systems are left alone.
Both XM and Sirius have taken a number of other approaches to get their systems in people’s hands.
Among the most effective has been through deals with car manufacturers. These days, the systems come installed in a number of new vehicles.
While satellite radio offers a number of advantages, it has a few drawbacks as well. Unlike cell phones, service for satellite radio is available in far-flung locations. However, it is often blocked by tall buildings, parking garage roofs and other impediments. In larger cities, repeaters allow the signals to get through. However, Mr. Dimmel says he sometimes has trouble getting reception in downtown St. Joseph.
And occasionally, he said, he misses the ability to play his own CDs, noting that “you have more options but you can’t control what’s on there.”
Nonetheless, he’s found that loss hasn’t been much of a burden.
“It doesn’t happen as much as I thought it would,” he says.
True enough! The better marketing plan often defeats the (allegedly) better product.
I still like my WABC radio (NYC area). But I suppose satellite radio will overtake the market like cable TV did.
Why bother?
Compare your tv antenna to a dish network. Even in a croweded market like north new jersey, there's still no comparison.
A blackout can occur because of any number of reasons such as solar storms as well as sunspots, which release cosmic particles that mess with satellite communication. Blackouts are not a common occurrence and don’t last a long time.
Imagine buying a magazine subcription that you could only read in the living room. Want to read that magazine in bed? You'll have to buy another copy.
I was the same way in '82, until someone broke into my car and stole all my 8 tracks. LOL
I got Sirius added as an option on my new Infiniti. I could have gone with either XM or Sirius but chose Sirius because it had a better lineup of Talk Radio.
It's great, especially if you do a lot of driving and like talk radio -- no more searching to find a station as you travel through the rural areas!
I listen to talk and news a lot usually in my car. I guess I'm confortable with my choices between San Diego and LA. Your analogy to TV satellite is right on point. They can take my direcTV remote when they pry it from my cold dead hand. Good point.
Contrair Pierre,
Got a Roadie with the built in fm modulator.
Went of Radio Shack, got a plug in adapter with voltage transformer (7.50 cost)
Can play my satellite anywhere there's an fm radio, one sub.
That was you? Thanks, I was to cheap in 82 to buy them myself.....
Old radio stars? Jack Benny? Fred Allen?
yah. I'm a Sirius stockholder, but an XM owner. I like XM, but I hope Sirius makes them better.
I've got XM and upgraded speakers in my car and it sounds great music and talk.
The guys in my office found out I still have an 8-track.
Now that's my nick name. They kinda use it instead of "old man".
I have XM in my pickup. When I want to listen in the house I just pop it out of its dock and plug it into another dock that feeds my Bose Wave radio with the output. Simple and one subscription.
LM,
I have been using Sirius for 4 months and have been quite satisfied with it. You pick the music you like and you are off to the races. There are also several news and talk show channels. Sometimes I will listen to the left rant for a little.. just to keep from nodding off.
Best
MFO
My car has Sirius ready radio in it, but I don't think I'll get it. No matter how nice a stereo I get, I end up listening to AM radio 33%, nothing 33%, and grateful dead shows 33%. I believe that pattern would remain with satellite, meaning I'd be wasting my money. And I drive minimum 2hrs/day. Maybe I'd like it, but I've yet to be shown the reason why.
I have XM and love it. I chose it over Sirius b/c XM has two satellites and Sirius only one, so if something happens to it, they're out of commission until they can get another in the air, at least that's my understanding. I get great reception in the car and at home.
I'm with you.
(But you can't tell them much.)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.