News Articles From Days Gone ByThe number two satellite broadcaster reported financial numbers that were a little less than Sirius.
(29 April 2005)
The company posted a wider first quarter loss of 15 cents per share compared with a loss of 12 cents per share during the same quarter last year. They did, however, raise revenue and subscriber estimates for the full year. As of the end of March, Sirius said that it had 1.45 million subscribers. Sirius boss Mel Karmazin said, "Coming off a strong finish last year, we continued to see increased demand for Sirius during the first quarter. Not only did we beat Wall Street consensus for subscriber and revenue growth, but we also registered our lowest churn ever, which clearly indicates a preference for our superior programming, as well as very high levels of customer satisfaction." 2.7 million Sirius listeners are expected by the end of the year.
Canadian Satellite Radio (CSR) and partner XM are creating a weekly program showcasing QuDebec and French-Canadian musical talent.
(29 April 2005)
In addition to highlighting music in both English and French, "La Musique" will feature artist interviews, live performances and other special programming. CSR boss Stephen Tapp said "QuDebec has always had a rich variety of musical talent and that's never been truer than today."
XM put up some sirius numbers this quarter, reporting net subscriber additions of 541,140 or a 68 percent increase over the 321,675 subscribers added in the first quarter of 2004.
(27 April 2005)
There are now 3,770,264 happy XMers. Said XM boss Hugh Panero, "This was an outstanding first quarter by any measure. XM added more than 541,000 subscribers, kicked off comprehensive coverage of the 2005 Major League Baseball season, successfully launched our third satellite and exited the quarter with an annualized revenue run rate of $430 million. We are very pleased with our performance to date and remain on track to reach 5.5 million subscribers by year-end."
Go-o-o-al!
(26 April 2005)
!!Andres Cantor is coming to XM to help launch a Spanish-language sports network. The new channel is expected to commence in July with coverage of soccer, baseball and boxing. Cantor is currently the chairman of Futbol de Primera , the biggest syndicator of soccer programming for Spanish-language radio.
The 2006 World Cup Soccer Tournament is going to be XM-rated.
(26 April 2005)
The spacecaster announced that it will be the exclusive satellite radio broadcaster for the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 Soccer tournament. Said XM Veep Eric Logan, "With the ability to air the most play-by-play coverage, XM Satellite Radio is the ideal platform to broadcast the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 Soccer tournament. Our exclusive satellite radio broadcast rights for FIFA World Cup Soccer will be an excellent to our extensive play-by-play coverage of Major League Baseball, NASCAR, and college sports." World Cup coverage is expected to include team selection and qualifying matches in both English and Spanish.
Come to think of it .
(22 April 2005)
.. Heineken is joining Sirius, among others, for its latest promotion, Music For Life.Starting on 1 May, the promotion will give lucky consumers the chance to win prizes through an instant win game and on-line sweepstakes. Said Heineken's Andrew Glaser, "We view Music For Life as an exciting extension of our overall music platform for the brand, and we are delighted to join forces with Sirius Satellite Radio, Rolling Stone, Ticketmaster and RealNetworks' Rhapsody, to bring this innovative initiative to life. The promotion runs through 15 July.
According to TWICE , home satellite radio listeners can soon dispose of the ugly-looking cables running from the nearest window to the receiver.
(22 April 2005)
Direct Electronics has been offering a $59 combiner/splitter package that lets an outdoor Sirius receiver share the coaxial cable with a satellite television dish. Delphi's Signal Repeater, at a tentative suggested $169, provides a similar service for XM via a wireless connection.
The San Jose Mercury is reporting that Hewlett-Packard and Infinity Broadcasting are teaming up to provide satellite radio with some sirius competition.
(21 April 2005)
The new development is a service that lets consumers both listen to local FM radio on their cell phones and get extra data about the broadcasts. The service, called Visual Radio, was introduced by Nokia and is being announced at this week's National Association of Broadcasters Show in Las Vegas. Said HP's Vikki Pachera, "Terrestrial radio is under attack from satellite radio. The whole industry is in a state of transition. This enables radio to have a unique capability that satellite radio doesn't have, to interact directly with consumers, an e-commerce capability. It brings a real personal experienced to the consumers." It also helps Infinity compete a little more effectively with departing "King of All Media" Howard Stern.
At the National Association of Broadcasters Show in Las Vegas, Polk Audio introduced I-Sonic, the first product to combine HD Radio, XM, and DVD/CD.
(20 April 2005)
The compact stereo audio system includes Polk's 4-speaker I-Sonic and Power Port technologies and measures only 14.5" x 9.75" x 4.75". Said Polk co-founder Matthew Polk, "The I-Sonic entertainment system marks the first time that HD Radio technology has been combined with advanced audio technologies to produce a truly high performance complete home entertainment solution."
Having learned from XM and Sirius that satellite radio can be a profitable business, WorldSpace is getting ready for a stock offering.
(19 April 2005)
The District of Columbia based satellite broadcaster with licenses to broadcast in Asia and Africa registered last week for an initial public offering of $100 million of stock with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The date and target price for the offering will depend on an SEC review and investor response to the company's presentation of its business plan according to WorldSpace general Donald J. Frickel.
"The Dog" is getting sirius about money again.
(19 April 2005)
The number two satellite broadcaster is planning to hold a conference call at 8:00 AM (ET) on 28 April to discuss its first quarter 2005 financial results. The call can be monitored at the company website or on Sirius channel 131.
After spending months in jail, Martha Stewart is finally ready to get sirius.
(19 April 2005)
The domestic diva has reached a deal with Sirius Satellite Radio to create a 24-hour channel featuring cooking, gardening and entertaining programming for women. At a news conference, Martha said her connection with radio stretched back to her childhood. "I don't know about you, but I was raised on the radio," said Stewart. "I'm very excited about this."
Sirius Canada isn't joking about the "gray" market for satellite radio subscriptions.
(18 April 2005)
In an apparent effort to capitalize on a pent-up demand for satellite radio, some Canadian dealers are providing U.S. addresses allowing Canadian residents to subscribe to Sirius illegally. "While we certainly understand the growing demand for satellite radio, we cannot condone illegal activity," said Sirius Canada CEO Kevin Shea. "Sirius Canada hopes to be able to offer a legal Canadian service soon, should our application be approved by the (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission."
XM is ready to get sirius about money again.
(18 April 2005)
They're scheduling a conference call on Wednesday, 27 April, at 10:30 AM (ET) to announce and discuss the first quarter financials for 2005. The numbers will be posted to the corporate website prior to the call, which can be monitored at (800) 374-0551.
XM is getting ready to add two new members to the board of directors.
(18 April 2005)
Eddy Hartenstein and John Mendel have been nominated for the election to be held at the upcoming annual shareholders' meeting. Hartenstein served as the vice chairman and member of the board of directors of The DIRECTV Group. Mendel is senior vice president, automobile operations of American Honda.
Akamai has been selected by XM to be their lead provider of internet streaming services.
(18 April 2005)
The leading global service provider for accelerating content and business processes online is now the lead supporter of XM Radio Online, a service that complements XM radio service with more than 70 channels of music, talk, and children's programming. Said XM boss Hugh Panero, "Akamai's on-demand platform has been critical to delivering a high-quality streaming music service for XM's subscribers."
First there was WiFi, then SkyFi.
(18 April 2005)
Now there is MyFi, the first portable satellite radio by Delphi. It costs approximately $300 and allows listening through earphones or a stereo system. It does have a major drawback, however. The unit apparently loses reception occasionally if the XM signal is blocked. Pioneer and Tao are expected to release similar systems for XM soon. A Sirius system is expected this summer.
XM is moving into the rental market soon.
(18 April 2005)
According to Consumer Electronics Daily , three rental dealers, including the 48-store American Rental, started carrying the Delphi Roady2 and Audiovox XR9 XM receivers, renting them on a 12-month basis with a $9.99 weekly fee.
"Dollar Bill" is getting Sirius.
(15 April 2005)
Former New Jersey Senator and NBA star Bill Bradley will host and create American Voices. The talk show debuts next month on Sirius Talk Central. "I will not just be interviewing my guests ... I will be having a conversation with them about their lives," said Bradley. "The show will strive for a balance between the predictable and the unexpected."
Three major magazines are extending top honors to the folks in the McGraw-Hill building.
(15 April 2005)
Sirius is receiving accolades from Men's Fitness , New York and Cargo as having the best satellite radio programming. New York's 11 April issue advised "Most of you want to choose Sirius ... the programming is superior." The sage advice appeared in an article entitled, "The Well-Wired Home."
XM has announced a new long-term agreement with Air America Radio, home to the likes of Al Franken and Janeane Garofalo.
(14 April 2005)
Beginning next month, XM's liberal talk channel, America Left (167) will include an expanded line-up of programming including "Springer on the Radio" hosted by Jerry Springer. To celebrate the new agreement, America Left is being renamed Air America Radio.
America Online and XM are getting together to create a new online radio service.
(14 April 2005)
The service brings together both XM and AOL Radio Network products and programming, forming the world's largest digital radio network. America Online chairman Jon Miller said, "The combination of our leadership in online programming and XM's leadership in satellite programming represents a giant step in digital media."
Zipcar is announcing a partnership with XM.
(14 April 2005)
The North American car-sharing leader thereby becomes the first to provide drivers and passengers with satellite radio. The service is being installed and activated throughout the company's fleet of vehicles in 21 cities. Said XM boss Hugh Panero, "Thousands of city residents drive Zipcars every day. This presents a great opportunity opportunity to promote our service and introduce hundreds of thousands o savvy urban drivers and their passengers to the next generation of radio."
In the Great White North, the development of satellite radio is being delayed by regulatory approvals.
(14 April 2005)
The process is ongoing while the gray market in the country continues to grow. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) held hearings into satellite radio in November but has yet to make its decision on the subject public. Currently there are three companies vying to offer digital radio in Canada: Canadian Satellite Radio, headed by John Bitove, Sirius Canada, and CHUM Ltd., which is offering a land-based Canadian service. The lack of a firm deadline could have an impact on General Motors Canada, which is hoping to have satellite radio in some of its upcoming 2006 models.
XM has declared a regular quarterly dividend on its 8.
(14 April 2005)
25% Series B Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock.The dividend is payable in shares of the company's Class A Common Stock at a rate of $1.03313 per share of Series B Preferred Stock, with fractional shares to be paid in cash.
XM is adding a new XM-rated show by hip hop megastar Trick Daddy.
(14 April 2005)
"Dunk Rider Radio with Trick Daddy" will air exclusively on RAW (66) each Friday at 9:00 ET. Trick Daddy will play his favorite tracks, host live performances, interview artists and serve up some surprises, all from his Miami home studio. The show debuts this Friday.
The nation's leading sports franchise has reached a multi-year marketing deal with the nation's leading satellite broadcaster.
(6 April 2005)
The agreement between the New York Yankees and XM allows the latter to advertise its radios and programming at Yankee Stadium, through on-site promotions and signage. Said XM boss Hugh Panero, "Our intent is to give each Yankee fan the content they desire even if they no longer call New York City home."
Apparently WorldSpace is going to be facing some competition on the Indian subcontinent.
(6 April 2005)
The Indian department of space is exploring the possibility of setting up a multi-media satellite platform that would include satellite radio, video and data channels. Rumors regarding the development have been confirmed by officials at the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and WorldSpace, currently the only satellite broadcaster catering to audiences in the Asian and African markets.
Delphi may be to the hardware part of the business what XM is to the industry in general.
(5 April 2005)
The company announced that it has sold 5 million satellite radio receivers to retail and automotive customers. Said Delphi's Jeff Owens, "We regard our success in satellite radio as a validation of Delphi's growth strategy." The world's leading provider of satellite radio receivers is the first satellite hardware manufacturer to reach the 5 million mark.
XM added more than 540,000 subscribers during the first quarter of this year.
(4 April 2005)
More than 3.77 million happy XMers are now listening to the spacecaster's broadcasts. The subscriber gain represents a 68 percent increase compared to the first quarter of 2004, when XM added 321,675 new subscribers. Said XM boss Hugh Panero, "This was the best first quarter in the history of XM. Millions of consumers are choosing XM because of our outstanding programming, including unprecedented coverage of Major League Baseball and the most commercial-free music in satellite radio."