News Articles From Days Gone ByOnce XM's answer to complaints from the National Association of Black Organizations, Radio One will no longer program four music channels for the satellite broadcaster.
(31 March 2004)
The nation's largest broadcasting company targeting black and urban listeners will continue to program The Power, XMs 24-hour black talk channel. The decision was made after XM switched to advertising-free programming on its 68 music channels. Radio One CEO Alfred C. Liggins III said "The restructuring is in Radio ONe's best interests as it will significantly reduce expenses associated with this partnership and should permit us to at least break even while we work with XM to make The Power the best it can be in serving its audience nationwide."
Liberal radio is now XM-rated.
(30 March 2004)
The satellite broadcaster debuts XM America Left , Channel 167, a talk format featuring Al Franken, Jeanene Garofalo, Chuck D. and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. The talk channel, with headquarters less than a mile from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, provides the first national platform for the anticipated Air America Radio. Said XM boss Hugh Panero of the event, "We are excited to provide a national audience to progressive superstar Al Franken and his spirited cohorts at Air America. Challenging our listeners, and giving them the best and broadest choices possible is our daily mission at XM."
An important milestone has been passed by the satellite radio industry.
(30 March 2004)
SkyWaves Research Report of Ann Arbor Michigan reported that its study of classic consumer adoption rates that the business has turned the corner and is here to stay. The spring edition of the report says that satellite radio will serve nearly 4 million subscribers by year end and that the growth rate will continue for the foreseeable future. "Our new study of the adoption rates of other new products shows that satellite radio has moved beyond the 'innovator' stage, is being firmly embraced by the 'early adopter' stage and is now poised to enter the 'early majority' stage," said SkyWaves spokesman Bob Richards.
SkyWaves Research Report of Ann Arbor Michigan reported that its study of classic consumer adoption rates that the business has turned the corner and is here to stay.
(30 March 2004)
The spring edition of the report says that satellite radio will serve nearly 4 million subscribers by year end and that the growth rate will continue for the foreseeable future. "Our new study of the adoption rates of other new products shows that satellite radio has moved beyond the 'innovator' stage, is being firmly embraced by the 'early adopter' stage and is now poised to enter the 'early majority' stage," said SkyWaves spokesman Bob Richards. Satelliteradio continues to make progress overseas as WorldSpace appoints Hamza Farooqui as Managing Director for South Africa. Mr. Farooqui is responsible for driving the growth of WorldSpace Satellite Radio in the African region focusing primarily on South Africa. He began his career as the Chairman & CEO of Convergence Group Ltd, owners of the successful iCricketer.com which was created as a portal for real time cricket scores and information.
"It's money that matters," as Randy Newman said, and the situation is pretty much the same at XM.
(29 March 2004)
The company announced that it's planning to redeem $50 million in principal amount of its 12% senior secured notes due 2010. The redemption follows he successful elimination of $135 million in debt earlier this month. In a not necessarily related matter, DirecTV cashed out its remaining stake in XM for around $230 million. The satellite television provider had been a longtime backer of XM and owned about 4.9 percent of the company.
Boston commuters are about to get Sirius.
(29 March 2004)
The satellite broadcaster said it would launch a traffic channel in Beantown today, three days before XM begins offering a similar service. Both satellite radio companies are using the services of Metro Traffic.
Sirius and XM took a step toward the elusive goal of a universal receiver by agreeing not to pursue exclusivity pacts with future partners.
(26 March 2004)
The two satellite broadcasters agreed to develop a unified standard for satellite radios, allowing consumers to purchase a unit capable of using either Sirius or XM. XM made its plans known to the SEC in its annual 10-K report released this week. Sirius mentioned no such agreement but emphasized "the interoperability condition contained in our FCC license." Both companies are enjoined by the FCC to work toward a unified satellite radio standard.
America is getting Sirius about trucking as Penske , Kenworth and Interstate climb aboard the satellite radio bandwagon.
(25 March 2004)
Penske Truck Leasing announced an agreement with Delphi at the Mid-America Trucking Show that will put Sirius radios on the Penske Truck Leasing Fleet. Delphi's Jeff Owens commemorated the occasion by saying "It is exciting to be selected by a first class organization like Penske, and we believe that Delphi Sirius satellite radio will add value to Penske's fleet." Truckers and fleet operators wanting to get Sirius should be encouraged by another announcement, this one by Kenworth. The truck manufacturer is offering Sirius as a facory-installed option on Class 8 model trucks beginning in June. "For operators who are on the road a lot, satellite radio service is a welcome feature for music and other entertainment," said Steve Gilligan, Kenworth's General Marketing Manager. Interstate Connections is also getting into the act. They're catering to the heavy truck aftermarket by expanding Sirius' availability through their network of stores. Said Interstate boss Brandon Frye, "We feel that Siius' premium line-up, including live sports, around-the-clock traffic and weather reports as well as the Sirius Trucking Network are the perfect complement to any long haul operators lifestyle." Keep on truckin'!
Move over Tony Soprano.
(24 March 2004)
The wiseguys are getting Sirius on "The Wiesguy Show," a weekly three-hour celebration of Italian-American culture. It's hosted by veteran actor Vincent Pastore, who will interview prominent guests from the Italian-American community, discuss current events, review movies, perform skits, and give sex advice. Music by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Al Martino, Jerry Vale and others will also be featured.
Former Sirius personality Raqiyah Mays was fired by New York station WWPR (105.1 FM) after criticizing interracial dating on her weekend show.
(24 March 2004)
Station officials said the action was taken "based upon inappropriate remarks she made to listeners during her broadcast." Said Mays, "I said I was concerned about interracial relationships when the African-American community has our own inner work and healing to do."
Satellite broadcasters are apparently not planning to respond to attack ads being aired by Entercom Communications.
(23 March 2004)
Discussing a spot depicting fictitious subscribers complaining about signals and service a Sirius spokesman said "The Dog" wouldn't bite terrestrial radio because "we're targeting people listening to the radio, so we want to make ads friendly enough for (radio stations) to air them." A somewhat more critical XM factotum said the Entercom ad goes "out of its way to fictionalize everything a bout satellite radio. What they did was a poor attempt to mischaracterize satellite radio and as we listen to it, it sounds painfully desperate." In a not necessarily unrelated sequence of events, the nation's number two satellite broadcaster decided that it's definitely not Sirius about ad agency Crispin Porter & Bogusky . Promotional activities are now being coordinated with multiple agencies on a project basis. Crispin, based in Miami, had handled the Sirius account since 2002.
A story in the Hollywood Reporter is highlighting the efforts of conventional broadcasters to combat a perceived onslaught from satellite radio.
(22 March 2004)
Entercom Communications , owner of 105 broadcast radio stations, started running ads on 10 March attacking Sirius and XM as too expensive and suggesting that customers would be left holding the bag should one of the services fold. An Entercom exec said "Satellite radio is a service that has hyped itself extensively; just one of those companies has eight or nine PR agencies."
It's becoming easier to get Sirius with more plug & play units arriving at retailers every day.
(19 March 2004)
The most recent is the new Clarion SIRPNP, the smallest Sirius plug & play on the market. It's now available at Tweeter and Crutchfield . The unit retails for $99.95 per receiver with an additional $49.95 for each kit. The new gizmo was introduced by Sirius veep Larry Pesce who commented "The size and design of this product showcases the future of Sirius radios."
Fox News Channel is coming to WorldSpace.
(18 March 2004)
The service is being made available to international subscribers of WorldSpace Satellite Radio throughout Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Noah Samara, WorldSpace CEO said "Fox News Channel is one of the most recognized brands in America, their worldwide cable television penetration continues to grow at lightning speed, now with WorldSpace Satellite radio global distribution, Fox News becomes a portable and personal voice from home for American ExPats & Military around the world."
The king of all media could finally be getting sirius.
(16 March 2004)
According to the New York Post Howard Stern, fearing an imminent firing from the ranks of Infinity Broadcasting, has reportedly been offering his services to the two satellite broadcasters. Said Sirius spokesman Ron Rodrigues "With the kind of loyal audience he has, 10 to 15 million listeners, we'd love to consider the possibility. When you talk about radio personalities, he's the pinnacle"
The nation's second satellite broadcaster is raising some sirius cash by extending the exercise date of an option granted to Morgan Stanley to purchase up to $50 million in principal amount of its 2-1/2% convertible notes due 2009.
(15 March 2004)
Each $1000 in principal amount is convertible to Sirius common stock at an effective price of $4.41 per share. Sirius plans to use the net proceeds for general corporate purposes.
Nissan has awarded a contract to Visteon Corporation for satellite radio systems capable of accommodating either XM or Sirius.
(11 March 2004)
"This is an important business for Visteon," said John Engebretson, director of Visteon's Nissan customer business group. "This is our first audio business with Nissan, and it represents an opportunity to build on a relationship with one of our fastest-growing customers."
The FAA has granted approval for an XM aviation data receiver.
(10 March 2004)
Heads Up Technologies developed the device in cooperation with the satellite broadcaster to deliver XM WX Satellite Weather for aircraft. The nation's first satellite radio provider is now approved by the FAA for both weather and entertainment transmissions to aircraft.
The Washington Times is speculating that recent concerns about Howard Stern could boost the popularity of satellite radio.
(10 March 2004)
The infamous shock jock is threatening to take his entire operation to the skies to head off threatened onslaughts by the FCC. His affiliation with satellite radio could have the same effect, says the Times, as the arrival of celebrities like Jack Benny and George Burns to television in the 1940s.
Audi is getting Sirius.
(9 March 2004)
..and XM-rated.The German auto manufacturer is making satellite radio available on selected 2005 models. The A8L, TT Coupe and TT Roadsters are being equipped with Sirius. They join a lineup of the TT and A8 series, the A4, S4, A6, and quattro models, all of which are XM-rated. An XM adaptor kit is also available for the 2004 A8. Said Sirius boss Joe Clayton, "We are very pleased to be offering our premium service on these additional Audi models."
Sirius investors will be pleased to know that the nation's second satellite satellite broadcaster has scheduled its annual stockholders meeting for Tuesday, 25 May 2004.
(8 March 2004)
The meeting is being held in the Auditorium at The Equitable Center, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York. Information can be obtained from Investor and Media Relations, Jim Collins, (212) 901-6422 or Cheryl Cramer (212) 901-6466. (jcollins@siriusradio.com, ccramer@siriusradio.com)
XM is getting sirius.
(5 March 2004)
..at least about their debt.They announced the elimination of $135 million of it, including the repayment of $81 million using the proceeds of their January equity offering. XM had previously announced that the proceeds of its January equity offering would be used to retire indebtedness.
A recently convened panel of satellite industry CEOs are looking forward to better times ahead.
(5 March 2004)
Although the outlook is somewhat conservative, none of the satellite bosses rated the economy below average. Sirius' Joe Clayton discounted the effect of telecom overcapacity on satellite radio because "it's still very early in their life cycles." XM's Hugh Panero said an indicator of the positive environment was that XM and Sirius "were able to survive and thrive and raise money in the last 2 years."
Satellite radio is going world wide.
(4 March 2004)
WorldSpace Corporation has the first multinational satellite subscription plan. It's available in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The initial rollout is aimed at American and British ex-pats living abroad, including the U.S. Military.
The first Satellite News PR & Marketing Awards were given to a group of individuals including XM's Hugh Panero.
(3 March 2004)
He was named "Communicator of the Year," after having been cited as "the single force responsible for the market's incredible growth and consumer adoption" in XM's letter of nomination. XM was also honored for its " Best Print Advertising Campaign."
Commuters may soon find themselves turning to satellite radio for traffic and weather information.
(1 March 2004)
Sirus traffic and weather reports commenced yesterday in the top twenty markets, beginning with New York and Los Angeles. "Sirius First Traffic" is broadcasting conditions from regional monitoring centers, setting itself "apart from other national traffic reporting services because it has 'eyes' on problem traffic areas," according to Sirius veep Jay Clark. Meanwhile, XM initiated new weather and traffic channels, one for each of the top 21 major metropolitan areas. The reaction of local radio stations has been anything but accommodating. The National Association of Broadcasters called the new service "an appalling back-door attempt to bypass the Federal Communication Commission's intent to limit satellite radio to a national service only."