Since the Best of Sirius and Best of XM packages were released, there has been a level of confusion over some issues surrounding the new "Best of" subscription packages:
- Why aren't all satellite radios compatible with the Best of packages?
- Will the MLB ever be on the Best of XM package?
- Does Sirius XM have rights to all sports games?
Well, the folks at Sirius XM Radio Inc. took the time to answer these questions and to help clear the air.
Mind you, this isn't from a customer service rep or a third party, this is info direct from corporate. Click through to read the answers to these questions and several more...
Question: Why can't all satellite radio receivers get the "Best of" packages?
Answer: It's a simple point of the generation of the chipset within the receivers. These older chips simply do not have the capacity to handle the additional channels. That's not exclusive to the "Best of" packages, it's a limitation to the individual receivers and apply to the entire subscription.
Do you have a Sirius radio that can't receive the Best of XM package? Don't settle, get the Sportster 5:
Question: On the press release, it said that only "select" NBA and NHL games are available. What games are not available then?
Answer: Sirius XM Radio has rights to all the games. But there is a limit to what they can play at a single time. It's not a limitation on the games themselves, instead a limitation on the number of games. Rest assured, the best games will be aired whenever they can.
Question: Wasn't the NBA on Sirius? Why is it part of the "Best of XM" package now?
Answer: Sirius used to have the NBA exclusively, while XM carried 1 game a week. Now XM's base subscribers will get the NBA games, and those games will be available on the "Best of XM" package on Sirius. We have access to all the NBA games.
Question: Why isn't the MLB on the Best of XM package for Sirius subscribers?
Answer: We would have liked to provided the MLB for our Sirius subscribers, but have not reached an agreement at this time. We continue to be hopeful that the MLB will be part of the package in the future.
Question: What has the reaction been from subscribers?
Answer: Very positive! Let's just say the phones are ringing. As expected, there has been a strong pent up demand for programming from both sides. Accedotally, subscribers are asking specifically for Howard Stern and the NFL on XM, and Oprah and Opie & Anthony on Sirius. It's all very good news.
Answer: It's a simple point of the generation of the chipset within the receivers. These older chips simply do not have the capacity to handle the additional channels. That's not exclusive to the "Best of" packages, it's a limitation to the individual receivers and apply to the entire subscription.
Do you have a Sirius radio that can't receive the Best of XM package? Don't settle, get the Sportster 5:
Question: On the press release, it said that only "select" NBA and NHL games are available. What games are not available then?
Answer: Sirius XM Radio has rights to all the games. But there is a limit to what they can play at a single time. It's not a limitation on the games themselves, instead a limitation on the number of games. Rest assured, the best games will be aired whenever they can.
Question: Wasn't the NBA on Sirius? Why is it part of the "Best of XM" package now?
Answer: Sirius used to have the NBA exclusively, while XM carried 1 game a week. Now XM's base subscribers will get the NBA games, and those games will be available on the "Best of XM" package on Sirius. We have access to all the NBA games.
Question: Why isn't the MLB on the Best of XM package for Sirius subscribers?
Answer: We would have liked to provided the MLB for our Sirius subscribers, but have not reached an agreement at this time. We continue to be hopeful that the MLB will be part of the package in the future.
Question: What has the reaction been from subscribers?
Answer: Very positive! Let's just say the phones are ringing. As expected, there has been a strong pent up demand for programming from both sides. Accedotally, subscribers are asking specifically for Howard Stern and the NFL on XM, and Oprah and Opie & Anthony on Sirius. It's all very good news.
Ryan,
I would've liked for you to ask "Corporate" about the availability of SEC Sports as part of the Best of XM package. The original press release made reference to games from "top conferences including the SEC" however now there is no mention anywhere of games from this conference.
I find it hard to believe that ANY Sirius subscriber is fiending for Oprah.
"These older chips simply do not have the capacity to handle the additional channels."
That doesn't explain why my XpressRC can't get the "best of" channels. It's one of the most recent radios from either company to be released.
Are all the radios that can't get the Best Of packages Sirius radios? Seems like most XM people have eventually got the Best of package after sometimes repeated calls to CS. Some Sirius customers seem to be turned down flat.
To leader of the pests ... I thought Ryan has pictures of a ExpressRC with Best Of. You should call CS again. I sense CSR error rather than a hardware limitation.
I believe the older chipset statement. I bugged them for the longest time on why my Orbiter couldnt receive channel 138 Canadian weather and a few other Canadian sports channels when our neighbors to the north came on board, I was always being told that all the Canadian channels were there then finally I was told my chip, also on my Sirius 1 was too small to handle the load.So as it is with the best of package my 2 older sets wont take the upgrade but the 2 newer ones will. I can see a lot will be ticked as several have stated that all of us from 2003 and forward built this company to where it is today and the technology never kept up.A similar case is my Dish Network satellite receivers [I've had 3 in 12 years] which I bought and returned [traded up ] for newer models with bigger chip sets and better technology.Its a money grabber all the way around.Like when CD"S replaced vinyl records.
Does the original SkyFi work with Best of Sirius?
What about lifetime subs? Did we get some color (conference call joke) on what we would receive?
Here what the questions answered for me. Sirius subs should leave Sirius, get XM and then subscribe to the best of XM so that they can receive the same programming at an increased price. I gather this because I think that the overall opinion is that XM has better music channels, deep play lists, etc..., MLB, NBA, and the NHL. And if you sub to the Best of Sirius you can have all that, and Stern, Playboy Radio and the NFL. Did I read some thing wrong?
Also, when did XM sign a contract with the NBA to broadcast every game? Because the above says that XM base subs will have access to every NBA game. Wow, how did I miss that and when was Sirius XM going to announce that?
Of course I meant that XM subs should subscribe to the best of Sirius.
Ryan - new question for Sirius/XM Corporate
Where can customers VOTE for the channels WE want to have in these Best of packages ! Sirius/XM needs to get better feedback from their customer base!
My recommendation - put a survey or suggestion box on the webpage !
Here is an interesting link for anybody that wonders if the NBA is going to be on XM full time this upcoming season.
http://xmradio.com/onxm/features/nba.xmc
I have Best of Sirius on my XpressRC. I didn't have the option to add the package online, but after calling customer service, it was added to my plan and active within ~10 minutes.
"subscribers are asking specifically for Howard Stern and the NFL on XM, and Oprah and Opie & Anthony on Sirius. It's all very good news."
stop...we know damn well no one is asking about O&A
silly PR Dept
Why won't Sirius/XM identify exactly which radios aren't able to get the "best of" packages? If the radios can't get them today, does that mean they will never get them?
My Sportster 3 keeps updating channels (nearly everyday). Will it ever be able to get the "best of" channels?
If they would just tell me I could make a decision about buying a new radio or not.
And yes, please ask about SEC sports. Its the single biggest reason why I will or won't get the "best of" on my Stiletto or not (and my Sportster 3 if possible).
If you are a sirius subscriber you are absolutely better off switching to XM with the best of sirius. The music on XM is far superior. With sirius I could not listen to any Hip Hop & R&B with children in the car. Xm THE HEAT and THE CITY play the radio edit versions which is awesome. Howard was my only reason for going to sirius and now I have him on XM. I now have the XpressRC with the Best of sirius and its great.
Will the Myfi get Best of Sirius? The Sirius channels have been "updating" all week.
leader_of_the_pests: I'm listening to Howard on my XpressRC right now. AFAIK, *any* XM radio can receive BoS.
I remember reading somewhere that the first-gen Sirius radios are limited to 128 channels (the original goal was sound quality, not cramming in as many overcompressed channels as they possibly could, so this was plenty at the time). I'm guessing that this is why the XM channels are unavailable on some Sirius radios.
For those of us who ponied up for Lifetime subs of Sirius, and who were promised by CSRs that it would always include every bit of their programming, what's going on? I'm not able to even see in my account that I have XM, get XM anything on my Stiletto 2, and I'm not sure how I'm going to get my NBA games.
I'm also disappointed that my customer service email now 3 days old has yet to be answered. As an investor, this worries me greatly....
Any radio will get the Best Of packages - it's just an add-on package that requires no special chipset. But it won't hapen automatically, you'll have to order it.
When will the best of XM contain more than talk and sports? I was really looking forward to more music and have no interest in Oprah, O&A, or more sports.
I have a Myfi and got best of Sirius....it's been active since Tuesday
You should have asked them, if its a chip set issue why did they put out a press release back in July saying that existing radios would be able to add best of.
Will they add any new channels to the "best of" package in the future, especially specialty music channels such as XMX?
I want to know why dual subs can't just get the best of packages on either radio for no additional cost as long as each service remains active - would make sense, no? Being that we're all one big happy family now, and I'm already paying for both services.
Yes. My Original Skyfi is signed up for Best of Sirius and getting it just fine. I purchased mine in May of 2004 if that makes any difference.
Yes, the MyFi gets it...I've been listening to NFL Radio and Ferrall on Howard 101 on mine. However, I noticed mine stopped updating after Howard 101 (Same with the Skyfi), but I went online and did a signal refresh (refresh.xmradio.com) for both radios, and it worked fine within a few minutes.
the hip-hop on sirius is FAR superior then xm...sirius has MUCH BETTER DJ'S...premier, tony touch, kay slay, dj muggs, clinton sparks, statik selectah, etc.??? for the HIP-HOP heads...xm raw dj's are a headache...except DJ BEE, the rhyme is awesome though...but hip hop nation and shade 45 will be here 4EVER!!!!!! xm RAW IS TRASH!!!!!
XM/Sirius has mismanaged this transition. Instead of the optional Best of Programming that costs more for everyone, XM/Sirius should have sent out the new programming to existing customers for no additional fee.
Hit up new subscribers for the higher fees, but treat the current listeners like they had been before the merger. Throughout the FCC approval process, we we're told synergies would create lower costs for customers. This isn't happening.
If I were a Sirius customer and NBA fan, I'd be furious having to pay more for the same programming. Quit acting like there are two customer bases.
hey stop lying:
""subscribers are asking specifically for Howard Stern and the NFL on XM, and Oprah and Opie & Anthony on Sirius. It's all very good news."
stop...we know damn well no one is asking about O&A
silly PR Dept"
I am asking about O&A
I love those guys! They kept me entertained while I was missing howard and not a sirius subscriber yet.
If they do it right they can really grab a lot of howard listeners. I'll always be a loyal howatd listener, but I really would like to have O&A on fridays and also to fill the gap when I have heard the entire howard broadcast for the day.
have you ever listened to them? they are insanely good, and even though howard thinks they stole his bit, they are very different than him.
trust me, they are a great addition to sirius. no threat to howard, just complimentary to him.
I am also very curious about SEC football on the Best of XM package.
The new “SEC on XM” has been pathetic. Last year, when Alabama, Florida and Auburn were on Sirius you got the entire pregame and postgame shows and you never missed a game. Now, after the merger (surprise, surprise), you get far less. You never get pregame or postgame and often don’t get your team's broadcast of the game. To top it off, multiple games also have to “share” channels and frequently preempt one another.
These issues did not occur pre-merger. Perhaps the opponents in the Justice Department and the FCC were right.
Does anyone know if the Driver2Crew channels that are on Sirius are going to be available on XM? I see it listed on the Nascar channel page at XM's website.
Well after listening to the Saturday Sports Schedule on SIRIUS 113, no mention of any SEC games on the best of XM schedule. Actually they only mentioned ACC and Big 10 games so I have no idea what's going on (no Big East, 12, or SEC for that matter).
I wonder if SIRIUS jumped the gun on announcing these partnerships without having the contracts finalized. Nonetheless that's piss poor marketing as the press release and radio commercials both mention the SEC. Piss poor. I will be calling to get my account credited.
I have emailed Sirius twice now with no response. My question, will SEC sports be available on the "Best of XM"? Bottom Line is that if the SEC is available I will purchase the "Best of XM", if not I won't. As far as I am concerned without the SEC it should be called the "Worst of XM"!
I agree. I don't know why Mel is treating the companies like they are separate. For customers that went through all of the merger wondering if their $100+ receiver was going to receive both services and crap and now dealing with the post merger BS XM subs should be able to listen to Sirius for free and vice versa. Cut us a break every so often. There should have been at least a three month period where the "best of" was free. That would have been nice.
All that merger crap for this?
Wow.... My price has not gone down. I wanted to add best of Siri to my XM but I get "There is something wrong with this page error"
Then I found out what best of is mmmm those radio people were right...
I find it funny that sirius lose NBA and NHL contract to XM radio . Now for a fee of $4 I can get them back . Some thing wrong with this picture if you ask me.
Its been several days now and I as a Sirius subscriber am totally enjoying the new best of Xm package.I was hooked up right away and having XM Public radio on Sirius is the cats meow.Most sirius subscribers will remember when PRI was on Sirius.Now its back an I am pleased. However I was kicking this around in my head and let me see if any one else did the math.Sirius listeners picked up Xm public radio to compliment our other great offerings like 2 NPR streams and WRN.XM subscribers didnt get anything as far as public radio offerings,they still just have XM public radio.From reading blogs like this satellite radio isnt all about the music,though its a huge part ,but the news/talk,entertainment streams will now and forever blow terrestrial radio away for good.Any XM subs out there wondering about this issue?.Sit back and really think about it.I would love to add one more XM channel to my lineup and thats WLW.I figure time will tell if more changes are on the horizon.From a public radio stand point Im glad I was on the Dogstar.
OK, I'm a little disappointed so far in the best of.
the University of Texas is the only Big 12 team with XM. That game was unavailable on the Best of XM on Saturday night, but the Colorado feed was available on Sirius.
None of the SEC games were available Saturday afternoon or evening on the Best of XM.
so WHAT exactly, did i pay 4 dollars more a month for?
I really don't understand why existing customers can't get a 3 month "sneak-peek" of the new channels at the very least. Why not COMBINE the channels? Put Opie and Anthony on Howard 100 or Howard 101. Or put Oprah on Martha Stewart. Stick Bob Edwards on an EXISTING channel. COMBINE the music, talk and sports, and let EVERYONE enjoy everything. This "separate services" strategy will backfire ... ESPECIALLY in this economy. C'mon, Mel!
Butch - You are absolutely correct, but I would take it one step further and make these "Best of"(are they really what people want, and are they really the best?) channels available to every subscriber for no charge, regardless of whether they are old or new. They have deceptively RAISED prices, after promising to LOWER prices !!!! This talk about synergies now sounds like a false promise, and evidently there is no intention of any "savings" ever trickling down to the subscribers. These new price plans and package deals are bizarre to say the least! Too complicated, and most are a compromise in some way. It's almost like they are doing their upmost to make sure that the subscriber is getting part of what they want, but not everything they want! I have a simple solution that would increase sales and interest in the service. Are you ready? Here it is: Give the people WHAT THEY WANT !!!!! The way this company is being managed is really starting to PISS EVERYBODY OFF. They have a fabulous product, but their greed and stupidity just might guarantee the demise of this much loved service.
They've posted the football games that will be on the "Best of XM" channels on Sirius' site, and there are no SEC games listed.
Link here.
Or this:
http://www.sirius.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Sirius/Page&c=FlexContent&cid=1065475754246&activity=MLAT&league=NCA&team=all
Question - are XM subs getting a free preview of the Best of Sirius this week? I'm trying to figure out the promos currently running this week on Howard 100 and Howard 101. They are instructing XM subs on how to "get" the BOS offer. If they aren't being given a free preview, who does Sirius think they're talking to? Thoughts?
I am a Sirius stock holder as well as a XM subscriber. I tried to put 2 of my radios on the best of Sirius plan, but I couldn't without cancelling my 5 year plan that I have. I locked into a 5 year agreement in 2005 to lock in the price at $7.95. This was before the price went up from 9.95 to 12.95 and they gave me an extra $2.00 a month off for prepaying for 5 years of service. Why can't I just add the service to my existing plan for the extra $4.00 a radio. One of your shareholders ask you Sirius, please think about the way you are conducting your business. You are losing out on $8.00 a month just from one subscriber.
Steve A - You are thinking what I and many others are thinking; they need to stop playing hide & seek with the channels and just be balls out and open the friggin floodgates so EVERYBODY gets a killer deal. They are being so coy and stingy about everything that it is making them look like a bunch of miserly scum bags. This is horrible management, and it is going piss off current and potential subscribers. They are treating us like pieces of shit as far as I'm concerned, and it is the absolute worst strategy in this economy to start fleecing subscribers like this. There is no great secret to turning this company and service around. It is very simple - In the words of Steve A "Let EVERYBODY enjoy EVERYTHING." Stop being so Goddamn SELFISH and try being GENEROUS !! People are fed up with being ripped off by EVERYBODY. I'm telling you Mel, and I believe this in my heart, that if you stop the bullshit and start really caring about the subscribers, you will see subscriptions rise dramatically. All I'm seeing from this company is GREED, and it is a disgrace, especially after the loyal support and the pain and suffering that millions of people have endured. It is time to show these people, who are the lifeblood of satellite radio, some respect. So far, all I'm seeing is a big "Fuck You."
Bud Selig should be salavating at the propositon of getting more listeners thus generating more money for teams. If Baseball and Sirius drop the ball on this (no pun intended) and don't work out a deal to get baseball on Sirius by the spring then something is seriously wrong and the FCC should investigate. Maybe even recind the merger if they can't provide. How can the NFL give it's blessing right from go and baseball can't. Heck we'd be able to listen to playoff and World Series games right now. oirget local radio I refuse to ever go back there again so thats not an option.
I have been a Sirius subscriber for five years, and am pissed at these recent changes. With no warning, I lose the NBA and SEC football. WTF? I will be calling to cancel my subscription tomorrow. I guess good things can't last forever, but I didn't expect that the merger would screw the subscribers this fast.
My post from a sports gambling site when a nice poster sent me here:
NBA is moved to XM, so you must order the best of XM in order to get NBA this season. Also, some major conference now on XM, such as SEC, which had rights to some teams, but now games are on XM.
There are still some games on Sirius, but you could argue that some of the better programming has been moved to force this purchase. It could also be that because they can add more sports by putting games on Sirius channels 210 and higher, for more bandwidth.
I have a factory installed radio in my F150, but after I purchased the upgrade for both home and car, I had to call for the update to occur for my vehicle. The home update worked right away.
As it turns out after the gal tried to keep sending me updates, which I kept getting but still the 210 plus channels weren't coming in. She's like, are you under a bridge or a tree, while I'm in an open parking lot, she goes away for 10 min., after a 25 min. attempt at this and says that certain Ford models with factory installed radios are not able to get the update to the 200s right now and they are working on it.
I hope they can get it worked out before NBA. Disappointed that I was charged and still not getting the programming for a week. They said, of course, if it could not happen they would refund it, which is fine, but when.
END OF POST...
Now, why didn't they ask about my car model or receiver type when I went to purchase the add on. And, in reading and understanding now about the chipset, why was I told that they are working on it, instead of, you will have to get a new receiver.
Thanks for some great and insightful posts. I thought I was all alone out here.
I would just like to be able to what I like from both companies. Who are they to tell me what the best sirius is. I'd like to be able to have XM and pick Faction and Hard Attack from Sirius. Why can't an option like that be available?
The reason Sirius says the NBA was dropped is that the NBA only renewed with XM. Hmmmm, their the same company now, Sirius could just turn on the "best of" and not charge for it. Oh, that's what a compamny does that has a momopoly does. It's a rip off and greed is behind the entire lie.
The reason Sirius says the NBA was dropped is that the NBA only renewed with XM. Hmmmm, their the same company now, Sirius could just turn on the "best of" and not charge for it. Oh, that's what a company does that has a monopoly in some way. It's a rip off and greed is behind the entire lie. Sirius, don't even try to lie about why this happened. For 4 dollars more a month, I can get something I had already had from the very same company.
I wanted to add to my post just made and add, I will never pay extra for the NBA I already had, that is half of the reason I subscribed to Sirius 2 years ago. The other reason was the NFL. I'll probably drop my subscription because of this move to screw all of us NBA and college footbal fans. This could easily be solved overnight if enough people called and cancelled until it is put back like before. If the XM subscribers wanted NBA, they should have subscribed to Sirius in the first place. It is just a way to screw its NBA listeners and fatten their wallet. I hope Sirius loses subscribers besides just a few of us on here. This move with the football is even worse. I hate these guys now. They couldn't leave a good thing alone. I figured they would wait a couple of years after the merger to screw us. I knew all along what they would do but had no idea they would so balatantly lie and cheat us this soon.
am writing to voice my disgust at Sirius/XM's blatant disregard for it's merger agreement and it's subscribers. They have been stating all along that subscribers would suffer no ill effects as a result of this merger and would continue to receive the same programming they've always received. During the merger talks however, they quietly let their contract with the National Basketball Association expire. A contract that was subsequently picked up by XM Satellite Radio. I believe this was an intentional move on Sirius Satellite Radios part that served two purposes. One, it would help to strenghten their argument for a merger if the merger didn't happen right away while at the same time, lowering their costs. Part of their justification for the merger has always been that subscribers of both Sirius and XM should have access to all the major sports franchises. At the time, XM had only Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League. If the merger didn't go through immediately, the move of the NBA from Siruis to XM would get hundreds of thousands of NBA fans who currently subscribed to Sirius to push for the merger to get their NBA games back. They've also stated since the mergers approval that the terms of the merger prevented them from raising their prices for 4 years. By splitting the major sports franchises between the 2 services (NFL and Nascar on Sirius and MLB, NHL, and the NBA on XM), they could get millions of subscribers on both sides to pay extra fees each month to get access to all the major sports. This is especially hurtful to former Sirius subscribers. Before the NBA move, their was little incentive for Sirius subscribers to pay extra for added XM programming. XM subscribers paying extra would get Howard Stern, along with the NFL and NBA (we thought). I believe this is Sirius/XM's way of legally skirting their agreement with the Department of Justice to not raise their prices. This is a slap in the face to the Department of Justice and millions of loyal subscribers.
Can anyone tell me where to tune my FM Receiver to get the Satillite programming when I connect my XM Radio? The response I'm getting from XM/Sirius isn't helping at all.