Posted on 07/27/2006 12:44:18 PM PDT by iowamark
XM Satellite Radio has cut its forecast for subscriber growth for the second time and reports a wider loss for its latest quarter.
However, subscriber gains last quarter did help push revenue up 82 percent.
The District-based broadcaster, which earlier this month lowered its goal for subscribers from 9 million to 8.5 million, now says it expects to end the year with between 7.7 million and 8.2 million, citing "marketplace dynamics and regulatory uncertainties."
Both XM and rival Sirius have stopped sales of some radios after the Federal Communications Commission questioned whether they complied with rules.
For the quarter, XM's loss grew to $229.1 million, or 87 cents per share, compared with a net loss of $146.6 million, or 70 cents per share, a year ago.
XM (NASDAQ: XMSR) had quarterly revenue of $228 million, up from $125 million. It reported a net gain of about 398,000 subscribers and says it now has more than 7 million subscribers.
Sirius (NASDAQ: SIRI) has said it added more than 600,000 subscribers last quarter, for a total of about 4.7 million.
However if both or one them picks up Mark Levin, I am sure at least one FReeper will shell out $$$ just to hear him and the rest of the lineup is just bonus....
Exactly. The terrestrial classic rock and '70s stations seem to have a playlist of maybe 100 songs. The only time worth tuning in is during a "no repeat weekend."
Oh, well. I guess that's why I accumulated all these CDs. Now, if I ever find a reasonably-priced 100 GB player, I'll be set for life.
Two years ago I said the same thing but Rush has since stated that he is staying with the radio stations because of the loyalty they have shown him over the years.
If he changes his mind, Sirius will triple over night.
If his successor, whoever she might be, Coulter, Bruce, or Ingrahm takes a large percentage of the loyal Limbaugh listeners over to Sirius, it should double over night.
Fox is on Sirius as well...thank God.
XM radio, podcasts, and MP3 players, life is good.
I've been a Sirius subscriber for two years now and I'll never go back. Over a hundred stations of commercial free music in just about every genre and subgenre I can think of. All hosted by DJs who are passionate about the music they are playing. And only prissy audiophiles complain about the sound quality. TO most ears, the sound quality is great and better than FM.
Best part about satellite radio (besides no commercials) is the fact that the artist and title of the song playing appears at all times on the display. Now when I hear a song I like, I can go buy it on iTunes right away.
My only gripes is that you temporarily lose the signal when you go under overpasses or under a grove of trees. Also, the news and talk station have commercials. If they can lick those problems, satellite radio is nearly perfect.
"I don't think Rush would need to sign on to satellite because 98% of the population can get it on AM or FM."
Yes, my Cherokee has everything integrated through a Bose system...push the sat button for Sirius, the programmed AM button for Rush, or the CD button which plays cds' burned from my Ipod playlist. Three buttons, and I get everything I want. No need for Rush to switch, and They would need to motivate him to create two formats...BUT, if Mel can identify Rush's successor and sign her ( I believe it will be a her..see previous post)...Sirius will rule.
Sadly, like many things in our country today, they appeal to the least common denominator.
If Rush goes on XM he will be heard by more people. AM and FM has its limits. People who travel will be able to hear him everyday and the remote NPR only folks will get a new life.
I like the comedy. as well. This morning I happened upon a Gilda Radner (R.I.P.) Rosanne Rosadanna bit. Sounded like a college commencement speech.
Ah, those were the days, my friend....
That is just not going to happen. Rush is a goldmine to hundreds of large to small radio stations for which he gins up millions of dollars of advertising dollars.
Besides, his audience is in the order of 20 million. If he went on to, say, XM Radio, that potential (and I emphasize "potential") audience would be half that.
I have two XM units, and listen hours each day....although, I could probably get the Inno and drop one subscription.
Wait til HDRadio is forced down people's throat......$399 for a bedside radio!
Have you listened to HDRadio yet?
GM only lost $3 billion or so, but it is balanced with the $4 billion writeoff, so GM is actually in the black for the quarter. Too bad about the $4 billion, but it was gone anyway. Net losses will resume next quarter and continue until this dog is in the ground.
Amen, brother. For a year and a half I took my dog every month for cancer treatments at a veterinary hospital 700 miles from home. You can imagine how tiresome that became. So, having XM radio to listen to was a blessing.
Unfortunately, my beloved dog passed away in February, so the trips are not necessary anymore. I wish they were, though.
I'm sorry about your dog, you were quite the friend traveling so far to take care of it. Losing a pet is terrible, I lost a cat when it was only 8 years old due to a bad heart and it was heartbreaking.
Yep- that about sums it up. Nice recap
You can get a season pass to all MLB games on the radio for 14.95. They are archived until the next season. Go to MLB.com to get it. It is a lot cheaper than XM.
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