Orbitcast Poll: What service do you listen to?

If Sirius had more repeaters in / around Washington D.C. and a decent portable receiver I would switch to them in a heart beat. I do however really enjoy my XM service, listen to it everyday.

I have them both and couldn't live without 'em. Listening to anything else is a waste of time. To me truly a value at the cost.

XM's deep playlists always introduce me to new music. I've had XM since 12/01 and can't imagine not having it.

sirius is doing well right now with content over the xm. once they catch up with tech they will dominate i think. remember there always gonna be behind xm because they started later and more money was spent.

this is a good thing i feel cause they can see what xm had up their sleeves and what to do and not to do for products

The poll is no good as you can vote, see results, then refresh your browser and vote again. Have seen this before were a group of investors of a certain satrad company repeatedly voted giving a skewed response.

Love my XM - got it for the baseball (although College fbal abd bball, and NHL are great additions), so Sirius wouldn't do it for me. As a stay-at-home-dad it is a LIFESAVER. Listen to it all the time, and with the MyFi I can take it in the car, in the house, and on runs.

Don't even need TV.

David is absolutely correct. While it's true that SIRIUS launched only 8 months after XM, their technology lags behind by only over a year.

Eventually XM will stop developing their technology and SIRIUS will catch up. Then, it will be all over!

Have had XM since 12/04. I knew that O&A were on XM, and Howard was going to Sirius. I wasn't going to go with both, and at the time, I wasn't really listening to Howard anymore. The fact that XM had portable units at that time allowed me to make the plunge. I ride a bus for 3-4 hours a day so having a portable was a necessity. The fact that O&A had just arrived on XM in October was a bonus.

Now that I have an Inno, my listening enjoyment has increased more than I can describe. I have been introduced to music and artists I never would've discovered on my own. I could care less about the ClearChannel programmed stations that have commercials as there are only 4 of them, and XM has commercial-free versions of them anyway. The final bonus has been the ability to listen to MLB games, especially if I'm traveling.

For me, it's XM and it would take a hell of lot for me to switch.

Mike: It's a cookie-based poll. It should show a "Thank you, we counted your vote already" message.

If not, then that sucks. I'll have to switch to unique IPs only, and that will screw up votes from people at work.

I had both services, but I couldn't stand the way Sirius programmed their Rock stations especially "Hairnation" and "Buzzsaw". The playlists at Sirius are too small, there's too much repetiton of songs, and new music is extremely minimal. I got rid of Sirius and kept XM.

"Eventually XM will stop developing their technology and SIRIUS will catch up. Then, it will be all over!"

What facts are you guys basing this on? Why would XM stop developing new technology when they already have future developments in the makings? What kind of professional background do you have to make statements like this? I love amatures that make statements on message boards like they are analysts. You people should really just stick with the Superman vs. Batman debates (more your league).

So what are your favorite channels on both services, Ryan?

Too bad you can't read sarcasm.

Slowest Satellite Radio news today ever?

Octane, Squizz, Buzzsaw (sorry Mark, I like Buzzsaw), The Rhyme, Shade 45, Boombox, The System, Cinemagic, Faction, RAW and of course... Howard 100 and The Virus.

(...to name a few)

Both services need some improvement. Xm has better music, but doesn't have Big 12 sports which I would like. I am just glad there is such a thing as satellite radio and I hope both services keep pushing each other to do better. I also hope both services READ THE COMMENTS on this and other sites. Finally, great job Orbitcast - you keep it up, too.

I have both, XM in my office, Sirius in my auto. Wife has XM. If I could get Sirius in my office I would make the switch.

I've had XM for a little over 1 1/2 years. I enjoy the music, lack of DJ's, and general stations compared to Sirius. I do wish I could tune into Howard Stern every so often but, it's not enough to make me switch to Sirius.

However, the sound quality coming out of XM is almost unbearable anymore. Sirius does sound better but, that blue screen glowing in the interior of my car and repeated music would drive me insane as well.

Hopefully XM will increase sound quality. If not, I'm back to the iPod and FM full time.

XMScott: Tell me about it. Feels like the calm behind the storm though (making it even more frustrating). I've got a few "features" I'm working on in the meantime... still, this is killing me.

If you didn't vote like me, you're an obvious idiot.

----

I'm not concrened about the ones that voted here, I'm concerned about the 98.7 % of the public who couldn't give a shit, and wouldn't spend .10 for BOTH services.

Sometimes we get lost in our own world.

this poll is so stupid, you can vote over and over again!!!

Xm here...I'm amazed how people can hear both. I have a tough time catching XM 202 and XM 175 throughout the week.

I saw the comment that you can vote again and again.. so I did.. unlike the two who claimed you could vote over and over again.. I noticed that the number total never changed after my initial vote. But who would expect everyone to read and comprehend everything.

As for the poll itself.. I voted both. Why.. i have XM in my car (Skyfi2) and the Race shop they have Sirius so I listen to both. But i subscribe to one.

I would rather see a more in depth group of questions like how long have you been a subscriber? What service do you prefer? how long have you been a subscriber? Name your favorite channel. did the service come with the car? are you still in a trial peiod? Did you subscribe for more than one month or do you pay monthly? what receiver do you have? how many subscriptions in your household?

And a whole list more.

HEY EVERYONE...I HAVE SIRIUS AND I LOVE IT. I CANT KNOCK XM BECAUSE I HAVE NEVER HEARD IT. IM SURE ITS EQUALLY AS GOOD AS SIRIUS, BUT I CHOSE SIRIUS FOR STERN. HAVE HAD IT SINCE 11/06. I KNOW ONE THING FOR CERTAIN IS I WILL NEVER GO BACK TO REGULAR RADIO. AS THE OTHER GUY MENTIONED I DONT EVEN WATCH TV ANYMORE. TOO MUCH BULLSHIT. I HATED COMMERCIALS. I DRIVE A TRUCK FOR A LIVING AND I CANT IMAGINE THE LAST YEAR WITHOUT IT. I HAVE A PORTABLE MP3 PLAYER AS WELL FOR STUFF MORE 'ON DEMAND'...LIKE ANYTHING THAT I LIKE BUT DONT HEAR TOO OFTEN. I DONT MIND THE REPITITION OF SONGS, MY MUSICAL TASTES VARY SO MUCH THAT IM NEVER ON ONE CHANNEL TOO LONG. IM MOSTLY ON HOWARD 100 AND 101, BUT I LOVE THE SERVICE IN GENERAL AND HAVE SENT THEM MANY EMAILS PRAISING THEM FOR IT. I HAD ONE SUB TO START WITH BUT NOW HAVE 5 AND EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY NOW HAS IT AND THEY ALL LOVE IT TOO. CAN ONLY SPEAK FROM WHAT I KNOW AND I LOVE IT....THIS SITE IS GREAT TOO...THANKS FOR ALL THE HARD WORK..

I am a huge fan of XM Radio, it provides me with a constant variety of entertainment. I've been a subscriber for about three years now and am very satisfied with sound quality and, the option of being able to record up to 50 hours of stuff that I can't find anywhere else! The channels that I listen to often are: the decades 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, Heart 23, Sunny 24, The Blend 25, Escape 78, Radio Classics 164, and finally Talk Radio 165 (Coast to Coast w/George Noory) EXCELLENT!

I am a huge fan of XM Radio, it provides me with a constant variety of entertainment. I've been a subscriber for about three years now and am very satisfied with sound quality and, the option of being able to record up to 50 hours of stuff that I can't find anywhere else! The channels that I listen to often are: the decades 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, Heart 23, Sunny 24, The Blend 25, Escape 78, Radio Classics 164, and finally Talk Radio 165 (Coast to Coast w/George Noory) EXCELLENT!

Yeah, the poll won't count your vote when you submit more than once. Unless you sit there and clear your cookies and vote again (wash, rinse, repeat)... but that's pretty much any poll. It's not scientific, it's just for fun.

(Anyone else surprised by the results? I for one am surprised by the high number of "Both" voters.)

Ryan,
I only voted once, and don't know why my email appeared twice. Thank you for your astute observation!

I've had Sirius since January '06 and XM for about a week. I'd have to go with Sirius on this one. Not just because I like the selection (No choice on shock jocks... I like to listen to Howard when it comes to politics but not on other things) and hate FM. Major reason why I got Sirius was because I knew somebody (regular reader of orbitcast) who worked inside Sirius (the guy that keeps the satellites healthy) and that was an instant yes to that.

I believe Sirius is demonstrating its content power and overall brand name, as we see every quarter the subsciption numbers difference closes gap every quarter that passes. I have Sirius and all of my friends do as well. There is no comparison for price what you get with SIRI compared to XM. XM has really lost touch with it all, and I believe ultimately Sirius will be the ultimate choice by all. Everyone wants to compare SIRI using Howard Stern as their reason not to subscribe, but in essence, Sirius has way much more to offer for your subscitption price than just Howard. If XM was $5.99 a month, then it might be worth it for lower income people to have sat rad service, but at $12.95 and even at $15.95 a month if Sirius were to raise prices, Sirius is clearly the content KING. There is no comparison.

Purchased XM more then two years ago and I am more then satisfied. Squizz, The Virus, Bone Yard, MLB Home Plate, and various sports talk options make XM more then worth it. The addition of Ron & Fez to XM in 2005 made XM unbeatable to me. I do own Sirius primarily for NFL Radio but musical wise Sirius lacks the variety and more obscure stuff. At least in the channels I listen too such as Octane.

Allow me to paraphase that great American, Homer Simpson:
"You're all idiots! Vote for the service with Chill Thunder Lite."

BTW, Ryan...I think it's a credit to the balance on your site that the vote is essentially tied. To me that indicates that fans of both services, feel like Orbitcast is a place where they can feel welcome, even if they can't stand each other. Well Done!

poll compromised

http://wackbag.com/showthread.php?t=60338

losers

Got XM as a gift, then got into O and A. Now Im hooked. I even listen to Ron and Fez, so Im tuned in the office, the car, and at home about 8 hrs a day for them and probably another 2 for music. The programming is great there, heaps of rock oriented channels and im digging the xm chill channel too. i would never switch to sirius. i liked stern back in 95 or so but my interest in him sorta tailed off in the late 90s. not worth it go go with dated technology and less programming.

The Only reason I got XM is for O & A and I have been plesantly please with the rest of the programming and music channels . It is truly the leader in satelite radio .

I've got both XM and Sirius, and have to say they each have their own strengths and weaknesses. I've had XM since 2003, and Sirius for almost a year. The DJs on certain Sirius channels are terrible (altNation, which btw one of the DJs is also a terrestrial DJ on clearchannel at the same time), but then on others (New Country) are great and give real information about the music. XM is great because you used to be able (they haven't picked up in a while) to call the station and talk to the DJ. Also when you send XM stations an e-mail with a question about the music, they respond with an answer...it's the passion for music.

Overall if I had to pick between the two I would choose Sirius. I'm 20 and they've got mostly male-18-34 content such as Howard, Maxim Radio (Covino and Rich are great), NFL, and a few others. I listen to Sirius probably 3-4 hours a day, and I agree the repitition is a little much, but it's not too bad.

I could do an in-depth review haha, sorry about that. Thanks for the site Ryan.

btw..it didn't let me say it in the name. But I'm different than "Matt" that posted on Feb. 3rd.

I've had both services, but recently cancelled Sirius. I'd say that XM is more upscale, better and more extensive music, and much better talk. Opie and Anthony and Ron and Fez stimulate my brain as well as my sense of humor.

Sirius is more base/lowbrow. Music playlists are way too short. Howard Stern is too crass/base for my liking, and there are little else talk worth listening to there.

XM compliments my FM radio. If I want hits, I can listen to FM, if I want to go deeper, I turn on the XM. Sirius was just like FM with more stations. Not worth the money anymore for this listener.

I listen every day of the Ramone and Frrannkis Show on XM 202. It's nice of XM to give them a second chance after killing that poor listener back in the early 80's during one of their many contests. They are very nice guys now and support Thiland tourism with their frequent visits.

Gee, it sure is easy to tell when this poll got posted on wackbag.

Until it is possible to get consistent reception with Sirius, I won’t even consider the little doggie company.

XM generally keeps the DJ’s quite on the music channels and the play lists are forever deep. I don’t have to keep moving my antenna to listen.

Wake up you sirius subscribers, HOWIE is sucking the blood dry from your company with his half a BILLION dollar contract with his working only four days a week and his tired, hack radio which isn't the "Revolution" that he announced when he started his show. Which is why their even considering a merger with XM since both companies are basically having problems. I've been an XM subscriber for the last few years and i think they have the best programming.

Wake up you XM subscribers, O&A are sucking the blood dry from your company with their half a MILLION dollar contract with their working only 2 hours a day and their tired, hack radio which isn't the "VIRUS" that they announced when they started their show. Which is why their even considering a merger with sirius since both companies are basically having problems. I've been an sirius subscriber for the last few years and i think they have the best programming.

I had XM on my boat but recently had to liqudate my assets so no more boat hopefully I can get a XM reciever at the place I am staying at for a few years,because once you have had XM you don't want to live without it

Wake up you XM subscribers, Oprah is sucking the blood dry from your company with her 50 million dollar contract with her working 30 minutes a week. She was never the force everyone thought she was, now xm is considering a merger with sirius since both companies are basically having problems. I've been an sirius subscriber for the last few years and i think they have the best programming.

In the military, they were throwing accounts at us. Both companies. The music is virtually the same. However the doggie does sound better. Just a little. However, I did not keep my sat subs to listen to music. I have my ipod for it. I gave howard a chance, but he is kinda used goods. Just like his last year or so on WBCN, he just sounds old and irrelevant. I like opie and anthony a lot, but that show is just a primer for ron and fez. Every day ron says brilliant things. Miss sound board fez.

Wake up you sirius subscribers. Howard Stern is sucking your service dry, with his 500 million dollar a year contract, random 83 mill bonuses and only working 4 days a week. The revolution has started, the revolution of leaving sirius because hook nose is letting his fans down every week and every show. Mel K. talks about mergers all the time because thats the only ammo he's got to keep his stock from hitting the 99 cents store bargain bin. yeah the one right by the checkout counter.