News Articles From Days Gone ByDespite its financial woes and a soft market, XM has managed to get some debt relief in the form of a $450 million package from its creditors.
(24 December 2002)
The deal ensures that the satellite provider is funded until it breaks even. General Motors is a major player, allowing XM more than $250 million in payment deferrals. The remaining $200 million is in the form of new convertible bonds paying 10% interest.
Satellite radio enthusiasts living outside North America are tuning in to WorldSpace to satisfy their listening desires.
(21 December 2002)
The International Herald Tribune discusses the many benefits of this service in a recent article.
Sirius and Avionics Innovations have announced the introduction of a satellite radio receiver for aircraft.
(17 December 2002)
Sirius' Walter Kerner commented "Sirius Satellite Radio is excited to partner with Avionics Innovations to introduce satellite radio to the aviation community." Unlike XM, Sirius has not announced any current plans to provide their services to commercial airline passengers.
Get out your fedoras, shades, and skinny ties this New Year's Eve.
(15 December 2002)
Dan Aykroyd is bringing Elwood Blues to Sirius for a 4-hour commercial-free original program on channel 100, The Galaxy. The premise of "Blues Brothers 2003: A Chase Odyssey" is that Elwood, after three years on the lam, is surfacing to play New Year's Eve gigs in each time zone. Musical numbers include "Rubber Biscuit," "Messin' With The KId," "Soul Man," and "Viva Las Vegas," all of which were recorded at the Sirius-sponsored live performance at the Michigan International Speedway on 15 June. The recordings of R&B artists like James Brown, Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels, and Dyke & The Blazers are also featured.
Crutchfield's second satellite radio user's study indicates that customers of both Sirius and XM are equally happy with the respective services.
(13 December 2002)
The survey included approximately 112 XMers and 113 Sirius listeners. The news didn't help much as both satellite providers posted losses in excess of $100 million for the third quarter. The number of subscribers continues to increase, however. XM now has 201,544 customers. 16,136 radio fans have gotten Sirius as of 31 October.
STMicroelectronics has announced that it has finally shipped its one millionth XM chipset.
(11 December 2002)
ST Audio and Automotive General Manager Pietro Palella said "This milestone is very important for both STMicroelectronics and XM, and it indicates strong demand throughout the supply chain for XM's digital satellite radio service."
Delphi and XM announced that the popular new SKYFi Audio System would be available at Best Buy and Circuit City next week.
(11 December 2002)
Retailing for $229.99, the satellite "boom box" allows users to listen anywhere.
LiveTV , recently acquired by JetBlue Airways , has plans to introduce XM programming to air travelers throughout the country.
(11 December 2002)
HASH(0x9086b88)
Responding to plans by Hertz to equip selected vehicles with Sirius, Avis announced that it is offering XM to rental customers of up to 50,000 models of General Motors cars and trucks.
(10 December 2002)
"XM allows us to offer our customers an enormous variety of music -- from rock to reggae, to country to classic al -- as well as extensive sports and news coverage," commented Avis VP Scott Deaver. Not to be outdone by the enthusiastic remarks of Mr. Deaver, XM VP Tricia Kesling added "We're thrilled by Avis' enthusiasm for XM Satellite Radio and by the chance to expose Avis' broad and diverse driver base to our service. Once Avis customers enjoy our 100 amazing channels in their rental cars and experience the sound quality and breadth of programming, we expect many of them will also want to purchase XM for their own vehicles and homes."
"XM allows us to offer our customers an enormous variety of music -- from rock to reggae, to country to classic al -- as well as extensive sports and news coverage," commented Avis VP Scott Deaver.
(5 December 2002)
Not to be outdone by the enthusiastic remarks of Mr. Deaver, XM VP Tricia Kesling added "We're thrilled by Avis' enthusiasm for XM Satellite Radio and by the chance to expose Avis' broad and diverse driver base to our service. Once Avis customers enjoy our 100 amazing channels in their rental cars and experience the sound quality and breadth of programming, we expect many of them will also want to purchase XM for their own vehicles and homes." Not to be outdone by XM, Sirius is devoting one of its channels to "Sirius Sounds of the Season." The programming is on The Galaxy (Channel 100) and features a variety of musical genres.
To get everyone in the spirit, XM is airing holiday music marathons on separate channels.
(4 December 2002)
Both will run through New Year's Day. Channel 24 (Sunny) is featuring family-oriented programming with artists like Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, and Harry Connick Jr. Special X concentrates on a more eclectic mix with seasonal offerings from Frank Sinatra to South Park. Featured artists include the Whirling Dervishes, Prince, Leon Redbone, and Gene Autry. Special X is on XM's channel 30.
XM announced that country music Hall of Famer Bill Anderson's contract would be extended through November 2004.
(4 December 2002)
Anderson, composer of the 1958 Ray Price hit "City Lights," tapes his programs in Nashville. They air eight times each week and have featured the late Chet Atkins, Vince Gill, Brenda Lee, Eddy Arnold, and Charlie Louvin. "I've been in business 40 years, and I'm still doing what I started with," said Anderson.
The National Association of Black Organizations (NABO) once again has struck out against XM, this time at a prominent Circuit City location in the Detroit area.
(2 December 2002)
The Friday protest in Southfield, Michigan continued NABO's effort to have the satellite service provide value positive programming for African Americans. Said Reverend Julius Hope, National Director Department of Religious Affairs (DRA) for the NAACP "Certainly African American ministers on the Word Network have an unparalleled audience reach. The Word deserves serious attention and respect from all satellite broadcast entities. My office will meet with NABO and ask for a meeting with XM Satellite Radio to resolve the very real issues raised by NABO." Reverend Hope may intervene to mediate the dispute between NABO and XM over the latter entity's decision not to broadcast the programming of the Word Network.