June 2005 Archives

XM Satellite Radio has announced that it will expand its broadcast coverage of the LIVE 8 concerts to include every artist and every performance live from London, Paris, Berlin, Rome, Philadelphia, and Barrie (Toronto).

That’s more than 55 hours of performances and as a result XM will dedicate seven channels to the LIVE 8 performances on July 2nd - one for each city!

Also an anchor channel will cut to live performances in different cities around the globe. The XM channels that will be covering the event can be found after the jump:

Audible has announced that they’ll be making much of their content available in Podcast form (via secure RSS syndication). With XM’s partnership with Audible, I wonder if this is an indication that XM may be offering Podcast content by proxy in the future.

This seems to be the beginning of a big Podcast initiative by Audible. We don’t know whether XM content will be made available via secure RSS, but it’s a distinct possibility.

Best seller Judith Regan will be joining SIRIUS Satellite Radio creating and hosting The Judith Regan Show.

The weekly two-hour talk show will air exclusively on SIRIUS Talk Central, channel 148.

Regan’s show will highlight a wide range of topics from the world of current events, pop culture, politics, the media, entertainment, health, relationships and more.

Inside Radio is buzzing about a possible deal between Sirius Satellite Radio and ABC Radio. Two scenarios are being hinted at:

1. Sirius possibly acquiring terrestrial ABC Radio. (No FCC regulations prohibiting this)

2. Sirius acquiring an over-the-air network/syndication operation providing Sirius with a rich new source of content.

Very very interesting. All just speculation right now, but I wonder where this rumor came from?

According to Reuters Sony Electronics said that it has had talks with both XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio about music devices, though no deals are signed (yet?).

Sony also said it hopes to add some spice to its Connect online music service (NOTE: link not Firefox compatable) by adding features, as they try to compete with Apple’s iPod and iTunes music service.

Sounds like an indicator that something big is on the horizon in terms of music services + satellite radio (cough cough Remora cough). Let’s see.

We just got word that XM Satellite Radio will be unveiling a Japanese music channel that will feature Japanese-only Pop, Rock, R&B, and Hip-hop. Chris Simonds of JPOP USA announced this first ever JPOP radio station during an interview on Episode 55 of the J!-ENT RADIO podcast (about 18 minutes into the podcast).

The channel, called Radio Wasabi, will be starting in August and will be providing limited cuts of music in 4-hour repeating segments. As it grows, we should see full 24/7 programming by the beginning of next year. (UPDATE: As we all know now, this information is incorrect. See more on update below.)

Radio Wasabi will also be supplying podcasts and unveiling their website (not up yet) in early July.

Interestingly enough, if you listen to the podcast Chris Simonds leaks that "in July, there's going to be a LOT of announcements" (21 minutes 40 seconds into it) about XM Satellite Radio. No clue what, but he did indicate that they couldn't give Radio Wasabi a channel number yet as a result. (Speculate away on that bit of info)

More to come on this I'm sure...

Thanks Vyse!

UPDATE: Uhm, yeah, apparently the information provided on this was false. It's interesting that the podcast gave so much information, yet as we can see nothing came about with Radio Wasabi. I know a lot of you were excited to hear about this, so I do apologize for getting everyone's hopes up.

SIRIUS Satellite Radio has hired Jennifer Betka as the VP of Interactive. Betka, a former top online marketer with Time Warner, AOL and Ogilvy, will be responsible for creating an innovative Internet presence and marketing platform for SIRIUS, including the development and implementation of enhanced programming features and e-business initiatives.

(psst, hey Jennifer… you hiring anyone? wink wink)

XM Satellite Radio will exclusively broadcast LIVE 8 performances from London, Paris, Berlin, Rome and Philadelphia starting on July 2nd. XM personalities will be covering the performances live on location at each event.

XM’s Satellite Radio LIVE 8 broadcasts begin at 9am (ET) on July 2nd with performances from London and Paris on XM LIVE (XM Channel 200) and performances from Berlin, Rome and Philadelphia on XM LIVE II (XM Channel 201).

The LIVE 8 broadcast will kick off XM’s month-long “JULIVE” celebration of live music from XM’s massive live music archives.

SIRIUS will be kicking off July 4th weekend themselves with live in-studio performance by country star Glen Campbell with legendary songwriter Jimmy Webb, as well as a live broadcast from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum featuring radio legend Cousin Brucie.

PricewaterhouseCoopers released it’s Global Entertainment and Media Outlook, and interestingly enough they didn’t feel that Satellite Radio is a big threat to Terrestrial Radio’s advertising share, based on the fact that satellite only has minimal advertising right now. Big Radio’s advertising share fell to 63.3% last year from 68.4% in 2000, so they’re losing out somewhere (PwC says to local cable).

They did point out that Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio could hold down terrestrial radio?s advertising growth. If advertising does take off on Satellite Radio, it’ll be with national advertisers (duh) which interestingly enough represents about 20% of Terrestrial?s business.

PwC is forecasting satellite radio subscribers to be 20.5 million strong by 2009.

I just wanted to throw the f-bomb into a post title. One of the freedoms that bloggers have and that the mainstream media doesn’t. Fuck figgidy fuck fuck fuck. Oh right, I did have a point here. ‘Jack’ sucks and it shows Big Radio’s despiration at trying to dig up old formats in hopes to keep your attention. I’m not the only one who feels that way.

A member of XM411 has created a dope little program that streams XM online through the PocketPC, and even more gooder is he’s offering it as a free download here. Very nice. I reported about another PocketPC program a while back, but that cost something like $45 - XstreamXM is free! That’s the kinda price we like.

Hopefully we can have something similar for Sirius online soon as well.

Thanks Scott!

Subaru and a couple other car markers are deciding to play both sides of the fence when it comes to supplying Satellite Radio in cars. Can’t blame them, it’s a good idea to give the customer a choice for several reasons. Sure, people from both sides of the XM or SIRIUS camp will want to have exclusive agreements, but don’t you think that interoperability is inevitable?

The Future of Radio asks that question. With the way the deal has played out so, I don’t think either the US or Canada are very excited. Allowing satellite radio in Canada is great, but c’mon, at what cost?

Howard Stern’s TV show is ready to end on the E! Channel, July 8th, and there’s some question as to which network might pick up where E! left off. Sources are speculating that Spike TV is most definitely in the running. With Sirius Satellite Radio remodeling 36th floor offices in the McGraw-Hill Building like crazy in preparation for Howard and TV crew, there’s no doubt that the Stern Show will definitely not end .

Sirius staffers were recently moved to make room for the Stern crew and the satellite tracking system was moved out of its location adjacent to the 36th floor lobby to make room for Stern’s air studio.

As 2006 approaches and Sirius has gotten further along in their remodeling, Orbitcast is hoping to get a sneak peek at the upgraded facilities. We’ll see what can be done.

Awesome. Finally we have a way to rebroadcast XM Satellite Radio wirelessly to multiple receivers. The new XM Signal Repeater by Delphi. With the Delphi XM Signal Repeater, you’re now able to wirelessly rebroadcast the XM signal throughout your house without needing to use separate antennas or long antenna extensions. Very nice.

The Delphi XM Signal Repeater includes both a transmitter and a repeater antenna. The transmitter relays the signal from any home antenna up to 75 feet (supposedly through walls and floors) to one or more repeater antennas. The repeater antennas gets plugged into your XM radio unit and converts the signal just like the home antenna.

For a cost of about $169 for the main Delphi XM Signal Repeater, and additional repeater antennas at $69 each it’s not a bad deal considering the hassle it saves.

—

UPDATE: One note because a few people have been asking me this. This does NOT broadcast the Satellite signal itself to other antennas. It simply receives the Satellite signal and converts it so it can be read by the repeater antennas. Just want to clarify that.

Doing the math on this whole Satellite Radio in Canada deal is real fun I guess. Should CHUM throw down it’s binky and run away crying, that means that Canadian Satellite Radio and Sirius Canada will be mandated to to play 326 hours of Canuck content every day.

I feel like doing some math.

8 Channels required + 24 Hours = 192 Hours/day each broadcaster. Ok cool. That’s 384 Total hours between the two. So since it’s 85% of the channels must be Canadian content, that’s 384 * 0.85 = 326.4!

326.4 Hours of required Canadian content. Niiiice.

Starting this summer, the BBC’s popular music station Radio 1 will be broadcast in the United States over Sirius Satellite Radio. Radio 1 is renowned for introducing Britons to up-and-coming rock, pop and hip-hop musicians.

Sirius said the programming will be broadcast on a time-shift basis, so that listeners on the East Coast, could hear Chris Moyles’ popular morning show in the morning for example.

Very cool. Thanks candlebougie!

Whatever the decision the CRTC makes today, it’ll be likely to be appealed regardless of who wins. Any one of the 3 groups that are bidding for the Canadian broadcasting rights, or one of the Canadian cultural organizations, will probably going to bitch and moan about the decision. Ian Morrison, spokesman for Friends of Canadian Broadcasting, says the decision will probably end up before the federal cabinet or Federal Court. The Broadcasting Act offers unhappy applicants either route.

The topic of Canadian content appears to be the big issue, but it’s probably the current conventional broadcasters who are going to make a big stink. Only time will tell I guess.

Business Week writer Frank Bajak takes the XM’s NavTraffic powered Pioneer AVIC-N2 for a spin through Manhattan’s east side, and had a somewhat unpleasant experience. Like he says in the article, in familiar communiting grounds it might be a little easy to trick, but in unfamiliar terrority it might be a godsend.

My guess is that they’re of course working out the kinks on the system, but to plunk down all that cash only to get semi-exciting results is a little disheartening.

Sirius just announced that Steve Leeds has joined the team as the VP of Talent and Industry Affairs. Leeds has been a consultant for Sirius, working to reinforce relationships with artists and labels, and bringing new talent to the Sirius programming mix.

In his new position, he will focus on strengthening Sirius’ music and entertainment industry relationships. He will also work with labels and recording artists to emphasize the Sirius’ commitment to breaking new artists and offering new platforms for exposure.

If the CRTC decides in his favor today, John Bitove, the former co-owner of the Toronto Raptors, said that he’d consider taking his Canadian Satellite Radio (CSR) IPO. CSR is partnered with XM Satellite Radio who has the option to buy one-third of the company as part of the venture.

Audiographics obtained an internal memo (I won’t ask) from Lee Abrams, XM Satellite Radio’s Chief Programming Officer, rallying up the troops in Programming.

It’s actually a pretty cool memo, and I’m impressed with the level of transparent honesty (if my boss cursed in an email, I’d shit myself - but when Lee does it, it’s inspiring funny enough). You can’t really read the memo and disagree, and I dunno - all the points he brings up are pretty valid in my book. Very cool stuff even if you’re on the Sirius camp.

But you all know I drank the Kool-aid a long time ago, so go ahead and read it yourself (PDF) and if you’ve got some arguements against what he has to say, feel free to comment about it here.

XM’s MyFi was featured in an article by MSNBC about Great radios for the outdoors (check the 2nd page for the mention). The article praises the MyFi but brings up the fact that the MyFi’s earphones suck (which, well, I can’t really argue with).

But even more amusing is that the article is by Gary Krakow, whom I’ve had some loving words for in the past. Heh.

Just got this email from Air America - pretty interesting.

Dear Loyal Air America Radio Listeners:

As you are aware, beginning July 11th, Air America Radio will broadcast exclusively with XM Satellite Radio. This partnership is giving us an extra leg to stand on, allows us to develop more programming, and moves us forward into the future with a strong foundation.

We recognize that this change has inconvenienced you. We greatly value your support for Air America Radio and would like to offer you a special promotion from Air America Radio and XM Radio, which we intend to send out next week.

Thank you very much for expressing your concerns to us, for your patience during this time of transition, and most important of all, for your continued support for Air America Radio.

Kind regards,

Air America Radio

Looking forward to see what the Air America / XM promotion is...

Wow, that’s scary - looks like my guess was dead on - SIRIUS Satellite Radio just announced they’ve signed a deal with Sprint to offer select SIRIUS content, over the Sprint network soon to be available. Right now details are still sketchy, but we’ll find out more when both Sprint and Sirius give us more specifics later this year.

Sprint’s current Internet radio service, MSpot, contains 13 channels available for $5.95/month (or for free if you’re a Vision Multimedia Services subscriber). I expect that this new deal will be a combination of MSpot and SIRIUS, but what the new service is branded under is probably still under debate.

The implications of this deal are huge. Sprint PCS has something like 26 million subscribers, with I think about 6.7 Million Vision subscribers alone. The market reach possible is pretty impressive. Factor in the Sprint-Nextel merger, the reach could get even bigger. You want huge? THIS IS HUGE.

NICE. Gizmodo got their sleezy hands on a dope graphic of the XM Satellite Radio / Raytheon MESA Network we reported on a few weeks back. Apparently Gizmodo has an XM insider (“Hearsay Man”) who feeds them this juicy stuff - wish we had our own Hearsay Man, but then again Orbitcast isn’t nearly as cool. :)

A bigger image is available after the jump.

SIRIUS Satellite Radio has developed a new, advanced proprietary technology that will initially increase the company?s total network capacity by approximately 25%. Known as hierarchical modulation, this new technology will allow SIRIUS to offer additional audio channels, as well as advanced services such as data and video, without affecting the quality of its broadcasts.

Developed by SIRIUS? Advanced Development Team based in Lawrenceville, NJ, the hierarchical modulation will work over SIRIUS? current network, with only minimal upgrades to its satellite uplink and terrestrial repeater infrastructure.

Backwards compatible, this new modulation technology will not have any impact on existing receivers, but future receivers will be outfitted allowing them to receive the additional services enabled.

This is all expected to rollout in the second half of 2006.

So this post from Pitpundit came across my radar today and got me a little riled up. Yeah yeah yeah, the obvious debate between Podcasting vs. Satellite Radio has been brought up before (ad-nauseum in some opinions), but Pitpundit’s take is that Podcasting is “superior” to Satellite Radio.

The key reason? “…people prefer to compile their own programming and then consume it when it is convenient.”

Uhhh, right, but how is it that Satellite Radio isn’t capable of doing that? That’s all in the interface. Once all of Satellite’s time-shifting capabilities are ironed out (and they will be soon), you’ve got effortless customization. Podcasting’s benefit isn’t being able to compile programming - but rather to listen to highly targeted content that you wouldn’t be able to get elsewhere.

The way I see it, Podcasting and Satellite aren’t competing. They have a common enemy - Big Radio. We need Satellite Podcasting to exist for the two to really have an impact. To cover micro-markets and mass-markets. I love many Podcasts, while others are like shrapnel to my ears. What I really want is the ease of use that Satellite provides, with true customability. I don’t want hours of preselected Podcasts like Adam Curry’s show (though I understand what he’s trying to do, and it’s a step in the right direction), because it’s not targeted to ME. The Audible/XM deal is getting close, though I’m curious about the interface and the personable micro-market content isn’t there.

No, what we need to stop comparing Podcasting and Satellite, and instead combine the two. Create an interface that allows a Satellite Radio subscriber to select their own individual Podcasts through a single dedicated channel that is stored in the receiver’s memory. When the Podcast is updated, boom, it gets downloaded wherever you are. Nice. And when I want to listen to infinite amounts of music I can just turn the dial. Beautiful. Mass and micro from a simple interface anywhere I go - that’s what I want.

The Daily News has a hilarious write-up about the latest O&A Assault on the Media stunts. No, it’s not intended to be hilarious, in fact the author tries his best to scold those bad ssshhock jocks, but in essence he’s playing right into their hand. And that’s funny.

Oh sure, he tries his best with statements like “And, yes, I realize just writing about them will empower more of the weasels to hit the street.” But that’s not the point. It has nothing to do with empowerment - it’s exposure. By doing an entire writeup calling Opie and Anthony “jerks,” “knuckleheads” and the ever-so-intimidating “insensitive and inconsiderate” all he’s doing is adding to the PR concept behind it all.

Wah wah wah, complain about it all you want. But the fact of the matter is, if you don’t find the Assault on the Media funny - then you wouldn’t find O&A funny - and thus they really don’t give a shit about you. Opie and Anthony’s audience, 18-34 males, find embarassed and flustered reporters damn funny… especially if Richard Huff of the Daily News doesn’t.

Inside Bay Area has a little news bit on the expanding portability of Satellite Radio. They mention the new deal between XM and Audible to create their AudibleReady/XM Device, and mention the upcoming Xact ReGo for Sirius. OK great.

But even more interesting than any of that is this statement from Jim Collins from SIRIUS Satellite Radio talking about satellite radio integration with cell phones, “We are device agnostic. We are looking to operate on cell phones soon.”

Now, we all know that cellphone integration is the next logical step (though cell companies might want to work on nationwide coverage a little better) and both satellite radio company’s know this. I’m most impressed with the “soon” claim though. The question is, how soon? Sirius’ chipset can’t support the size needed for proper integration, that’s something everyone can admit. But Jim Collins would have said “within the next few years” if it was chipset integration he meant. What if something else is in the works?

What if “operate on cell phones soon” has nothing to do with all out integration - but instead delivery though the already integrated cell phone music services?

Food for thought.

Yesterday we reported that XM was granted an extension for an Special Temporary Authority (STA) from the FCC for the use of a mini-repeater tower during it’s PGA Tour broadcasts.

Total RF (the production company in objection of the STA) and XM were given until today to figure out the interference issues that were of concern. Well that deadline has come and XM has won the authority to use the mini-repeater towers. No word as to what (if any) resolution was made between Total RF and XM.

XMSR announced this morning that it has put 9.7 million shares of common stock in a public offering resulting in $300 million gross, with a closing expected on June 14th.

XM Satellite Radio plans to use the proceeds for the launch of XM-4 (“Blues”) in mid-to-late 2006, construction payments for XM-5, payments for 3rd-party programming, repayment of debt and other strategic initiatives and stuff.

With XM Satellite Radio broadcasting the PGA golf tour and distributing XM2go units to tournament attendees, they applied for a Special Temporary Authority (STA) from the FCC to operate these mini-repeaters at PGA Tour events to ensure a consistant signal. Total RF has been against XM?s request, claiming that the terrestrial repeater would cause interference to its own wireless services at PGA Tour events.

The FCC has granted an extension to the STA to June 10th while XM and Total RF sort things out.

Link via The Future of Radio

Bruce Morrow, aka the famed “Cousin Brucie” will be joining SIRIUS Satellite Radio and host popular hit music of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. He will host three regularly scheduled programs each week and several daily features.

Bruce Morrow has been on the New York airwaves for more than 40 years and was inducted into the NAB Radio Hall of Fame, Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame, and a bunch more.

His debut on SIRIUS will be during the July 4th weekend broadcasting from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

Hey wow, this is a funny little tidbit. Looks like the New York State Broadcasters Association (NYSBA) is sick and tired of all the damn publicity that Satellite Radio has been getting, and gosh-darnit they’re fighting back!

They’re offering a $10,000 prize for the best spots tooting “free” terrestrial radio vs satellite radio - I guess because attempts to do this by Big Radio in the past were lackluster (to put it nicely). The winning spots will be distributed to all New York stations for air-time with a winner announced at NYSBA?s Conference at the end of this month.

Well shit, I need some money and I know the NYSBA reads Orbitcast - so here’s some suggestions:

“Satellite Radio can go F off and suck my C, because NY Radio kicks A. Listen to us - we use letters to express what we really want to say.”

“When you’re in New York you can listen to our stations, but with Satellite Radio you can listen EVERYWHERE and that’s just not cool!”

“New York Radio… We have John Montone!”

“If you’ve had your teeth filled, you can’t pick up Satellite Radio - Ha! Take that!”

“Traffic and Weather together on the 8’s. 20-minute commercial blocks. Identical Top 40 formats throughout all our stations. You can’t get identical templates on Satellite!”

Found on The Future of Radio (awesome site, go check it out)

Got your own coolio NY Radio spot suggestions? Go ahead and post them here. Big Radio needs all the help they can get.

XM Satellite Radio is hitting this year’s Bonnaroo music festival big time with live broadcast performances from June 10th to June 12th.

Broadcasting from the Bonnaroo’s main stage, comedy tent and other music stages - including the XM-sponsored Sonic Stage in the Bonnaroo Sonic Village - XM will host live interviews and acoustic performances from the Sonic Stage throughout the weekend.

A team of XM personalities will be there including Jessie Scott of X Country, Joel Haas of XM Comedy, Grant of Squizz and Paul Bachmann of Fred (who will anchor XM’s Bannaroo coverage). On top of all that, XM’s Music Lab channel will switch over to 100% Bonnaroo content during the festival.

To kick off the festivities, starting on June 9th, XM will be playing 24 hours of live music from artists featured at this and previous Bonnaroo festivals.

Artist line-up includes: Dave Matthews Band, Trey Anastasio, Bob Weir and Ratdog, Allman Brothers Band, The Black Crowes, Joss Stone, Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters ‘05, Jack Johnson, Gov’t Mule, Toots & The Maytals, Amos Lee, John Prine, Iron & Wine and Drive By Truckers.

Check out the Bonnaroo website for more goodies.

Sirius and Ford announced a couple days ago that they’re extending Sirius’ exclusive deal with Ford to 2011, which originally was only promised for the 2006 and 2007 model-year period.

The extension doesn’t come without conditions of course, with Ford having the option to extend up to 2013 as well as the option to change the terms to non-exclusive in 2009. If Ford should decide to dump Sirius’ exclusive terms, they’d be forfeiting all future economic benefits.

The Pioneer AirWare XM2go handheld portable XM Satellite Radio receiver is finally available for sale! Featuring exactly the same internal components as the other XM2go units (like the new Tao XM2go unit), the Pioneer AirWare has a sleeker look than it’s predecessors. In my opinion, it’s my favorite design of them all, though I know many are partial to the MyFi and the new Tao. It all depends on what your style is. Other than that, there really is no difference in functionality between the others, so if you’re comparison shopping for XM2go units.. stop. It’s all about variations in form factor (and many trust the Pioneer brand as well).

You can get the Pioneer AirWare XM2go at most major electronics stores, but the best price I’ve found is here without a doubt.

[View a Large Photo of the AirWare here]

Well, the rumors were true, not that we doubted it of course, but the official word from XM has come down that the next XM-5 Satellite will be built by Space Systems/Loral.

XM-5 will be finishing construction in 2007 and is intended as a ground spare for XM's in-orbit fleet because the current spare, XM-4, is scheduled to launch in 2006.

Audible (the digitally-powered spoken-word audio service) and XM Satellite Radio have announced they will introduce a line of handheld satellite radio devices that are capable of playing both XM Satellite Radio as well as Audible content. Audible content will be downloadable into the devices’ memory through a web-based interface.

With the launch of these “AudibleReady/XM” devices in 2006, subscribers will be able to purchase audiobooks and other content from Audible and listen to it seamlessly with Satellite Radio content.

In addition to the new AudibleReady/XM devices, Audible will offer XM talk programs via the Audible Web site this year, beginning with The Bob Edwards Show and Opie and Anthony. XM programs will join the more than 45 regularly recurring audio subscriptions available for downloads to users of AudibleReady digital audio devices.

And to boot, XM will produce a new Audible audiobook program for broadcast on XM Satellite Radio that will consist of features, interviews, and news focusing on the rich world of audiobooks and other spoken-word listening available for download at Audible.com.

No official word as to whether this indicates an MP3/Satellite Radio device from XM in 2006 - but considering other AudibleReady players, it’s not too far of a guess to say YES. An article in the Wall Street Journal seems to indicate otherwise, but I think that XM just doesn’t want to spill the beans just yet.

Consider the content and partner implications with this as well. Audible has a nice relationship with Apple iTunes, as well as with the NFL, and providing shared content between XM and Audible could be the coup many are looking for. We’ll find out for sure in 2006.

Pour me something tall and strong, cause Radio Margaritaville is getting ready for showtime in a big way. SIRIUS Satellite Radio will kickoff the debut of Radio Margaritaville with a live broadcast of Jimmy Buffett’s concert from the Nissan Pavillion in Bristow, Virginia on June 15th.

The new channel launches with a concert pre-show broadcast at 7:30 pm ET, followed by the concert at 8 pm ET.

Rock on

The PGA TOUR Network on XM Satellite Radio will debut June 9 with live coverage of the Booz Allen Classic at Congressional Country Club in Maryland. The upcoming tournament also marks the first time PGA TOUR galleries will be able to rent or purchase portable XM radios so they can hear live, comprehensive coverage of the action throughout the course.

The flagship broadcast will be Pure Golf’s live tournament coverage of PGA TOUR events. Broadcasts will be made on-site from the tournament site and be on XM 146 Thursdays through Sundays from noon to 6pm (Eastern time).

Broadcasts will not only keep the listener on the seat of their pants with the latest leaderboard and on-course action, but will be delivering a behind-the-scenes look into the PGA TOUR, tournaments and players with interviews and special feature programming.

XM’s PGA TOUR Network will also broadcast a Pure Golf morning talk show Monday though Friday from 8am to 9am in each time zone. It will review and analyze the latest happenings in and around the world of golf, as well as features and live phone calls from golf personalities and listeners.

Sirius will be launching an hourlong, weekly new show called “Beyond The Buzz” starting every Saturday from 9-10pm June 11th. “Beyond The Buzz” hosted by Kim Ashley will be on Sirius New Country Channel 31.

“Beyond the Buzz” will feature emerging and unsigned artists, album tracks and performances by artists - with the first show featuring a performance from the six-foot-five black “hick-hop” artist Cowboy Troy.

Once again I’m impressed with the acceptance of bloggers by corporations. It definitely shows we’re turning a new leaf in how ‘public relations’ is viewed (especially as the Main Stream Media collapses beneith it’s bloated ego). This was illustrated perfectly when XM Satellite Radio invited me to celebrate the partnership between XM and Jazz at the Lincoln Center at a VIP Reception.

Honestly, I’m just some schmuck with a website and a keyboard, so I was really excited that XM extended this sort of invitation to little ol’ me. I honestly feel they ‘get it’ when it comes to the blogging community, and I just want to extend my thanks to them for being so progressive thinking.

More pics after the jump…

SIRIUS Satellite Radio will feature an exclusive series that follows Lance Armstrong in a personal way during his quest for an historic seventh consecutive Tour de France victory when Lance in France… Off The Bike and On The Mic, debuts July 2nd, the first day of the Tour.

An offshoot of Armstrong Radio, Lance?s weekly radio show on Faction, Lance in France…Off The Bike and On The Mic will be a series of daily reports focusing on Lance throughout the 2005 Tour de France. Broadcast from locations along the route of the Tour a new report is scheduled to air 4pm every day of the race with rebroadcasts at 8pm and the following day at 8am ET and 12:00 pm ET, also on Faction.

Over the course of the competition, the series will feature several exclusive conversations with Lance, who will give his perspective in his own words as he proceeds through the final race of his legendary career. Also included will be a look at the atmosphere surrounding the Tour itself and a behind-the-scenes perspective on the riders? lifestyles, focusing on their daily and nightly routines.

Remember, Armstrong announced in April that following this year?s Tour, he will retire from competitive cycling.

Reuters is reporting that the new XM Satellite should cost about $186 million. Originally the Wall Street Journal said the cost would be $300 million, but they then updated the article to read "over $200 million" instead. I'm speculating that the new satellite will be Loral's 20.20 as the available power for that model ranges from 17kW to 30kW and it's Loral's bad boy bird. With XM-4 being built right now with an estimated 2007 launch date (though some have mentioned 2006), you'd figure they'd need to have this new XM-5 Satellite ready as a backup around the same time.

The Toolbelt Diva, hosted by Norma Vally, a chick-empowered home improvement series on the Discovery Home Channel will be joining the ranks at Sirius Satellite Radio starting on June 3rd at 7pm.

The weekly show will feature The Diva herself helping listeners take down simple home improvements projects to hardcore construction projects.

(via FMQB)