To our knowledge, the most recent estimate is that XM has over 136,000 subscribers nationwide. Their success so far is due in part to the efforts of their adverrtising campaign, developed by industry giant TBWA/Chiat/Day .  Their original plans called for a "falling stars" motif carrying the theme "Radio to the power of X." We thought that "falling stars" might have referred in part to then pitchman David Bowie who, along B.B. King and Snoop Dogg, were featured in the XM promotional campaign featured in movie theaters across the country. The events of September 11 and a weak economy, however, forced them to rethink their strategy according to CommVerge's Steven Fytte . In announcing the new service XM CEO Hugh Panero said "We have to make this real and authentic, so that on the blues channel you feel like you're in a blues club drinking whiskey." Considering that their service is intended primarily for motor vehicles we find this a rather odd remark. Speaking at SkyForum , Mr. Panero remarked that the early success of satellite radio "points to this becoming a mass-market service."  XM announced that it would be broadcasting Major League Baseball games live on ESPN Radio . Another innovation by XM is the addition of a live performance studio at their Washington D.C. headquarters. The inaugural performance at the new facility featured trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, described by CEO Panero as a young man with an "old soul." Marsalis described the studio as reminiscent of Star Trek's "Enterprise". Marsalis will regularly be "beamed up" to XM's satellites. He's been signed to host a series of 12 hour-long programs on his music and career.

RUsirius.com invites contributions to this page of an informative or humorous nature regarding XM Satellite Radio, its business activities, and its colorful CEO.  We'll be posting all comments, criticisms, jokes, and rumors below.