So it looks like the launch of XM-3 is back on and finally going to happen today (anyone else getting sick of waiting for this bird to fly?). The XM-3 Launch was plagued with issues causing delays, but it looks like we're good to go tonight.
Catch the live broadcast coverage of the launch of XM-3 today at 7:51 pm PST (that's 10:51 pm EST) with an one-hour launch window.
As usual, you can look at the purty live webcam onboard the Odyssey launch vehicle.
Lockergnome's recent article, XM Gets Lapped by Sirius, slams XM for their decision to raise rates for basic service. Pointing out big deals like losing NASCAR to Sirius, they seem convinced that XM's goose is cooked with the price hike.
I don't see this as a problem. Sure, the price increase is something like 30% of the original price, but it puts the price on-par with Sirius, so it's not an unreasonable price to pay.
All the price hike does is even out the playing field. I don't get the big deal. Anyone disagree?
The New York Times on Sunday had a very informative interview with Mel Karmazin, CEO of Sirius Satellite Radio. In it, Mel clears a few things up that many of us were wondering. Apparently the wearable satellite radio units will be created in-house and Mel squashes the thought that Sirius will have advertising on music channels as many (including myself) had feared.
Mel also recognizes that the main competition is not XM Satellite Radio, but rather Terrestrial Radio. This is something I've been waiting to hear from both sides. It's not XM vs Sirius, but really Satellite vs Terrestrial, that we all should be worried about, and it's great to read that Mel sees that.
Go and read the NY Times interview yourself, it's really worth it.
Effective April 2nd, XM Satellite Radio is changing their basic service package. The monthly subscription price for XM's basic service will increase to $12.95 (from $9.99).
The reason? XM will finally be including XM Radio Online (previously $3.99/mo) for free for regular subscribers (it's about time) and Opie and Anthony will be removed as a Premium Channel (previously an additonal $1.99/mo) and become part of the regular XM programming.
XM is also offering existing customers the unique opportunity to lock in the current $9.99 monthly rate with a one-year prepaid plan and deeper discounts with a two, three, four, or five-year prepaid plan until April 2. The price change will not affect XM's Family Plan, which allows XM subscribers to add up to four additional subscriptions for $6.99 a month per radio.
Click to view a super-sized version of the new XM Channel Guide.
Mel Karmazin, Sirius Satellite Radio CEO, will give the keynote breakfast presentation at the Bear Stearns 18th Annual Media Conference on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 at 8:00 am ET.
A live audio webcast of the presentation will be available here on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 at 8:00 am ET.
Love em or hate em, there's no doubt that TimeTrax has had a lasting effect on the Satellite Radio industry. Orbitcast got the chance to interview Scott MacLean, the man behind the TimeTrax technology, to find out the juicey bits you've all been dying to know.
Clear Channel Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer Andrew Levin took a shot at Stern's future home of Sirius Satellite Radio, calling satellite radio a "safe haven" that is "fast becoming the wild west for sexually explicit programming."
Here's the full quote from Levin:
"Congress and the FCC should be troubled that the current law unwittingly creates a safe haven for indecent programming on other media platforms, including satellite radio. Unfortunately these outlets are fast becoming the wild west for sexually explicit programming. The law needs to catch up to technology or our children will be the ultimate victims."
Jealous anyone?
Funny how Clear Channel is now so damn concerned about our children being victims when it doesn't profit them. But you know these people would be all over being safe havens "for sexually explicit programming" themselves if the FCC didn't fine them up the ass. It's amazing how quickly these corporate scum change their tone at the first site of opposition.
A recent survey found that over one in five listeners (22%) planned on subscribing to Sirius to continue to hear Howard Stern. 41% were undecided, while 37% said they wouldn't subscribe.
When told that they would have to pay for hardware and a monthly subscription fee (gasp!), only 7% said they would subscribe to Sirius, while 44% said they wouldn't. I can only imagine the endless Customer Service calls, "No sir, your AM clock radio won't receive Sirius. Yes sir, you need to pay for this." Half were undecided (yeah, great, thanks).
Mind you, the study surveyed 1,857 listeners who described Howard Stern as their favorite morning show personality (as opposed to Katie Couric?). It was conducted in Los Angeles (#2 largest market), San Diego (#17 market), Phoenix (#15 market), Boston (#9) and Detroit (#10). Interestingly enough, they didn't survey the #1 largest market, New York, where Stern is no-doubt the most popular in.
About.com has an interesting article on what exactly defines the term "commercial free" in terms of radio. The debate is over XM's usage of promos (a promotional announcement for something the service is doing) as in fact being commercials even though they are internal.
Some agree, some don't - either way, it's a great discussion and worth the read.
Sirius just announced that 50 Cent will create and host G Unit Radio, on Sirius' Shade 45, all day on Saturdays with an innovative mix of shows and DJs produced by his own DJ, Whoo Kid.
"I'm bringing my A-game to Sirius," said 50 Cent. "G Unit Radio is gonna blow up on Shade 45."
50 Cent's first radio show on SIRIUS, The Personal Preview Special, will showcase songs and exclusive commentary from his new album The Massacre, due out on March 3rd.
The show will be co-hosted by Whoo Kid and will air tomorrow, Friday February 25th at 8 p.m. ET, only on Shade 45.
Sirius Satellite Radio has hired two of the radio industry's most respected and accomplished advertising executives, Sam Benrubi and Stephen Smith, to help build advertising revenue on its non-music channels.
The appointments follow key programming announcements that enhance advertisers' ability to buy time on Sirius to reach a national audience. Recent programming announcements include this week's announcement that SIRIUS will be the new home of NASCAR in 2007; Sirius will sell all advertising time on its NASCAR channel and during the race broadcasts.
Sam Benrubi, a senior nationwide advertising executive who has led network and local sales teams at Westwood One and Infinity Broadcasting, was named Senior Vice President, Advertising Sales. Benrubi will lead a team committed to developing long-term relationships with national advertisers and developing a strong stream of revenues from advertising to complement SIRIUS' fast-growing revenues from subscribers. Benrubi will report directly to Greenstein. Benrubi has had experience with ad sales for Imus in the Morning and the Howard Stern shows on WNBC-AM over 20 years ago.
Reporting to Benrubi will be Stephen Smith, who was named Vice President, Advertising Sales. Smith has years of experience in national radio advertising sales for sports and in marketing Howard Stern's radio program to national advertisers. He began his broadcasting sales career with Blair Television in 1990, and subsequently was a senior account executive at both Group W Radio Sales and WXRK-FM in New York. Most recently, Smith held several key management positions at WFAN-AM in New York, before joining Sirius.
Mel Karmazin has expressed his desire to sell advertising on the company's non-music stations. At the recent McGraw-Hill Media Summit, Mel said that although Sirius will run advertising on Howard Stern's show, the amount of advertising will be less than that currently airing on his Viacom radio show. (thank god)
This month's Wired Magazine features the cover story on Howard Stern and the Satellite Wars, written by the talented Ana Marie Cox of Wonkette. An awesome read and very well written.
Also in the issue is The Resurrection of Indie Radio and Adam Curry Wants to Make You an iPod Radio Star, both decent articles themselves.
[Read]
Mel Karmazin, CEO of Sirius, said nobody at the company has received subpoenas from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in relation to its agreement to hire talk-show host Howard Stern.
Chaunce Hayden, a guest on Stern's show and an editor of Steppin' Out magazine, said he received an SEC subpoena seeking information about what he heard in Stern's studio around the time Sirius announced it would lure the radio personality away from Viacom Inc.'s Infinity unit.
Chaunce also took the opportunity to post a comment on Orbitcast to express his side of the SEC subpoena. He clearly states in his comment that he doesn't own any Sirius stock, so the question still remains as to why the SEC has issued him a subpoena. Remember, a subpoena doesn't need to be issued to someone who is just a stock holder, but can be issued to someone who has knowledge of insider trading.
Karmazin was quoted during a conference call as saying, "Sirius has absolutely no reason to believe that this matter involves Sirius or any action of its officers, directors or employees. No Sirius officers, directors or employees have received a subpoena."
Sirius Satellite Radio will be launching SIRIUS Music Mayhem, a web-based game ending March 27 where sports fans will vote on their favorite arena anthem and be entered in the sweepstakes for the chance to win a trip for two to the 2005 college hoops championship, along with other great prizes.
Fans can now vote in the first of the six rounds of SIRIUS Music Mayhem by going to SIRIUS Music Mayhem and choosing their favorite sports anthems in all four brackets. Winning songs in this round will compete against each other in round two beginning February 28. SIRIUS Music Mayhem will last five weeks, feature 64 tunes, but crown only one champion.
Click to view a PDF of the Music Mayhem bracket.
XM Satellite Radio will be the new satellite radio home to Tony Kornheiser, beginning Monday, February 28 when XM launches "The Tony Kornheiser Show" as part of XM's new talk programming line-up. XM is the only national broadcaster to offer Kornheiser's radio program.
"The Tony Kornheiser Show," which originates from WTEM in Washington, DC, will be broadcast weekdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET on Extreme XM (XM Channel 152)
Prior to the XM debut of his new show, Tony Kornheiser will be a guest on "The Bob Edwards Show" on Monday, February 28 on XM Public Radio (XM Channel 133).
There's a swarm of excitment behind the possibility of Ron and Fez joining up with XM Satellite Radio, and I've been getting emails about it like crazy lately - so I want to give a quick update on where we're at now. Since there haven't been any official announcements made, I must stress that this is all very much speculation, so don't ruin your shorts just yet.
According to sources, Ron and Fez have been conducting discussions with XM regarding joining up, but nothing has been signed as of yet. The contract with Infinity still remains as a major roadblock for this happening anytime soon, but with the pulling of Ron and Fez from certain markets there's some question whether the contract would be cut short.
Questions as to whether Ron and Fez would get their own channel, or whether they'd be part of XM 202 are too premature to ask. You need a contract first before any of that will happen. We'll have to wait before we can guess what programming changes would be made.
So there you have it. Speculate away.
We heard some chatter about a big announcement by Sirius today, and just now they just came out with it. Sirius Satellite Radio will become the Official Satellite Radio Partner of NASCAR, with exclusive trademark and marketing rights, and the right to sell all advertising time on its NASCAR channel and during the race broadcasts.
Beginning in 2007, Sirius will broadcast all NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races live on a specially created 24/7 NASCAR channel, and Sirius will be the only place on satellite radio to listen to NASCAR.
Sirius will pay NASCAR rights fees totaling a whopping $107.5 million over the term of the five-year agreement, with the highest payments in the final years of the term.
When asked on a media conference call to compare the value of this deal with the fees paid by XM, Brian France, Chairman and Chief Executive of NASCAR said the new deal was worth "a lot more."
NASCAR is the number 2 rated sport on television, second only to the NFL (coincidence?). NASCAR's 75 million fans nationwide are a testament to the sport?s overall growth and broad appeal. NASCAR has the most brand loyal fans in all sports. Plus, with a 10-month season, the longest in U.S. pro sports, sponsors and advertisers are visible to NASCAR?s fan base for most of the year.
Ouch. This is a big blow to XM.
UPDATE:
I asked Chance Patterson, XM Spokesperson, about their response regarding the NASCAR switch, and here's what he had to say:
Hi Ryan,We are disappointed that we couldn't reach agreement on extending our NASCAR deal beyond the 2006 season. However, we look forward to programming the next two seasons of NASCAR as well as the launch of Major League Baseball on XM this spring. We view Major League Baseball as the "crown jewel" of sports content for radio and there are lots of subscribers buzzing about the fact that they'll have access to more than 2,000 MLB games this season plus the playoffs and World Series.
Chance Patterson
VP Corporate Affairs
XM Satellite Radio
A standard response, that is to be expected, but with a hint of "yeah, we lost NASCAR, but we like MLB better anyway." No one really knows the inside details, but the relationship between NASCAR and XM might have gone sour a while ago (hence the XM / IRL Racing deal?).
The Washington Post published an article this morning (registration required) on file sharing. Most of the article covers the regular crap, BitTorrent, Grokster, blah blah blah. But sprinkled within is a few tidbits on Time Trax, the which we all know makes software and hardware that allows users to record XM content, and now Sirius content, to MP3 on your desktop or direct to your iPod.
In the article, Elliott Frutkin, CEO of Time Trax is quoted as saying, "If it's so risky for me to try out new things or put new things on the market, you are really going to devastate people's willingness to innovate."
Many people have criticized Time Trax for creating a device that has only one purpose, and that's to steal and distribute content. I won't get into this debate here (but you're more than welcome to in the comments) because it's a neverending argument from both sides of the camp. One side feels file sharing (of regular content, or satellite radio content) is a natural evolution of an aging copyright system, others feel that stealing is stealing no matter what the circumstances - others are in the middle. And while Time Trax may have some legitimate uses, even Mr Frutkin is quick to admit that it can be used for illegal purposes.
"The first people who were playing with the technology TimeTrax is based on weren't people that I would have over for dinner with the family," said Frutkin, who does not condone stealing. "But that's the way things happen."
Interesting stuff to start your day. :)
Car Buyer's Notebook got to go on a tour of XM Satellite Radio. They list some pretty interesting stats as well:
- Between Sirius and XM, they'll both penetrate between 10-15% of the new vehicle market in 2005
- In 2005, XM is adding over an average 6,000 per day
- Approximately 60% of free trial users (from vehicle purchases) are converted into paying subscribers
- XM has a 98.8% renewal rate for subscribers
There's some pretty neat photos of the XM facilities too. Read more here.
Heeeyyyy!!
Rumor has it, fueled by DCRTV, that the popular talk-radio hosts Ron and Fez will be joining up the XM Satellite Radio roster.
There's a lot of chatter about whether the addition of Ron & Fez would be on a completely new channel (more likely), or piggy-back on XM 202 to add value to that Premium channel (possible). If XM's track record is any indication with G. Gordon Liddy and Dr Laura, I'd say Ron & Fez would get their own channel if this rumor is true.
Ron and Fez are long time friends of Opie and Anthony also on XM Satellite Radio.
Thanks candlebougie!
CBS MarketWatch is reporting that SEC regulators have begun an investigation into possible insider trading related to radio host Howard Stern's announcement in October.
Chaunce Hayden, a New York gossip columnist who frequently appears on Stern's radio show, has been subpoenaed by the SEC, the Post reported, to answer questions about what he may have heard in Stern's studio.
Due to rough seas, the XM-3 satellite was supposed to be launched tonight, but apparently the conditions are still pretty crappy, so the XM-3 mission has been postposed.
There's nothing wrong with the equipment, just that sea conditions are beyond the accept threshold for a safe launch.
Sea Launch will advise when a launch date is reestablished. Keep checking here for updates.
MSNBC has a pretty good article on the different styles of satellite radio receivers available. He gives a good review for all units although he quickly covers his butt by proclaiming, "no one company corners the market on cool new radios" right away, it's still a good read for those interested.
Gary Krakow covers the MyFi, the Polk XRt12, and the drool-inducing Tivoli Satellite with a nice overview of each unit. Interesting article.
Sirius Satellite Radio's Maxim Radio is holding simultaneous open casting calls in New York City and Los Angeles to find the "Sexiest Voice in America" on Wednesday, March 2nd.
Then Maxim Radio wants your voice! One sultry woman's or smooth-talkin' man's voice will be featured on Maxim Radio promotional spots and IDs while taking home a cool $1,000.
Contestants are invited to bring 30 seconds of their own material to read at the auditions - it can be anything as long as there is no cursing or vile language. Maxim Radio celebrity hosts will comment on the entries in terms of sexiness, uniqueness, delivery, tone and suitability for use. Beginning March 7, 2005, visitors to Maxim Online for one week will be able to hear audio clips of the finalists' entries and click their votes.
The winner will be announced on Maxim Radio on Monday, March 21, 2005.
Contestants can bring their sexy voices to either one of the two casting calls:
* NEW YORK CITY: SIRIUS Satellite Radio, 1221 Avenue of the Americas (at 48th Street). Auditions start at 9 am ET. No more people will be allowed on the audition line at 2 pm.
* LOS ANGELES: House of Blues, Sunset Strip. Auditions start at 11 am PT. No more people will be allowed on the audition line at 3 pm.
Contestants must be at least 21 years old to enter and legal residents of the United States. The casting calls occur rain or shine.
Maxim Radio will announce celebrity hosts at both open casting calls shortly.
As expected, Jose Canseco continued ratting on his friends on yesterday's inaugural broadcast of MLB Home Plate during the program "The Show," hosted by Kennedy and former Cincinnati Reds pitcher Rob Dibble.
Here's the highlights of what Canseco told XM: "Everybody wants to blame the players. You know what? The owners knew. They didn't care, as long as they were making money. The players' association knew. They just turned a blind eye to it and said, 'Hey, the game's developing again. It's growing.' You know, the Sammy Sosa-Mark McGwire show. They were both juiced. No 'ifs,' 'ands,' [or] 'buts' about it."
"I introduced steroids to Major League Baseball," Canseco said. "I changed the face of baseball as we know it today ... . The owners in Major League Baseball lost control of the steroids issue. Eight out of ten players were taking it. Records were being demolished, broken left and right. Owners said, 'Listen we have a problem. And the individual that changed this game ... and educated these players was Jose Canseco. Let's blackball him. Let's make it look like he's injured all the time. And little by little, let's suffocate his career. We know [Canseco] is the godfather of steroids. We know he's known as a chemist. He helped make the game as powerful as possible. Let's send a signal to the other players: You better stop the steroid taking, or we're going to get rid of you, too.'"
Pete Rose phoned into the program and said Canseco was ousted from baseball simply because he "couldn't play anymore," not because of a conspiracy. Rose criticized Canseco's decision to identify and accuse former teammates of using steroids, asserting that the decision was driven by money.
"No one needs the money that bad to capitalize on your teammates," Rose said. "I just don't understand, now he's talking about doing a movie, and being a producer of a movie, so you know, Jose makes it sound more and more like a money deal."
Heh.
The XM-3 Launch Day is today! The Sea Launch Commander and Odyssey Launch Platform have arrived at the Equatorial Launch Site and the countdown is set to begin.
Sea Launch will broadcast coverage of the mission Today (Wednesday) at 7:35 pm PST (that's 10:53 pm EST) for approximately an hour-and-a-half.
The webcast will begin approximately 18 minutes before liftoff - and will continue through the mission until a ground station acquires the spacecraft signal.
Click to see the Live webcam here.
Jose Canseco, recently known for ratting out his friends with his new book "Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits & How Baseball Got Big," is scheduled to appear on the XM program "The Show" on MLB Home Plate - XM Channel 175 today (February 15th) at 4:00pm ET.
"The Show" is hosted by Canseco's former manager, Kevin Kennedy, and will take listener phone calls. Kennedy co-hosts "The Show" with fellow MLB veteran Rob Dibble.
Wanna take a guess about what they'll talk about?
Jay Thomas, who's been a familiar face in popular television shows and films as well as a top-rated radio personality, has officially joined SIRIUS Satellite Radio as a talk show host.
Thomas, will enlighten and entertain weekday afternoons, exclusively on SIRIUS Talk Central - Channel 148. He was a radio DJ since the 1970s, is known to radio listeners on both US coasts from his work on stations such as WKTU, WXRK and WTJM in New York City, KRWR/Power 106 in Los Angeles, and from hosting nationally syndicated radio programs. In 1978, he landed a role as deli owner Remo on the hit TV show Mork & Mindy, which led to more television sitcom roles, such as the right-wing talk show host Jerry Gold on Murphy Brown, for which he was awarded two Emmys.
Thomas' best-known television role may be that of hockey player Eddie LeBec on Cheers; he also starred in the TV shows Married People and Love and War. More recently, Thomas guested on the hit shows Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Joan of Arcadia. In a humorous tradition, he has appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman each year since 1998 to throw a football at a meatball placed atop a Christmas tree. Thomas also starred in the feature films Mr. Holland's Opus, The Santa Clause 2, Straight Talk and Little Vegas.
Hot on the heels of the launch the MLB Home Plate 24-hour radio channel on Tuesday, February 15, we find out that Cal Ripken Jr., the legendary Baltimore Orioles shortstop and record holder for most consecutive games played, will host an exclusive, weekly XM show on MLB Home Plate starting in March. Joining Cal on the show will be his brother, fellow MLB veteran Billy Ripken.
[View hi-res version of Cal Ripken Jr photo]
The Ripkens are part of an all-star line-up of XM on-air hosts, including baseball greats Rob Dibble , Kevin Kennedy, Larry Bowa, and Buck Martinez. FOX baseball commentator and former Boston Red Sox manager Kevin Kennedy is pictured right and former Cincinnati Reds all-star pitcher Rob Dibble is at left.
[View hi-res version of Kennedy and Dibble]
Want the schedule for MLB Home Plate beginning February 15? Well here it is (all times Eastern):
* 6- 9 am: "MLB This Morning," a news-magazine-style show featuring leading sportscaster Mark Patrick, former Philadelphia Phillies All-Star shortstop Larry Bowa, and veteran player, manager, and broadcaster Buck Martinez.
* 9 am - 12 noon: "MLB This Morning" (encore broadcast)
* 12 noon - 2 pm: "MLB Beat," featuring the nation's top baseball writers talking one-on-one with Los Angeles Dodgers' play-by-play man Charley Steiner.
* 2 - 3 pm: "Fantasy Focus," hosted by sportscaster Phil Wood, is a show for the millions of fantasy league participants, with reviews of the best and worst fantasy players and advice to callers about how best to manage their teams.
* 3 - 6 pm: "The Show," with FOX Sports baseball commentator and former Boston Red Sox manager Kevin Kennedy and former Cincinnati Reds star pitcher Rob Dibble, is a fast-paced afternoon show with top guests, game previews, and listener call-ins.
* 6 - 7 pm: "MLB On Deck," hosted by Phil Wood, delivers live updates from the ballparks across the country before each evening's line-up of games.
* 7 - 11 pm: "MLB Live," featuring Ronnie Lane, with guests, callers, game updates, and live game action throughout the evening.
* 11 pm - 3 am: "MLB Live," the late edition, hosted by Joe Castellano, offers game highlights, analysis, callers, and previews of upcoming match-ups.
* 3 - 6 am: "MLB Archives," including rebroadcasts of classic Major League Baseball games.
XM will add its suite of 15 channels for live play-by-play coverage of MLB games in March. Coverage will include broadcasts of every MLB team during the regular season and postseason, as well as select broadcasts from Spring Training. In order to reach the large number of Hispanic MLB fans, one of the 15 channels, MLB En Espanol, will be devoted to Spanish-language play-by-play and call-in shows.
MLB play-by-play channels will be XM channels 176 through 189. MLB En Espanol will be XM channel 190. XM's college sports channels will be relocated to channels 191-199.
The long awaited arrival of Major League Baseball on XM Satellite Radio kicks off on the first of many new channels: Home Plate XM Channel 175 starts tomorrow, February 15th. (At the time of posting this, the channel page was not active - we assume it will be up and running on launch day)
MLB Home Plate will be your 24/7 source for all things baseball. Never miss a minute of your favorite teams, your favorite announcers and your favorite moments in baseball history and the upcoming season.
Features shows hosted by top notch baseball analysts including Rob Dibble from ESPN's Baseball Tonight, Kevin Kennedy from Fox MLB Game of the Week, and Charley Steiner from ESPN's SportsCenter to name just a few.
This is just the beginning of the massive MLB programming that XM is in the works of unveiling. Very tight lipped about what's coming down the pipe, we do know that XM has filed for several sevice marks in late January directly involving the MLB deal:
- Home Plate
- XM Baseball Beat
- XM On Deck
- Don't Miss a Minute
Expect to see a ton more MLB news and info from XM in the upcoming weeks.
Sea Launch's XM-3 Mission page has been updated again with some really cool pics of the process of preparing for the launch on February 16th.
Here's some direct links to the photo highlights:
- Payload Rollout from the Payload Processing Facility to the Sea Launch Commander
- Rocket Transfer from the Ship to the Odyssey Launch Platform
- Rocket Rollout and Erection on launch pad for the final tests
- Departure of the Odyssey Launch Platform
- Departure of the Sea Launch Commander
Neat stuff.
AutoWeek published an article today about XM's Connect-and-Play technology being competition for Delphi, the leading supplier of both Sirius and XM satellite receivers for automakers. Currently, 'traditional' factory-installed satrad units cost about $325. Yet Connect-and-Play costs an estimated $50, and reduces the size of the receiver architecture and combines it into the antenna; so the competition to Delphi could indeed be fierce.
Connect-and-Play is undergoing vehicle testing at XM's research center in Florida. XM's biggest challenge is developing an antenna that can survive the extreme temperatures, harsh vibrations and styling demands required by automakers.
Moving the satellite radio's electronics from the receiver to the antenna is "a trend the entire industry is heading to," says Bob Schumacher, business line executive for integrated media systems for Delphi. Maybe Delphi will soon be releasing a response to Connect-and-Play?
Connect-and-Play will show up in home units next month in such brands as Pioneer, Harman Kardon and Boston Acoustics.
The rumor mill started churning when Mel Karmazin hinted that Oprah Winfrey is on his talent wish list to join with Sirius at an analyst call a few weeks back.
At the 2005 Media Summit, Mel danced around a question about who is on his on-air wish list, acknowledging he had dropped Ms. Winfrey's name, but clarified the earlier mention about Oprah which drew some laughter from the crowd, "I said, 'If Oprah was interested, we'd return her call.'"
Other personalities rumored to be on Sirius' want-list include former President Bill Clinton and his wife, New York Senator Hillary Clinton.
All three would probably compete with Stern as the best damn paid people in radio.
XM's "official" word is that the Pioneer AirWare XM2go unit will be released in "Spring" of this year. But rumors have been flying around that the new AirWare XM2go unit will be out in late-March. This is probably fueled by CNET's coverage of the AirWare (see video for the mention of March). Incidently, CNET can't seem to decide whether to call it the "AirWare" or "AirWave" - just to set the record straight, it's the Pioneer AirWare XM2go unit. See the word mark recently filed a few weeks ago here:
Word Mark: AIRWARE
Goods and Services: Satellite radio receivers, and parts and accessories thereof, namely headphones, batteries, adapter kits connecting to car audio apparatus and/or home audio apparatus, hard drives for audio and video data storages, and computer software for converting and editing audio and video data
Serial Number: 78554974
Filing Date: January 27, 2005
Now, the fact that Pioneer added 'video data' to the Word Mark brings up a lot of speculation, but I wouldn't get alarmed over it just yet. Just lawyers preparing for all scenarios in my opinion.
Our guess is that if the AirWare was going to be released in March, XM would've said so. When a company sets a "Spring" release date, it almost always means April, so you still have time to save your lunch money. (UPDATE: No more guessing, the Pioneer AirWare is available in-stores now - so there you have it.)
In case you needed to know, the Pioneer AirWare is in fact based off the innards of the MyFi, or more precisely all XM2go units will share the same platform. User interface and form factor will vary from unit to unit.
The main question people have been asking is whether the black-stuff around the unit is an exposed antenna. To be honest, we don't know yet. Once we get our anxious hands on an AirWare unit, a full dissection will be done and we'll document the gory procedure for everyone to observe. For now, you can just oogle over the hi-res picture we have here:
[Pioneer AirWare XM2go Hi-Res Image]
---
UPDATE:
Many have been asking me where they could buy the Pioneer AirWare XM2go now that it's available for sale.. so just so you don't need to waste time searching, you can get it at the absolute lowest price here without a doubt. Free shipping, lowest price, and if you order through that link I make a couple bucks (and I need all the help I can get).
At today's Conference Call, XM was asked about Mel's announcement on not having a Sirius / iPod partnership, and apparently XM has been in talks with Apple as well.
To paraphrase, Apple is focused on driving down the costs of the iPod and fighting off growing competition in that market, and they're "happy where they are" as of now. Steve Jobs supposedly said that he'll be happy to be wrong, and isn't ruling anything out, but the announcement of an iPod Satellite won't happen anytime soon.
The question still remains about the XM SkyPod trademark, but my personal hunch is that XM is preparing an iPod Accessory that will enable satellite radio reception on the iPod using XM's Connect-and-Play technology.
Just as a reminder, XM's Q4 2004 Earnings Release will be tomorrow. You'll be able to listen to the Conference Call here on Thursday, February 10, 2005 10:00 a.m. ET.
I dunno what's my obsession with this AirTran / XM deal, whether it's the big news of free Satellite Radio being available on flights, or just Elton John's big head plastered along the side of a perfectly good plane.
Either way, AirTran recently published the announcement page on their site featuring this lovely shot of Elton holding a big replica of a Boeing 717.
Surprisingly enough, upon seeing the design featuring his image, Elton John commented, "This plane looks fantastic."
At least we now know some numbers. AirTran Airways currently has three planes with XM Satellite Radio service and plans to have XM installed on 20 planes by the end of February. While the remainder of the fleet will get XM installed through summer 2005.
But nevermind all that! Did you know that Elton John's head on the 717 is comparable in dimensions to the head of the Statue of Liberty? Isn't that fantastic?
Starting this month, Cadillac will begin offering XM NavTraffic, satellite-fed real-time traffic information service for vehicle navigation systems. First available on the CTS, the XM NavTraffic system will provide continuously-updated traffic information in a selected city.
Purchasers of a 2005 CTS equipped with the DVD nav system will get the first three months of XM Satellite Radio and the XM NavTraffic service free. Following the trial period, drivers can subscribe to XM Satellite Radio or the XM NavTraffic service for $9.99/month, or subscribe to both for $13.98/month.
Pretty neat that they're offering the NavTraffic independently from the satellite radio service. A smart move as most will opt for the $14/month package anyway, but it leaves a better impression with customers to at least offer a choice.
Alright racefans, get your Gordon and Earnhardt diecasts ready, cause XM Satellite Radio is kicking off the 2005 NASCAR season this week with live coverage on NASCAR Radio - XM Channel 144, and a host of special events for NASCAR fans at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.
XM, will air more than 100 hours of live and first-run broadcasts during the season-opening NASCAR Speedweeks in Daytona Beach, starting February 12 with the Budweiser Shootout and culminating on February 20 with the 47th annual Daytona 500. NASCAR Radio's Claire B. Lang will host her three-hour daily "Dialed In" program (4-7 p.m. ET) live from Daytona during Speedweeks, giving listeners an all-access pass to inside interviews with NASCAR drivers and personalities.
NASCAR Radio and NASCAR Radio 2 - XM Channel 145, will air the full slate of races from Daytona International Speedway (all times Eastern):
February 12: Budweiser Shootout, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, 8 p.m.
February 17: Gatorade Duel, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, 1 p.m.
February 18: Florida Dodge Dealers 250, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, 8 p.m.
February 19: Hershey's TAKE 5 300, NASCAR Busch Series, 1 p.m.
February 20: Daytona 500, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, 1 p.m.
You know we love any info on the possible Sirius / iPod Satellite Radio Rumor, but apparently Sirius Satellite Radio CEO Mel Karmazin said he has had discussions with Apple's CEO Steve Jobs about the possibility of adding satellite-radio service to iPods.
"I've spoken to Steve Jobs," said Karmazin, speaking Wednesday morning at a media conference in New York. He went on to say that the "current thinking" at Apple is that "they don't need to put a satellite radio in their box."
Karmazin declined to elaborate on his discussions with Jobs. Karmazin said he believes that adding satellite radio would be an enhancement to MP3s and other portable music devices. He likens the possibility to Sony Corp.'s (SNE) Walkman, a gadget whose popularity soared when radio was added. Sirius is likely to launch its own portable satellite radio device in time for this year's holiday season, Karmazin said.
"Do I think (a satellite radio-MP3 player combo) is going to happen some day in the future? Absolutely," said April Horace, a satellite radio analyst with Janco Partners. But whether XM or Sirius nabs Apple or another MP3 maker like Sony or Virgin first is anybody's guess, she said.
Thanks candlebougie!
As we reported before, Sea Launch is preparing for the launch of XM Satellite Radio's XM-3 satellite. Sea Launch's page now lists that liftoff will take place at the opening of a one-hour launch windo at 7:53pm PST on February 16th (Feb. 17, 3:53 GMT).
Click to see a live webcam from Sea Launch's Odyssey Launch Platform.
The Avalon club chain (with venues in New York, Hollywood and Boston) is launching a weekly dance-music program on XM Satellite Radio.
The show, "Coast to Coast" (C2C), will air Friday nights on XM's The Move - Channel 80 from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. ET, starting February 25.
Hosted by international DJ and Avalon Boston musical director Dave Ralph, C2C will feature DJ sets, as well as DJ and artist interviews, from the three clubs.
"This is about bringing cutting-edge dance music to the masses," Avalon Los Angeles co-owner Steve Adelman explains. "We'll bring the Avalon experience to people around the world."
Well, today's the day for the XM promotion Elton John promotion on select AirTran jets.
And as a testiment for excellent branding opportunities, "The traffic controller this morning was calling it Elton One," AirTran spokesman Tad Hutcheson said Monday.
AirTran said it plans to give Sir Elton John a 6-foot-long model of a jet as well as a $50,000 check for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Thanks Brendan!
Beginning this month, W Hotel Guests can tune into their choice of SIRIUS content when they check into select suites at W Hotels. The partnership is an ideal fit with W Hotels' boutique style and comprehensive business services. They've agreed to make SIRIUS radios available in select guest suites at the W - Times Square and the W Los Angeles - Westwood.
HotelChatter took the photo pictured here which should be representative of an in-room unit you will find in the W suites.
Designers, celebrities, press and other VIPs attending New York's Fashion Week at Bryant Park can preview the layout of a SIRIUS-equipped W Hotel room in W's backstage VIP lounge from February 7-11.
XM Satellite Radio has just announced they will serve as the title sponsor of the XM Satellite Radio Indy 200 at the Phoenix International Raceway on March 19. The Indy Racing League (IRL) IndyCar Series event, which will air nationwide on ABC television at 3:00 pm ET, is the second race in the series' tenth anniversary season. We can only assume this is only the beginning.
The sponsorship of the XM Satellite Radio Indy 200 is part of a multi-year marketing agreement with International Speedway Corporation (ISC), a major promoter of motorsports activities in the United States.
As a result, XM will have an on-site presence this year at 25 racing events sanctioned by IRL IndyCar Series and NASCAR at ten ISC tracks, including the Daytona International Speedway, California Speedway, and Richmond International Raceway. This agreement gives XM a major presence at NASCAR and IRL IndyCar Series events at ISC tracks all over the country.
Hot on the tail on a report about satellite radio's big draw being about no commercials (based on a J.P. Morgan survey), J.P. Morgan come out with another story that satellite radio is peaking - concluded from the results of the same survey.
The reasoning? From the survey, 35 percent said they had interest in subscribing satellite radio in December, down from the 43 percent who expressed such an interest in a May poll.
"We believe [the latest poll data] shows that new content exclusives are not expanding the overall market (although they are shifting share to Sirius), that new subscribers are more price-sensitive than early adopters and that new alternative technologies, such as Apple's iPod, may be eroding consumer interest," wrote Analyst Barton Crockett in a note to clients.
7 percentage points? C'mon. What about subscriber numbers telling a more accurate story than a survey? It's all about sales numbers - not surveys.
Reuters reports that satellite radio's biggest attraction isn't original content like Howard Stern, but rather the absence of commercials, according to a survey released on Monday by J.P. Morgan.
Surprising? Not really. Terrestrial Radio has made commercials so long and so frequent that listening is unbearable now. The same was with Cable TV back-in-the-day when being commercial-free was a selling point. Hence my biggest fear that satellite radio will get sold out to advertisers due to the explosive spending and the eventual need to be in the black.
Anyway, the survey of 1,600 consumers, which included subscribers as well as non-subscribers, found almost two-thirds of subscribers' radio listening time is spent with satellite radio over traditional radio. Commercial-free programming is the biggest driver of demand.
But from the Reuters article even more interesting is the statement that, according to J.P. Morgan's forecasts Satellite Radio is expected to have nearly 35 million subscribers by 2010. J.P. Morgan estimates that satellite radio likely will eat into traditional radio listeners by 3.5 percent in 2010. That amount could grow if more satellite radio is available in other places beyond users' cars, J.P. Morgan said.
I was knee deep in a case of Sam Adams in an early celebration for a Pats victory last night when the Napster To Go commercial came on. Before the commercial could even finish I was cursing up a storm about what a retarded concept 'renting' your music is... when suddenly someone said, "It's just like satellite radio!"
(music stops, crowd silences, women whisk children away)
At the time of the comment, I simply shrugged it off and got distracted by all the action. But the comparison of the Napster To Go service to Satellite Radio is a ridiculous one.
First off, is the convenience factor. With NTG I still need to sit down and take the time to download all the music onto my compatible player. I also need to poke around for the type of music I want to listen to. I'm essentially tied to my computer if I want to update anything. Satellite Radio? I just dial in, and sit back. All the work is done for me.
Ok, what about the control factor? With NTG you have complete control right! Not really. You don't get anymore control than Satellite Radio. Want to burn a CD from the music you just heard? Nope sorry. Subscribers still have to use to use the pay-per-download servide to burn an audio CD. Plus with NTG I don't all the other content like talk/comedy/entertainment. If on a whim I want to listen to comedy, I'd have to go back to my computer and hook in to NTG. So I actually have less control.
And before you naysayers bust in with your Netflix comparison, think for a second. Music = 5 minutes each. Movies = 2 hours. The format is different, the industry is different, and attention span of a listener over a watcher is just a little different. You can't just add up business models and hope they'll stick (though that's exactly what Napster is doing).
So what's the benefit of Napster To Go? Nothing. It's a piece of crap, and damnit I'm offended someone even compared the two. What's your thoughts? Love it? Hate it? Think Napster is the coolest thing ever?
Both XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio are bringing the 47th annual GRAMMY awards to their listeners with a slew of features and events on multiple channels from both satcasters.
Sirius' coverage goes from Friday, February 11th through Monday, February 14th on many of its commercial-free music channels.
Sirius on-air GRAMMY events:
Friday, February 11
From 6 - 7 pm ET, Blue Note Records President Bruce Lundvall looks at this year's GRAMMY nominees and past winners during his weekly SIRIUS program The Blue Note Hour on Pure Jazz, channel 72. At 7 pm ET, Led Zeppelin is being presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award as part of this year's GRAMMYS festivities, so Classic Vinyl channel 14 honors the band with a weekend-long "Get the Led Out for Their Award" special, featuring lots of Led Zeppelin music.
Saturday, February 12
Starting at 12 pm ET: Host Jason Drew provides GRAMMY reports and updates from Los Angeles throughout the day on SIRIUS Hits 1. From 1 pm - 7 pm ET, Channel 50 Hot Jamz host and 2004 GRAMMY nominee MC Lyte presents music from 2005 hip-hop GRAMMY nominees. At 10 pm ET, Artist interviews from the red carpet, and artist performances from one of the music industry's most exclusive events: the annual Clive Davis / BMG U.S. Pre-GRAMMY Party at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, only on SIRIUS Hits 1. And at 10 pm ET, JazzTimes publisher Lee Mergner predicts this year's jazz category GRAMMY winners with Pure Jazz channel 72 host Matt Abramovitz.
Sunday, February 13
Starting at 12 pm ET: SIRIUS Hits 1 host Jason Drew in Los Angeles provides the latest pre-GRAMMY updates, and exclusive live performances from some of today's hottest artists at the Clive Davis/ BMG U.S. Pre-GRAMMY party, throughout the day. The from 1 - 7 pm ET: Channel 50 Hot Jamz host and 2004 GRAMMY nominee MC Lyte presents music from 2005 hip-hop GRAMMY nominees. At 4 pm - 12 midnight ET: Pure Jazz Channel 72 announces the jazz winners with live coverage of the GRAMMY telecast throughout the afternoon. From 7 pm - 12 midnight ET: Live from the GRAMMYS, Jason Drew reports from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on SIRIUS Hits 1 and The Beat Channel 66. From 7 pm - 12 midnight ET, Hip-Hop Nation Channel 40 hosts Amanda Diva and DJ Envy report the GRAMMY action during the telecast, with West coast reporter Eddie One calling in with live color commentary.
Monday, February 14
Starting at 7 am ET: Tune in for a full GRAMMY recap, including highlights, soundbites and more, on SIRIUS Hits 1 and The Pulse Channel 9.
XM's GRAMMY coverage goes from Tuesday, February 8th through Sunday, February 13th on many of its own channels.
XM GRAMMY Event highlights include:
Tuesday, February 8th
Get Your Grammy On: 2005
February 8 @ 8AM / 2PM / 8PM ET
All week, Vh1 Radio XM 156 previews the nominees in the biggest categories. Hear the back story on the nominees and the critically acclaimed songs. Plus hear from the potential GRAMMY grabbers themselves! Each day previews a new category leading up to VH1's live broadcast at Sunday night's GRAMMYs!
Friday, February 11TH
All weekend long, get ready for the biggest night in music as Highway 16 - XM 16 celebrates the country Grammy nominees. Listen all weekend long for everything you need to know about the artists and music nominated for the 47th Grammy Awards. Also all weekend, 80s - XM 8 celebrates the 47th GRAMMY Awards with one of a kind live GRAMMYs performances by Rick Springfield, Huey Lewis and the News, Kenny Loggins, Tina Turner, Phil Collins, Billy Idol, and many more! And from at 8AM ET on Real Jazz - XM 70, Jackson Brady and Journalist Willard Jenkins play the music of, and take an irreverent look at, all the nominees in the Jazz category for this year's 47th GRAMMY Awards.
Saturday, February 12th
From 2-4PM ET, 20 on 20's Michelle and The City's Lisa Lisa give you LIVE! GRAMMY Pre-Show - the inside scoop on the GRAMMYs, taking you to one the hottest events in town, the Music Cares event. Hear their GRAMMY picks, fashion picks, and the best places to spot hot celebs this weekend in LA!
Sunday, February 13th
Starting Noon ET, take a look back on GRAMMY nominated artists like Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, and Simon and Garfunkel as the 70s - XM 7 re-creates all the excitement of The GRAMMY Awards from 1970-1979.
At 4-8PM ET, LIVE! GRAMMYs Red Carpet Coverage, E! - XM 162 takes you LIVE to the Staples Center in Los Angeles for Red Carpet Coverage of the 47th Annual GRAMMY Awards! And from 7PM-Midnight ET on MTV - XM 155 / VH1 - XM 156, VH1's Kevin K! and MTV's Kim Kane host this year's biggest GRAMMY Gala in NYC, dishing the dirt and playing the songs that made this last year in music unforgettable. Plus, VH1's Maria Chambers and MTV's Evan James join the broadcast from The 47th GRAMMY Awards in LA with backstage and VIP access.
Tomorrow, AirTran Airways will roll out the first of its planes equipped with free XM Satellite Radio. The airline will equip its Boeing 717 (which recently Boeing has been ended production) and Boeing 737 planes to offer XM in every seat, and will all of its planes will be outfitted with XM receivers by the end of summer.
To market this, AirTran is sticking giant decals of singer Elton John's mug on a handful of its planes. (Smart move since everyone associates Elton John with XM... right? no? nothing? Note to XM Marketing Dept: Brand recognition begins with - the brand.)
Meanwhile, JetBlue Airways also will introduce the XM programming fleetwide on its Airbus aircraft this year, and it will be added to the airline's new fleet of Embraer 190 aircraft when they're put into service this year.
Both AirTran and JetBlue will offer XM satellite radio service for free to passengers.
CNBC on MSN Money: With more than 1,200 radio stations in the United States reaching more than 100 million listeners a week, Clear Channel Communications is the industry's goliath.. With about one-tenth the audience, Sirius Satellite Radio is the David. And their battle is just beginning.
A rather dull read in my opinion. More interesting is the disclosure at the end of the article: (CNBC is carried on Sirius and its competitor XM Satellite Radio. It holds warrants to buy stock XM Satellite.)
