There's been increasing amount of chatter about the official Sirius XM iPhone App, slated to be launched before the end of June.
But will the ability to hear satellite radio's exclusive content be the panacea that some are hoping it will be?
It can be... but only if the company remembers who they are talking to, and approach this the right way.
Now, bear in mind that I'm not talking about this from a technical standpoint - I'm praying that Sirius XM Radio Inc. is putting enough bells and whistles into this app to "wow" the influential technophiles who'll show it to their friends.
But we need to look at this from a strategic view. This company has - too many times - approached a great idea, and then fallen flat on execution. And in any strategy, we need to understand the audience (in other words: who the hell is going to use this thing?)
There are two audiences that a Sirius XM iPhone App would target:
Group A
For the first group, it's a value add. We listen to satellite radio, we enjoy satellite radio, and with the iPhone App we'll now be able to take it with us anywhere. Lovely. Current subscribers are the easy target. We've already been sold.
Of course, the downside to any subscription service is that it continually needs to "sell itself" every billing period (which is why they try to upsell you to a longer-term payment). As people reevaluate their spending, they tend to cut out the reoccurring costs, because they can. So in that sense, the iPhone App is a tool to combat churn. And God knows Sirius XM need it - with a record 1.7 million satellite radio subscribers canceling their service in the first quarter, anything that adds value is a necessity.
Additionally, current subscribers need to be further convinced that the iPhone/iTouch and Satellite Radio are not mutually exclusive. Integration into the platform is key. Sirius XM need users to look at the device as being something they can't live with out together - and not contrasted against.
Group B
Now this is a tougher shell to crack, but I'd wager it's the most important one. This is where a concrete strategy must be planned out in advance.
For one, the overlap between satellite radio subscribers and iPhone owners is limited. It's more likely that out of the 37 million iPhone/iTouch owners, there are more without satellite radio than there are with the service (a note to the folks in Corporate: if you have data to dispute or back up this assumption - I welcome it. Just email me.).
Ok, so how do we use a free satellite radio iPhone app to not just be a value add to current subscribers - but to become a lead generation tool for creating new subscribers?
It's easy actually.
First, let's use the learnings to be had from the OEM channel. If we know one thing about how to "sell" satellite radio - it's that trial works. No one ever thinks to buy a radio. Radio is just there. It's ubiquitous. You wake up to radio. You turn on radio to hear traffic and weather. You put it on as background noise. No one seeks it out, it's just there.
So let's pray that Sirius XM Radio will not begin immediately charging people to listen to the iPhone stream - if so, they're going to be shooting themselves in the foot.
The goal of the iPhone App is to drive trial. The more that people experience satellite radio, the more they love it. That's why the automotive OEM channel works. People get it for free in their car and just start listening to it. By the time the trial period is up, they can't live without it. Apply that same exact logic to the iPhone, and you have yourself another sales channel.
There's no doubt that trial works, the only question is: how long of a trial?
The bean counters are going to want to show a measurable ROI immediately. Afterall, they got the budget approved to work on this rogue project, and now they need to show Mel that this initiative is working immediately... before the heads begin to roll. But the bean counters will bury themselves if they stick to a 3-day or 10-day trial. Even a 30-day trial will create a significant drop off.
For this to work right as a sales generating tool, Sirius XM needs to offer the iPhone App with a minimum of a 3-month trial. Minimum. 6-months would be even better. Hell, offer them a year if they refer a friend - a little positive word-of-mouth never hurt anybody.
Why so long? Because there's historical data showing that these trial periods work. This isn't a "quick hit" sale, this is a slow simmer.
Listeners need persistence exposure before satellite radio becomes something they can't live without. Plus there's a ton of alternatives with months of exposure already ahead of them (Pandora, Slacker, not to mention the gigs of songs, tv shows, movies and thousands of other apps on this device).
It's not just getting the app to be downloaded that's the hurdle... it's getting the app to be used. Users will need an incentive to give it a shot, and offering "days" of free trial just isn't going to cut it.
So will the Sirius XM iPhone App be a boon for satellite radio? Maybe, but only if the company focuses on a long-term strategy rather than a short-term gimmick.
Thoughts? Sound off in the comments below.
But we need to look at this from a strategic view. This company has - too many times - approached a great idea, and then fallen flat on execution. And in any strategy, we need to understand the audience (in other words: who the hell is going to use this thing?)
There are two audiences that a Sirius XM iPhone App would target:
- Existing Sirius XM subscribers who have an iPhone (Group A)
- iPhone owners who have had little prior exposure to Satellite Radio (Group B)
Group A
For the first group, it's a value add. We listen to satellite radio, we enjoy satellite radio, and with the iPhone App we'll now be able to take it with us anywhere. Lovely. Current subscribers are the easy target. We've already been sold.
Of course, the downside to any subscription service is that it continually needs to "sell itself" every billing period (which is why they try to upsell you to a longer-term payment). As people reevaluate their spending, they tend to cut out the reoccurring costs, because they can. So in that sense, the iPhone App is a tool to combat churn. And God knows Sirius XM need it - with a record 1.7 million satellite radio subscribers canceling their service in the first quarter, anything that adds value is a necessity.
Additionally, current subscribers need to be further convinced that the iPhone/iTouch and Satellite Radio are not mutually exclusive. Integration into the platform is key. Sirius XM need users to look at the device as being something they can't live with out together - and not contrasted against.
Group B
Now this is a tougher shell to crack, but I'd wager it's the most important one. This is where a concrete strategy must be planned out in advance.
For one, the overlap between satellite radio subscribers and iPhone owners is limited. It's more likely that out of the 37 million iPhone/iTouch owners, there are more without satellite radio than there are with the service (a note to the folks in Corporate: if you have data to dispute or back up this assumption - I welcome it. Just email me.).
Ok, so how do we use a free satellite radio iPhone app to not just be a value add to current subscribers - but to become a lead generation tool for creating new subscribers?
It's easy actually.
First, let's use the learnings to be had from the OEM channel. If we know one thing about how to "sell" satellite radio - it's that trial works. No one ever thinks to buy a radio. Radio is just there. It's ubiquitous. You wake up to radio. You turn on radio to hear traffic and weather. You put it on as background noise. No one seeks it out, it's just there.
So let's pray that Sirius XM Radio will not begin immediately charging people to listen to the iPhone stream - if so, they're going to be shooting themselves in the foot.
The goal of the iPhone App is to drive trial. The more that people experience satellite radio, the more they love it. That's why the automotive OEM channel works. People get it for free in their car and just start listening to it. By the time the trial period is up, they can't live without it. Apply that same exact logic to the iPhone, and you have yourself another sales channel.
There's no doubt that trial works, the only question is: how long of a trial?
The bean counters are going to want to show a measurable ROI immediately. Afterall, they got the budget approved to work on this rogue project, and now they need to show Mel that this initiative is working immediately... before the heads begin to roll. But the bean counters will bury themselves if they stick to a 3-day or 10-day trial. Even a 30-day trial will create a significant drop off.
For this to work right as a sales generating tool, Sirius XM needs to offer the iPhone App with a minimum of a 3-month trial. Minimum. 6-months would be even better. Hell, offer them a year if they refer a friend - a little positive word-of-mouth never hurt anybody.
Why so long? Because there's historical data showing that these trial periods work. This isn't a "quick hit" sale, this is a slow simmer.
Listeners need persistence exposure before satellite radio becomes something they can't live without. Plus there's a ton of alternatives with months of exposure already ahead of them (Pandora, Slacker, not to mention the gigs of songs, tv shows, movies and thousands of other apps on this device).
It's not just getting the app to be downloaded that's the hurdle... it's getting the app to be used. Users will need an incentive to give it a shot, and offering "days" of free trial just isn't going to cut it.
So will the Sirius XM iPhone App be a boon for satellite radio? Maybe, but only if the company focuses on a long-term strategy rather than a short-term gimmick.
Thoughts? Sound off in the comments below.
ryan:
Please please get rid of the ads with sound.
This is something that makes me stop visiting sites. Usually its just one of the annoying sound-embedded ads that i have to hunt down and click mute on. But your front page had two....TWO, and i had to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page to get rid of the second one. Seriously, please get rid of these. If you want to generate more hits, then generate more content...maybe even, shudder to think, bring in some contributing editors. Anything but this assault on our speakers and sanity. Aren't commercials why most of us stopped listening to terrestrial radio in the first place?
I have an iPhone and also a satellite subscription. With the decreasing post-merger programming quality, there is no way I would choose to use the satellite app on the iphone and pay for the privelige. The Internet radio apps are free, and provide better music programming. I'm on the verge of cancelling my satellite subscriptions outright, as satellite provides very little additional value over what the iPhone can do for me. If not for O&A and the few live news channels, I'd already be gone. 2 cents. But I see very few ways satellite can compete on the iPhone platform from the perspective of music programming.
No way. This is a complete waste of time. Sorry, if I'm going to listed to streamed music on my iphone, I'll take the Pandora or Slacker ap any day. SatRad just doesn't have the content it would require to get people to buy this.
Wait... what ads have sound? I *hate* auto-play ads.
Lemme check it out and try to fix. Sorry!!
I agree, you have to give them a good taste to go thru the channels.
Once they see all that is avaiable they will have to have it!
Just like a drug addict, 3 months should be sufficent.
What is the "current chatter" about the app? I am a subscriber to sirius and I am looking forward to the app (assuming it is free). I currently use Pocket Tunes to listen to Sirius, but I am hoping the official app will be more user-friendly.
yes, there are ads that run w/ sound on the site...drives me nuts too
...especially when at work!
hmmmmm....... i don't notice any autoplay ads.
Yep. This page has an ad for airwick with sound. It makes it tough to discretely read your blog at work. ;-)
Offering what is currently available on Sirius XM as a stream on the iPhone and charging for it is not likely going to be a big hit. I don't mean to sound like a negative broken record but the music channels are not really worth paying for. How much more can the company push Stern. I'd be willing to bet that the majority of iPhones out there are owned by people under 30. I don't see that target group paying for monotonous music channels with obnoxiously irritating DJs or a 55 year old shock jock that is past his prime. Especially when there are free services and inexpensive services out there that offer much cooler content.
Sirius XM needs to add some cool content onto their online services with their infinite bandwidth, come up with cool music packages to attract young subscribers, basically anything other than pushing the same old shit. If not then this iPhone app will be just another missed opportunity and overall failure for the company.
Crap, I'm trying to find and remove the ad. Thanks so much for bringing it to my attention.
Sirius/XM should hurry up and release this I have been listening to XM on my iPhone LEGALLY with a App called Pocket Tunes with no problems.
Ed Baxter:
You're right on.
I'm 50+ and two years ago I would have NEVER considered a negative thought concerning SatRad. That was then & this is now.
Besides..............
It has just been released that the new Sony Walkman X-Series will feature Slacker as standard.
Let's look at that unit & the Pioneer Inno for XM:
Both offer simpler & more direct access to channels/material someone wants at a lower price than the clunky Sirius units let alone probably paying for an application or even more likely a subscription via AT&T/SiriusXM.
I have a very efficient Motorola cell phone(mil-spec)that dosen't even have a camera. I don't need all that BS so I don't have any use for an iPhone and the added expense. I'm sure many other people are in my category.
Mel & Co.:
Give me some reason to renew my multi-year subscription besides the tired old chesnut "Well,you should listen to terra radio these days."
I was a beta tester for the XM app that got canned. It worked well. However, I have to agree that the decrease in programming quality since the merger, plus being charged to listen, will hurt. On the other hand, there are many folks who still LOVE Sirius XM's programming, so it could work. Whether it helps sell people on Sat Radio is questionable....you can only use the app if you already are a subscriber....the little revenue they will make from the cost of streaming is not a game changer.
I've been using the Slacker app on my iPhone and love it. Will I get the XM app? Okay, probably because I still do listen, but not as often...
I can already listen to satellite radio on my I-Phone using Pocket Tunes....BTW, thanks Ryan for posting that article.
You understand that ad revenue is typically what allows users to access FREE content. jackass.
I already use sirius on my iPhone with pocket tunes. Its 10$ app that streams WMA, its not the greatest interface and I can't see the name of songs or data. The battery gets killed from the audio conversion because WMA isn't native but I just leave my phone docked to listen at work where sirius.com is blocked.
Or like most people, they'll listen for a while, decide it's not worth paying for, and go back to Slacker or Pandora, as well as their own collection already on the phone. Has-been shock jocks can only get you so far. Besides which all the content on satellite radio is available elsewhere.
Music - done better by Slacker, Pandora and countless others. With no annoying DJs to boot.
Howard Stern & O&A - Shoutcast is streaming them on their app.
Public Radio - Bob Edwards has a podcast, This American Life is one of the most popular podcasts on iTunes, and Prairie Home Companion can be heard using the Public Radio app on any number of stations that are included.
MLB - MLB At Bat for the iPhone.
BBC, WRN, NPR, CBC - All content available either through free podcasts or free applications for the iPhone. I can get WRN and CBC on Wunderradio, NPR on the Public Radio App (as well as a few others) and the BBC is available on multiple radio applications as well as a long list of podcasts. And yes, that includes BBC Radio 1. Available on Wunderradio.
All this, Instead of having to put up with FM radio you have to pay for in order to get one or two shows.
Problem with the iPhone is that the 3G network is not available everywhere in the US. Far from it. Unless you're in or near a larger city, you're screwed. Any real benefit to streaming satellite reception is lost. Add that to the extra expense and hassle of paying for an online account, and you might as well just get an Inno.
The only thing worth listening to on Sirius (let's be honest)is Stern. The music channels are kinda crappy when compared to Slacker or pandora and I can get Stern on the Iphone for free via Shoutcast. So there is no real advantage to having this app. And please don't use the sports packages to make an arguement about sirius Xm programing, Thats what my HDTV is for. How many people are really stuck drivng during football game anyway, also your local am/fm stations will have the games you want anyway. Sirius Fm is in trouble folks, deny all you want, as soon as Stern is gone Satrad will be gone....... I am listening to my own custom music channel on Slacker as i type this and it won't be taken away like my punk channel was. Ha !
Sirius Xm needs to stand apart from Pandora and Slacker, atleast to make people want to listen to it. I'd suggest that they stream a limited number of their sports selection.
Turth is most people that have an iphone also have money. When you have money 12 dollars a month is a joke. People could have two to three cars and they will not short change the vanity of sirius xm radio. All that bull shit that they don't play good music or they don't have good content is a joke. They have been steady gaining subs for countless quarters and this was an expected decline due to the entire retraction of the market. They will undoubtedly gain subs as the treasures are realized in the product. I enjoy the product in my ride when the ipod gets old and played out and you just don't have time to update or even bring the your additional item carry along with your phone.
"there are free services and inexpensive services out there that offer much cooler content."
"Sirius XM needs to add some cool content"
I am so sick of the constant whinning from the people on this website. Please write a list of your top ten "cool" items sirixm doesnt have. I know many people under 30 who are happy subscribers.
Pushing the same old shit? Tell me about one new artist that sirixm doesnt play enough of. Maybe you need to turn the channel more often.
Recondo72, JonE, and Ed Baxter, I'm there with you, as usual. The iPhone demographic is generally young and tech-savvy; they know how to get what they want online without paying a subscription fee for mediocre music channels with short playlists and news/talk networks available for free. Make it good again (read, "bring back XM"), and then we'll talk about selling it over the iPhone.
I've written such lists many times before, as have others. A few examples:
1. Decades channels now represent ten years of music with a couple of hundred songs played repeatedly.
2. Music channels that should be "eclectic" (such as First Wave) run the same songs into the ground.
3. No progressive country anymore.
I'm sure there are many satisfied younger listeners, but looking at the subscription figures, there are fewer every day. The service is programmed for people who listen 20 minutes a day, and most people who listen 20 minutes a day don't pay for radio.
If you like what you hear now on satellite radio, and I'm sure you're not alone, it would be more effective to advance a substantive argument in favor of the company's current programming philosophy rather than just complaining about what others say.
I agree with everthing you wrote, I asked for a list of "cool" items that are missing or could be added. When I commented on pushing the same old shit, I asked for a list of new artists that are not being played.
You are bringing up the same old gripe every subscriber that was here before the merge has, including myself, I completly agree with your 20 minute listener comment, this is a model that am/fm radio has followed for years, it doesnt make sense to copy a format that is proven a failure.
I like and dislike what I hear on satrad, the playlists are shorter, the genre specific channels are misleading, not only is there no progressive country but there is not a punk channel either, at times I hear a song I havent heard in a while, sometimes I here a version of a song I havent heard, sometimes I enjoy the occasional top 40 hit from the past, Its a love hate relationship.
Its a challenge to sell a product that involves music, many people have a strange variety in tastes, some people are narrow and boring, some people could care less for anything thats not top 40. More difficult is trying to sell to a generation of people who are accustomed to manufactured musicians.
I assume this app is geared to current subscribers who do not have a portable sat unit. I cant imagine sirixm will charge for this app, seeing that they raised online fees, probably anticipating more online traffic because of the increase in mobile internet devices. I dont think they will attract new subs, most people with a apple portable already have some sort of music library.
How about you stop having advertising with sound? Suck balls! You didn't update since the "huge" post of Gradmaster whatever and came back with advertisements that are vomitingly annoying....Thanks brah!!!!!!
Let me put it this way.
SiriusXM could come out with a new killer handheld device and the masses wouldnt give a shit about it. There is nothing great about satellite radio anymore.
And also, i bet Stern wont be offered on the app. Unless its for an extra cost.
Let me put it this way.
Sirius XM will be the only one left standing when the smoke clears. Liberty media ensured the future of the service. Nothing is for free and eventually there will be a collapse of pandora and terrestial radio. No one and I mean no one has better content for 14 dollars a month.
Ryan ,
Veet and Resolve carpet cleaner are the ads that have sound on them , that I've found so far .
Ryan,
You still haven't fixed the audio ad blast problem. Pretty annoying.
ANYTHING that results in increased costs to subscribers is a death knell. I have cut back from four to two receivers because of the increase in price for additional radio's. This "app" for the iphone should be nothing more than a way to connect to an existing account. If the sales dept. wants to give a two week trial for free for the iphone that is good. Sirius should have bought the app from the starplayr guy's... It did work... right?
Honestly, this company gives me heartburn.
Right, you had a good point about the "cool" things missing, and I did say progressive country, which I used to like on X Country, and you're also right about punk. Both are missing.
But as far as new artists you can't hear, I can't answer that because, for me, the issue is not so much new artists you can't hear as much as it is hearing only the same few cuts from all artists, new and old, big-time or small-time.
And I agree with you that it's hard to come up with music products that please people; everyone would fine-tune the playlist just a little differently. However, the best thing about XM was that it was somewhat challenging. The first time I listened to XM, I had a hard time finding anything to listen to, but in time I realized just how good that really was, for it expanded my horizons -- a lot. When I used to hear Sirius on my Dish Network satellite TV system, I thought for a while I'd prefer it to XM, but after hours of listening to it and getting bored with its repetitiveness, I chose XM when I bought actual satellite radio equipment.
One thing I think would help Sirius a lot would be to focus channels more toward listeners and less toward musical genres. In other words, if you like Disturbed, what else are you likely to like -- in terms of music but also DJ persona (or lack thereof), "entertainment news," whatever. The focus on genres leads ultimately to such fragmenting that everyone wants a channel just for them, and that's obviously not going to happen.
SXM on iPhone is just a scam to placate Wall Streeters, who are likely to own the iPhone. The iPhone however is a portal to internet content which blows SXM away. Which means that there could be a backfire when the competition occurs in the same playing field. SXM is a stovepipe of the past. That stovepipe used to be larger and more diverse, offering on XM a product the internet couldn't touch. Now it's free Stern, thanks, NOT.
Recondo 72, Xcountry, and Ed Baxter,
I understand the complaints about the current service. Xm and Sirius were much better before the merge, each in their own way. Xm for its deep playlists and sirius for its harder edge, give the company time, keep sending them your input, positive and negative. And dont just bitch about missing channels. They have always responded to input, its a new company now. They are starting over and will make changes that are needed, meaning if people are just bitching about the past and not responding to the current service via their website, How are they to know what people want. What if every person who likes hearing repeats of the same songs, and considers u2 and r.e.m. grunge, and think southern rock belongs on a traditional country channel were sending e-mails, complimenting the service? People like us need to "help" them. I hate using that term but its true, how else will they know whats working or not, and stop comparing sirixm to sirius and xm, its done, the merge is complete.
ok,someone said they are programming to people who listen 20 min. a day.WOW...i drive around all day for work and i listen,and i would think that people like truck drivers,or buisness travelers,or people renting cars in other cities would be who they should be programming to.people that need a signal cross country or who trvel and have a fav station.if they are targeting 20 min a day listeners thats a bad move.also i havent noticed that much difference since the merger.if people are missing a couple niche stations then maybe sat radio isnt for them
Most people listen to radio mainly in their cars, and most people listen about 20 mins. a day. I would guess that no matter what kind of radio it is, satellite or terrestrial, it's about the same. Of course they'd LIKE you to listen more, because they have more potential for selling you something, but that's probably about right. Of course some of us listen a LOT more...mine is always on when I'm home or in the car, so I'm listening at least 12-14 hours a day. As a rule, people who listen to talk radio listen a lot longer than those who listen to music-only radio. This might also explain why the Sirius music channels have playlists significantly less deep than XM's were, since they seemed to play a lot more varied music before the merger.
About the audio ads:
I think I've located the offending media buy, but since they're part of a network it's hard to isolate the exact ad.
So, PLEASE let me know if the ads keep showing up. Thanks,
i am looking forward to this app coming out especially if they are streaming live sports. i have a stilletto 100. unless its connected to an external antenna, its reception is pretty hit and miss outside and nonexistant inside. i live in a city with a repeater and its hard to hear anything.
i would much rather use my itouch/iphone to listen to content than my radio because i am assured of a consistant signal.
Most people listen to music on their way to work and on their way home. They figure in the time zone differences and there you go. These are what are considered drive time hours. They want to play familar music during this time as not to scare people from listening. As far as truckers go, I think mostly they listen to the talk channels, I'm sure there are some that dont but they are probably local haulers and they fall into drive time as well as work commuters.
About the 20-minute listeners, that was my statement about how I believe they're now programming -- mainly for people who listen in short bursts and not for very long -- because people who don't listen much like short playlists so when they get in the car to go to the store or drive home from work, they hear something familiar. That's straight out of the traditional radio playbook and goes back to the first days of the Top 40 format. But the dial is filled with regular radio stations practicing that. Why pay for satellite radio if they're doing the same thing?
I do notice that many channels are programmed with A.M. and P.M. drive in mind, and I don't have a problem with that. With so many radios that record and store content, I would like to see an even more scheduled approach, with "shows" at certain times, perhaps focusing on genres that are narrower and/or not well covered in the channel's main format.
Your point about not just griping about lost channels is well taken, but I think the reason it comes up so often is that the defunct channels are why a lot of people signed up for the damn service. Moreover, the capricious way the "channel merger" was handled -- we just woke up one morning and everything was different -- was just flat-out inexcusable. I hope you're right that they'll improve things over time, but they'll first have to change course, because so far all the changes I've seen this company make post-merger have worsened the service.
You are 100% nuts. Slacker and Pandora lack content. They have commercial radio. That's it. Much much more to offer on Sirius. Anyone that tells you otherwise has no idea what they are talking about.
I feel recordable devices will kill this company if they dont loose the drivetime mentality. If you hear a song you like, I assume most people would record it. You are also recording the day you heard the song and the approximate time you heard it as well into your human memory. The next time you hear the song, you recall," I just recorded this song." Recording becomes obsolete and it points out how often songs are being played.
About the defunct channels, what I'm trying to say is be patient, They wont keep this currrent format up any more than they have to. They are losing subscribers and the word of mouth is becoming negative. They know what was cut and how its affecting them. They are sitting on a growing library of songs that they will eventually use. Hopefully.
As far as the overnight change, it sucked, but if they asked every subscriber what they thought, they would go insane. It would take a year or two to get things right. Hopefully they are taking notes on what the "Listening" subscribers are saying.
Normally, I'd agree with you that increased trial duration equates to an increased number of subscriptions, however, the iPhone isn't a car radio & I've seen lots of data on Mobile Applications to contradict your assertion.
What happens in Mobile Applications is generally the opposite - Users need to be convinced quickly and subscribe quickly - Mobile App use decreases over time (honestly, how many iPhone apps do you have on your phone that you haven't touched in months). In fact, there are great studies out there that show iPhone App use tends to be a huge spike in days 1, 2, & 3 followed by regular use through the first 14-30 days and then the regular-use trails off until a software update for the application is released at which time the usage process repeats.
In this case, I would say that a 7-Day Trial is probably perfect - this provides a full week's worth of listening (during peak use) that still ends during the regular usage period resulting in higher numbers of subscriptions.
As far as being patient, its been what a year plus since the merger & 6 months since the channels were merged/substituted/eliminated??
Any competent company that starts a merger has a post merger plan. I have worked for Fortune 500 companies that merged. The main thing I experienced each time was fairly smooth transitions and very little customer disatisifaction, not the train wreck that we as subscribers and stockholders have seen with this major F**K up.
Surely you are aware a number of groups were opposed to the merger stating that the merger would result in decreased service,higher rates and customer disatisifaction. Guess what happened???
I have contacted SiriusXM numerous times post merger and all I have gotten is the SAME CANNED RESPONSE. You admit that word of mouth is negative and the numbers have truthfully shown that base subscription is down(Re: Motley Fool article last week). Perhaps you did not read my post that I suggested instead of a "Best of Stern" how about a best of XM featuring the canceled channels since they are probably "sitting on a growing library of songs".
Hopefully someone at SiriusXM monitors SatRad websites and is becoming painfully aware that they better get their ass in gear or fail. Its better than contacting the SiriusXM customer service live via phone or e-mail.
That's the problem with the merged SiriusXM, they are sitting on their ass throwing stuff on the wall to see what sticks. The way they are floundering makes the management team at GM look a whole bunch better.
I cannot emphasize enough that you could not have found a bigger supporter of SatRad (both Sirius & XM) prior to the merger. I subscribed to XM & bought Sirius stock. Six relatives,work associates & military reserve buds bought add-on units & subscribed to either XM or Sirius because I was such a big fan and spread the word. That's not counting the casual conversations I had with so many more concerning how great SatRad WAS(prior merger). I shared my opinion that XM service/hardware was my pick but either one was WAY better than terra radio and you couldn't go wrong with either one. I recall the great conversations about the channels we listened to and how great it was to listen to the radio again. THAT's NO BS. I suppose that was an example of POSITIVE word of mouth wouldn't you agree?
Now everyone I know is disatisfied with the way things have gone and over half have dropped their subscriptions. Some due to the economy and some who have found other ways to get their music since the merger. I can't blame any of them and am basically in the same boat.
Now, what does that tell you???
To me it speaks volumes.
Thank you - this was me pre-merger as well. I got people to sign up, even went with one friend to help him pick out a radio and then put it in his car. Now, I recommend it to no one -- and people do ask, because they know I used to be a proponent of satellite radio.
So, commonsense, while I hope you're right that they'll eventually wake up and see what a train wreck, as Recondo72 aptly put it, this has been, but they better not wait around too much longer, or they're going to have to post a sign at corporate headquarters saying, "Please turn out the lights and turn off the satellites after the last subscriber cancels."
Sometimes I question my own faith in this company, I figure if they dont add more channels by October, I will cancel. One year should be ample time for them to start investing more into programming. I try to keep positive about most things in my life, this was a hard thing for me to deal with. I set up satrad everywhere in my life.Everywhere I go, Everything I do, satrad was there. I even built a custom boombox I would tote around to the lakes and bbq's. Everyone wanted satrad after they heard it, now people are amazed that I pay for the same shit on fm. I am still disgusted by the slogan.
EVERYTHING WORTH LISTENING TO IS NOW ON SIRIUS(XM)
I am not a basher or bear...I have supported Sirius from day one and still subscribe to the service...but lets face it, they have a broken business model and technology that may be rendered obsolete by the internet (via improved delivery methods).
If Sirius does not figure a way to adapt with the times and make there programming have an edge worth paying for, it may find itself as one of those "greatest potential" ideas that are in the heap..."cherry coke","hd-dvd","minidisc"...
You just cannot sustain burning cash like how it has and expect to survive, especially with car companies slashing production at alarming rates and negative subscriber growth prior to even turning a profit.
The iphone app may help sirius port there service from the shackles of cars to an extremely popular portable device. With that said, Sirius will need to convince us that the service is worth it.
Best of Luck to all that continue the journey and I hope that much better days are ahead....I hope Mel shift with new technologies and market trends and avoid the fate of betamax!
No shit. I saw the post about shoutcast broadcasting Stern. I couldn't believe it since I JUST PAYED additional money per month for the online service. BUT, there is it...right on shoutcast. Listen to Stern over the internet for FREE. No sirius subscription needed. What's up with that?
http://www.shoutcast.com/directory/?s=Howard+Stern#navHeader
only dumb dumb's pay for Stern. Shoutcast has been doing it for 4 years now. You suckers that listen online actually paid even more once they hiked the online fee. ha ha i didn't.
You can also download the show a few hours after it airs with all the comercials cut out on any # of torrent sites. Sirius xm is for dummies.