News Articles From Days Gone ByXM's Hot Import Nights is coming to Chicagoland!
(27 May 2005)
The tour hits McCormick Place on 11 June. Presented by Valvoline Synpower, it is the largest lifestyle custom car show in the nation and features recent debut rapper Big Tigger to present a special $1000 performance award. Also appearing will be Playboy's Miss June 2005 Kara Monaco.
The sound of "Gentlemen, start your engines!
(26 May 2005)
," Mario Andretti, A.J Foyt, "Back Home Again..." by Jim Nabors and now ... XM.The satcaster is the first to offer a live satellite broadcast of The Indianapolis 500 this Memorial Day weekend. The Indy Racing League (IRL) IndyCar Series' most famous event is also the start of XM's "Fast Cash Finish," a national promotion offering fans the chance to share the winnings with Bryan Herta, driver of #7, the XM Satellite Radio IndyCar Series vehicle. Said XM boss Hugh Panero, "XM's coverage of The Indianapolis 500 will give a national radio audience the opportunity to enjoy minute-by-minute action, color and analysis of America's most revered annual motorsports spectacle."
According to AFX , Mel Karmazin could be getting Sirius about Imus.
(26 May 2005)
The boss of the number two satcaster told shareholders that the company would be interested in another high-profile personality a la Howard Stern, but only if such a move would lead to profitability faster. "Imus, if he was available, would be (great), but it comes down to the math. He's very greedy," said Karmazin. Are you listening, Mancow?
GoDaddy is getting Sirius, and XM-rated.
(25 May 2005)
The No. 1 registrar of domain names worldwide has announced the launch of Radio Go Daddy . The show is broadcast live every Wednesday night at 10 pm (EST) on Sirius and XM. It's hosted by Go Daddy president and founder Bob Parsons and is the first-ever live radio show hosted by a leading Internet CEO.
As if a subscriber base of over four million and 70% of the satellite radio market weren't enough, XM is now branching out into military systems.
(24 May 2005)
According to Aviation Week the satellite broadcaster and Raytheon are demonstrating how satellite radio can provide tailored alerts to military troops as part of the Joint Blue Force Situational Awareness (JBFSA) program. The effort also involves Worldspace in a program called Mobile Enhanced Situational Awareness (MESA). "We're going to show - using XM, because they're running this over the United States - how we can do tailored missile warning alerts," said Raytheon vice president or integrated communications systems Jerry Powlen. "So rather than just broadcasting to a hugh population that there's missiles coming in, or there's a potential threat, you can tailor to a geographical region."
There are two competing satellite broadcasters, one based in New York and one based in Washington D.
(20 May 2005)
C.So which one establishes an affiliation with New York's Jazz at Lincoln Center ? You guessed it, the one based in Washington D.C. XM is slated to open new studios at Jazz at Lincoln Center, the world's largest producer of jazz performance and education events. The new venue, Frederick P. Rose Hall at 60th Street and Broadway, is becoming the center for daily live broadcasts on Real Jazz, On Broadway and a variety of other XM music channels. Said XM boss Hugh Panero, "Jazz at Lincoln Center is a fantastic organization that shares XM's passion for music, and this partnership gives XM an extraordinary opportunity to broadcast concerts from Jazz at Lincoln Center and other world-class radio programming for the millions of XM listeners across the country."
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is getting Sirius.
(19 May 2005)
The Cleveland institution has struck a deal making the satellite broadcaster its official partner. Sirius disk jockeys are expected to broadcast live daily from the Rock Hall's in-house studio by July. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame CEO Terry Stewart said of the agreement, "We're excited about it. It allows us to reach a national customer base seven days a week, to remind people the museum is in Cleveland and to talk about what we have going on here."
Despite the promise of a new year with "King of All Media" Howard Stern behind the Sirius microphone, the satellite broadcaster may face a disappointing holiday season.
(19 May 2005)
The satcaster, plagued by receiver shortages last December, may face similar difficulties as this year winds down. According to Communications Daily , Sirius CFO David Frear told JPMorgan Technology Conference attendees in San Francisco that the company is doing "a good bit of guesswork," and that "It's going to be very difficult to predict" the demand. Sirius apparently is working with its hardware manufacturers to ensure that supply meets demand.
XM may be getting into the phone business.
(19 May 2005)
The company is holding discussions with wireless carriers to offer its services on mobile phones. XM boss Hugh Panero said, "We have conversations that are ongoing with the carriers about going into the wireless market. THey are clearly looking for content to support their platform and we are a logical place for them to go." No deals are currently in place.
According to Newsday , Howard Stern apparently is miffed at the recent display of hostility toward his show by Hyundai customers.
(18 May 2005)
He has even gone to the point of speculating that XM promoted the story and that people are out to get him for moving to Sirius. Infinity Broadcasting spokeswoman on the subject Karen Mateo declined to comment on or to confirm Stern's remarks.
Those who think satellite radio is only expanding in North America may want to take a look at South Africa.
(17 May 2005)
Two new satellite radio channels have recently been launched there by WorldSpace and satellite television company MultiChoice . Upon introducing Indian stations Jhankaar Radio and KL, WorldSpace South Aftica's Hamza Farooqui said he believed that the growth potential for satellite radio in the country was immense. "In terms of numbers, we expect subscriber numbers to reach into the millions by 2010," he said.
Hyundai customers definitely don't want to get Sirius.
(17 May 2005)
According to CNN.com's automotive news a surprising number of customers of the Korean automaker said they objected to Sirius' affiliation with "King of All Media" Howard Stern. Apparently sex jokes, bathroom humor and occasional fart sounds don't sit well with drivers of the Sonata, the Azera, and the SantaFe. Hyundai veep John Krafcik said he and other execs were stunned by the number of "unprompted write-ins" and customers "not comfortable with programming from Stern." Hyundai has decided to go with XM.
Toyota is getting a little more Sirius.
(16 May 2005)
Starting this month the satcaster's systems will be available in the Camry, Solara and Scion models. Sirius veep Doug Wilsterman commented, "We are very pleased that Toyota is now launching their availability of Sirius in these models. Toyota buyers will now be able to have access to our unique blend of commercial-free music, as well as news, weather, traffic, entertainment and the strongest sports programming in radio."
More listeners than ever are getting sirius -- about XM.
(16 May 2005)
The nation's leading satellite broadcaster has announced that there are now over four million happy XMers. "By adding one million new subscribers in less than five months, XM is clearly the fastest-growing satellite radio company," said XM boss Hugh Panero. More than 70 percent of satellite radio subscribers listen to XM.
Toyota is more XM-rated than ever, starting with the 2005 Avalon, Lexus GS 300 and Lexus 430.
(13 May 2005)
All three models are now available with XM systems at dealerships nationwide. Starting next year, XM is being made available as a factory-installed options for many Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Said XM boss Hugh Panero, "XM is the leader in satellite-delivered entertainment for the automotive market, and the expansion of Toyota and Lexus vehicles with XM-Ready radios is the latest example of why XM has a commanding lead in the number of satellite radio subscribers."
XM is teaming with Number One Parts, Inc.(NOPI) to create Atlanta's largest lifestyle custom car show.
(11 May 2005)
XM's Hot Import Nights (HIN) tour is coming to the Georgia International Convention Center on 28 May. The show, presented by Valvoline, is the only one of its kind that combines youth and car culture in one event. Event attendees can expect non-stop entertainment with live music, multiple DJs, model and celebrity appearances and top car designers.
Agent155 may be getting Sirius, or perhaps XM-rated.
(11 May 2005)
The media group wants to broaden its strategy to include satellite radio for the distribution of its multi-media content management tools. Agent155 CEO Christopher Martinez said, "We believe that Agent155.com's membership content appeals to a much broader audience than can be reached via the Internet alone." Both Sirius and XM have been contacted to discuss strategy.
Those looking for a white sport coat and a pink crustacean or just for that lost bottle of salt may want to get Sirius.
(10 May 2005)
Jimmy Buffett has announced an agreement to present a Radio Margaritaville music channel for the satellite broadcaster. "I first listened to Sirius' incredible programming in my car and my boat," said Buffett. "We designed Radio Margaritaville after the old pirate radio stations that sat offshore and played what they wanted." The channel debuts this summer and broadcasts 24 hours a day because it's always 5 o'clock somewhere.
Sirius may be losing ground to rival XM, but at least one of its ad agencies is looking good.
(9 May 2005)
Organic , which handles Web marketing for the satellite broadcaster, was recognized as the Top Agency of 2005 by the Web Marketing Association. Organic CEO Mark Kingdon market the occasion saying, "Our company is experiencing a creative renaissance that is fueled by renewed interest in the Internet. It's an exciting time that is showing up in the dynamic work that we are seeing in the market."
Sirius and XM may want to take a tip from WorldSpace.
(9 May 2005)
The international satellite broadcaster is launching its "WorldSpace Lounge" in Hyderabad at the Prasad's Imax Mall. Customers can plug in a set of earphones and tune in to any of 35 streams currently being offered.
The Goo Goo Dolls are getting Sirius, at least for a short time.
(6 May 2005)
The rock sensation headlines an 18-hour marathon on the satcaster's BMW channel starting today with a broadcast from Los Angeles. Celebrating the 6 May US on-sale date of the BMW 3 Series, the Dolls are performing live starting at 10:30 PM (ET) on channel 126. An 18-hour marathon ensues showcasing some of the best driving songs of all time and a series of vignettes from the road gathered during a 44-day cross country tour.
Continuing in the great tradition of Second City and the McKenzie Brothers , Canadian Satellite Radio (CSR) named Mark Breslin the programming director of its proposed Laugh Canada channel.
(5 May 2005)
Breslin, founder of Yuk Yuk's Comedy Club, would be responsible for broadcasting Canada's undiscovered comic talent to a North America-wide audience. CSR president Stephen Tapp said, "Mark has been the industry leader in Canada's comedy scene since its inception - it seems fitting for him to take the leading role in the birth of satellite radio in Canada."
The Morgan Stanley Tenth Annual Media & Communications Conference is getting Sirius this week.
(3 May 2005)
The satcaster announced that David Frear, its Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will present at this event this Thursday, 5 May, at 10:30 AM (EDT). A live audio webcast of the presentation is being made available through the Investor Relations section of the Sirius website.
According to eWeek.com XM is predicting 20 million subscribers by 2010.
(3 May 2005)
XM veep for marketing Brian Shea is quoted as saying, "This year, XM is making the most aggressive push that we have ever made into the whole market. We're looking to break into new segments and to be able to offer fundamental solutions that are easy for consumers to understand and easy for dealers to merchandise."
The "father of podcasting," Adam Curry is getting Sirius.
(2 May 2005)
He'll produce a special program for the satcaster which will broadcast podcasts to Sirius subscribers. The former MTV VJ's "Podshow" debuts on Friday, 13 May and features four hours of podcasts from around the world. "We're tracking about 5,000 podcasts now," Curry said. "The music that's being played is from tens of thousands of artists who are creating music but have no shot of getting play on commercial radio."
Embarking on what could be its greatest road trip ever, National Lampoon is launching a radio network with a special channel for satellite radio.
(2 May 2005)
Fully aware that knowledge is good, the magazine and production company is teaming with broadcasting veteran Kent Emmons, the founder of All Comedy Radio Networks. Said Emmons, "National Lampoon has a great radio heritage with 'The National Lampoon Radio Hour," which was the genesis for 'Saturday Night Live' and other great TV comedy." It's currently unknown which satellite broadcaster will carry NatLamp's programming but they're probably not sirius.