Even though most of the news surrounding Sirius and XM revolves around the merger, a recent Arbitron and Edison Media Research study, "Infinite Dial: Radio's Digital Platforms" (PDF) found that awareness has remained flat for the past three years.Indeed, while Sirius has remained relatively stable between 60-61% awareness, XM saw awareness rise to 64% in the beginning of 2007, only to drop back down to 59% in January 2008.
Now everyone always wants to see these numbers grow. But this is reenforcement of something I've been talking about for a while: there's a natural limitation to the number of people who will ever "pay for radio."
In other words, those who care about satellite radio, know about it. And those who don't... well, they don't know about it. I'm not spinning this, because when it comes to media, you always want more awareness. But I doubt that other 40% would be apt to convert into a subscriber.
Which brings me to the next slide...
Among the respondents who aren't already satellite subscribers, 1 in 6 said they would be "likely" to subscribe. A mere 2% said "very likely" while another 14% said they'd be "somewhat likely" - while a whopping 84% said they're "not at all likely" to sign up in the next 12 months.
Now in my opinion, that 84% are terrestrial radio's bread and butter. They're the ones who will opt for free over pay no-matter-what. The problem is, they're also mighty fickle.
See, that's part of satellite radio's inherent uphill battle. Getting that 84% of people who never would even consider "paying for radio" to actually consider it. That's why the OEM-channel is such a successful one.
Most people don't ever think they'd "pay for radio" - why would they? It's right there for free, just a finger-touch away. But once people experience satellite radio (usually through a trial), that's when they "get it" and wonder how they lived without it.
Is there anything special about that 16% that are willing to subscribe?
Nope.
In fact, there's a pretty wide and broad appeal:
Unlike most "early adopter" technologies/media, the skew is only slightly more male. (That's quite the contrast to the online community of satellite radio enthusiasts. Case in point: Orbitcast's readership is 90% male.)The interesting thing to note is how the 18-24 segment is actually less than the 12-17 age segment. Whether or not that's an effect of the iPod, or just that most college students are poor, it's hard to say. But it's obvious that the age group that gravitates towards satellite radio is the 35-54 segment.
So where's the missed opportunity? Take a guess...
Internet Radio continues to grow (though it is odd that it has stagnated since 2006), which is essentially everyone listening while they're at work. No longer do you see the average cubicle with a radio on the desk... but everyone does have their headphones on.With usage on the rise, there definitely seems to be a missed opportunity by Sirius and XM to appeal to the Internet Radio listener. But that's an entirely separate post.
Way to go. HOWARD
As Mark Ramsey just point out about HD Radio's dismal awareness factor, consumers are only aware of what they care about.
Like I said before...they should go on a college to college campus tour with howard sterns whack pack, playboy playmates, Oand A, and just start handnind out radio for free. Get these kids hooked.
Marketing has failed for both Sirius and XM.
Well, first of all, you can bet your last dollar that the 40% who have never even heard of sat. radio are in the 84% who aren't likely to purchase sat. radio. Of course, if you expose that 40% to what sat. radio offers, that number likely goes down some.
It amazes me that 40% of the people in this country have never even heard of XM or Sirius. I suspect if this merger ever goes through, the combined marketing power of the new company may have something to say about that.
Way to go howard, get those 2% suscribers!
Just to share my own experience, and why I'm not necessarily surprised that a lot of people don't know about satellite radio:
I first heard about it on an infomercial I tuned into on an FM station. It was like 8:00 on a Saturday morning, and it came on after the newscast I was listening to, and was a paid program for XM. Of course, it was surrounded by editorial comments from the station that only truckers would want something like this. In all honesty, I have NO idea how/where I first heard about the existence of Sirius.
Even after hearing about XM, satellite didn't appeal to me personally because at the time, there weren't any home units, and since I am blind and don't drive, and already had a10-CD changer in our vehicle at the time, it just didn't make any sense.
A few years went by, and I really didn't hear anything more about SatRad until I started reading a post on Metal Sludge, stating that they were going to get their own show on The Boneyard on XM. I kinda remembered having heard something about XM in the past, and after seeing Metal Sludge's description of The Boneyard, Liquid Metal, and Squizz, I checked out the website...I was REALLY hooked and actually decided to buy when I saw the line-up of rock, country, and comedy at the time, and saw that Eddie Trunk was joining the company the same weekend (Memorial Day 2004) as Sludge Radio. I'd heard about Eddie in metal/hard rock circles for years, and finally convinced my wife that this was what I wanted as basically a late birthday present.
Talking about how it's mostly men that are interested in SatRad, she had no interest at all and thought it was the stupidest thing to pay, at the time, $9.95/month for radio. Then, the day after I bought it, I came out of the shower and caught her tuning around the XM dial, and she was blown away by, of all things, XM Comedy 150...They were playing all our favorites. Then, Opie and Anthony were brought on, and she became just about as hooked as me.
On the other hand, the rest of my relatives who know about Satellite Radio, mostly through me, have NO desire to pay for it. They don't have the long commute my wife and I have, they don't really listen to a lot of radio at home (mostly TV or CDs), and so they don't see a need to pay for radio when they're perfectly happy with what they get on FM. I, on the other hand, have an XM unit in our car, use XMRO at work, and have one hooked up to my home stereo and have it turned on several hours a day.
I know another reason a couple of my uncles who have been tempted haven't subscribed yet is, frankly, because of the pending merger. One says he wants to wait until it's all said and done so he can see what the new company has to offer...Or, if the merger falls apart, he'll go with XM because of my mom's awful customer service experience when she had a free Sirius trial on her truck. My other uncle says both companies are doomed with or without the merger, and he doesn't want to subscribe to something just to find the companies have gone under, and his favorite content ends up going away just when he was getting into it.
I know that was long, and Ryan probably wants to shoot me for taking up so much space in the comments section, but right there is, from my experience, sort of a cross-section of different people's reactions to "paying for radio" and why we would or wouldn't.
For the record, I don't know anyone who hasn't heard of satellite radio though.
How in the world can you conduct any meaningfull awareness testing for the
past 14 months since Sirius and XM have been completely silenced by the
complete and total inaction of the DOJ and the FCC
If blind Wes knows about XM shoudn't everyone else? What else do they have to do? I know about the swifter floor cleaner but I don't own one...Wes you don't have a 10 disc changer you wife just says you do and changes the station on you all the time.
They need to lower prices no matter what happens... Merger or not. They need a slected music plan for $6.95 a month to get more people.
How 'bout how many people plan to un-subscribe? I was a HUGE satellite radio fan from the moment I started listening in 2004, but now find myself spending less and less time with it to the point of cancelling XM. (I had Sirius for awhile, too, so I've tried both.) I became disinfranchised when the XM audio quality starting suffering (to pack in more useless channels) and when it added bad, small market-sounding DJs (Michelle, Priestly) to 20 on 20, Hitlist, Flight and Boneyard.
And I guess I just don't trust what Mel Karmazin is planning to do with both after the merger. Bummer!
Wes that was a good honest post gold star.
Alex I agree about the price but merger or not providing audio by sat. is the MOST expensive way to provide radio, it just might never make business sense merge or no merge.
As for the merger, think its bad path for the satrad industry and will also be bad for consumers. Have seen those who are pro and con about this, I've seen the shall we say rhetoric by those on both sides who are way over their heads who have no idea what a merger could do to the satrad industry, who haven't broken down the merger to think about what the true effects of it would be if its allowed. Take it from someone who has had xm and sirius at various times throughout their short existence, having 2 satrad companies is better than having just one.
Chris, good point I'm thinking the same thing myself. By this merge satrad is causing a whole bunch of attention to itself but it's not at all good attention. It shows just how poor the industry is performing when both satrad companies are claiming they can't continue without a merge. The next few months are going to tell if I join the 84% of proud terrestrial radio listeners. Do miss local radio, hear local stories and events which is not a option with satrad. Also question if satrad subscriptions are worth the hundreds of dollars a year.
and how many people actually participate in surveys .....1 in 1,000,000????
you cant go by that! im sure there are more people aware of it that are waiting 4 a sat-rad merger to subscribe....
The higher numbers on the 12-17 year old subs are obviously kids whose folks are subs. Since the 18-24 year olds have a higher percentage not living at home that number drops. Kinda obvious. Also the one in six likely to subscribe is wacko--that would translate to ten million new subs.
I think the age groups are right this is a 35 to 54 year old demo. Despite all the money that fool Panero has spent on SnoopDog and other trash. Thecompanies should stop wasting money chasing 20 sumthang year olds and realize this is a product for middle aged folks as they drive to and from work. They could save a lot of money if they did this and stop alienating that gropu with morons like Snoop and the rest of the crap Panero loaded on.
The higher numbers on the 12-17 year old subs are obviously kids whose folks are subs. Since the 18-24 year olds have a higher percentage not living at home that number drops. Kinda obvious. Also the one in six likely to subscribe is wacko--that would translate to ten million new subs.
I think the age groups are right this is a 35 to 54 year old demo. Despite all the money that fool Panero has spent on SnoopDog and other trash. Thecompanies should stop wasting money chasing 20 sumthang year olds and realize this is a product for middle aged folks as they drive to and from work. They could save a lot of money if they did this and stop alienating that gropu with morons like Snoop and the rest of the crap Panero loaded on.
Thanks, Joe. I also wonder how NOT having Lee Abrams in the building will affect the creativity and quality of the XM programming. I mean, I'd read his blog rants and think "Yeah, Lee. Try that in the real broadcast world!" (which is where I make my living). However, he did offer some gems that I applied to my terrestrial radio situation and its challenges.
People are gun shy about paying for radio to start with, now the merger and financial problems
and price increases that always come after a merger despite what the suits say as no one even knows if satellite radio will survive. The powers that be have really messed up a great concept.
I didn't care much for pussy either till I got some.
I like pussy very much now, and the masses will love satrad.
IF the FCC ever pulls their hed out of their asses!
I didn't care much for pussy either till I got some.
I like pussy very much now, and the masses will love satrad.
IF the FCC ever pulls their head out of their asses!
If 28% of Americans think George "the walking asshole" Bush is doing a good job, are you really shocked to learn that 40% of Americans have no knowledge of Satrad?
There is a segment of our population that lives their pathetic lives with their dirty little stubby fingers either stuck in their asses, or noses. These are the same group.
Plowboy,
That's no way to talk about ignorant Lou.
"merge" MONOPOLY = No choice, No competition and, higher prices.
Satrad can be free.
Sirius approves vendors to post on their site. If a subscriber wants to avoid the $12.00 per month they buy from siri's approved vendors say "Tide soap" or crest tooth paste.
Instead of Proctor and Gamble giving me $.50 cents off the tooth paste they apply it towards my subscription. I do this until I pay off the $12.00 bucks for siri.
This kills two birds. Free sub and approved vendors see a spike in sales due to access to 20 million subscribers. Plus vendors are not wasting money advertising in the news paper that may or may not get read.
How is this done. Maybe like clicking on a web site that allows you to pre pay for your movie ticket before you get to the movie???
You print the movie ticket at home and when you get to the movie you don't wait in line.
The folks at the door scan your ticket and you're in.
The grocery stores scan your ticket and Proctor and Gamble knows you bought "THEIR" products and that you came FROM sirius's site. They (Proctor and Gamble) are not guessing if it was the local paper or other means of getting a coupon.
This keeps commercial free stations and Proctor and Gamble is stoked because they know they have you hooked each time you buy products you were going to buy anyways.
The bonus: your sub is free each month.
Anonymous Coward a.k.a. HD radio boy
"merge = more choice, and lower prices.
when will you blind ignorant NAB girls realize!
HD RADIO=R.i.P.
Over and over i see post the price is going up. I do not think that will happen i think it will go down. Ads are a important source of money and the more subs the more ad money.
The merger gives more bandwith and a better sound. I do not have a problem with the sound and i think it is because people that are not happy with it are using modulators and that makes it no better than FM.
John,
How does the merger give more bandwidth? You don't think Sirius/xm is going to keep both company's sat's going? thats no way to decrease operating expenses, which at least are some reasons for merger no? There for roughly half the satrad bandwidth currently available will be available with a merge.
How are prices going to go down? Is satrad something different than any other media provider? Has cable's price gone down? Has sattv price gone down? Has phone prices gone down? Have you looked at the released layout plans for post merge? getting less for more is no price drop.
Give some the credit for not blaming fm modulators for the crappy xm or sirius sound quality it sure isn't cd quality.
Lou seems you don't agree with Ryan's thread? 84% disagree with you and your nonsense. AC is right your posts are ignorant.
99% of people never heard of Opie and Anthony
99% of people never heard of Opie and Anthony
99% of people never heard of Opie and Anthony
FYI: I eventually used the direct input to my car stereos, and now I have a GM factory-installed XM radio in my truck. Maybe the XM audio quality on the jazz and classical channels are okay, but it's terrible on the channels I listened to most: Big Tracks, Lucy, Boneyard, Flight 26, 60s on 6. ("Listened to" being the key word there. I haven't tuned in XM in weeks!)
99% of people never heard of Opie and Anthony
--------------------
Sure , Stern draws thousands on the street , but how many are willing to pay $ 12.95 a month to listen to him ? Different story .
With new car sales being what they are right now , XM and Sirius can't give up on retail .
Sure , satellites are an expensive way for audio , but consider that another 9/11 happens , and buildings and towers get knocked down , how are you going to get information out ? At least with satellites , you'll still be able to get information out .
Three simple steps to getting SAT radio back on it's feet:
1. Finish the merger
The merger eliminates the confusion at Best Buy over which to buy - XM or Sirius ?
2. Offer open hardware & even lower cost SAT radios - everywhere.
This gets even more retail radios out there - in addition to the huge growing OEM deals
3. Offer incredibly low monthly service for 1st time subs - $6.99 month
This turns people that don't at least try out SAT radio ... into total BONEheads ... haha
What's their excuse then ?... I'd rather have a BigMac ?
Mike is close.
Free receivers.
Free service for 3 months.
Then claim everypone as a subscriber, even though they dpnt listen
"99% of people never heard of Opie and Anthony
--------------------
Sure , Stern draws thousands on the street , but how many are willing to pay $ 12.95 a month to listen to him ? Different story."
2% stupid, which come out to be like 100 or so.
"Now in my opinion, that 84% are terrestrial radio's bread and butter. They're the ones who will opt for free over pay no-matter-what."
I would say every subscriber felt the same way before they tried it. I never thought I would pay for radio- now it's a prt of my life.
A lot of people thought a $4 cup of coffee was a doomed enterprise, too. The harder I laughed at it, the more the stock went up.
The days of cheap energy are behind us, the earth is overpopulated, climate change is knocking at the door, the resource extraction based global economy is crumbling as humanity "discovers" unlimited growth cannot happen on a finite planet. As this "great unwinding' continues, do we really think people are going to pay for satellite radio when they are struggling to meet mortgage/rent/medical/fuel/food payments? Really???
Like so many things in our society afforded from the gift of cheap energy, satellite radio is doomed to fail. I will continue to enjoy it as long as I can afford the payment... but eventually like everyone else, I will be forced to drop the subscription.
ST
Wes,
Great post.... your experience parallels mine with friends and family. ..also, you type really well for a blind guy.
Here's the thing.... if 15% of Americans have subs in their car alone, this is 52 million subs in North America. I suspect that the max market for subs is 45-60 million.
Wes,
Great post.... your experience parallels mine with friends and family. ..also, you type really well for a blind guy.
Here's the thing.... if 15% of Americans have subs in their car alone, this is 52 million subs in North America. I suspect that the max market for subs is 45-60 million.
Wes,
Great post.... your experience parallels mine with friends and family. ..also, you type really well for a blind guy.
Here's the thing.... if 15% of Americans have subs in their car alone, this is 52 million subs in North America. I suspect that the max market for subs is 45-60 million.
Max,
"I never thought I would pay for radio- now it's a prt of my life."
Did you read this over and see how sad this sounds? satrad is part of your life?
People better get priority's in check. satrad is a luxury, is priced as a luxury. Is expensive to operate. Neither company has ever made a profit and now we hear the cries of this needed "merge" satrad is not ever going to make it, using sat's to provide radio entertainment looks good on paper but is proving to be too expensive in real life. I'd consider the 84% and growing the smart ones. Yeah we might like the content we get from satrad but if the content can't be paid the content will go soon too. The short life of satrad has been on life support and the power is failing and no merge is going to save it.
and to the AC who thinks satrad is the answer for buildings being knocked down and terrorism please, where do the sat's get their information from outerspace? It's all ground based in those same buildings your so worried about. Also satrad is the last luxury one needs to survive a disaster of any kind, for one it's non-local based information. terrestrial based transmitters have more than proven themselves in times of trouble and are much cheaper to maintain and keep up to date.
84% and growing are so right.....
NorCalMurph Said:
"If blind Wes knows about XM shoudn't everyone else? What else do they have to do? I know about the swifter floor cleaner but I don't own one...Wes you don't have a 10 disc changer you wife just says you do and changes the station on you all the time."
Very funny, my friend. I'd almost fall for it if I hadn't been the one to show her how to use the CD changer. :) And trust me, most of what's in my collection doesn't get airplay on terrestrial radio, though XM is much better about playing good music.
NorCalMurph Said:
"If blind Wes knows about XM shoudn't everyone else? What else do they have to do? I know about the swifter floor cleaner but I don't own one...Wes you don't have a 10 disc changer you wife just says you do and changes the station on you all the time."
Very funny, my friend. I'd almost fall for it if I hadn't been the one to show her how to use the CD changer. :) And trust me, most of what's in my collection doesn't get airplay on terrestrial radio, though XM is much better about playing good music.
@Joe:
"Did you read this over and see how sad this sounds? satrad is part of your life?"
Sad, your ass. Isn't the internet part of your life? Television? Don't you pay for both? As someone who likes music a great deal, and can't tolerate the repetitive commercialized dogshit offered on "free" (ha-ha) radio, I happen to get a great deal of satisfaction out of my XM subscription, and dollar for dollar, a far better value than the crap I get fed to me on cable TV.
I don't obsess over the merger issues or the cosmic implications og SatRad's business model, but I consume the product and enjoy it. A lot.
@Joe
"Did you read this over and see how sad this sounds? satrad is part of your life?"
"Sad," your ass. Isn't the internet part of your life? Television? Do you not pay for both? As a music lover, the value I get from my XM subscription easily trumps what I get from other media, including the repetitive dogshit offered on "free" (ha-ha) radio. Dollar for dollar, it surely beats cable TV.
While I don't obsess over the merger issues or the cosmic implications of the business model, I consume the product and enjoy it.
thats sad that someone has to change their name to get their point across!!!
=========================================================
John,
How does the merger give more bandwidth? You don't think Sirius/xm is going to keep both company's sat's going? thats no way to decrease operating expenses, which at least are some reasons for merger no? There for roughly half the satrad bandwidth currently available will be available with a merge.
How are prices going to go down? Is satrad something different than any other media provider? Has cable's price gone down? Has sattv price gone down? Has phone prices gone down? Have you looked at the released layout plans for post merge? getting less for more is no price drop.
Give some the credit for not blaming fm modulators for the crappy xm or sirius sound quality it sure isn't cd quality.
Lou seems you don't agree with Ryan's thread? 84% disagree with you and your nonsense. AC is right your posts are ignorant.
===================================================================
its sad that desperate people like anonymous coward poses as other people to point his ridiculous theories!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think this business will be won or lost with the 35-55 crowd. They are the perfect mix for the sdar offering. They have enough money to shell out for things like this, but they are not too old that mass adoption of a technology will take forever (my older clients are still figuring out email). The question will be with other competition, how well do they migrate to ease of use, and freshness of content in this segment. We all know the 22 year old will spend hours on their computers organizing their playlist, and lets also be honest, most young music listeners like very limited type of stuff that changes as songs become popular, then fade. I speak from experience..as just under that range (30) I see myself getting sick of downloading stuff and getting playlists..I have an ipod jack in my car and OEM XM, but i never bring my ipod anymore..In the house its usually itunes, in the car XM...I am worried that services like apple and others recognize this lack of wanting to be organizing music all the time, but for now, thats XMs compet advantage..They better hop to it. After merger, they need to streamline a cool set of radios (at diff price points) and work on added features for the car radios. How cool would it be if you had a "my channel" option that stored content you selected as you listend to your OEM radio? So litterly I would have one of my presets on my touch screen be stuff I saved...Think that might help keep ipods out of some cars and a couple subs to not churn? Anyway, this will play out two ways..After they merge, SIRI and XM will come out guns blazzing. They will use the media hoopla to get their names everywhere, show how much they have been preparing behind the scene, and get these companies doing ok..Or they will slowly hit up business as usual, and after a couple failed marketing campaigns, be regarded as a nitch product that will cap out around 25mil subs....time will tell..
I think this business will be won or lost with the 35-55 crowd. They are the perfect mix for the sdar offering. They have enough money to shell out for things like this, but they are not too old that mass adoption of a technology will take forever (my older clients are still figuring out email). The question will be with other competition, how well do they migrate to ease of use, and freshness of content in this segment. We all know the 22 year old will spend hours on their computers organizing their playlist, and lets also be honest, most young music listeners like very limited type of stuff that changes as songs become popular, then fade. I speak from experience..as just under that range (30) I see myself getting sick of downloading stuff and getting playlists..I have an ipod jack in my car and OEM XM, but i never bring my ipod anymore..In the house its usually itunes, in the car XM...I am worried that services like apple and others recognize this lack of wanting to be organizing music all the time, but for now, thats XMs compet advantage..They better hop to it. After merger, they need to streamline a cool set of radios (at diff price points) and work on added features for the car radios. How cool would it be if you had a "my channel" option that stored content you selected as you listend to your OEM radio? So litterly I would have one of my presets on my touch screen be stuff I saved...Think that might help keep ipods out of some cars and a couple subs to not churn? Anyway, this will play out two ways..After they merge, SIRI and XM will come out guns blazzing. They will use the media hoopla to get their names everywhere, show how much they have been preparing behind the scene, and get these companies doing ok..Or they will slowly hit up business as usual, and after a couple failed marketing campaigns, be regarded as a nitch product that will cap out around 25mil subs....time will tell..
Lou your double posting again... Don't think your crap in the other thread with AC went un-noted. Your not going to pull the same stuff here. If you have a comment about what others post comment about it but no reposting and changing words on what others share. If you think different than what I posted post a well thought out comment for once and back it up with truth, not your ignorance.
John,
How does the merger give more bandwidth? You don't think Sirius/xm is going to keep both company's sat's going? thats no way to decrease operating expenses, which at least are some reasons for merger no? There for roughly half the satrad bandwidth currently available will be available with a merge.
How are prices going to go down? Is satrad something different than any other media provider? Has cable's price gone down? Has sattv price gone down? Has phone prices gone down? Have you looked at the released layout plans for post merge? getting less for more is no price drop.
Lou your double posting while hiding under different names again... Don't think your crap in the other thread with AC went un-noted. Your not going to pull the same stuff here. If you have a comment about what others post comment about it but no reposting and changing words on what others share. If you think different than what I posted post a well thought out comment for once and back it up with truth, not your ignorance.
John,
How does the merger give more bandwidth? You don't think Sirius/xm is going to keep both company's sat's going? thats no way to decrease operating expenses, which at least are some reasons for merger no? There for roughly half the satrad bandwidth currently available will be available with a merge.
How are prices going to go down? Is satrad something different than any other media provider? Has cable's price gone down? Has sattv price gone down? Has phone prices gone down? Have you looked at the released layout plans for post merge? getting less for more is no price drop.
Lou your double posting while hiding under different names again... Don't think your crap in the other thread with AC went un-noted. Your not going to pull the same stuff here. If you have a comment about what others post comment about it but no reposting and changing words on what others share. If you think different than what I posted post a well thought out comment for once and back it up with truth, not your ignorance.
John,
How does the merger give more bandwidth? You don't think Sirius/xm is going to keep both company's sat's going? thats no way to decrease operating expenses, which at least are some reasons for merger no? There for roughly half the satrad bandwidth currently available will be available with a merge.
How are prices going to go down? Is satrad something different than any other media provider? Has cable's price gone down? Has sattv price gone down? Has phone prices gone down? Have you looked at the released layout plans for post merge? getting less for more is no price drop.
Lou your double posting while hiding under different names again... Don't think your crap in the other thread with AC went un-noted. Your not going to pull the same stuff here. If you have a comment about what others post comment about it but no reposting and changing words on what others share. If you think different than what I posted post a well thought out comment for once and back it up with truth, not your ignorance.
John,
How does the merger give more bandwidth? You don't think Sirius/xm is going to keep both company's sat's going? thats no way to decrease operating expenses, which at least are some reasons for merger no? There for roughly half the satrad bandwidth currently available will be available with a merge.
How are prices going to go down? Is satrad something different than any other media provider? Has cable's price gone down? Has sattv price gone down? Has phone prices gone down? Have you looked at the released layout plans for post merge? getting less for more is no price drop.
Lou your double posting while hiding under different names again... Don't think your crap in the other thread with AC went un-noted. Your not going to pull the same stuff here. If you have a comment about what others post comment about it but no reposting and changing words on what others share. If you think different than what I posted post a well thought out comment for once and back it up with truth, not your ignorance.
John,
How does the merger give more bandwidth? You don't think Sirius/xm is going to keep both company's sat's going? thats no way to decrease operating expenses, which at least are some reasons for merger no? There for roughly half the satrad bandwidth currently available will be available with a merge.
How are prices going to go down? Is satrad something different than any other media provider? Has cable's price gone down? Has sattv price gone down? Has phone prices gone down? Have you looked at the released layout plans for post merge? getting less for more is no price drop.
"and to the AC who thinks satrad is the answer for buildings being knocked down and terrorism please, where do the sat's get their information from outerspace? It's all ground based in those same buildings your so worried about. Also satrad is the last luxury one needs to survive a disaster of any kind, for one it's non-local based information. terrestrial based transmitters have more than proven themselves in times of trouble and are much cheaper to maintain and keep up to date.
84% and growing are so right....."
Posted by: Joe | April 15, 2008 10:55 AM
XM Satellite Radio starts up Red Cross Radio
http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/xm-satellite-radio-starts-up-red-cross-radio.html
The American Red Cross and XM Satellite Radio have joined forces to start up Red Cross Radio (XM Channel 248), a 24-hour XM channel to give news and information for Hurricane Katrina victims, Red Cross workers along the Gulf Coast and across the country.
On top of that, XM is donating radios to the Red Cross for relief workers, shelters and aid stations. The Red Cross is not only using the XM Radio channel to deliver news and info directly to workers but is also using the channel to send mass messages to staff across the country.
Red Cross Radio is airing continuous updates on the elief efforts in New Orleans and other Gulf Coast areas devastated by Katrina, as well as the sites where victims have been relocated to receive Red Cross assistance.
Very impressive and smart. In a place where terrestrial radio has been knocked out, this shows the benefits of satellite radio first hand.
ttp://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=18980
Release Date: September 17, 2005
Release Number: 1603-020
BATON ROUGE, La. The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced that agreements are now in place with DISH Satellite TV Network and XM Satellite Radio to deliver up-to-date disaster assistance information to Hurricane Katrina evacuees in shelters and other locations across the country.
DISH TV Network is available in 79 shelters to date, and that number is expected to expand to more shelters and FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers as they open in the Gulf Coast area.
XM Satellite Radio has offered FEMA access to its emergency information network through the XM Red Cross Network on channel 248 and its around-the-clock Emergency Alert channel on 247.
Lets see Joey's iPod do that !
"People better get priority's in check. satrad is a luxury, is priced as a luxury." Said Joey.
Cheapest luxury I ever used...!
Cup of coffee and buttered bagel costs how much M thru F?
Even free radio costs. It (not since 04) used to cost me my time in listening to commercials, when what I wanted was commercial free uncensored music. I also wanted uncensored talk, news and sports. If 43 cents a day for Satellite Radio is a luxury than I am a gluttonous pig with my 2 subs for the house and car not to mention 2 more subs as gifts.
You poor cheap bastards!
I got news folks, the reason most people haven't subscribed to Satrad is because i'm willing to bet, for most people, radio is something that's on in the background. To the casual listener, radio is background noise and it's something to have on for ambience, or if you just wanna catch a quick newscast or something. Everyone who visits this site all knows about the murger, the 2 companies, you get the back and forth Stern VS O & A bullshit, but most of the casual listeners just do not care. Or at least they don't care enough about what's on their radio to figure out that they would have so much more choices if they got XM or Sirius. Just as an aside, I'm blind as well, and it only took me a few minutes to hook up my radio, then I visited the XM website and activated online. then in a few more minutes I had hundreds of stations to listen to. I was hooked immediately!
anonymous coward: this is a forum for sat-rad subscribers..this is not NAB.ORG or HDRADIO.COM.....and thats desperate to try to trick people into being a disgruntled sat-rad subscriber and whats worse is you work for the NAB!......YOUR A FRAUD AND A LIAR!!!!