SIRIUS Satellite Radio today announced that it has surpassed its year-end target of one million subscribers.

Driven by robust holiday sales and helped by aggressive marketing, advertising, and an increase in consumer awareness, SIRIUS continues to see positive momentum across all channels. The company indicated that sales of its popular portable "Plug & Play" products, especially the SIRIUS Sportster, were contributing to the strong numbers, and that consumers continue to be attracted to the company's diverse product offering and programming.

There's a whole lotta money involved with Mel Karmazin's move to Sirius Satellite Radio. Mel's 30 million of Sirius Satellite Radio stock options are now worth about $240 million, forming a major part of his compensation at Sirius, when he became CEO of Sirius last month.

Based on the exercise price of $4.72 per share, the value of the options were nearly $142 million back when it was formulated five weeks ago. Since SIRI is currently at $7.95/share, if he were able to exercise the options now, he would gross about $100 million.

On top of all that, Karmazin was also given 3 million time-restricted stock grants. This means Mel will be granted 600,000 shares every November for the next five years.

Mel also purchased 1.5 million shares at $5.36/share when he joined the company.

Under his five-year contract, Mel earns a base salary of $1.25 Million per year, plus a bonus to be determined each year by the board of directors.

Damn.
(As an interesting side-note, Joseph Clayton (Chairman of the Board of Directors) and Patrick Donnelly (Executive Vice President and General Counsel) both dumped good amounts of SIRI stock yesterday - 2,000,000 shares and 750,000 share respectively. Take from that what you wish.)

Today - December 23rd, 2004 - a date that will live in infamy. The lovely deal reached last month between Viacom and FCC anti-indecency watchdogs - has gone into effect.

If the Federal Communications Commission issues another "Notice of Apparent Liability" (read: anything they define as 'indecent'), then Viacom has agreed to pull Stern off the air.

Yes, anything that the FCC somehow deems 'indecent' said by Stern can cause him to get the boot. Anything.

Stern, expressed outrage earlier this month, arguing that he's been set up to be canned and threatening to play only music. No one will know what Stern plans to do until January 3rd, when he gets back from vacation.

Whether you're a Stern fan or not, it's a sad day for the 1st Amendment. This is all the more reason to leave terrestrial radio behind, and vehemently say "FUCK THE FCC!" as you go on to listen to the radio that you want to hear - not them.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Infinity Broadcasting is enforcing the terms of their contract with Howard Stern preventing him from appearing in advertising for Sirius and are forcing him to tone down his mentions of Sirius on the air.

Since his interview with Letterman and the NYC Sirius / Stern Rally - Sirius has been enjoying the media blitz that Howard was able to generate for them. But with the provisions in his contract, he's a bit limited as to what he can do promotionally. News conferences are all right, but commercials and print ads are out of the question until Howard's contract expires at the end of 2005.

But let's face it, any exposure that Howard Stern gets will be associated to Sirius now, even if the brand doesn't get direct exposure from it.

SIRIUS Satellite Radio and the Chrysler Group today announced the completion of the launch of the 2005 model year lineup of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles.

The 2004 production rates of over 100,000 Sirius equipped vehicles goal is expected to be reached. Starting with the launch of the Chrysler 300 Series and Dodge Magnum in April, 2004, Chrysler Group further instituted factory installations on 13 more vehicle lines for the 2005 model year.

Availability on additional Chrysler Group models is anticipated, and total volumes of over 500,000 Sirius equipped vehicles are expected over the next model year.

Sirius is offered as a factory-installed option on 2005 Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles for an MSRP of $195 (one year of Sirius service included). This is claimed as currently the best value in the industry.

SIRIUS Satellite Radio will air a special Christmas music show hosted by noted recording executive and Blue Note Records President and CEO Bruce Lundvall on Christmas Eve.

?A Blue Note Christmas? will feature holiday tunes from noted artists such as Diane Reeves, Count Basie, Norah Jones and Dexter Gordon. Throughout the program, Lundvall will share stories about the artists, most notably his first-time encounters with them early in their careers.

?A Blue Note Christmas? will air Friday, December 24 at 6pm ET with repeats at Noon on Christmas Day and at 6am on December 26 on Pure Jazz, channel 72.

In a rare interview with USA Today, Howard Stern said,

"My role in the history of radio will be that I accelerated the push to satellite. I don't think this is the death of regular radio. It'll be there the same way network television is there."

Stern had said earlier on his terrestrial radio show that he wanted to do a print interview to plug Sirius. But his sit-down with USA Today, came after he read a recent Wall Street Journal article that claimed Sirius' over-spending on programming - which obviously includes Howie's 1/2 Billion Dollar deal - could set them up for a ?flameout.?

In a momentary lapse of honesty, USA Today went on to say that this is a big risk for the 'King of All Media' - that this new venture could sweep Stern into the dustbin of radio history if Sirius tanks.

"That would bother me. I would hate to be wrong," he says. "But I think I am right. My gut instinct tells me this is big with or without me. It's the first time that somebody with a major career who makes major money in broadcasting is walking away.

The rest of the article is pretty much an obvious advertisement for Sirius and Stern's other endeavors, similar to his interview with Letterman, but it's a good read nonetheless.

SIRIUS Satellite Radio today announced that it will provide real-time traffic data to vehicles over its nationwide satellite radio network. The company has signed an agreement with NAVTEQ, a premier provider of mapping and traffic data reporting services, to offer consumers reliable traffic information in their vehicles.

The new service will provide consumers with regularly updated traffic information, such as accidents, scheduled road closings, traffic flow data or other traffic-related incidents to help them select the best available route. Traffic information will be integrated into new in-car navigation systems combining route guidance and mapping with traffic. Initially, the service will cover 30 markets and is expected to expand to over 50 markets.

According to company officials, SIRIUS automotive and retail partners have shown a high level of interest in the new service, and plan to offer it as a product upgrade for their upcoming navigational systems.

The Von Trapp Children visited Sirius Satellite Radio's New York City studios to perform selections from their recent album, Von Trapp Children, Vol. 2, and to pose with a large plush toy version of the Sirius mascot in front of the Sirius Christmas tree.

The Von Trapp Children: Melanie, Sofia, Amanda, and Justin, are the descendants of the famous singing family whose story captivated the world in "The Sound of Music". As the great-grandchildren of Captain von Trapp, they've inherited the family's musical gift and embarked on a career of their own.

As a side note, where I can get one of those huge plush doggies? Betcha he'd go on eBay real quick.

SIRIUS Satellite Radio today announced that legendary motion picture producer Robert Evans will host a weekly talk show that will treat SIRIUS subscribers to his intimate, explicit and sometimes startling view of the world. In Bed with Robert Evans will originate from Evans' home and will debut on SIRIUS in February 2005.

In Bed with Robert Evans will certainly not be for the timid. Evans lives life to its fullest - occasionally beyond full - and these experiences are the inspiration for the show. Listeners can become part of Evans' unique circle and become part of his conversations with his varied friends and acquaintances (and don't expect him to settle for pat answers to his blunt questions). He'll also reach deep into the corners of society for a "unique" view of life.

Best of all, SIRIUS subscribers can call in and interact with Evans and his friends.

During a ten-year run at Paramount, Evans produced such classics as Barefoot in the Park, The Odd Couple, Romeo & Juliet, Rosemary's Baby, Serpico, and most notably The Godfather I and II.