XM Satellite Radio today announced that Nissan North America, Inc., has chosen XM to supply satellite-delivered data and telematics services, such as in-vehicle messaging and XM NavTraffic, (which delivers current traffic information) to properly equipped Nissan and Infiniti vehicle navigation systems. This is a long-term deal for a minimum of 5 years.

Nissan has relationships with both Sirius and XM, though rumor has it that these agreements are set to expire in 2007. Is this an exclusive deal? No. But it makes things more difficult for Sirius to expand its relationship with Nissan going forward.

Nissan currently offers XM radios as an accessory option on all models of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles (18 models in total), including the Nissan Sentra, Altima, Maxima, Quest, 350Z Coupe, Murano, Armada, Pathfinder, Frontier, Xterra, and Titan, as well as the Infiniti FX35/45, G35 Sedan, G35 Coupe, M45, Q45, and QX56.

This represents a major milestone for XM, as they've dedicated significant resources to the development of XM NavTraffic (amoungst others) over the last two years. Nissan signing on for integrated data and telematics is big. Very big.

No start date has been set yet, but rumor has it that the first Nissan vehicles with integrated data and telematics services will be offered for the 2007 model year.

SkyReport reports (ach that sounds redundant) that the International Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission yesterday authorized XM Satellite Radio to launch and operate two replacement satellites to support its services.

The replacement satellites, XM-3 and XM-4, will be located at 85 degrees and at 115 degrees respectively. The satellites will eventually replace the existing XM-1 and XM-2 satellites at these locations as they're experiencing technical problems (solar panel degradation). The bureau also granted XM's request to relocate XM-1 and XM-2. XM-1 (Roll) at 85 degrees, will be moved to 115 degrees and will operate at that location with XM-2 (Rock). Both will each transmit at full power, but only on one transponder per satellite.

XM-3 is set to launch in February (probably late-Feb) by Sea Launch. After the launch of XM-4 (in 2007 I believe?), XM Satellite Radio can operate XM-1 and XM-2 as in-orbit spares at 115 degrees for the remainder of the satellites' existing license terms.

[View the XM Public Notice application here (PDF)]

There'll probably be a live feed of the launch on Sea Launch's website. Orbitcast will feature it when it does happen. For now, if you want to watch the archived videos of the XM-1 and XM-2 launches, you can see them here.

Just for clarification, the launch of XM-3 will probably not be noticable by subscribers. This is simply steps taken by XM to fix the degrading birds in-orbit, and prevent a loss of broadcast signal strength.

Now onto the nicknames of the two satellites. From what I've heard, XM-3 will nicknamed "Rhythm" and XM-4 will be "Blues". "Sex" and "Drugs" would've been great second choices, but I don't think the corporate types would enjoy it.

XM Satellite Radio will celebrate Black History Month in February with a wide variety of music, talk and entertainment, including brand-new episodes of original XM music programs.

Throughout the month of February, XM will offer listeners a wide range of exclusive shows, featuring Quincy Jones, Lenny Kravitz, Nas, and Wynton Marsalis, among others.

Some of the highlights of XM's Black History Month programming include:

* "Black History Timeline" on The Groove (XM Channel 64)
* "Artist Confidential" on XM Live (XM Channel 200) and various channels
* "Charlestown: Ray Charles" on the 50s (XM Channel 5)
* "From Scratch: Nas" on The City (XM Channel 67)
* "Stax Records Special" on Soul Street (XM Channel 60)
* "We Insist! Max Roach's Freedom Now Suite" on Real Jazz (XM Channel 70)
* "Divas of Hip Hop" on The Rhyme (XM Channel 65)
* "B.B. King Live on XM" on Bluesville (XM Channel 74)
* "From Be-Bop to Hip Hop with Quincy Jones" on The Groove (XM Channel 64)
* "Legacy" on Watercolors (XM Channel 71)
* "90s Artists in Black History" on the 90s (XM Channel 9)
* The Power (XM Channel 169), the only 24-hour nationwide African American talk radio channel, will broadcast a series of exclusive specials, in-depth interviews, and call-in shows devoted to Black History Month during February.

Just saw a new XM2go MyFi commercial. The front of the MyFi is shown from a first-person point of view the entire time while the background is changing. Has anyone else seen it? Far better than the Elton John spot because the commercial isn't about him (and let's face it, the Elton John MyFi commercial wasn't about the MyFi), but rather about the unit itself.

If anyone can find a copy of the commercial, please email me and I'll be glad to post it.

UPDATE: Whoa, should've checked my email before I posted this. Fellow Orbitcast reader candlebougie pointed me to a post on XM411 about the new commercial. Apparently others have seen it too!

Apparently the relationship between OnStar and XM Satellite Radio has produced two "bundles of joy" according to an AutoWeek article. Looks like both companies are working on bundling OnStar/XM subscriptions and developing hardware that would be compatible with both technologies.

Since both OnStar and XM have deals with GM and are available under the auto maker, it's an obvious fit. The idea would to be offer 3-months free of the new service, and if all goes well in both their accounting depts, they should have something up within the next 12 to 16 months.

Side Note:
Why the hell isn't this a big Press Release? I'm a little bothered by the fact that this wasn't considered to be a big deal. XM and OnStar? uhhhh... sounds like PR material to me.

(unless AutoWeek jumped the gun?)

The New York Post is reporting that XM and Sirius are holding preliminary talks on a possible merger. No discussions about price yet, however, according to to the Post's sources they have discussed potential antitrust concerns.

XM and Sirius are hoping the Federal Communications Commission considers satellite radio as part of the broader industry of delivering music and other content through mobile devices, such as cellphones.

According to the Post, the fact that Mel got on board with Sirius gave a lift to discussions between the two merging.

The NY Post sources say the deal could be at least a year away.

CNN/Money also cover this story here.

UPDATE: According to the Billboard Radio Monitor, Mel is 'quashing' the Sirius-XM Merger.

Mel Karmazin characterized a New York Post report of a potential XM-Sirius merger as the ?third rumor? he has had to deal with in his first eight weeks as Sirius CEO.

He stated, ?I have not met with the [XM] chair or the CEO, so I have no idea where this [rumor] has come from.? Later adding, that he thought such a merger would be a ?difficult deal to get through,? when asked about potential antitrust restrictions for such a merger.

I'm not so sure if Mel's statement actually 'quashes' the merger rumors - he simply stated that he hasn't met with Hugh Panero. Whether or not talks have been initiated are still unknown for sure.

ANOTHER UPDATE: Chance Patterson, XM spokesperson, has made a statement about the merger rumors, "This is the same news organization that last fall reported on its cover Dick Gephardt was named John Kerry's running mate. So consider the source. We don't comment on rumors and speculation, which this clearly rates as."

(well said)

XM Satellite Radio just announced it has acquired Effanel Music Inc. Effanel Music are leading live music, remote and mobile recording specialists. They've developed a sterling reputation for delivering high-quality live broadcasts and recordings for major television networks, record labels and A-list talent. Ranging from large-scale, multi-artist concerts and festivals (like The Grammys, MTV Video Music Awards, U2, Madonna, The Dave Matthews Band, Santana, The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, to name a few) to intimate club performances, to multi-channel post-production work.

With Effanel, XM now has a built-in mobile recording and broadcast division that enables them to air live music, sports and entertainment events from anywhere in the world in 100% pure digital sound.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

We all heard about Terrestrial Radio's latest multi-million dollar ad campaign, stating that with "Radio, you hear it here, first" - well, XM Satellite Radio has fired back with "XM, you hear it here, best."

The latest in the battle between terrestrial and satellite, XM pointedly raises the perverbial middle finger to terrestrial by saying "Not Only Do You Hear It Here First, It's Commercial Free" and featuring Ludacris, Ashanti, Alicia Keys, Hoobastank and Avril Lavigne right on the Hear It Best page. The same artists who are featured in the Hear It First radio commercials.

Want to hear the radio spots? Check them out here (all ZIP files):
Alicia Keys
Ludacris
Nelly
Ashanti
Hoobastank
Avril Lavigne

Thanks to candlebougie for the tip!

Engadget pokes fun at the art skillz of the XM team when they drafted up images for the Patent application. I dunno if the entry is actually "anti-XM" (as Engadget has been blamed for being), but I gotta say that these are pretty funny.

I especially dig the stick figure guy holding a box. And check out the dubs on that ride! hehe.. good stuff.

Click to see more XM Doodles.

Gizmodo reports that XM Radio filed a Patent for a system and method for providing recording and playback of digital media content.

The concept would be that a preview service would have satellite content preloaded on a device, allowing you to listen to content even when you don't have a satellite signal. This preview content would be updated on a regular basis by XM, so you wouldn't have old stuff that you'd need to listen to. The patent also goes on to say that the user would be able to select which content they'd want, and the system would respond by keeping fresh cached content on the device according to their selections.

This isn't contrained by audio content either. Video, graphics, text or any other media content would be part of the whole system.

Gizmodo also said that there are even plans to let users purchase songs they want to keep in a more permanent place.

Pretty cool.

[Link to XM's Patent Application]