But will it last?
As of this morning, the Sirius XM iPhone App remains as the #1 free music App, and now has leap-frogged its way to the #3 top free App overall. It's good to see, especially since the iPhone 3G S is now on sale and folks are flocking to the iTunes store after buying their shiny new toys.
First the first time in a long time, Sirius XM Radio Inc. is being exposed to a highly relevant and engaged audience.
Let's take a quick step back though and put this all in perspective. Remember this post from a few weeks ago? I pointed out that there was essentially two purposes to the Sirius XM iPhone App, and stems from two major audiences:
For the first group - who are most of the Orbitcast readers - we want to see all the bells and whistles. We want to see an iPhone App that is more capable than our current radios. We want Howard Stern, Opie & Anthony, NFL, MLB, NASCAR, NHL, NBA, PGA, etc etc etc. We want it all, because we're already familiar with the service.
But right now, the iPhone App isn't about us.
It's about those new eyeballs on iTunes, it's about the potential subscribers. Remember, it's not just the iPhone 3G S that is new, the new iPhone OS 3.0 was just released as well. Now, more than ever, Sirius XM is actually getting exposure to this audience.
...but, will it last?
1. Current Subscribers (Purpose: Subscriber relations)
2. Potential Subscribers (Purpose: Prospecting)
For the first group - who are most of the Orbitcast readers - we want to see all the bells and whistles. We want to see an iPhone App that is more capable than our current radios. We want Howard Stern, Opie & Anthony, NFL, MLB, NASCAR, NHL, NBA, PGA, etc etc etc. We want it all, because we're already familiar with the service.
But right now, the iPhone App isn't about us.
It's about those new eyeballs on iTunes, it's about the potential subscribers. Remember, it's not just the iPhone 3G S that is new, the new iPhone OS 3.0 was just released as well. Now, more than ever, Sirius XM is actually getting exposure to this audience.
...but, will it last?
Since it is free I am willing to bet that most people just grab it to check it out. Look at the churn rate for new car buyers and they have 6 months of the service.
Before you all tell me to cancel I have cancelled my 2 sub that were monthly and once my 2 yearlies are up I am dropping 1. So I will have gone from 4 to 1. Once Howard is gone it will be 0. So I am already on my way out the door!
Even though I would not pay to use it, I truly hope it's a great success for the company. They could use some good news for a change.
I for one think Sirius/XM blew it again. This application needed to differentiate themselves from the free music applications already out there (Pandora, Slacker, AOL Radio etc). Unfortuantely, without Stern, this is just another music app (but this one requires at least $13.00 a month from a potential new subscriber).
Unfortunately, Sirius/XM even alienated their current subscribers. I am part of the former XM, have 2 radio subs, the BOS with free internet (because I locked in for another 2 years (been with XM for 4.5 years)at the time the company was looking to raise cash. For my loyalty, I now get the opportunity to purchase IPHONE/IPOD access for an additional $3.00 a month. Considering that there was no mention of this previously (I found out after I downloaded my application that I had "basic" internet service and did not qualify), I feel like a "duped" customer. With the new July royalty fees being passed on, I am really sorry I locked myself up to next November 2010. If I didn't do this, I seriously would have cancelled my service. I am fed up with getting nickled and dimed when there are other alternatives out in the marketplace today. I will be very surprised if this business is around in the next 5 years. I believe the handwriting is on the wall that the company is in serious decline.
Question for everyone... can this app be used in places like Europe, Canada, Latin America, etc, etc, etc?
I haven't seen any mention of the fact that siriusXM may have just leapfrogged physical/political borders and increased potential audiences by several orders of magnitude.
thoughts?
so is the Sirius XM app the only music streaming app that you can buy songs from?
It is not free you have to subscribe to sirius ! After the free week you will find out that you can't do much with it like you can with Slacker so i imagen that it won't be that high on the list very long .
I get the download numbers, it is free - I want to see the conversion numbers, and more damaging to a brand, the download (from iTunes) v. acutally putting it on your iPhone/iPod.
I would love to know (in general) how many free apps are downloaded, tested by a consumer and then left sitting in the iTunes library but no longer sits on the iPhone/iPod. That would truly be a brand engagement statement
Even more damaging - those that download, tested, and then just deleted it - like me, which is my way of saying - I am beginning to hate the brand.
Sure hope Ryan will post the "Sirius XM iPhone App downloads continue" RAPID decline, just like siriusxm has seen with it's massive, mind blowing drop in subscriptions as those with a clue churn away after figuring out paying for radio is for newbs and suckers, just like this app.
This is the high, it will NOT last. Between the negative publicity this thing is getting, and the fact that if your not a subscriber you have to pay $13 a month for it will be a dealbreaker for many, MANY people.
Once they find out that tbe buzz generated by Sirius is nothing more than FM style programming that they will have to pay $13 a month for to listen to, I think most will not keep this app.
Current subscribers might use this as another way to listen to the service, but they did lose out on not having Stern on the platform, as I can imagine that would be a huge potential audience for the application (subscribers that take public transportation to work likely cannot hear him any other way). But, will current subscribers pay an additional $3 for access to this "feature"?
Face it, with Slacker, Pandora, etc covering the music and apps like iheartradio, flytunes, wunderradio, etc covering the talk (not even bringing up podcasts), Sirius' only real upsell is new music discovery (which ironically is one of the things the former XM had that the current Sirius does not) and a few exclusive talk shows.
And, as stated before, $13 will be a barrier for new subscribers. Lower that to $5 and you MIGHT see some improvement on that.
Brewster- I am in the same boat with the "basic" service because I pre-paid for a year and got "free" online access as a result. I actually called in April about getting an online subscription and I was told that if I pre-paid for a year, I'd get the online account for "free" as well. Today I was told that this online account does not include access to the iphone.
I have been an XM customer since 2003 (didnt realize it had been so long but they told me that on the phone). Its outrageous to treat existing, loyal customers in such an awful way. I had then refund my 1 year pre-paid and apply my existing balance ($130 or so) toward a month-to-month service with "premium online." When my credit runs out, I will cancel the online service (I doubt Il really ever use it on the iphone anyway with no sports or Howard Stern).
This reminds me of the Sling Player debacle -- disabling 3G for that app and essentially casting aside loyal customers. Sling is owned by EchoStar. I am afraid Sirius will be gone once Stern leaves at the end of his contract.
One last thing, is it me or is the music not as good since the merger?
"Unfortunately, Sirius/XM even alienated their current subscribers. I am part of the former XM, have 2 radio subs... For my loyalty, I now get the opportunity to purchase IPHONE/IPOD access for an additional $3.00 a month."
My feelings exactly! I downloaded the app last night to my iPod Touch, but was disappointed that I'd have to pay $3/mo extra to use it. I had 3 radio subs and have canceled one. At year's end, I will be down to one. I've been with XM for 5 years.
How much are you negativos getting to knock every positive development. I am buying an iPhone just for Sirius XM. It is available overseas, from what I read. With no radio to buy it should be quite attractive. With the benefit to Apple and ATT watch out for their ad's to tout Sirius XM. So we only get a few million new subs. That up's our max sustainable base to over 30 million. Are we still on for BK and what is the new date?
Sirius XM will never beat the Paper Toss app.
with sponsors like TSS radio i highly doubt there will be a decline article .
Are these iTunes rankings for all time? Or is it just the number 3 downloaded free app this week, or something like that?
Surely it doesn't already have more total downloads than Slacker and Pandora, which have been around a while and are free to use.
Wrote to Sirius complaing about the missing Stern situation on the app. If you are up for some corporate bull…t read on:
Dear George
We appreciate the time that you have taken to contact us regarding
Howard Stern not available on the iPhone. We are here to assist you!
Ingo, we are happy to learn about your interest in listening to Howard
Stern on your iPhoneTM or iPod touch® device! SIRIUS & XM offer all of
the channels for which we have mobile performance rights. For that
reason, certain satellite channels like MLB Play-by-Play, NFL
Play-by-Play, SIRIUS NASCAR Radio, and Howard Stern will not be
available on mobile devices. Listeners will continue to be able to
access that programming through the platforms they are currently offered
on. We have included a link to our website below where you can find the
online streaming channel line-up. http://www.siriusxm.com/oniphone
We continually rely on customer feedback like yours and research to
enhance your entertainment experience. As we strive to create the most
diverse listening experience available, we find that the feedback we
receive is crucial to our success! We are forwarding your comments to
the appropriate programming team for consideration.
Please visit our website at http://www.sirius.com/WHATSONSIRIUS for our current
lineup, schedules and programming highlights.
We are committed to providing you with the best in customer care. If
you have any more questions, please feel free to contact SIRIUS Customer
Care. For your convenience, we are available 7 days a week at:
SIRIUS Customer Care: 1-888-539-7474
As well as by email at:
http://www.sirius.com/customercare
Enjoy our fantastic programming!
Sincerely,
Laura
SIRIUS Customer Care
Fantastic answer. I am totally satisfied and happy now !!! Don't you just love corporations and their customer care ?
I am starting to think that xmsr has given up on listening and trying to maintain their existing base.
It reminds me a lot of how AOL rose and fell. Many will remember how aol swamped us with cds to sign up. A lot of those people realized they either didn't like the "service", used it occasionally or not at all. But they kept paying anyway - the price was at a point for many to not give a second thought when it came on the bill and cancelling service was a nightmare.
I believe that a lot of people on their free trial will not cancel. They will handle it like with AOL. If someone calls to cancel, I bet they get offered a free month or 2 - just to help them "forget" about it for a while.
After 1 week on terestrial radio you will want to come back but you won't...... you will torture yourself to spite SIRIUSXM......
PS - I read all these comments and opinions and my opinion remains the same by quoting our favorite TV personality
YOU ALL KNOW NOTHING
#2 now
why has this site become nothing but haters? has the service changed over the years? sure. but to have more than doubled their content from when the service was only $9.99, and to have given listeners more and more ways to listen than the 1 plug n' play that was originally available, the fact that it is STILL less than $20 after 7-8 years is a small miracle in the struggling media business. not to mention the drastic increase in music royalty fees and all the money sucked out of both companies during an 18 month FCC debacle.
my cable bill has doubled in the same time and the only thing i get today that i didn't get then is HD and a DVR.
i'm not saying the company is doing everything right, but i don't get the entitlement many of you seem to feel. the company has to grow, it has to do things to reach out to NEW customers, it can't focus all of its energy kissing the ass of the rest of us.
also, everyone keeps saying they can get what SXM offers in so many other places. this may be partially true, but i have yet to find a way to have commercial-free music from any genre i like, sports (not local), world news, etc. all integrated into my car with no need for additional devices. and for $3.00 a month i can now get MOST of that on my iPhone and easily take it wherever i go while also tagging and downloading songs i like with no docking or extra processes to worry about?
sure, the company has some work to do, but i don't get all the negativity on this site lately...
I really wish Ryan would finally IP Block you like he's promised in the past.
Why bother commenting on a SatRad blog if you hold the users in contempt?
Considering you have to pay $13 for the online service, when not everything is available online. Plus the fact that services like Slacker, Pandora, AOL Radio, Last.FM, Flycast and others have better music selection, and they're free.
I actually tried the app on my iPhone yesterday, after a few hours of hearing the same thing I can hear on FM Radio, and having to listen to O&A's whining about not getting their name spelled right on the app screen, I figured I wasn't missing anything and deleted. Any ideas I had about resubscribing are gone.
@rokmartian - you're right on.
It took me FOREVER to finally remember to cancel my XM subscription (I had 4 radios but my wife had grown tired of it) and when I finally started the process Customer Service fought me on every attempt to try and cancel.
I eventually did and haven't missed it. Started listening to STern again (free Sat. rad in new car) and find myself liking it again - feels like 1993 all over again!
Was a huge O&A fan from 2004-2008, was listening to them yesterday and agree - they were carrying on way too long about the pad data (which they are in control of).
Pandora/Slacker are much better alternatives.
It's not you
The music AIN"T as good post merger.
Mel,Zellner,Greenstein = Shysters like peas in a pod.
Recondo72
I agree. I am actually considering buying the new Iphone this weekend (if they are in stock) only so I can have Sirius on it. I will have to pay $150 to break my contract with Verizon and go with ATT and buy the new phone but it is worth it to me. I have a roadster and the cost to get SIRI installed from teh BMW dealership is $1000. So, this is the cheaper alternative. Of course, I will only do this if I can stream it through the Bluetooth connection. I don't know if this can be done yet but will inquire over the weekend.
You leave out one thing.
The Ratings for the app.
A company offers their new product for free. Customers test this free product and give it poor ratings (71% one star as of 5pm).
Is that really GOOD press?
New customers will not buy this product and old customers won't come back.
No "Official" word from Sirius why they left Stern out?
This is best ever. Love Sirius and this app is great!
" I am buying an iPhone just for Sirius XM."
You sir are a FOOL then. Newbs and suckers.......
terestrial radio in some area's is MUCH better than what is available on siriusxm with better sound quality.
FU Mel
JRT,
You seem to have some personal problems, and problems with your fellow posters. Why don't you relax and smarten up? Instead of desperate calls for blocking what you can handle, you should listen to your fellow posters you just might finally learn something instead of showing others just how out of touch some people can be who bow and kiss the ring of Melvin.
PS: I'll be sending you a bill for my services.
Dr. Phil
has anyone actually looked at the reviews on itunes? makes you realize the % of subscribers that are only listening for stern. ive never seen an app get so trashed.. complete trainwreck this entire thing is
We got f@&$&& in the rear and did not get a reach around.....thx mel
It is the #2 downloaded free app.!
Here comes #1, in three days
They just released the new I phone yesterday.
You don't get it right, this is stealing because we just locked in and now we are penalized to pay extra, if they get you Howard on the iphone, the stilettos would never leave the stand and by the way eventhough they don't guarantee service overseas you get it in the caribbean, Puerto Rico and Philippines my friend.
You don't get it right, this is stealing because we just locked in and now we are penalized to pay extra, if they get you Howard on the iphone, the stilettos would never leave the stand and by the way eventhough they don't guarantee service overseas you get it in the caribbean, Puerto Rico and Philippines my friend.
Just canceled 2 subs was gonna add 3.00 BS charge to hear Howard on my iphone but we got screwed, Sirius has lost $168.00 a year of my money and I will cancel my main radio after Howard leaves!!!!
What? You don't need a radio to use the iPhone? No, you need a much more expensive iPhone and 2 year service agreement. Then you get to pay $13/month for Sirius and you don't get all the content. Great deal. You could get an Inno, XMP3 or Stilletto for cheaper and get the full channel line up. Stop trying to defend this company. It is by far the worst consumer company I have ever dealt with.
Virtually all the 1 & 2 Star Ratings are Howard Fanboys bitching that their dear leader isn't available. Anyone who reads 3 to 4 reviews knows that. Take the little-howies away and you have mostly 5-Star ratings! Why, because it really is a good little app - and for all of the new listeners out there who always wanted to try SIRIUS XM, now they can. That is why it is up to #2 as of now, and stands a good chance of making it to #1.
http://www.sirius.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Sirius/CachedPage&c=ChannelLineup&cid=1218563499691&pid=SIR_IP_EVT&catid=all
Quit whining....as a new subscriber....you can get an internet subscription for 13 bucks.....(see link above)then you can use that subscription on your iPhone...two ways to listen....and if you like Howard that much...you can stream him on your internet feed through the computer...when available...still have an incredible and diverse lineup of options and different types of music!