News Articles From Days Gone BySirius is taking retail operations siriusly in bringing Robert Law to the company as Senior Vice President of Retail Operations.
(30 September 2003)
Law has been Senior Vice President of the consumer division of Kenwood USA. He is expected to oversee all aspects of the Sirius retail business. Sirius boss Joe Clayton said "Bob comes to Sirius with a proven track record in retail sales and marketing. While at Kenwood, he built a dynamic and motivated sales and marketing organization that successfully positioned Kenwood as a major consumer electronics brand in this country."
In a sign that space-based broadcasting is finally being taken siriusly, Clarion is planning to expand its U.
(30 September 2003)
S.business in satellite radio. The Japanese company has developed and will begin to mass-produce receiving antennas for XM.
The Black Eyed Peas are the stars of a new XM commercial produced by Mullen Advertising .The ad begins with a morning traffic jam in which a happy commuter, distracted by the Peas' "Shut Up" booming in on his SKYFi, proceeds to drive his car through the door of his building, across the lobby, up the elevator, and to his desk. The voice-over says "XM Satellite Radio. One hundred digital channels you'll never want ot be without." The spot aires this fall on "Friends," "NYPD Blue," "Cold Case," "Law & Order," "Frasier," "CSI Miami," and "Law & Order Criminal Intent." It's also scheduled to be on many cable networks.
Although the industry is just getting started, satellite radio already appears to have a dominant receiver leader.
(29 September 2003)
It's Delphi electronics. The introduction of the XM SKYFi in addition to factory-installed XM units for GM vehicles and optional Sirius receivers for DaimlerChrysler customers puts Delphi among the most versatile of the satellite radio consumer products manufacturers. "From the time the concept of wireless communications and broadcasting was first introduced, Delphi has been at the forefront of development for systems that leverage the advantages of satellite to deliver mobile -- and now portable -- advanced information and entertainment to consumers," said Dr. Robert Shumacher, business line executive for Delphi Delco Electronics Systems wireless products.
First there was SKYFi , then Here2Anywhere .
(26 September 2003)
Now there's STREAMER, the first portable satellite radio for truckers. Pana-Pacific and Sirius are introducing the latest mobile satellite radio system at this year's Great American Trucking Show at the Dallas Convention Center. STREAMER is designed specifically for commercial truckers but it can also be taken Siriusly at home, in boats, or in cars. John Trenberth, President of Pana-Pacific said "The combination of STREAMER and Sirius is unbeatable for the professional trucker. We are delighted to be partnering with Sirius to offer such an exciting product."
As if trying to keep itself financially afloat were not enough, Sirius is now trying to bail out a New York landmark.
(25 September 2003)
The Bottom Line announced an agreement with Sirius that would allow the venerable Greenwich Village music venue to remain solvent. Meg Griffin, the Sirius on-air personality spearheading the drive to save the club said "The Bottom Line is too important a music institution to lose. Our goal is to help this historic club get back on its feet and do what it does best." The Sirius program "Live from the Bottom Line" is broadcast several times a week.
One of the two major satellite broadcasters is offering listeners some Sirius cash.
(23 September 2003)
Can you guess which? The Big Choice Sweepstakes is open to Sirius website visitors until 31 December. The promotion offers one lucky entrant and a friend or relative win a million dollars each. Sirius Veep Pat Ryan says "We're thrilled to be able to sponsor this sweepstakes that really tests the boundaries of friendship -- who would you choose to share in your good luck?"
As the boys of October get ready for their annual drive to the World Championship Sirius listeners will be happy to know that the satellite broadcaster is carrying complete play-by-play coverage.
(23 September 2003)
The Major League Baseball Divisional Series, League Championship Series and World Series are being covered on ESPN Radio, stream 120, beginning on 30 September. "Sirius is committed to bringing subscribers closer to the playing field with our sports programming. Partners such as ESPN Radio allow us to provide our listeners with a front row seat to the best in sports programming," said Sirius Veep Jay Clark, Programming.
Ford is getting Sirius.
(19 September 2003)
The automobile manufacturer is offering Sirius Satellite Radio as a dealer-installed option for $329 plus installation and tax on ten different Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles in 2004. Said Jeff Wood, director of Ford Electric & Electronic Systems Engineering "We are committed to our relationship with Sirius and believe its products and services will surprise and delight our customer base."
The satellite broadcasting business has a new advocate in the FCC's Don Abelson.
(19 September 2003)
He's the chief of the International Bureau which provided an upbeat view of the industry during their monthly meeting. Cited in the report was the satellite radio business which has 800,000 subscribers to date.
Apparently not satisfied only to have made the XM SKYFi a "Hot" item (see story dated 7 September 2003), Bloomingdale's is now giving them away.
(18 September 2003)
During their "What's Hot" campaign, each store is giving away a SKYFi. Promotion winners receive either a SKYFi with a home adaptor kit or the "boom box" version.
Those wishing to receive satellite radio on their personal computers are getting a break from XM.
(17 September 2003)
For a limited time the satellite broadcaster is selling the XM PCR through its web site for $49. The Windows-compatible system connects through the computer's USB port.
Someone we'd expect to be Xm-Rated has decided instead to get Sirius.
(16 September 2003)
After being a model, a film star, and a television personality, Pamela Anderson is becoming a radio personality as the host of Sirius' "Club Pam." The show, announced Friday, 12 September on Leno, features Anderson as raconteur and advice goddess to callers. There's also a key contest with a beach party hosted by Anderson as the grand prize. Other prizes include Anderson as car washer and personal groupie.
XM's promotional "Xpress Tour of America" ended last week as personalities Phlash Phelps and Kurt Gilchrist finally made it to Detroit in a hopped-up Cadillac Escalade ESV.
(16 September 2003)
The kick-off to XM's one-million subscriber campaign ended with Phelps commenting "To our knowledge, no one in radio has ever broadcast live from 48 states in 14 consecutive days. The response from people we met all over the country was just incredible. There were people who drove for miles just to see us and tell us about their XM experience." XM's campaign for a million subscribers is expected to succeed. They'll pass the one million mark sometime this fall.
"XM is pleased to bring aboard an extremely experienced, creative and talented leader who will ensure that the incredible promotional strength of XM for consumer brands, products and services is fully capitalized," said XM boss Hugh Panero in welcoming new Veep for National Sales D.
(15 September 2003)
Scott Karnedy. Karnedy is from Infinity Broadcasting where he was Senior Vice President of National Sales. Prior to joining Infinity he spent 20 years in local radio and television marketing and sales.
Scott Karnedy.
(15 September 2003)
Karnedy is from Infinity Broadcasting where he was Senior Vice President of National Sales. Prior to joining Infinity he spent 20 years in local radio and television marketing and sales. Unexpectedly short satellite lifetimes are continuing to plague XM as the company sold more than 11 million shares to raise the $150 million it needs to pay for a spare satellite "if insurance proceeds are not received in a timely manner." "Rock" and "Roll," the two orbiting XM birds are not generating adequate power because an insufficient amount of sunlight is being reflected onto their solar panels by their defective mirrors. Although both satellites have been insured, XM's carrier has denied the initial claim of $400 million. The payload for the new satellite is being built by Alcatel and will be integrated on a Boeing 702 platform in El Segundo, CA.
Honda is making XM a standard feature on some models of the best-selling Accord for 2004.
(10 September 2003)
The S2000 is also joining the Pilot as an "XM-ready" roadster. Said XM boss Hugh Panero "It is exciting to see that Honda recognizes the mass market appeal of XM Satellite Radio and has elected to make it standard equipment on one of the best selling car models of all time."
Needing to raise a little cash to support its operations XM announced that it is pricing a public offering of 11,320,755 shares of its common stock to Legg Mason Funds and another large institutional investor.
(9 September 2003)
The expected net proceeds are around $150 million.
Sirius has decided to stop "dog"ging it and to take the aftermarket siriusly.
(9 September 2003)
They're offering a free satellite radio receiver to anyone who purchases a compatible in-dash radio. The freebie is installed in a trunk or under a seat. It's valued at $150 and can be obtained at retailers like Circuit City or Best Buy.
Bloomies is getting XM-rated.
(7 September 2003)
The high-end New York-based store is featuring SkyFi as part of its latest "What's Hot" marketing campaign starting on 12 September. Bloomingdale's is featuring the satellite boom box with XM service in prime advertising space in print ads as well as in a spot in the Fall catalog.
Sirius announced that its annual stockholders' meeting is being held on Tuesday, 25 November, in the auditorium of the McGraw-Hill Building in New York.
(7 September 2003)
Stockholders wishing to include proposals in the proxy statement should submit their requests by 19 September.
Jan Wenner may have disapproved but Rolling Stone is getting Sirius.
(7 September 2003)
Stone editors Joe Levy and Jenny Eliscu announced the launch of "Rolling Stone on Sirius," a weekly feature on Wednesdays from 5 to 6 p.m. ET on stream 135. The show features breaking insider music-related news plus information from the most current magazine. It also features live interviews with Sirius Stream Jockeys, music industry insiders, and listener call-ins.
Satellite heads can finally start getting Sirius at home with the latest Kenwood product.
(5 September 2003)
The DT-7000S is the industry's first dedicated home satellite radio receiver. Retailing for $299.99, it will be available at retailers nationwide starting in October. In introducing the new system Larry Pesce, Sirius Product Management Veep said "Music and entertainment fans can now enjoy a breadth of choice in premium audio programming in the home that you can't get from any other type of entertainment service or Internet Web site." Those with multi-room, multi-zone audio systems may prefer getting Sirius with the Antex SRX-3 TriplePlay. It's the first satellite radio specifically designed to allow listeners in different rooms to play different satellite radio streams simultaneously over a single distributed audio system. Priced at $1,695.00, the SRX-3 debuts in November. The DT-7000S and the SRX-3 were both unveiled at the CEDIA Expo .
In a survey conducted by ChangeWave Research , satellite radio appears to be advancing beyond the "early adopter" stage and achieving robust growth.
(4 September 2003)
Among the respondents 3 percent said they already subscribe and 9 percent said they intend to get Sirius or sign up for XM by the end of the year.
XM is launching its one million subscriber campaign, aimed at thanking existing XMers and attracting new subscribers.
(4 September 2003)
The venture includes a sweepstakes, an on-air contest, a cross-country road trip, eight weeks of groundbreaking original live programming and a "refer-a-friend" program encouraging XM-rated listeners to pitch the service to their associates.
LeXus is getting XM-Rated.
(3 September 2003)
The satellite provider announced that the LeXus 2004 LS 430 should arrive in showrooms with XM radio as a dealer-installed option. It's the first LeXus model ever to be offered with a satellite radio option. Said Steve Cook, XM's Executive Veep for Sales and Marketing "XM radio is an obvious choice for LeXus' flagship vehicle, the LS 430. LeXus is a brand for discerning buyers who expect and value only the best quality. Clearly, XM's quality programming and service will have tremendous appeal to these buyers."
Sirius has announced that it filed a shelf registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission to cover up to $500 million of debt securities, common stock, preferred stock and warrants.
(3 September 2003)
Although the company has no plan to issue securities at this time, Executive Veep and Chief Financial Officer Dave Frear said "Shelf registrations are a great tool for allowing Sirius to opportunistically enter the debt and equity markets in the future for transactions that enhance stockholder value, such as acquisitions, debt issuances to fund stock buyback programs and other expansions of our business plan."
XM is planning to take its act northward with the help of Toronto entrepreneur John Bitove.
(2 September 2003)
The venture is not without its difficulties, not the least of which is the additional financial burden to the already cash-strapped satellite radio provider. Although the move is expected to improve XM's market by 10% it also may require the installation of additional ground equipment. In addition, Canadian law limits foreign ownership in media holding companies to 33%. The Canadian part of the picture is under the direction of Bitove's Canadian Satellite Inc. Stewart Lyons, a director of the firm, said it was too early to reveal the full details of the financial structure but noted that restrictions on foreign content provided by radio stations may not prove to be significant. "We think we'll be looked at completely differently," said Lyons.