Big XM Announcement coming on Monday...

Rumor has it that a big announcement is coming on Monday for XM. More on this shortly.

UPDATE: More channels coming? We're hearing t'ings. Will post more on this soon.

UPDATE 2: DirecTV has apparently pre-released some new channels that may be showing up. Special X due for a return? More info will be posted soon...

UPDATE 3: Here's the list of new channels that may be added to the XM lineup:

XM Fuego -  Fuego plays the hottest sounds in Latin music today — a hot mix of reggaeton, Latin hip hop and rap. Artists like Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Tego Calderon, Ivy Queen, Luny Tunes, Zion & Lennox and many more.

 
The Heat -  The Heat is XM's home for hip-hop, R&B and today's hottest music. This is the music that's selling all over America and burning up the charts.

 

The Message - a bright mix of Christian pop hits from yesterday and today.
Artists — Mercy Me, Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael W. Smith, Natalie Grant, Jeremy Camp

 

XM Chill - XM Chill takes you on a voyage into the Chill zone ... a place that pulses with exotic and cerebral music known as smooth electronica. A European phenomenon that is finally emerging in North America, XM Chill is beyond a channel ... it's an experience in sound. Artists — Moby, Eno, Thievery Corporation, Zero 7, Chemical Brothers, Air

 

WorldZone -  The World Zone is alive with the rhythms of the world's emerging music capitals. This is the best of World Music -- the music that mixes styles and transcends borders. Produced in partnership with WorldSpace.

 

Enlighten - Southern Gospel

 

Special X - The best novelty music of all time. 

 

Big Tracks - Big Tracks picks up where Top Tracks leaves off ... these are the biggest classic rock hits from the mid 70s, through the 80s and into the early 90s. Artists — Fleetwood Mac, Journey, REO Speedwagon, Bryan Adams, Boston, Tom Petty.

 

Viva - This is the channel where Latin pop lives. Viva explores the rhythmic, contemporary side of Latin pop with the biggest superstars of the format. Enjoy the sounds of Shakira, Juanes, Ricky Martin, Thalia, Paulina Rubio and more.

 

Vibra - Vibra plays the best new Latin Rock from today mixed with classic rock from the 80s and 90s. You'll hear Juanes, Julieta Venegas, Mana and Jaguares.

 

Caricia - The softer side of Latin pop and love songs from the 80s, 90s and today. Caricia is where you'll hear Marc Anthony, Alejandro Sanz, Louis Miguel and many more.

 

This, combined with the expected debut of XM HD, sounds like XM is doing something fancy with their bandwidth though. Add to that the Samsung Helix and Pioneer Inno are having their immenent release in March as well. I'm wondering what else is at play here...

UPDATE 4: As Orbitcast reader "Bud Light" pointed out, Eric Logan did tease about new features coming in March being of interest to O&A fans. Download the audio snippet from the show and hear for yourself.

UPDATE 5: DirecTV has reverted back to their original channel list. Let's see how many of these come to light now.