Sirius vs. XM

[CalusaCustomConcepts]

Ever since I got into a customer's car with satellite radio, I realized the potential for always being entertained on the road. I mean with comedy, talk, sports, and all of the music available, it was only a matter of time till I got my own. And seriously, I'm a mizer at heart. I hate thinking about spending money every month. That was 2002.

Enter: 2006. For Christmas this year I bought satellite for my mom, my sister, and myself. I've had lots of friends tell me their favorite. I've paid attention to the advertising, etc. So I bought Sirius based on those sources.

My girlfriend bought a new Honda in December and it came with free XM for 3 months. I drive the car most of the time when we're together, and sometimes without her. I've found some great channels that I enjoy listening to. I have varied tastes, so I like the 40's station, the alternative station, and especially the punk/ska/hardcore station. I wasn't impressed with XM so much because I knew I was getting Sirius soon. I always told people they were all the same, so you just had to check out their lineup online to see if they had something that you especially had to have.

I didn't follow my own advice.

Enter: Feb 2007. I finally paid for my subscription, and (I told you I was a tight wad. That's why it took me so long.) I HATE IT. There is no punk/ska/hardcore station, there is no 40's station, and the alternative music IS NOT the same. Besides, I HATE Howard Stern. I just heard the Playboy station, and it was some British accent chick reading a poorly written description of a sexual encounter? What is that? I'm supposed to be turned on or something? Some chick on the radio? Please! Their version of punk had that Jackass Bam (pun intended) rambling on about his stupid life. Who cares? WTF?!?! People pay for this crap? What's worth listening to? I'm sure I'll like the country selection, and the talk is going to be good, but 24 hours of The Who? You've got to be kidding me.

And to top it all off, I paid for the lifetime subscription.........

This blows. I want XM!

[J B M]

You may get your wish...they are talking about merging, but the gov't has been discussing it and trying to decide whether to approve the merger or not.

[CalusaCustomConcepts]

Nah, won't happen. There's only enough bandwidth approved by the FCC to allow 2 companies. They've got it made. No other competition. It's like Coke vs. Pepsi with no other sodas in existence.

The government hates monopolies, but they'll allow a closed competition.......

[meatloaf1986]

I have xm XM FTW

[CalusaCustomConcepts]

I have xm XM FTW

Yeah! That's what I'm talking about.

[KickinAudio]

You're crazy.

Sirius has Football, NASCAR, NHL, NBA, Soccer, Horse Racing!!
XM has what, baseball?

As far as 40's, there is the broadway music channel, and the swing channel.

If you don't like Howard Stern, don't listen to him. Simple.

What do you expect on the Playboy channel mid-day? It usually a lot better at night (if you're into that kind of show)

Sirius also has the Maxium Channel, NPR,

Sirius has 24 hour tech support. XM has 18hr

XM deleted channels to make room for baseball channels (Sirius has not done this)

Sirius also has deicated artist channels, such as The Who, Jimmy Buffet, Elvis. (Someone of these change every few months per customer feedback)
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If you also keep up with the news on these two companies, you'd obviously see who is more innovative, and who is more stable. For example, go to XM's website, and read their boring press releases over the past year. Then go read Sirius's.

XM used to charge for internet play, they used to have commercials, and they used to charge money for a certain talk show. They are just now catching on.

[Bonecrusher]

I have had both. each company has its own specialty to offer. Sirius has the blue Comedy Tour ( get er Done ) and Sterin. XM just has better overall programming in my opinion. I say get them both!!!

[Chuck]

i used to have XM a while back and i didnt really like it. nothing i really liked was played. ya, they had like 2-3 ok rap channels, and like 4-5 decent hard rock/metal channels, but thats it.

from what ive heard on sirius i personally like that alot more.

[KickinAudio]

Got merger?

http://www.forbes.com/markets/equities/2007/02/19/sirius-xm-merger-markets-equity-cx_af_0219markets05.html

[meatloaf1986]

Yep.

Dear XM Radio Subscriber:

We want to share with you some exciting news: Yesterday, in Washington DC, we announced XM Radio will be merging with Sirius Satellite Radio to form the premier digital audio service.

The merger will create a satellite radio company that will provide consumers across the country with more and better premium radio programming. The combined company will be able to compete better in what has become a very complex and dynamic entertainment market.

Where today our exclusive contracts mean you had to choose between baseball and football or Oprah and Martha Stewart, the new company will seek to ensure that in the future, you will be able to access both companies' programming. And, once we are fully integrated, those of you who have factory-installed satellite radio will no longer be limited to the programming provided by the exclusive satellite radio service chosen by their car manufacturer.

This merger should be completed in late 2007 or early in 2008. Throughout the year, we will provide updates on how the merger is progressing and information will be available at our website, www.xmradio.com.

Between today and the merger date, as well as during the period immediately after the merger date, all of your services will remain the same. The channel lineup, the customer service number, the great music technology, and the XM Radio web site will all remain unchanged and there will be no disruption to service. But, if you have questions, information will be available and maintained on our website, and you can contact our Listener Care team at 800-XMRADIO, with questions and concerns.

XM Radio continues to be committed to providing you the highest quality audio entertainment and customer service available today. After the merger, our new company will be able to offer you the most exciting listening experience in radio.

Sincerely,

Hugh Panero
CEO, XM Satellite Radio

[CalusaCustomConcepts]

The FCC specifically stated in it's design of the satellite radio market that one company cannot purchase the other.

Also, as I stated earlier, the Federal Trade Commission doesn't like monopolies.

I doubt that this merger will be approved.

[CalusaCustomConcepts]

You're crazy.

I AM crazy, but that has no bearing on this argument.

Sirius has Football, NASCAR, NHL, NBA, Soccer, Horse Racing!!
XM has what, baseball?

The only sport I somewhat follow is mixed martial arts. The rest are very rarely getting my time.

As far as 40's, there is the broadway music channel, and the swing channel.

Yes, there is broadway and swing, but not EXCLUSIVELY 40's music like XM.

If you don't like Howard Stern, don't listen to him. Simple.

Exactly, but he's taking up money/space that could be used for something more useful, like a history station!

What do you expect on the Playboy channel mid-day? It usually a lot better at night (if you're into that kind of show)

Actually that was at 12:30am. Is someone jacking off to that while I'm listening? Gross!

Sirius also has the Maxium Channel, NPR,

XM has Dale Jr., Oprah, Rancid, Wolfman Jack, Good Morning America, Tyra Banks, Cal Ripken, Jimmie Johnson, etc.

Sirius has 24 hour tech support. XM has 18hr

So you're saying that Sirius users are dumb and they need tech support all the time? Or that Sirius sucks and they know you're going to complain, so they're prepared?

XM deleted channels to make room for baseball channels (Sirius has not done this)

Sirius = 133 XM = 125. So XM used to have more, but they got rid of some to level the playing field? How nice of XM!

Sirius also has deicated artist channels, such as The Who, Jimmy Buffet, Elvis. (Someone of these change every few months per customer feedback)

There isn't a single artist on the planet that I want to hear 24 hours a day.

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If you also keep up with the news on these two companies, you'd obviously see who is more innovative, and who is more stable. XM has is leading up to the next Enron. For example, go to XM's website, and read their boring press releases over the past year. Then go read Sirius's.

This is ridiculous. Enron's books were altered to steal shareholders' money. What proof do you have that XM is altering their books?

You want to talk about stability? Check out today's stock quotes.

As of 3:00pm, Sirius has 229,964,400 shares sold at $3.95 each. That's a total volume net worth of $908,359,380 dollars. Man that's alot! Until you compare to XM. They have 71,371,232 shares at $15.71 each, totaling $1,121,242,054 dollars. That's 1 billion dollars. There's a difference of $212,882,674 dollars between the two. That's ONLY 23% of Sirius's net worth of stock! (sarcasm noted)

Remember, Sirius has 3 satellites in the atmosphere. XM has 2. They also agreed to give Howard Stern $500 million dollars for 5 years, and the NFL $220 million for 7 years. That's $131 million a year for just those 2 programs. That's coming out of their $908 million of net worth. So Sirius's operating costs are higher.

Sirius is wasting their money on shock jocks and celebrities while XM is busy making music. When i listen to Sirius I hear DJ's. On XM I get music. I don't want to listen to some mouth waste his breath, I want music.

The fact is XM started selling their product BEFORE Sirius did. XM got a head start, and they benefited heavily for it. Sirius has been playing catch up ever since.

XM used to charge for internet play, they used to have commercials, and they used to charge money for a certain talk show. They are just now catching on.

This is exactly why competition is good, and a merger is bad.

Some of you are too young to know, but when cable television first came out (yes, there was only one channel) they claimed it was 'revolutionary' because there were no commercials. That's how they got you to pay for it. They said, "Were not going to have advertisers, so you will pay us instead." What has cable become? Just like regular television.

Don't expect the satellite providers to remain commercial free forever.

Ultimately, it does come down to programming. If one of them has more of what you want (Which is XM for me) then that's the one you should go with.

XM FTW!