The boys over at XM411 got the awesome opportunity to install and play with the upcoming XM CommanderMT. Finally the upgrade to the classic XM Commander, which (as the "MT" moniker indicates) integrates usage of the XM Mini-Tuner, will be available in June.

It's mainly targeted to those who would like to retain their current car stereo headunit, maintain a clean dashboard - all the while reaping the benefits of portability that the Mini-Tuner provides. The XM CommanderMT seems oddly simple, but would be attractive to many.

The downside? Installation isn't for the lighthearted. "Installation is relatively simple as long as you are comfortable with opening up your vehicle’s dashboard," it's noted in the XM411 review. The reality is that for most, opening up your dashboard isn't simple at all. The XM411 review goes on to describe other details of the install.

Personally, I think people who will want to have a clean dashboard, also wouldn't mind dropping a few bucks for a professional install. Me? I'd get one of the upcoming XM Mini-Tuner headunits instead.

[XM411] 

A recent article in the New York Post isn't very forgiving of the Sirius-XM merger, dramatically (in classic Post-style) highlighting Mel Karmazin's salary and how it would be taken into account when considering the merger.

"Details of Mel's pay package couldn't have come at a worse time for Sirius and XM," said Sanford Bernstein analyst Craig Moffett.

"Their credibility is already stretched pretty thin on Capitol Hill after weeks of anti-trust grilling. This will add fuel to the argument that their merger attempt is a way to enrich management rather than listeners."

At least, that's fuel to the fire that the NAB would love to feed. The reality is that Karmazin's compensation was likely put into place in his original contract back in 2004 when he signed on to Sirius. But who needs reality when you've got drama? Check out this ridiculous quote from an NAB spokesman:

"This outlandish pay package confirms that the proposed monopoly Sirius-XM merger was crafted mainly to enrich the companies' CEOs and their close friends on Wall Street," said NAB spokesman Dennis Wharton. "The notion that consumers or small shareholders would benefit from a government-sanctioned monopoly is pure fiction."

Apples... meet Oranges.

The unfortunate thing is that regardless of how little this should affect the decision by the FCC and DOJ - Peter Lauria at the NY Post is absolutely correct... the negative attention this stirs up certainly doesn't help.

[New York Post]

It was likely a joyous moment over at XM as the "8 million" sign finally went up outside their Washington D.C. headquarters on Eckington Place (lovingly referred to as "The Eck").

XM had hoped to hit this milestone last year... but hey, better late than never.

Today the XM Kids Traveling Roadshow kicks off with its first live broadcast from Los Angeles starting at 12-noon PT/3pm ET.

The official start of the 20-day tour will include a live concert featuring kiddie fan-faves Paulie Litt, Rhythm Child, Laughing Pizza, Meredith Brooks and the Jonas Brothers.

The tour is a joint charity effort by XM, Wal-Mart, and the Children’s Miracle Network to help raise awareness and funds for local children's hospitals across the country. At each Children's Miracle Network hospital that XM Kids visist, kids will be encouraged to support the Children's Miracle Network by taking part in Wal-Mart's "Buy a Balloon" campaign.

This is all in an effort to raise $10 million in 30-days. A great goal for a great cause. The FCC should take note.

Check out a couple other shots of the XM Kids Traveling Roadshow tourbus - all wrapped up and ready for action - after the jump... 

NASCAR driver Kyle Petty will join Doug Rice as the host of "Fast Talk Live," starting on Monday. The show airs on the Performance Racing Network (PRN), and is heard on XM Satellite Radio.

"Fast Talk Live" - which has been broadcasting for 15 years - airs Monday nights at 7-8pm ET on XM Sports Nation (ch 144) and is part of XM's Engine Block racing-centric programming.

Petty, along with several other NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers, will be a part of a rotating panel of hosts for the 2007 "Fast Talk Live" season.

"We’re hoping to make an informative and entertaining show," said Petty. "Whether it is the competition side, which includes the Car of Tomorrow, to the sponsorship and business side that is crucial to Petty Enterprises, we will leave no stone unturned."

Fun fact: Kyle Petty recently broadcast live from the Sirius booth at NYIAS 2007 for Sirius NASCAR Radio.

XM Satellite Radio CEO Hugh Panero told analysts today that XM remains positive in their outlook for a merger with Sirius. “We continue to believe we will ultimately receive the necessary approval to continue with the merger,” Panero said.

Indeed, in response to the swarm of negativity coming from analysts about the merger passing regulatory muster, a spokesman for XM said after today’s conference call that other analysts are more positive.

He cited a report last week from the Washington Telecom, Media & Tech Insider, which retains former FCC chief of staff Blair Levin as an analyst. The report gave the merger better than a 50 percent chance of receiving federal approval.

The positive outlook from XM doesn't just come from the top. Internal sources tell me that the majority of people at XM feel the merger will go through. Something that Sam Litzinger from Washington Post Radio apparently has heard as well.

It's good to see XM keeping a chin-up even in the face of negativity. But there's still a business to run, and as Hugh Panero said at the earnings call this morning, "we continue to operate XM as very much a stand-alone company."

[TWICE]
Thanks MUSCLE13!

You didn't think I forgot about a feature list for the upcoming Audiovox XpressEZ did you? Have no fear, all the preliminary details for Audiovox's entry-level unit are all right here:

• Entry-Level Unit with Simplified User Interface
  
• Large, Easy-to-Read LCD Display Shows the Channel, Artist and Song Title via a Bright, Three-Line Display
  
• Favorites Button Gives the Option to Program up-to 10 XM Channels
  
• Move Quickly Through XM Channels with the Tune and Press Dial
  
• Universal Connector - Easily Move XpressEZ Between the Car, Home and Audio System with Compatible Accessories
  
• Sleep Mode
  
• Includes:  Vehicle Kit with Plug & Play Docking Station, XM SureConnect, 12-Volt Power Adapter and Magnetic Roof Mount Antenna
  
• Available: June 2007
  
• MSRP: $69.99
  

The kind folks at Audiovox have sent me more photos of the new XpressR, including this one below showing its split-screen goodness:

They also included a preliminary feature-list for the items I may have missed, which is good, because I tend to miss a lot in my old age. Anyway, here's the list for your eager consumption:

• Audiovox XpressR (Model XMCK20)
  
• The First Satellite Radio Offering a Split-Screen Display
  
• View the Current XM Channel and Five Other Channels simultaneously on a Large, Easy-to-Read LCD Screen
  
• Easily View Channel, Artist, Song Title and Info Extras via a High-Contrast Six-Line Display
  
• Includes 30-Minutes of Pause and Replay
  
• TuneSelect Finds Your Favorite Songs or Artists, GameSelect Finds Your Favorite Sports Events
  
• Universal Connector - Easily Move XpressR Between Car, Home and Audio System with Compatible Accessories
  
• Number Keys for Direct Channel Entry and 30 Channel Presets
  
• Scroll up to 20 Stock Symbols, Sports Scores and Updates from MLB, NFL, NBA, Racing, Golf, Tennis, College Football and Basketball, while Listening to XM Radio
  
• Automatic Backlight Dimmer that Adjusts for Day-to-Night Viewing
  
• Five-Way Tuner Knob to Navigate the 170+ XM Channels
  
• Plug-and-Play Dock
  
• Direct Channel Entry
  
• Sleep Mode
  
• Includes Vehicle Kit with Docking Station, XM SureConnect, Antenna, 5 Volt Adapter, Cassette Adapter, Magnetic Roof Mount Antenna and Remote Control
  
• Available: June 2007
  
• MSRP: $129.99

XM Satellite Radio (XMSR) just announced their 1Q07 results, showing that revenue increased by 27 percent year over year to $264 million, net loss narrowed to $122 million, and 285,000 net subscribers were added.

XM announced that it recently surpassed 8 million subscribers.

For 1Q07, adjusted operating loss (formerly adjusted EBITDA) improved by 45 percent to a loss of $27 million from a loss of $49 million in the prior year period. The 1Q07 adjusted operating loss includes $8 million in expenses related to the company's pending merger with Sirius Satellite Radio.

In 1Q07, XM recorded gross subscriber additions of 868,000 and net subscriber additions of 285,000 - compared to the 1 million gross additions and 569,000 net subscriber additions in the same period the year before.

XM's subscriber acquisition costs (SAC), a component of cost per gross addition (CPGA), was $65 compared to $59 in the first quarter of 2006. CPGA in the 2007 first quarter was $103 compared to $93 in the first quarter of 2006.

As of March 31, 2007, the company had $319 million in cash compared to $218 million at the end of December 31, 2006. XM has a total available liquidity of $719 million.

XM Satellite Radio reaffirmed their 2007 guidance of between 9.0 million and 9.2 million subscribers (with higher seasonal growth expected to occur in the latter part of the year); subscription revenue in the 1 billion dollar range; and full-year positive cash flow from operations in 2008.

XM has though made some refinements to its prior guidance for the full-year 2007: CPGA is expected to be in the range of $111-$114; and XM has adjusted operating loss, excluding any merger-related or legal settlement costs, in the range of $170 million to $180 million.

Full financials after the jump... 

Three separate analyst's reports this week have cast serious doubt on whether the Sirius-XM merger will be approved by federal regulators.

Bank of America analyst Jonathan Jacoby put the probability of approval of the merger at about 35 percent, but noted that it was likely much lower. Meanwhile, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co senior analyst Craig Moffett, and William Kidd, media analyst with Wedbush Morgan Securities, put the chance of approval closer to 10 percent. 

Jacoby also lowered the merger synergy assumptions from $5 billion to $3.6 billion, stating that sports rights fees could increase initially.

"The merger faces a very tough road at the FCC, where the public interest test applied by the commission is inherently subjective," Moffett said. "In Washington, 'subjective' is codeword for 'political.' "

"The fact that there are different pricing schemes means you can effectively bake in price hikes," Kidd said.

"Regulators can see that's a problem."

[Washington Post]