Ok, so I just got my greasy hands on the Samsung Helix XM2go. For those of you just tuning in, the Samsung Helix is identical to the Pioneer Inno in all things except for form-factor. In fact, maybe the biggest difference between the two is the headphones (and maybe the power button), but that's it, everything else is the same. So if you're looking to read a review on the next generation XM2go units, you might want to start here first.

That said, if form-factor is the only difference, then what everyone will want to see if pics pics pics and more pics. So go forth and enjoy the photos after the jump...

One small thing to note: My wife and I are expecting our second child at any minute now - literally - so I had to use my crappy digital camera for these photos (the other one is in "The Bag" ready to go). So I apologize in advance for the lack of clarity if there is any.

Quickly becoming one of my favorite places to read during my lunchhour, the Lee Abrams blog gives us yet another blockbuster post. Mr. Abrams goes into great detail on the goals of XM Satellite Radio to liberate radio, and reading it really lets you understand that this man truly loves what he does. Here's a quick snippet to entice you:

Am I pissed off at FM. Hell YES! I grew up with the transistor under the pillow…BELIEVING that radio is the theater of the mind. To hear how music radio has declined into this artless, soul-free zone is disturbing and upsetting. That’s why XM must re-invent radio to recapture the magic and save America from the parody of itself it has become. I don’t live in the past. I respect the past. To hear airchecks of the GREAT stations from the 50’s and 60’s can be an inspiration in the same way a Robert Johnson 78 can inspire a blues musician. Radio was COMPLETE back then. A total experience. Not a morning show, tested library and billboards.

And yes, I know, some of you are diehard anti-XM folks (for some reason) but the things that Lee talks about here applies to the entire industry. FM is a dying medium, crushing under it's own bloated weight. Satellite is the next step in the experience. If you believe that, no matter what the service you're subscribed to, then you'll enjoy reading The XM Sound.

The satellite radio industry is evolving from what it was only a couple years ago. With the emergence of new "hybrid" satellite radio receivers, like the Pioneer Inno, Samsung Helix, and Sirius S50; the retail outlets that sell them are changing how (and where) they market satellite radio as well.

Dan Murphy, XM's product marketing and distribution senior VP, told TWICE that these new devices allow retailers to place displays in their MP3 departments or in their specialized Satellite Radio sections, while other retailers will merchandise the devices in both areas.

This is good news, especially considering that XM Satellite Radio is ramping up to launch "one of our largest" print and TV ad campaigns in May to promote the Helix/Inno/Nexus, Murphy said.

[TWICE]

Light Reading has a writeup on their revised satellite radio subscriber projections, and on the conservative side, they're estimating over 17.2 Million total subscribers between SIRIUS and XM in the next 18 months.

Based on SIRIUS' growth from July 04 - March 06, SIRIUS will be growing at a rate of 243 subscribers every hour - bringing in a total of 7.1 Million subscribers in 18 months. Based on XM's growth rate from June 04 - April 06, XM will grow at a rate of 284 new subscribers an hour. That's a total of 10.1 Million subscribers in 18 months.

Obviously, there are events that cause spikes in growth - like Stern for instance. And using numbers from mid 2004 might make hourly additions a bit more conservative than necessary, but sometimes it's nice to weigh on the more conservative side.

[Light Reading] 

Celebrities in Satellite Radio are a key aspect to driving public awareness of each service. In general, most celebrities don't spend much time on the air, but that doesn't really matter. They're meant to get people through the door and hooked on the service. Think the Victoria Secrets "million dollar bra" or the Dodge Viper - most will never wear or drive one - but who cares, you're going to buy the Ipex or Caravan anyway.

AdRants has an enlightening writeup on the different approaches taken by SIRIUS and XM Satellite Radio when it comes to the celebrities they choose to sign on. According to recent research from E-Poll, a celebrity appeal research company, there are dramatic differences in public opinion for satellite radio celebrity talent. XM's talent has more "universal" appeal, while SIRIUS' selection is far more polarizing as illustrated by E-Poll's E-Score rating.

This shows key strategic differences in XM's and SIRIUS' approach, both of which I think have their positive and negative aspects.

Take XM's "universal" approach, while people will have a generally favorable opinion of these celebrities, there doesn't exist the same level of "passionate" fans who would do anything for these personalities. On the flip side of that coin, you won't be driving away any subscribers either.

SIRIUS' more polarizing approach that both attracts the hardcore fans, yes, like Stern's fanbase. But it also has the potential of preventing some subscribers from signing up because they find Stern "mean" and "rude."

Which approach is better? Neither. Both. There's plenty of the market to go around.

[AdRants] 

So now that the cat is out of the bag when it comes to Opie & Anthony syndicating their XM Satellite Radio show to CBS Radio - a lot of questions have been raised. What's the details on this and how will it affect subscribers/non-subscribers?

First, the bombshell. Today is David Lee Roth's LAST DAY on CBS Radio. This has been confirmed by a CBS representative.

Opie and Anthony will be starting on CBS Radio starting next Wednesday. Opie and Anthony will on a total of 7 markets and not 3 markets as was said on Stern's show.

Of those seven markets, O&A will be on in the afternoon drive slot on Cleveland's WNCX, which will allow "Rover" - WNCX's morning drive jock - to continue broadcasting in his current timeslot.

Opie and Anthony will do three hours simulcast from WFNY studios, from 6am - 9am ET, which will be broadcast uncensored on XM Satellite Radio and a FCC-friendly version will be simulcasted on the CBS stations. Then O&A will go down to the XM studio and broadcast an additional two hours, from 9am - 11am ET, exclusive to XM Satellite Radio subscibers. Additionally, there's word that more programming will be added to High Voltage 202 as an added value.

During the simulcast, O&A will be allowed to publicize XM Satellite Radio with little (if any) restrictions. This has no relation and does not void the CBS Radio lawsuit against Stern, because the lawsuit is not about mentions of SIRIUS but rather the alleged hiding of a subscriber incentive. There's little doubt though that this move by CBS to allows free XM publicity will be brought up in the courts.

Expect an official press release on this very soon (possibly today?).

[via AllAccess.com] 

(Side note: it sort of stinks that Inside Radio is getting all the credit for "breaking" this news, when it was really Allen Sniffen from the NY Radio Message Board who broke this back in early March. A little attribution would be nice.)

The Wall Street Journal is reporting more on what we've been hearing: Opie & Anthony are to replace CBS Radio's David Lee Roth.

In a sign of the struggles some broadcast-radio stations face in the absence of Howard Stern's popular morning show, Mr. Stern's successor in New York and other markets will leave CBS Corp.'s airwaves, to be replaced by the duo Opie & Anthony, according to people familiar with the matter.

Babblermouth.net is reporting that the duo's return to terrestrial radio will be on CBS' NY, Philly and Dallas' Free-FMs as well as WBCN Boston, WNCX Cleveland, Pittsburgh's K-Rock and West Palm Beach's The Buzz.

UPDATE: The NY Post, FMQB, and Radio Ink have all picked up on this.

Satellite Standard Group has a great post on the NPD Group results released for the month of March and Q106:

For March 2006 the NPD market share was as follows:
Sirius - 56%
XM - 44%

For the entire first quarter the NPD share split was as follows:
Sirius - 59%
XM - 41%

Now remember, NPD numbers arguably are a great indicator for trending on retail marketshare, but analysts have always had one gripe with NPD numbers: Wal-Mart sales are not reported. Wal-Mart is a leading reseller to a particular segment of the population, a fairly large one, and especially for the midwest residents where other electronics outlets are few and far between.

Still, these numbers show SIRIUS clearly dominated the retail market in other outlets since September '05, with little sign of slowing down anytime soon.

SSG futher expands on their earlier NPD post with a chart showing NPD numbers going back to January 2005, and attributing the retail success to Howard Stern's presence. Can't say I disagree... the numbers don't lie.

[Satellite Standard Group]

Eton has issued a recall for the Eton E1XM AM/FM/Shortwave/XM Satellite Radio receiver, for units found in serial range 3,067 - 5,462.

The issue that Eton has discovered is a missing trace on the circuit board. In the event that a customer has the unit plugged into an electrical outlet, using the AC adapter for power, and has a set of batteries in the unit, it could cause battery heat-up, leakage and possibly rupture. This may cause fire and/or personal injury.

If you purchased an Eton E1XM within this serial number range, please contact Eton technical support immediately at 800-872-2228 from 9am - 4 pm PT, Monday through Friday. You will receive a replacement receiver free of charge, and as a token of Eton's appreciation, they will be offering a complimentary FR200 Emergency Radio for your inconvenience.

[Eton Corp] 

Last week, XM Satellite Radio was given the Digital Service Vendor of The Year 2005 award from CompUSA. The award was presented on April 10th at an awards ceremony in recognition of XM Satellite Radio’s commitment to CompUSA for merchandising, training and marketing of XM products.

Also, XM received the 2005 Merchandising Vendor Excellence Award from Circuit City in recognition of performance as one of the retail chain's top vendors. In its announcement of the award, Circuit City stated that XM had demonstrated "supply chain performance, product profitability, and year-over-year impact on Circuit City's revenue growth." The retail chain had previously awarded XM Satellite Radio the award in May 2003.

[Press Release]