News Articles From Days Gone ByThe number two satellite broadcaster is finally realizing that it needs to get Sirius about advertising.
(28 February 2005)
As a consequence, Sirius is hiring two of the radio industry's most respected ad men, Sam Benrubi and Steven Smith, to help build advertising revenue on its non-music channels. The appointments coincide with programming announcements that enhance advertisers' ability to buy commercial time, in particular the deal to broadcast NASCAR events. Sirius Entertainment and Sports President Scott Greenstein said of the occasion, "Sam and Steve are two of the best radio advertising sales executives in the country, with deep experience in broadcast advertising sales related to sports, Howard Stern, and other prominent talk show personalities."
In a move that highlights the reasons for his move to Sirius, Howard Stern has agreed with Clear Channel to break off lawsuits and part ways.
(28 February 2005)
The "King of All Media" was dumped by Clear Channel in February 2004 after repeated federal decency violations, prompting a breach of contract lawsuit by the shock jock's company, One Twelve. A subsequent countersuit was filed by Clear Channel over Federal Communications Commission rules violations involving shows explicitly discussing sex. Stern is expected to get Sirius next year.
The company behind XM's "The Power" (XM 169) is making a management change.
(28 February 2005)
Radio One announced that it has promoted its Vice President of Finance, Deborah A. Cowan to Senior Vice President of Finance effective 1 March. In her expanded role, Ms. Cowan will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Company's finance an accounting departments. Said Executive Vice President Scott Royster of the promotion, "Debbie has done an absolutely terrific job of developing disciplined systems and procedures that every public company needs." A graduate of Howard, Cowan holds an MBA from the Columbia Business School.
XM is beefing up its sports programming with the debut of Tony Kornheiser on 28 February.
(24 February 2005)
The Washington Post columnist and co-host of ESPN's "Pardon the Interruption" will launch an eponymous show as part of XM's new talk programming line-up. Said XM veep Eric Logan, "Tony is a proven talent whose analysis on the world of sports offers unique insignt and comic relief in one fell swoop -- something that's definitely hard to come by."
50 Cent is getting Sirius.
(24 February 2005)
One of the most notorious figures in rap, he'll oversee G Unit Radio, which will take over Shade 45 all day on Saturdays. Said 50 Cent, "I'm bringing my A-Game to Sirius. G Unit Radio is gonna blow up on Shade 45."
One of the most notorious figures in rap, he'll oversee G Unit Radio, which will take over Shade 45 all day on Saturdays.
(23 February 2005)
Said 50 Cent, "I'm bringing my A-Game to Sirius. G Unit Radio is gonna blow up on Shade 45." As part of its continuing effort to feature live entertainment, XM is broadcasting West Virginia Public Radio's " Mountain Stage ." The 6 March program features Jimmie LaFave and I Am Kloot . The show is produced by Andy Ridenour and host Larry Groce and features the motto "Where musicians come to play."
Confirming comments made by spokesman Pat Reilly, Sirius boss "Mellow Mel" Karmazin has said that nobody at the company has been subpoenaed by the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding insider trading.
(23 February 2005)
Said Karmazin, "Sirius has absolutely no reason to believe that this mater involves Sirius or any action of its officers, directors or employees."
Remember all the excitement at XM during the Daytona 500?
(23 February 2005)
Well, forget it. NASCAR has announced an agreement to give Sirius North American satellite radio rights to broadcast their racing and other events. "The Dog" is expected to feature all NASCAR events starting in 2007 including the Nextel Cup, the Bush Series and the Craftsman Truck Series races on a 24/7 NASCAR channel. As part of the agreement, Sirius becomes the Official Satellite Radio partner of NASCAR, with exclusive trademark and marketing rights. The deal failed to pump any life into Sirius stock, which fell over 5 percent to $5.56.
According to the Los Angeles Times , Sirius is saying that none of its executives or employees had received subpoenas to testify in a Securities and Exchange Commission insider trading probe.
(22 February 2005)
According to the Times, spokesman Patrick Reilly has said that the satellite broadcaster has no reason to believe it is involved in the investigation of the surge in its stock price during the weeks before and after Howard Stern announced that he was taking Robin, Artie, and the rest of the whole sick crew into space. As reported below, only Chaunce Hayden has been identified as a target in the investigation because he predicted the move several weeks prior to the announcement. Said Hayden, "The one time I'm right, I get a subpoena."
"The King of All Media" could be at the center of an insider trading investigation involving shares of Sirius.
(21 February 2005)
A regular guest on Howard Stern's show said he would testify in the probe of a surge in the satellite broadcaster's stock price at the time the shock jock announced he would leave syndication and get Sirius. Chaunce Hayden received a subpoena ordering him to appear before SEC investigators interested in "trading in securities of Sirius Satellite Radio." Sirius shares rose nearly 30 percent when Stern announced the five-year, $500 million deal. Hayden said he never owned Sirius stock but predicted Stern's move two weeks prior to the announcement. "We've all been wracking our brains to figure out why I've been subpoenaed," Hayden said.
In what could prove to be an ominous development for XM, the Russian Interfax news agency is reporting that the launch of XM Radio-3, scheduled for liftoff from the Sea Launch floating platform in the Pacific Ocean, has been postponed indefinitely.
(18 February 2005)
The satellite was built by Boeing in response to problems originating with an unexpectedly short estimated lifetime for Rock and Roll, the original two XM birds. As reported elsewhere in RUsirius.com, the short life expectancy is due to power supply deficiencies.
The Washington Post is reporting that the Federal Communications Commission could fine broadcasters up to $500,000 for indecency violations under a bill passed by the House.
(18 February 2005)
The Broadcast Indecency Act of 2005 passed by a vote of 389 to 38. It is a stronger version of a bill passed last year in response to Janet Jackson's escapade at the Super Bowl. Currently, a fine of no more than $32,000 can be levied against a violator of decency standards which say that "patently offensive" sexual or excretory material may not air between 6 AM and 10 PM. If the new law passes in the Senate the "King of All Media" Howard Stern may have no choice other than to get Sirius quickly or move his show to the "graveyard" shift.
During an interview with Kevin Kennedy on XM's Home Plate (channel 175) former slugger Jose "The Joser" Canseco claimed that both Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire took steroids during their home-run chase in 1998.
(16 February 2005)
In a separate interview, famed singles hitter, manager and gambler Pete Rose criticized Canseco for his accusations saying, "No one needs the money that bad to capitalize on your teammates." Canseco's book "Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits, and How Baseball Got Big" is now on the market at most major bookstores.
In what may be a small challenge to satellite radio, Motorola is launching its new iRadio music distribution at the Demo 2005 show in Scottsdale, Arizona.
(16 February 2005)
The new system combines a cellphone, wireless data delivery, Bluetooth connectivity, PC software, and a podcasting-like service to deliver both static and dynamic audio content to automobiles or ambulatory listeners.
"Play ball!"
(15 February 2005)
, the traditional start of every baseball game, can now be considered to be the beginning of a new season for XM.The satellite broadcaster salutes the boys of summer as Cal Ripken, Jr., his brother Billy, Rob Dibble, Kevin Kennedy, Larry Bowa, Buck Martinez and others launch the nation's first 24-hour radio major league baseball channel. The MLB Home Plate channel features news, listener call-in shows, interviews, rebroadcasts of classic games, and, just to spice things up, an appearance by the colorful but controversial Jose Canseco. "The Joser" is scheduled to appear on "The Show" hosted by Kevin Kennedy and will take listener phone calls.
They may not be Sirius but they have a new receiver that rivals anything produced by "The Dog" or its rival.
(14 February 2005)
The Diva is the new system currently being introduced by WorldSpace, the satellite radio company or the rest of the world. It has remote control, is compatible with CD players or any rack-type music system, and retails for US$114.
Not to be outdone by rival Sirius, XM has had "exploratory" discussions with Apple about putting satellite radio on an iPod.
(11 February 2005)
XM boss Hugh Panero said the Apple executives with whom he met, including CEO Steve Jobs, had "a confident air about them" regarding their product's position in the market place. In other words, as in the case of Sirius, Apple doesn't need any damn satellite radio.
Opportunity Productions ' prez Robin Seymour announced that he is developing a pilot for an ongoing radio program targeted for satellite radio.
(11 February 2005)
The talk show will predominantly deal with the opportunities available in part-time home based businesses. Said Seymour, "We are also looking to bring back our 30 minute TV program that ran very successfully in the 90's. This will coincide with our radio talk show program entitled 'Mr. Seymour's Great Associations,' which will feature key people in the Direct Sales industry as well as celebrities from the music world."
Let's go racing!
(10 February 2005)
That's what the folks at XM are saying as they kick off NASCAR Radio (Channel 144) for 2005. The celebration begins this week at Daytona International Speedway when the Budweiser Shootout takes place on 12 February. NASCAR Radio's Claire B. Lang is hosting her three-hour daily "Dialed In" program (4-7 pm ET) from Daytona during Speedweek, which ends with the 47th annual Daytona 500 on 20 February.
XM is getting sirius about their numbers.
(10 February 2005)
They ended 2004 with over 3.2 million subscribers and a revenue of $244 million, up 166 percent over 2003. The number of subscribers beat expectations by over 125,000. Contributing to their subscriber growth was the addition of more than 240,000 subscribers during the last eight days of December. Said XM boss Hugh Panero, "XM had an outstanding 2004. XM ended the year with more than 3.2 million subscribers, extending our lead over the competition to two million subscribers compared to one million a year ago."
CNN and London's Financial Times are reporting that Sirius boss "Mellow Mel" Karmazin has talked recently with Apple Computer about adding satellite radio to its popular iPod.
(10 February 2005)
Said Mel, "I've spoken to (Apple CEO) Steve Jobs. Although he declined to elaborate the belief is that the "current thinking" at Apple is that "they don't need to put a satellite radio in their box." Apple had no comment.
Cadillac is joining the club of automaker getting connected with XM Satellite Traffic.
(9 February 2005)
Starting this month the company begins offering XM NavTraffic on the CTS. The system, which provides continuously-upgraded traffic information in a selected city, will come standard in cars equipped with the DVD navigation feature.
XM is going racing.
(8 February 2005)
They're the title sponsor of the XM Satellite Radio Indy 200 at the Phoenix International Raceway on 19 March. The Indy Racing League IndyCar Series event is being telecast on ABC starting at 3:00 ET. XM's sponsorship is part of a multi-year marketing agreement with International Speedway Corporation , a major promoter of motorsports in the United States.
Perhaps to make some inroads into the conventional broadcasting market, XM has developed technology that lets radio manufacturers fabricate AM/FM home units that double as satellite receivers.
(8 February 2005)
The microprocessor and antenna technology is called Connect-and-Play and will show up in hoe units by Pioneer, Harman Kardon and Boston Acoustics, among others. A system for vehicle radios is apparently in the works.
Not satisfied just to appear in XM commercials, Sir Elton John (nee Reginald Dwight) is using his image to promote AirTran 's satellite radio service.
(8 February 2005)
His face should begin appearing on 20 AirTran jets in what one traffic controller called "Elton One." The Atlanta-based carrier is providing XM satellite radio at each passenger seat.
Showing that they're completely Sirius about this weekend's big game, "The Dog" is carrying the Super Bowl in five languages.
(4 February 2005)
Listeners can hear the Eagles and Patriots slug it out in Jacksonville in Spanish (channel 181), Japanese (channel 126), Mandarin Chinese (channel 127) or German (channel 148). Those who prefer English can here either the New England Patriots broadcast (channel 123) or the Philadelphia Eagles broadcast (channel 125).
As further evidence of the appeal of satellite radio, Saab is offering three years of free XM service on its new 9-7X premium midsize SUV.
(4 February 2005)
The automaker will target customers with a direct mail campaign by the end of this month. The XM package, together with a complementary OnStar "Safe & Sound" option, represents a $700.00 bonus to potential customers.
XM is adding some sirius talkers to its line-up.
(3 February 2005)
Dr. Laura Schlesinger and G. Gordon Liddy begin their XM affiliation in mid-February. Said XM Executive Vice President of Programming Eric Logan, "XM is pleased to offer Dr. Laura and G. Gordon Liddy. XM's talk programming has always represented a large spectrum of social and political views, and with our new talk line-up, XM will be expanding that universe of interests and opinions even further."
XM has selected Sun as its sole Unix supplier.
(2 February 2005)
The two companies reached a long-term agreement for Sun to supply XM with storage technology and support services, expanding an existing partnership designed to maximize the performance of the satellite broadcaster's business infrastructure. Said XM veep, Enterprise Information Technology, Frank Patry, "The data center solutions Sun has delivered have proven to be a key enabler of XM's success over the years."
Sirius is getting Portal .
(2 February 2005)
The satellite broadcaster has selected the billing and revenue management provider to provide a dynamic platform for subscriber management. Portal's solution enables Sirius to deploy and management its customer care, pricing and order-entry. Sirius CIO Bill Pratt said, "We selected Portal for their reputation as a software provider for some of the largest subscriber-based communications and media companies in the world."
Satellite radio has received a sirius "thumbs-up" from Autobytel 's Automotive Information Center.
(1 February 2005)
Their quarterly QuickView, which focuses on top trends in vehicle specifications, revealed that satellite radio is listed as an option on over 38 percent of all vehicles available or sale in the U.S. This figure has tripled over the past three years even though Sirius and XM are not yet common as "standard" features.