News Articles From Days Gone By

The Indian government is allowing foreign ownership of satellite radio services.
(29 June 2005)
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended that there be only one license, that the All India Radio (AIR) program and advertisement code be applicable, and that a common uplink and downlink policy be evolved for both television and radio. The Indian government is requesting neither an entry fee nor an annual license fee provided that excess spectrum space is not demanded and terrestrial repeaters are not used.     


Guests at Hyatt hotels nationwide can forget about getting Sirius.
(28 June 2005)
They're getting XM. The number one satcaster has announced a multi-year agreement to provide its audio streams to Hyatt hotel rooms starting this fall. Eventually 50,000 guest rooms will be XM-rated. Hyatt vice president of operations Matt Adams said, "Hyatt is excited to be at the forefront of in-room entertainment technology."     

Sirius is launching Chinese and Korean channels in cooperation with MultiCultural Radio Broadcasting .
(27 June 2005)
The privately held multi-ethnic radio operator has announced a multi-year exclusive agreement to launch Asian language channels for the satcaster. The Korean channel will be launched first, followed by a Chinese channel. Sirius president of entertainment and sports Scott Greenstein said of the occasion, "We have the most expansive and diverse programming in radio and as part of that, it is important to offer top quality radio to the country's more than 12 million Asian Americans."     

The U.
(27 June 2005)
S.Military is considering getting XM-ready, at least for homeland security purposes. Raytheon and XM have jointly built a communications system using XM's satellites as information relays for soldiers and emergency responders. The Mobile Enhanced Situational Awareness Network (MESA) would get a dedicated XM channel accessible only by special devices given to emergency personnel. Test runs have already been conducted in which data and audio were sent to an "injection point" at XM's Washington D.C. headquarters and broadcast to portable devices that would be carried by field personnel.     

Sirius investors will be pleased to know that CEO "Mellow Mel" Karmazin tops out the list of highest-paid executives at publicly traded companies in New York.
(27 June 2005)
According to Newsday , Karmazin made $144 million last year from his positions at both the satcaster and Viacom, his previous job. That puts him significantly ahead of popular media bosses Sumner Redstone ($59 million) and Les Moonves ($55 million).     

Put your hands on the radio!
(27 June 2005)
Sirius is broadcasting Billy Graham's three day crusade at New York's Flushing Meadow Corona Park. The broadcasts take place at 8 PM (ET) on Tuesday, 28 June, Wednesday, 29 June, and Friday, 30 June of events recorded on the previous Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The entire crusade is being re-broadcast on Sunday, 3 July.     

Publishing powerhouse and former Bernie Kerik paramour Judith Regan is getting Sirius.
(24 June 2005)
The satcaster has announced that she will create and host a weekly two hour talk show featuring interviews with authors, opinion makers and celebrities. Said Sirius Entertainment and Sports President Scott Grenstein, "Judith is a publishing icon. Intelligent, honest and enthusiastic, she has broken new ground in book publishing many times over."     

XM is offering radio coverage of of " Live 8 " performances from around the world.
(24 June 2005)
On 2 July XM is planning to carry concerts from London, Paris, Berlin, Rome and Philadelphia. XM Executive Vice President of Programming Eric Logan said, "Live 8 is that rare, global even that unites under a common cause an extraordinary line-up of talented musical artists from diverse genres and we are honored to be the exclusive satellite radio broadcaster fro this event." Coverage begins at 9 AM (ET) on 2 July on XM Live (Channel 200) and XM Live II (Channel 201). Performances at this year's concerts include Annie Lennox, Bob Geldof, Bon Jovi, Brian Wilson, Crosby Stills and Nash, Dave Matthews, Elton John, Faith Hill, Jamiroquai, Keane, Lauryn Hill, Madonna, P Diddy, Snoop Dogg, Stevie Wonder, Sting, and Tim McGraw.     

According to Variety , Steve Leeds has been named the new Sirius veep for talent and industry affairs.
(24 June 2005)
His job will be to work on reinforcing relationships with artists and labels and to recruit new talent. Leeds is a former broadcaster who has held a variety of posts with organizations such as MTV, VH1, and Virgin Records.     

Encouraged by the ruling of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) General Motors Canada is planning to work with Canadian Satellite Radio (CSR) to move quickly to address the demand for the new medium.
(23 June 2005)
GM of Canada President Michael Grimaldi said, "Satellite radio is the biggest advancement in mobile audio technology in the last 60 years." The company plans to offer XM in more than 50 vehicle models for the 2006 model year. Purchasers of new vehicles with XM would receive three trial months of service.     

The Delphi XM Signal Repeater is now available.
(22 June 2005)
The first system that wirelessly rebroadcasts the XM signal throughout the home has been announced by the leading satellite radio manufacturer as easy to install and capable of rerouting the digital streams to any receiver within 75 feet. Delphi Product & Service Solutions director Joe Damato said, "The launch of the Delphi XM SIgnal Repeater is fantastic news for satellite radio consumers -- it is a great way to get XM satellite radio throughout your home, eliminating the need for some listeners to use long antenna extensions."     

According to TWICE , satellite radio executives are predicting that the new medium will eventually overtake pay TV in popularity.
(22 June 2005)
Sirius boss "Mellow Mel" Karmazin is said to have told analysts that the U.S. market could reach 200 million. If current trends are any indication he could be right. Both XM and Sirius claim a consumer satisfaction of about 94 percent and cite research showing that satellite radio owners listen to it 86 percent of their driving time. XM expects a positive cash flow by late 2006, Sirius by 2007.     

Apparently wanting to take full advantage of the latest ruling by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), Toyota Canada is planning to offer a satellite radio option for select Toyota and Lexus vehicles.
(22 June 2005)
Said Toyota Canada Managing Director Stephen Beatty, "Satellite radio is currently available for certain Toyota and Lexus models in the United States. We will respond to the lifestyle needs of our Canadian customers, and ensure that they too are given the option of adding satellite radio functionality to their vehicles."     

Sirius is getting the BBC.
(21 June 2005)
..at least the popular music channel Radio 1 .The broadcasts will be time shifted so that the channel lineup can be heard as intended, with Chris Moyles' Breakfast Show in the morning, Scott Mill's show in the afternoon and Pete Tong's Friday night Essential Selection. Said Sirius President of Entertainment and Sports Scott Greenstein, "Radio 1 on Sirius will be a unique entertainment offering unmatched in the U.S. It is renowned for its support of up-and-coming British artists, and reflects the enormously vibrant British music scene in its daily programming and special events."     

Perhaps envious of the deal the NFL has with Sirius, the Canadian Football League is holding preliminary talks with satellite broadcasters in the hope that a distribution pact can be signed to provide play-by-play coverage to displaced fans throughout North America.
(21 June 2005)
CFL commissioner Tom Wright has already met with Sirius and XM representatives and is hoping to land a contract that would pay at least $100,000 a season. Hoping to cash in on the newly opened Canadian satellite radio market, Wright said, "We're in the content-delivery business and we're always looking for new ways to get our product to fans."     

Friends of Canadian Broadcasting are no friends of satellite radio.
(20 June 2005)
The non-profit media watchdog group said at least a half-dozen arts organizations intend to appeal the decision by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to permit Sirius and XM partners to operate north of the border. Friends spokesman Ian Morrison said that the CRTC decision "creates a pipeline for U.S. radio programs direct to Canada, with little in return for our country." Sports mogul and Canadian Satellite Radio boss John Bitove was dismissive of the appeals, saying, "There's going to be friends of broadcasting, there's going to be friends of monopolists, friends of the oligarchy. The fact of the matter is, it's not that competitive an industry right now."     

Canada is finally getting Sirius .
(17 June 2005)
.. and XM.The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has ruled that XM partner Canadian Satellite Radio (CSR) and Sirius Canada can proceed with their plans to offer satellite radio north of the 49th parallel. There is a catch, however. The CRTC ruling stipulates that at least eight original channels must be produced in Canada and that a maximum of nine foreign channels may be offered for each Canadian channel, that at least 25% of the Canadian channels must be in French, that at least 25% of the musical selections on the Canadian channels must be new Canadian musical selections, and that a further 25% of the selections must be by emerging Canadian artists. The ruling also stipulates that at least 85% of the musical selections and spoken word programming broadcast on the Canadian channels must be Canadian and that the licensees must also contribute at least 5% of their gross annual revenues to initiatives for the development of Canadian talent. The ruling is seen as a setback for the all-Canadian bid led by CHUM. Although it was also given permission to proceed a CHUM spokesman indicated that it is unlikely to do so. CSR and Sirius Canada are also less than sanguine about the ruling. CSR boss John Bitove suggested that he would have to rework the business plan to see how the new CRTC conditions affect the bottom line. Sirius Canada boss Kevin Shea said of the ruling, "The commission has given us a framework to work toward, and now it is up to us as business people to see if we can make it work."     

Sirius is entering a partnership with VSUS Technologies for its free downloadable application that integrates multiple computer applications on a single screen, MyOneScreen .
(16 June 2005)
The announcement, made by VSUS CFO Steven Goldberg, describes an affiliation that should generate a profit stream based on tickets sold, click throughs to affiliate web sites, and sales of Sirius subscriptions. Said Goldberg, "We are very excited to have entered into affiliate partnership agreements with three of the leading brands in the U.S. We are currently exploring more opportunities with other well-known companies to enhance out users' experience with MyOneScreen." Expedia and Cheap Tickets are also signing VSUS affiliations.     

Toyota is getting Sirius.
(15 June 2005)
The automaker has announced that it is offering Sirius radios as post-production or dealer-installed options on the 2005 Lexus LS430 and ES330, and on the 2006 Lexus LX470 and Land Cruiser. Sirius senior vice president and OEM general manager Doug Wilsterman said, "Toyota buyers come to expect only the best from their driving experience, and Sirius is proud to be part of it by providing the widest variety of innovative and informative programming options across the board."     

Sprint customers can soon be expected to get Sirius.
(14 June 2005)
The cellphone carrier has entered into an agreement with the satcaster to offer some Sirius programming as part of a new music service. The service is expected to be available nationwide but details, including the price, have yet to be announced.     

Michael Jackson fans will be happy to know that Sirius carried the most expansive coverage of the verdict and reaction from the well publicized trial.
(14 June 2005)
Sirius Executive Vice President of Programming Jay Clark commented, "Sirius' ability to provide its subscribers with so many choices in coverage of this major announcement underscores our leadership role in satellite radio." Sirius listeners were able to follow the verdict and subsequent media circus on 13 of the satcaster's 120 channels.     

XM is continuing to expand its traffic service.
(13 June 2005)
NavTraffic, which displays current traffic on a navigation map, is going to be available in Orlando and Tampa starting on 15 June. It has also been recently honored with an award from Telematics Update . Said XM Advanced Applications and Services VP Roderick MacKenzie, "XM has just begun to tap into the potential of this powerful technology, and we look forward to expanding this breakthrough service to Orlando and Tampa this week, and more markets in the future."     

Sirius is showing themselves worthy of their name, with the development of an advanced proprietary technology that is expected to increase the satcaster's total network capacity by approximately 25%.
(13 June 2005)
Known as hierarchical modulation , the technique should allow Sirius to offer additional audio channels and advanced services without affecting the quality of its broadcasts. Said Sirius Sales and Operations President Jim Meyer, "Our new modulation technology will use a very innovative approach to increase the number of bits we transmit through our satellite and terrestrial repeater networks, enabling us to increase the effective use of our currently licensed spectrum to add additional programming for the benefit of our subscribers."     

Folks in the Great White North may soon be getting Sirius, unless they get XM.
(13 June 2005)
A ruling from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is due to announce its decision on three license applications for subscription-based digital radio. The applicants are Canadian Satellite Radio (CSR), a consortium involving Toronto Raptors owner John Bitove Jr. and XM, and a Standard Radio/CBC partnership with Sirius. A third option is also being considered. It's being promoted by CHUM and Astral Media and would forgo satellites and deliver pay radio via a series of terrestrial broadcast towers.     

Cousin Brucie is getting Sirius.
(10 June 2005)
New York broadcasting ikon Bruce Morrow has signed a five-year contract with the satcaster to host two oldies shows, on Saturday and Wednesday nights, and a call-in talk show on Thursdays. Said Mr. Morrow, "For the first time in my life I can go on air with a library of 52 years of music. I'm no longer stuck with the same 280 records to play over and over."     

XM has made it official.
(10 June 2005)
They're going with Loral for their next satellite. Space Systems/Loral has been awarded a contract from the satcaster for the design and construction of its XM-5 satellite. Said XM boss Hugh Panero. "With the selection of Space Systems/Loral, XM broadens its industry base to include two major satellite teams with the capability to continue to provide XM with the highest quality and most complete signal coverage in the satellite radio industry."     

XM is raising a little more cash, $300 million to be exact.
(10 June 2005)
The satcaster said that it has placed about 9.7 million of its common shares in a public offering. The proceeds are apparently to be used for working capital and general corporate purposes such as launch payments for XM-4 and construction payments for XM-5. XM currently has about 211.8 million common shares outstanding.     

According to the New York Daily News , Sirius is attempting to lure fans in "The Big Apple" with ads aimed at disgruntled Infinity listeners miffed at the company's dropping their oldies format.
(10 June 2005)
The satcaster is running full-page ads in six New York area newspapers as well as in the Chicago Sun Times and Tribune. One of the ads reads "What do New Yorkers do when their favorite music is taken away? They get Sirius."     

Carrying on what has become a new tradition, XM is once again broadcasting the Bonnaroo Music Festival .
(9 June 2005)
The 2005 lineup features the Dave Matthews Band, Trey Anastasio, Bob Weir and Ratdog, The Allman Brothers Band, The Black Crows, and Joss Stone. The activities start on 10 June, when the satcaster will broadcast exclusive performances from the main stage, comedy tent and other music stages. XM's Music Lab (channel 51) is being turned over to Bonnaroo programming starting today. The festival ends on 12 June.     

Alcatel Space is bullish on satellite radio.
(9 June 2005)
As reported in Satellite Today , the company's CEO Pascale Sourisse believes there are ample opportunities for the expansion of the medium outside the United States. Said Sourisse, "You just have to look at the success that XM Radio and Sirius are having in the United Sates. It can be a very attractive business opportunity."     

According to TWICE Sirius expects to reach retail parity with XM this year.
(8 June 2005)
The satcaster also hopes to be on the air in Canada by the summer. Sirius boss "Mellow Mel" Karmazin told shareholders, "You can assume from time to time we will tweak (our programming), but there is nothing missing from our lineup."     

XM kicked off its partnership with Jazz at Lincoln Center last Wednesday with performances by Wynton Marsalis and vocalist India.
(8 June 2005)
TWICE quoted XM boss Hugh Panero as saying, "If local radio does not support jazz, rest assured that we will support this art form the way it should be supported."     

XM is about to launch its coverage of the PGA Tour with this weekend's Booz Allen Classic at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland.
(7 June 2005)
The PGA Tour and Pure Golf announced that the PGA Tour Network (XM Channel 146) will make its debut on 9 June, when galleries at the even will be able to rent or purchase portable XM radios so they can listen in on the live action. Said PGA pro Davis Love III, "The PGA Tour Network on XM is a revolutionary way for true golf fans to experience their favorite sport."     

Audible is going XM.
(7 June 2005)
The leading provider of digitally delivered spoken-word audio is teaming with the satcaster to introduce the first portable, handheld satellite radio devices that are capable of playing both the XM service and Audible's spoken-word content. Audible is also making some popular XM talk programs available via their website, beginning with The Bob Edwards Show and Opie and Anthony.     

Ford is more Sirius than ever.
(7 June 2005)
The automaker has extended its exclusive relationship with the satcaster until September 2011. Ford apparently can extend the agreement to September 2013 but also has the option to become nonexclusive beginning in January 2009. Recently Ford announced it would install Sirius receivers in up to 21 vehicle lines in 2006 and 2007, providing the satcaster with up to 1 million subscribers.     

Calypso , the company that could potentially bring satellite radio to cellular phones, is coming to Mexico under a field-trial agreement with Conecel America Movil , a spin-off from TELMEX, Telefonos de Mexico.
(7 June 2005)
According to the agreement America Movil Conecel will conduct a field trial of the ASNAP technology that enables mobile users to switch back and forth between GSM/GPRS/CDMA cellular networks and Wi-Fi wireless networks using the IEEE 802.11b standard.     

Sirius veep for national sales Stan Kozlowski defended his company's decision to hire "King of All Media" Howard Stern at this year's International Satellite & Communications Conference & Expo in Long Beach, California.
(6 June 2005)
"This is not something we did for stunt value," said Kozlowski. He went on to say that there is a large untapped American market where Stern's syndicated show is unavailable on FM. The story was reported in the Long Beach Press-Telegram .     

Merrill Lynch's U.S Media Day is getting Sirius.
(6 June 2005)
The satcaster's CEO Mel Karmazin is expected to present at the even this Thursday, 9 June in London, UK, at 10:35 AM local time. The event is to take place at the Merrill Lynch Financial Centre.     

According to Consumer Electronics Daily a merger between XM and Sirius may not be on the horizon.
(6 June 2005)
A panel at the International Satellite & Communications Expo in Long Beach, California, concluded that the availability of interoperable satellite radios could preclude a merger by making it easier for consumers to switch services. Despite an FCC requirement for the development of such radios, however, their development appears far from imminent. Neither satcaster has an interest in interoperable radios and consumer demand appears to be weak at best.     

The PGA Radio Tour Network is getting ready for its debut on XM.
(3 June 2005)
The network put on a four-hour "fake live" show during the first two rounds of the FedEx St. Jude Classic at Southwind in preparation for going on the air at the Booz Allen Classic next week. The show's producer, John Barrett, hopes that XM will make the venture a success by providing access to more markets than previous golf programs have been able to reach. Said Barrett, "XM offers us a nationwide platform. It's a network dedicated to golf, and it's something that anyone with an XM radio can go and find and know that it's going to be there every week."     

Sirius boss "Mellow Mel" Karmazin is slated to give the keynote luncheon presentation at the Deutsche Bank 13th Annual Media and Telecommunications Conference on Tuesday, 7 June, at 12:45 PM (ET).
(3 June 2005)
A live audio webcast is being made available via the Investor Relations section of the Sirius website     

A live audio webcast is being made available via the Investor Relations section of the Sirius website  
After experiencing difficulties resulting in unexpectedly short lifetimes for its first two satellites, XM has apparently decided to dump Boeing in favor of Loral.
(2 June 2005)
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the satcaster will award a contract for a powerful new spacecraft to Loral Space & Communications. The newspaper's unidentified sources have said the decision deals a blow to Boeing, which had been hoping to keep XM as a major customer to help revive its previously money-losing satellite operations. An XM spokesman commented, "We haven't officially awarded the contract yet." The award is estimated to be valued at more than $200 million.     

Bicycle superstar Lance Armstrong will be followed by Sirius along the way to what he hopes will be another Tour de France victory.
(2 June 2005)
As an offshoot of Armstrong Radio, "Lance in France ... Off The Bike and On The Mic" will consist of a series of daily reports starting on 2 July, the first day of this year's Tour. Said Lance, "I'm very excited about the opportunity this show gives me to connect with he fans on such a personal level during my final Tour de France."     

Sirius Chairman of the Board Joe Clayton and Executive Vice President David J.
(2 June 2005)
Frear are expected to present at the Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. Twenty-First Annual Strategic Decisions Conference this Friday, 3 June at 8:L00 AM (ET). A live audio webcast of the presentation is being made available via the Investor Relations section of the Sirius website.     

A technology that could some day bring satellite radio to cellular telephones is coming to Italy.
(1 June 2005)
Calypso Wireless has signed a field trial installation agreement with Sleipner SA , an Italian-based telecommunications company, to test ASNAP . The patented technology enables mobile users to switch seamlessly between GSM/GPRS/CDMA cellular networks and Wi-Fi wireless local area networks using the IEEE 802.11b standard. Said Calypso Vice President of Sales Alfredo Sarrazin, "Calypso is scheduled to conduct demonstrations of he company's C1250i Wi-Fi cellular phone in Italy by the third week of June. The delivery of phones is anticipated to begin during the fourth quarter of 2005."     

The Friedman Billings Ramsey ninth Annual Growth Conference is about to get Sirius.
(1 June 2005)
The satcaster's Vice President and Chief Financial Officer David Frear is expected to present at the event on Thursday, 2 June, at 9:00 AM (ET). A live audio webcast of the presentation will be available via the Investor Relations section of the Sirius website.