News Articles From Days Gone By iBiquity expects to have radios in the hands of consumers by early next year.
(31 October 2002)
Stations broadcasting digital signals should soon be online in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, and Miami. The New York City Marathon gets Sirius this year as the satellite radio service and Best Buy Stores team up to provide music and entertainment at this year's event on 3 November. Sirius DJs are planning to be on hand to encourage the runners, spectators, and other revelers with tunes and talk. "By partnering with Sirius, we're able to add even more excitement to this great New York City tradition," said Debbie Estes, Best Buy's Director of Promotions and Events. Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water ...Sirius announced that they are teaming with Boater's World Marine Centers to introduce Sirius Satellite Radio systems at 109 Boater's World locations nationwide. "Live" displays will be available for customers wanting a first-hand experience of listening to satellite entertainment over a marine audio system.
Ministers and representatives of the National Association of Black Organizations (NABO) are conducting a demonstration in front of XM's headquarters at 1500 Eckington Place N.
(31 October 2002)
E.in Washington D.C. The rally is aimed at attempting to have the satellite broadcasting service provide more positive programming for African Americans. Upset with XM's decision to carry Playboy Radio but not The Word Network, NABO spokesman Sam Riddle commented "We stand strong for family oriented positive programming that brings African American ministries to satellite radio. The millions of consumers represented by ministries carried by The Word Network would support XM Satellite Radio. Carriage of The Word would result in new subscribers that would purchase XM equipment." NABO is also planning to demonstrate at automobile dealerships carrying Toyota, an new XM partner. XM has been hoping to deflect criticism by carrying Radio One, the nation's largest African-American-owned radio company. Rival Sirius carries The Word.
Determined to keep on truckin' despite setbacks, Sirius has teamed with Delphi to offer satellite receivers in commercial rigs across the country.
(31 October 2002)
The Delphi/Sirius receivers are being featured at the 2002 American Trucking Association Management Conference and Exhibition . Noted Bob Schumacher, business line executive for Delphi's Wireless and Mobile MultiMedia businesses "Truck drivers, more than anyone, know the constraints of traditional radio."
XM re-enacted "War of the Worlds" for Halloween.
(31 October 2002)
The broadcast originated from XM's live performance studio in Washington D.C. and was aired on Buzz XM as well as on affiliates of syndicated talk show host Glenn Beck, who orchestrated the event. "We're thrilled to help bring back a watershed event in radio and a vital moment in American culture," commented XM Vice President Steve Harris....Orson Welles would be proud.
XM radios are being offered by Southeast Toyota Distributors, the world's largest franchised distributor of Toyota cars, trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles.
(31 October 2002)
In the announcement of the new relationship Andy Eccher, Southeast Toyota's Director of Accessory Sales and Marketing said "We are constantly looking for new quality accessories to enhance our customer's driving experience."
Despite the hopes and expectations of numerous satellite radio enthusiasts and investors, the New York Post's Chris Byron has sober words for the industry.
(31 October 2002)
The technology is impressive, but satellite radio may have little to offer other than the automotive version of "Muzak."
This year's South Florida International Auto Show highlights satellite radio in its entertainment segment.
(28 October 2002)
Participants at the 8-17 November event at the Miami Beach Convention Center will have the opportunity to see GM's OnStar system, which offers an XM radio option. Sirius is also featured as part of a high-end multi-media server that is capable of playing DVD videos, CDs, MP3s, and Sirius broadcasts.
A major national automobile dealership group announced that it would be getting Sirius with its customers.
(25 October 2002)
The Asbury Automotive Group , with locations in 91 markets throughout the United States, is providing satellite radio systems manufactured by Audiovox as optional equipment in their line of BMW, Toyota, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Nissan and other automobiles. The Audiovox adapter works with an FM radio to receive the Sirius signal.
The Word Network, a recent subject of controversy for XM, was praised by the National Action Network (NAN) and The National Association of Black Organizations (NABO) for airing newscasts encouraging African Americans to assist in the hunt for the Beltway sniper.
(23 October 2002)
"When the sniper said that our children were not safe anywhere at anytime, we had to take this coward seriously. That is why we applaud The Word for airing a newscast asking African Americans to help find this monster," comment Reverend Horace Sheffield III, president of the Michigan NAN chapter and CEO of NABO. The Word is carried by Sirius.
XM partner Navigation Technologies demonstrated its real-time traffic information service in Chicagoland.
(22 October 2002)
Although the service is not yet available to the general public plans are in the works with navigation system manufacturers to offer information ranging from special events plans to weather information. Kelly Smith, Network Technologies vice president of marketing communications and public relations commented "What we are doing today is just the beginning of traffic and dynamic data in digital maps or vehicles."
Although the service is not yet available to the general public plans are in the works with navigation system manufacturers to offer information ranging from special events plans to weather information.
(18 October 2002)
Kelly Smith, Network Technologies vice president of marketing communications and public relations commented "What we are doing today is just the beginning of traffic and dynamic data in digital maps or vehicles." To invoke the words of Mark Twain, "Rumors of my demise are greatly exaggerated." Sirius announced that it has struck a deal to raise $200 million from Oppenheimer Funds, Apollo Management, and The Blackstone Group. The infusion of cash allows Sirius to continue operating into the second quarter of 2004, by which time their listenership is expected to top 400,000. Said Sirius boss Joe Clayton "This is a major milestone for our company. Contrary to popular belief, yes, we are still here.
The Foo Fighters new album, One by One, will premiere exclusively on Sirius one week before its official release on 22 October.
(16 October 2002)
The Foo Fighters' upcoming U.S. tour is being sponsored by Sirius, whose subscribers will be able to purchase tickets before they made available to the general public.
In a move that may portend further tough times ahead, Sirius missed an interest payment on its debt.
(15 October 2002)
The company is now discussing major recapitalization plans with some strategic investors. Due to a grace period, the missed payment will not constitute a default until October 31. Nevertheless, their corporate credit rating has been downgraded to a "D" by Standard and Poor.
Despite its recent financial difficulties, Sirius announced an exclusive, long-term relationship with Ford Motor Company.
(14 October 2002)
In the announcement, Sirius said that various brands of Ford automobiles will be equipped with Sirius receivers starting next year. In exchange, Sirius issued a warrant to Ford permitting it to purchase as many as 4 million of its shares at $3. A previous warrant had a share price of $30.
XM and Audiovox are teaming to offer a dealer-installed radio system to independent automobile dealers nationwide.
(14 October 2002)
The system is said to be compatible with any factory-installed audio system, adapting to the AM/FM radio. It permits XM to be available to anyone purchasing a vehicle, even if the vehicle manufacturer does not offer XM as a factory-installed feature. It is expected to cost $399.
Rocker Melissa Etheridge performed live on XM from their Performance Studio last Saturday.
(14 October 2002)
"XM is thrilled to host such an innovative and talented performer as Melissa Etheridge" said Steve Gavenas, XM's Executive Vice President, Programming.
The FCC has unanimously approved iBiquity Digital's in-band on-channel (IBOC) technology for digital AM and FM band broadcasts.
(11 October 2002)
The new technology is expected to offer significant competition to satellite radio providers Sirius and XM.
In line with previous speculation by RUsirius.
(9 October 2002)
com, commercial radio is now poised to offer "Sirius" competition to satellite radio.The Washington Post reports that a new technology development is currently being reviewed by the FCC. If approved, a new standard created by iBiquity Digirtal Corporation would permit standard radio stations to broadcast digital signals together with their analog transmissions. The new technology promises to deliver better sound without the static familiar to most radio listeners.
Motorola is introducing the Symphony chip set, a development that promises better reception from standard AM and FM broadcasts.
(1 October 2002)
If successful, the new chips should allow standard commercial radio to compete with XM and Sirius.
XM successfully met its third quarter expectations by widening its listener base to 201,500 customers.
(1 October 2002)
They also began its program to install XM receivers in 25 General Motors 2003 models. Meanwhile, Sirius announced that it has only 8000 subscribers, less than half of what had been anticipated.