News Articles From Days Gone ByMitsubishi is getting Sirius.
(31 July 2006)
The automaker has announced that the satcaster's systems will be offered as a standard feature or factory on four models this fall, and throughout the entire 23008 Mitsubishi model line available in the United States next year. Said Mike Krebs, Vice President of Product Strategy at Mitsubiushi Motors North America, "Our goal is to offer Mitsubishi customers the very best in-vehicle experience possible, and we believe that Sirius' unique programming greatly enhances our quality offering." more>>
"Discover It!"
(31 July 2006)
-- That's the new slogan for HD radio.The HD Digital Radio Alliance has detailed its comprehensive marketing strategy including the new tagline, a new advertising campaign, online marketing and the involvement of new retail partners. The "Discover It!" campaign invites consumers to discover the new, free, digital quality radio programming and the new "stations between the stations" available with HD radio. more>>
People are getting so sirius about satellite radio that Arbitron is planning to monitor the new medium starting this Fall.
(30 July 2006)
The announcement was made during the three-day Advisory Board meeting that was held in Colorado Springs from 26-28 July. more>>
HD radio highlights this year's National Association of Broadcasters ' Radio Show.
(29 July 2006)
Broadcast Electronics is kicking off the event with a free seminar on the business opportunities and operational challenges of the new format. "HD Radio: All the Basics and More" is being held from 2-5 PM(CT) at the Hilton Anatole , Dallas on Tuesday, 19 September. more>>
Mon dieux!
(28 July 2006)
XM is teaming with the Owner-Operator's Business Association of Canada ( OBAC ) and Lecamionneur.com to provide news and information to French-speaking truckers. XM's program Entre les 2 lignes and OBAC are going to be adding content to the popular Quebec-based website. "We're delighted with the partnership," said OBAC's Executive director, Joanne Ritchie. "There's growing interest in Quebec in what an OBAC has to offer, and we're pleased to be able to reach drivers in French." Entre les 2 lignes can be heard live throughout North America on XM channel 172 Sundays from 6 to 8 AM(ET) with a rebroadcast later in the evening. more>>
Clear Channel is getting sirius about HD radio.
(27 July 2006)
The company is now offering the new digital subchannels on 300 of its radio stations across the country. The digital streams are also being made available via the Clear Channel website . Clear Channel owns or operates 1,200 stations nationwide and is on track to reach 95 percent of radio stations in the top 100 markets by the end of 2007. more>>
The folks at XM have shown their investors that they're not sirius, at least when it comes to profits.
(27 July 2006)
The satcaster has reported a net loss for the second quarter of 2006 of $229 million compared to a net loss of $147 million during the same period last year. There is a bright side, however. The company increased its quarterly revenue 82 percent year over year and ended the quarter with over seven million subscribers. Said XM boss Hugh Panero, "It's a testament to the appeal of satellite radio that XM recently surpassed 7 million subscribers." more>>
WorldSpace has announced that it expects to release its second quarter results after the close of the market on Wednesday, 9 August.
(27 July 2006)
A conference call and webcast are planned to discuss those results at 4:30 PM(ET). Interested parties and others can access the conference call at (800) 573-4842 with passcode 86672742. The conference is being hosted by WorldSpace boss Noah Samara and Chief Financial Officer Sridhar Ganesan. more>>
Thanks to satellite radio a little attention is finally being paid to musical genres that have long been neglected.
(26 July 2006)
A good example is the blues, an artform that has all but disappeared from the terrestrial airwaves except those of some small outlets like KKUP in Cupertino, California. According to the Westport News , however, local bluesman Davis Coen's latest compact disc, You Can't Get There From Here, is getting national attention at XM, where it's topping the Bluesville charts. Meanwhile, over at Sirius, blues master Keb' Mo' stopped by for an exclusive interview with Dave Mac. more>>
The NFL is more Sirius than it has ever been.
(26 July 2006)
The league and the satcaster have announced that Sirius NFL Radio, channel 124, will broadcast live on location from 26 NFL training camp sites leading up to the start of the 2006 NFL season. The action starts tomorrow when Sirius hosts Jerry Rice and Tim Ryan broadcast live from the Oakland Raiders training camp in Napa Valley, CA, followed by hosts Pat Kirwan and Adam Schein live from the Philadelphia Eagles camp at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. more>>
HD Radio, according to Kagan Research , is expected to generate $1.
(26 July 2006)
6 billion in annual revenue by 2011, with the bulk of that coming from ad sales on secondary channels."As of Q1 2006, there were 748 station broadcasting in HD in 141 markets, with more than 170 stations multicasting a second channel," stated Kagan analyst Michael Buckley. more>>
XM has signed a five-year music licensing agreement with the American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers ( ASCAP ).
(25 July 2006)
Under the agreement, XM will pay licensing fees to ASCAP for the public performance of copyrighted musical compositions in the society's repertory of over seven million works. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. more>>
Peterbilt is getting Sirius.
(25 July 2006)
The satcaster and the truck manufacturer have announced an agreement to install Sirius satrads in new class 8 models equipped with premium-quality sleepers as a standard feature. The Paccar subsidiary will continue to offer satrads as an option on all other class 8 Peterbilt vehicles. more>>
XM boss Hugh Panero has announced the appointment of Nate Davis to the newly created position of President and Chief Operating Officer.
(24 July 2006)
Davis was President and COO of XO Communications from late 1999 through early 2003. "I know first hand the kind of action-oriented, business leadership that Nate will bring to his new role," said Panero. Davis has also served in senior management roles at Nextel and MCI and has been a member of the XM Board of Directors since 1999. more>>
Satellite radio investors are learning that they just can't take the new medium that siriusly after shares of both satcasters tumbled in response to a recent FCC decision (see below).
(21 July 2006)
XM stopped making and shipping radios with FM transmitters as a result and its stock shares hit a new 52-week low yesterday. Sirius shares were also sharply lower after admitting that some of its units were also out of compliance. Its share price has been cut in half since peaking two years ago. more>>
Rejected!
(20 July 2006)
That's the word from the Federal Communications Commission on XM's solution for bringing certain satrads into compliance with FCC standards. The models affected by the decision include the Delphi XM SkyFi2 and the Audiovox Xpress, both of which have FM re-transmitters that interfere with radios in nearby vehicles (see RUsirius.com story dated 3 May 2006). Directed Electronics has already received notice that two Sirius satrads, the ST2 and the S50-C are also out of compliance with FCC emission standards. Both XM and Sirius are working to correct the problem. more>>
The folks in Branson Missouri are getting Sirius about satellite radio.
(20 July 2006)
They're happy to be getting the exposure that "Branson Coast to Coast" is giving them on Sirius' "Prime Country." It takes to the spacewaves every Sunday at 11 AM(ET) and is hosted by Bob Mitchell, a longtime voice on Branson radio station KHOZ .
Harley riders will be pleased to know that the motorcycle manufacturer is now XM-rated.
(19 July 2006)
Harley Davidson has teamed with the satcaster to announce the Road Tech AL20, a satellite radio designed exclusively for bikes made in or before 1996. The new satrad is completely weatherproof with an LCD screen and adjustable backlighting with backlit buttons. It sells for $249.95 including 3 months of complimentary service. more>>
Microsoft may be thinking about getting Sirius.
(18 July 2006)
The software giant is said to be considering including a satellite radio receiver for its Zune device along with tying it to the new Urge music service. The Zune is Microsoft's answer to Apple's iPod. more>>
In their quest for HD Radio the folks at terrestrial radio stations never worried about how to monitor all the extra channels they would soon be offering.
(18 July 2006)
Fortunately help is on the way in the form of products that permit the simultaneous monitoring of more than one band. One such product is the Audio Design Associates HD Pro dual radio monitor. It features two independent AM and FM HD Radio tuners in one package. Its primary function is simply to let radio station personnel know whether or not there is silence on a multicast channel due to an automation or transmitter failure. more>>
Now that satellite radio seems to have established itself among the consuming public it may be time for them to reconsider advertising, at least in the form of direct marketing.
(18 July 2006)
That's the opinion of Jordis Rosenquest, senior vice president of communications strategy for Targetbase . She says that satellite radio is already ad supported via its program sponsorships and branded infotainment. "New things are becoming possible" but direct marketing does not need to be intrusive, says Rosenquest. Unlike junk mail, direct marketing on satellite radio can be a "good strategy. It doesn't have to be annoying." Caveat emptor. more>>
That's the opinion of Jordis Rosenquest, senior vice president of communications strategy for Targetbase .
(17 July 2006)
She says that satellite radio is already ad supported via its program sponsorships and branded infotainment. "New things are becoming possible" but direct marketing does not need to be intrusive, says Rosenquest. Unlike junk mail, direct marketing on satellite radio can be a "good strategy. It doesn't have to be annoying." Caveat emptor. HD Radio converters, datacasting and the cost of receivers were among the topics covered at Friday's (14 July) "Conclave HD2: Making It Work Session." iBiquity director of broadcast marketing Don Kelly reported at the session that there will be an HD Radio car converter on the market by Thanksgiving for standard analog radios. He also noted a Kagan Research projection of $805 million in revenue for HD Radio by 2008. The hope is that the popularity of HD Radio will soar once the price of an individual unit reaches the "sweet spot" of $99. Two radio stations a day are currently converting to HD. more>>
Can't decide between satellite or HD radio?
(17 July 2006)
Take a look at Polk Audio's new I-Sonic entertainment system. It delivers music via digital HD Radio, a DVD/CD player or XM. It measures just 14.5 by 9.75 by 4.75 inches and has been described as delivering a sound quality good enough to make it a primary home entertainment system. more>>
Steve Cook has been tapped by XM for the newly created post of Executive Vice President, Automotive.
(17 July 2006)
The satcaster has noted that Cook would focus exclusively on XM's automotive strategic relationships with General Motors, Honda, Toyota, Hyundai and Nissan. The five automakers together account for about 60% of the U.S. automotive market. more>>
International satcaster WorldSpace is preparing to enter the South African market.
(17 July 2006)
They're discussing with local manufacturers the feasibility of installing satrads in cars after being given permission to do so. The process is currently in the hands of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa ( Icasa ), which is finalizing the licensing regulations for subscription broadcasting. WorldSpace boss Noah Samara has said that his company would launch its services after licensing finalization. more>>
Canadians can finally get Sirius in their Fords.
(14 July 2006)
The automaker has announced plans to install the satcaster's equipment in virtually all its vehicles by 2008. The receivers are being bundled with a subscription to Sirius Canada. Starting in 2007, the program is expected to include Ford, Lincoln Mercury, Land Rover, Jaguar, Volvo and Aston Martin brands. more>>
A slight management change is taking place at XM.
(14 July 2006)
The satcaster has named My-Chau Nguyen, formerly of Sprint Nextel as Senior Vice President, Marketing, Planning and Research. Sean Connolly, formerly of Intel, is being appointed Vice President, Brand Management and Media. more>>
XM Affiliate Canadian Satellite Radio (CSR) has posted a third-quarter loss of $20.
(14 July 2006)
4 million.It's trying to make up the loss by charging higher subscription fees, raising the monthly stipend from $12.99 to $14.99. "This new price increase is warranted by the benefits to our subscribers of our unique and exclusive programming," said CSR boss Steve Tapp. more>>
The controversial XM Inno (see RUsirius.com story dated 18 April 2006) is coming to Canada.
(14 July 2006)
The satcaster is marketing its memory capable satrad in the Great White North for $499. The unit features a satellite/terrestrial internal antenna, a wireless FM transmitter, a full-color, 180 X 180 pixel TFT display and the ability for users to build their own personal playlists using a mix of XM content and tracks from their own digital music collection. more>>
In a sign that interest in satellite radio may be declining, Audiovox has reported net sales for its first quarter of $111.
(14 July 2006)
3 million, a 23% drop compared to the comparable prior quarter.It blames the dip on lower than expected satrad sales. more>>
Chicagoland radio icon Erich "Mancow" Muller is being forced off his gig at WKQX but is not interested in satellite radio.
(13 July 2006)
Said Mancow, "I do not want to do satellite radio. I have recently been offered satellite radio at a significant financial increase to myself, but I want to do a show that will reach massive amounts of people and it doesn't feel right to charge (them to listen)." more>>
Brazil is turning to HD Radio.
(13 July 2006)
Radio Globo has selected Harris to provide HD transmitters for AM stations in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Said Rubens Campos, general director of Sistema Globo de Radio (Radio Globo), "Going digital, especially on the AM band, is the only way that radio can grow its audience." more>>
Satellite radio is expected to grow to 19.
(12 July 2006)
5 million subscribers by 2010 according to Targetbase .The number is significantly lower than other forecasts such as PricewaterhouseCoopers ' estimate of 30 million within the same timeframe. The Targetbase number is said to have come from data accumulated by Forrester Research , Simmons Market Research , the Gartner Group and its own methods. Targetbase veep Jordis Rosenquest said that "the numbers could easily be blown out of the water if you hit the right entertainment buttons." more>>
HD Radio continues to roll on.
(12 July 2006)
Douglas Hanna, editor and publisher of HD Radio Home has now introduced a new web forum devoted to the medium. The new HD Radio Forum is said to be the only one of its kind devoted exclusively to HD Radio. Said Hanna, "We se this forum as a place for people to ask and answer questions about HD Radio, to talk about their experiences with HD Radio - either good or bad, to post reviews of HD Radios and to report about their local stations broadcasting in HD and HD2 technology." more>>
Sirius investors will be pleased to know that the satcaster is due to release its second quarter 2006 financial and operating results on Tuesday, 1 August 2006.
(11 July 2006)
A conference call is also being held at 8:00 AM (ET) to discuss the results. Interested parties can listen to the festivities on Sirius channel 125 or via the Sirius website. more>>
Conservative talk show host Andrew Wilkow is getting Sirius.
(10 July 2006)
The former WGY and WABC personality is moving to the the satcaster's Patriot channel for a shot at some national exposure after years of being a regional presence. "Nobody knows who the hell I am," said Wilkow. "I know this. The listener gives you about two seconds. You have to dazzle them with those two seconds." He's hoping to dazzle at least a few Siriusheads starting this week. more>>
XM Canada and Telus are going mobile.
(7 July 2006)
The satcaster and the cellphone company are offering a new mobile radio service that offers Telus subscribers access to twenty XM streams on their mobile phones. The service is initially available only on the LG 8100 and the Samsung A950 phones. more>>
There are more that 4.
(7 July 2006)
68 million Sirius listeners.The satcaster added about 600,000 subscribers during the second quarter of 2006. Sirius now trails XM by just 2.21 million subscribers and outpaced XM's sales effort in the reporting period. more>>
The Federal Communications Commission continues to ruminate over HD radio.
(7 July 2006)
The commission has finally added the issue of final rules for digital radio to its 13 July open meeting agenda. A question likely to arise during the hearings is that of how to handle nighttime AM digital broadcasts, a potential difficulty since HD radio's inception. more>>
XM continues to grow its subscription base.
(6 July 2006)
The satcaster has announced the addition of more than 398,000 new subscribers during the second quarter of 2006. XM boss Hugh Panero commented that the subscriber growth in the second quarter would have been even better if not limited by product availability and softness in the retail channel. There are now more than 6.89 million happy XM listeners. more>>
Call it the amazing shrinking chipset.
(5 July 2006)
At the Convergence 2.0 conference held last week at New York's Museum of Television & Radio, Sirius boss "Mellow Mel" Karmazin flashed what he teasingly described as the first digital audio player with a built-in satellite receiver. The new gadget is based on a chipset that is much smaller and lighter than any currently available. The Sirius S86 should be available by the end of summer. more>>
WorldSpace appears to be establishing a strong foothold in India, thanks largely to stations switching from English to Hindi.
(5 July 2006)
An example is Go 92.5 in Bombay, whose switchover is sending English music lovers to the Internet and satellite radio. more>>