That's right, Orbitcast has formed a strategic partnership with what I believe to be one of the most influential players in the satellite radio space.
No, I haven't partnered with Sirius XM Radio (I want to get that out of the way immediately), and this partnership involves a very familiar face that I think many readers are already aware of.
All the more reason why I want to call it out and talk about it...
So what's the deal?
I'm pleased to announce that TSS Radio is now the exclusive satellite radio retailer sponsoring Orbitcast.
But I like to think of this more as a partnership, and not as just a "sponsorship," because I'm really excited about the possibilities this move has opened up.
I'm excited for many reasons, but one of the big ones is because I know how much the folks at TSS are fans of satellite radio. Seriously, Taylor and crew absolutely love the service as much as you and I do (and maybe a bit more). They aren't just "selling" to us, they're participating here in the community with us.
Which is another reason why I'm excited. With TSS as the exclusive sponsor, we can approach "advertising" in new and innovative ways - ways that may actually (gasp) be useful to readers beyond a simple banner ad.
So look for some new things on the horizon and please join me in giving the guys at TSS Radio a hearty "thank you" for helping to support this site.
[TSS Radio]
I'm pleased to announce that TSS Radio is now the exclusive satellite radio retailer sponsoring Orbitcast.
But I like to think of this more as a partnership, and not as just a "sponsorship," because I'm really excited about the possibilities this move has opened up.
I'm excited for many reasons, but one of the big ones is because I know how much the folks at TSS are fans of satellite radio. Seriously, Taylor and crew absolutely love the service as much as you and I do (and maybe a bit more). They aren't just "selling" to us, they're participating here in the community with us.
Which is another reason why I'm excited. With TSS as the exclusive sponsor, we can approach "advertising" in new and innovative ways - ways that may actually (gasp) be useful to readers beyond a simple banner ad.
So look for some new things on the horizon and please join me in giving the guys at TSS Radio a hearty "thank you" for helping to support this site.
[TSS Radio]
Better:
http://www.myradiostore.com/
Taylor and Crew are absolutely, top-notch. You can't go wrong with these guys! Congrats, Ryan and TSS!
That's cool. I like TSS Radio. They have all the hard-to-find stuff for satellite radio.
these guys are great,I used them twice and it was flawless. They called me personally about information I needed and sent me free shirts without asking. Very profesional!!
Good to see the team get stronger!!!
This might be the lamest report that Orbitcast ever posted. I've been following this blog for years... but this is just lame. I can't imagine a SINGLE reader saying "YES! This is great news. How cool! Finally, some internet advertisement that I'm interested in." ;-)
As long as Orbitcast stays up and running, I am fine with it!! Welcome aboard TSS.
"YES! This is great news. How cool! Finally, some internet advertisement that I'm interested in."
Tom is good people, you are in good hands. :)
Scott
SatelliteGuys.US
MultiChannel News
YES! This is great news. How cool! Finally, some internet advertisement that I'm interested in.
I've bought from MyRadioStore before. They've always been very good. I'd rather see a "partnership" with them.
YES! This is great news!!!!!!
AmaDeuz, I quickly read your name and it sounded like "I'm a douche"
Actually, this seems smart. My local Best Buy never has any SatRad stuff in, Ryan trusts these guys, I've seen their ads here on OrbitCast for years. Granted, I don't think I'll personally be in the market for new equipment in the NEAR future (maybe a car kit for my XMP3, but that's about it), but I think this is a good move for both parties. TSS needs the business, and Orbitcast is where the satellite radio fan comes for news and info. Makes perfect sense to me.
good work, Ryan.
Regardless, of who you partner with, the hardware is overpriced and is thwartiig the growth of satrad.
Good for you Ryan....Welcome TSS radio. I support any site that supports Orbitcast. Hope others are as smart as TSS and hop on board.
This is horrible. Now the blog posts will be diluted DJ chatter. We'll have less article variety, more layoffs at Orbitcasts, and Orbitcast stock will fall below the 10 cent range.
News Flash: Orbitcast Sells Out as Exclusive Mouthpiece for Tiny TSS Radio
Nice spin Ryan, but the reality is that this "partnership" does nothing but make me question every word I read in this blog. All of your readers worth their salt should feel the same way.
This industry is just getting uglier and uglier. We've watched our investment in this industry plummet as these "great" leaders with their great big egos picked fights that were too big and too poorly timed. One bad decision after another. Maybe Mel should find a hobby that's less destructive like dog fighting or arson.
I'd still pay good money to see Mel and Freer in a cage fight, though. I'd put my money on the NAB this time. I've already learned my lesson with Mel.
Awseome!!! Those guys at TSS have been great and exceeded every expectation for me. They support this web site, the top web forums, Bubba and Howard. I'd imagine that this is tough industry to be in right now, so give them serious consideration next time you need a radio, cable, dock, etc...
Sorry - this is something that didn't need to clutter. Congrats; you got a good advertiser. Take yourself to dinner, and get a lapdance. But remember that the more commercially influenced this is, the less seriously it will be taken as a source.
Sure hope TSS is planning for the near future when satellite radio is just a bad memory.
As "We" All Go Down Together........
Thoughts on Radio’s Digital Future
http://www.ibiquity.com/about_us/bobs_column_thoughts_on_radios_digital_future
I'm surprised you're not partnering with Slacker....oh wait, your blog has practically become a shill for that crapheap of a product anyway
Has anybody shopped at TSS and MyRadioStore? I have bought several things from MRS and sent coworkers there as well and never had ANY problem with them. How does TSS rate in comparison?
A few things:
1. Thank you to everyone's comments - both praise and criticism. Both are appreciated, seriously.
2. This move is important to me and so I'm going to blog about it. If I didn't write about it, then I'm not being true to the site or my readers. The reality is that the site needs to be funded and everyone needs to eat (btw, blogging is not nearly enough to live off of, I still have a dayjob amid all this), and so I'm going to talk about a move like this.
3. Ziggy from MyRadioStore is a great guy and his business is awesome. He used to be a sponsor for several months and we hung out for a bit at CES. I'm definitely not bashing ANY retailers out there. Please don't misunderstand me.
But most importantly, I WANT TO BE CLEAR, this has absolutely no effect on the editorial content of the site. Period.
Congrats, Ryan. I hope it's a fun and lucrative partnership. And, as someone who's known you for years, I have absolutely no concerns about the relationship. The folks with their panties in a wad might step back and think about the transparency in even disclosing the nature of the relationship. Also, they might want to keep in mind that a blog is a different sort of animal than print publication - they're often more personal, more approachable. So a post like this not unusual and is actually a benefit of an online community.
Mat, other than Consumer Reporters are you aware of mainstream, advertising-free "mainstream media?"
Speaking of SatRad gear/purchases. Any news on that XM teaser from a few days ago? I've resumed a crap commute (up to an hour each way with only minimal traffic, could be much worse) and am thinking of resubscribing...
Tom Taylor is a great guy. He runs a good ship over that at TSS and he's a Bubba mark.
TSS is AWFUL. I ordered from them last year for an in-stock item. Took them 2+ weeks to ship despite numerous e-mails. Never again. Awful company, awful service.
And everyone knows you can get radios cheaper at Amazon, etc...
Bad move, Orbitcast. I know times are tough and this site is on it's last legs (whether Ryan admits it or not), but c'mon. Don't try to spin this as anything other than a money grab.
Leader of the Pests -
If this problem you had was within the last year (I started in March of 2008), then you and I have communicated through e-mail. I started as TSS's official e-mail guy in March of 2008, which means Sales(at)tss-radio.com comes directly to me.
I can't speak for e-mail before then, but I do want to make sure people know their grievances and suggestions will not go unheard. All of our phone staff works directly for the TSS offices (and always have) and I, too, work directly for TSS. I answer anything people send me within the day and it has been that way since last year. I was also droobie on SiriusBackstage for several years.
I am interested in your order number in hopes we can learn from your particular issue, if you happen to have it. I can certainly understand your disinterest in future business with us if your situation went as you said. Statistically 100% of our orders go out same day if placed by 5pm Central time if the item is in stock. It seems your particular situation may not have gone as well as it should have.
I don't know.. are they gonna consolidate your channels.. shorten your playlists.. renegotiate your debt... charge more for some channels..
I still don't know why so many people visit Orbitcast?
"All Things Satellite Radio" makes it sound like there is so much to offer, when in reality there is only one satellite provider, SiriusXM.
That's it. Only one.
So, who cares if Orbitcast partners with Toys R Us, or Radio Shack? It is 100% stupid to think that this is even close to news, in a time where folks aren't buying new equipment. What would make sense, would be to "partner" with At&t, someone who actually is selling devices that will lead to more subscribers.
It's so stupid, I can't even make myself laugh.
Great news. Tom Taylor gives the best service of any online retailer I have ever dealt with.
Love TSS Radio! These guys should bail out Sirius/XM-they are true fans and are really there for the fans. I recommend them to all my friends-great company!
Not better, they just carry the XM stuff...
@ Ryan...
Do you know the status of the Starplayr? It seems they took the windows desktop player download away. It just comes up unavailable. Have you heard anything?
He's a fucking hillbilly Bubba fan? Fuck TSS then. Anybody that can stomach that fat tub of shit, let alone call themselves a "Bubba mark" will get no business for me. Glad you can milk some money out of the sap Ryan, but I'm sticking with MyRadioStore.
Coming form a guy that signs in Anonymous, your comment is useless.
Ryan,
I'm glad you say it will not influence your editorial content. I hope this stays true. As much as I love TSS radio, I must admit, sometimes they are not the "Best Deal" around. I know Taylor works hard to run a top class shop, but like you he needs to eat and both are in the business to make money.
As a consumer, I’m often looking for the bottom line price and sometimes there are other options to TSS including those big box stores.
Even though your content may not be altered, let’s not forget the fact that just seeing only TSS radio ads may influence the perception of your content. The fact is when a new radio comes out you are going to report it. Taylor is going to run an ad that has a picture of it right on the side of the article where the link takes you to buy the product. Who is to believe that you are not posting the "Content" to bring people to TSS radio?
Anyway, I hope you get a "Premium" price for this exclusive advertising. TSS also has a big place over at the Digital Radio Central (DRC) so it looks like he is going the way of Sirius and XM to create a Monopoly in the Satellite Forum advertising business.
Congrats Orbitcast and TSS Radio on your new Non Influential partnership.
Mike
It's his blog he can do what he wants. You don't like it go to another source of daily news for satrad. O wait, there isnt one. Shill away Ryan!!!!!!!!
Orbitcast got OWNED! Lick the boots of your new Overlord Tom Taylor, bitches!!!11!!!!!!!!!!!!!