Sirius Satellite Radio News

Since satellite radio programming was first introduced a number of different devices have been introduced to make listening to satellite radio much easier and convenient. Today, not only can you listen to satellite radio programming in your vehicle coast to coast with crystal clarity but you can also listen to it in your home. In addition, with plug and play devices you can take your favorite satellite radio programming with you while you are on the go even if you are not in your vehicle.

Now, Sirius has reached an agreement with Logitech to deliver more than 80 different channels of entertainment, talk and music programming through the Squeezebox Duet as well as the Logitech Transporter music player.

The music player makes it possible to create a connection directly to Sirius Internet Radio. This connection is quite simple to set-up and provides seamless connectivity. Through a Wi-Fi or even a wired network connection, listeners gain the ability to actually stream Sirius programming. This is certain to prove to be highly popular and convenient with music lovers who want to be certain they will not miss out on any of their favorite content from Sirius.

Through this connection, subscribers can listen to music channels that are 100% commercial free as well as such programming as MAXIM Radio, COSMO radio, Martha Steward Living Radio, Howard Stern, Playboy Radio as well as comedy and sports channels.

Ultimately, subscribers will have even more opportunities to experience programming through Sirius whenever they wish to listen. Currently Logitech produces three different streaming media products; all of which are compatible with Sirius Internet Radio.

The Squeezebox Duet network music system provides subscribers with the ability to listen to programming from Sirius anywhere in the home. Whether the listener is in their kitchen, living room or bedroom they will have the opportunity to listen to their favorite programming compliments of a small device that is palm size.

The Transporter music player also provides an easy and convenient way to listen to music that may be stored on PCs as well as Macs. In addition, practically any Internet radio station can be heard through the stereo system as well. In many cases, the quality of programming and music that is produced through the Logitech music system exceeds even the most sophisticated CD players. This is one of the reasons that Logitech systems have become so popular recently.

Offering programming from Sirius over the wide array of Logitech products provides more access to fine programming for subscribers in even more locales. Not only can subscribers listen to their favorite programming in their vehicles, they can now experience live streaming on home entertainment systems as well. Reports indicate that Logitech will be making Sirius Internet Radio service to existing Transporter and Squeezebox users through a software update. New users to Logitech should be able to acquire Sirius Internet Radio service upon purchase with a subscription to Sirius satellite radio programming if they do not already have a subscription.

The Sirius radio merger has everyone with an interest in satellite radio waiting for the latest developments in Sirius radio satellite. They know that with the merger, there will be a number of new benefits for satellite radio listeners.

Launched in 2002, Sirius is headquartered in New York City, New York with studios in both Los Angeles, California and Memphis, Tennessee. Sirius currently offers listeners 69 channels of music and an additional 65 channels for sports, news, and entertainment.

With the XM and Sirius radio merger, Sirius radio listeners will now get the benefit of listening to XM radio channels as well. Even if duplicate channels are removed, there will be a number of channels that are not duplicates that will allow satellite radio listeners the opportunity to listen to even more programs if they subscribe to both services. Many users are excited for the chance to receive a wider variety of channel options.

They will also benefit from the technological advances that the two companies can gain by working together. Technological advances not only include better receivers, but also new satellites for a better, clearer sound. Furthermore, technologies for satellite weather, traffic, and television programming could also be integrated into the new system.

A third benefit would be a joint effort for satellite development. Satellites are a vital part of ensuring quality sound and content for Sirius and XM radio listeners. Although current plans do not include a combined satellite, doing so would benefit the production, technology, and budget for both sides of the merger.

With the merger, there would be an opportunity for a unified receiver that would allow consumers the chance to listen to both Sirius and XM without buying two receivers. A venture into this project has proven that it can be done, but it has yet to begin production. Should they go forward, there would be several companies that would compete to produce a new, universal receiver.

The final benefit for the XM and Sirius radio merger is the reduction of costs. The costs related to running a satellite radio service would be decreased by joining together the two companies. This would leave more money not only for the production of new satellites, but also for new equipment and new channels.

Since satellite radio channels are now competing with free services on FM and AM stations, the reduced costs may also benefit subscribers. The two companies have also shown interest in new areas of revenue, like video, navigation, and possibly even advertising, although the channels are now completely commercial free.

No matter where you go, Sirius satellite radio is available wherever you go. You can listen to it in the car, in the house, or on the go. Now, you may have even more benefits of satellite radio with the XM and Sirius radio merger. With so many benefits, everyone will be watching as the FCC takes action on the proposal for the XM and Sirius merger.

Satellite radio is one of the leading audio technologies in the world today. Millions of users subscribe to these services, in the US alone (Sirius boasts at least 7 million, XM around 9 million). Understanding what satellite radio is and what it can do (as well as what it can’t) is an important aspect of enjoying your subscription.

Satellite radio, whether through Sirius or through XM, is commercial free. It is supported for the most part through subscription payments by subscribers, though some money comes in through contracts with automakers. (Honda has XM, Chrysler has Sirius) Both Sirius and XM offer more than 100 channels of commercial free programming, ranging from all types of music to sports, talk radio and news channels. (Sirius boasts 130, while XM has around 170)

Whether you have built in satellite radio in your car or you use a portable device that sends to your car’s radio, you receive signal in the same manner. This signal comes directly from orbiting satellites to your radio, bolstered by repeaters (much like cell phone towers). The benefit of this transmission method is that you get completely clear reception no matter where you are.

The drawback to this (and it is a minor one) is that a clear view of the sky is needed to get the best signal. Tall buildings, tunnels, parking garages and the like can all block out your signal, though it is only a momentary issue. The best way to beat this is to install an additional antenna in your car. (For home use, you can use an antenna and repeater) This way you get the most out of your subscription.

In addition to built in radios and portable options, both Sirius and XM are available over the Internet, though neither provider currently offers their full lineup of channels through the Web. Sirius currently offers 80 channels of commercial free, subscription based programming online, while XM offers slightly more. This means that you can use an existing account to listen to satellite radio over the Internet or you can register for only an online subscription for use with your laptop of desktop computer.

The single largest benefit to using satellite radio is that you can access the same stations no matter where you are in the US. This makes it ideal for truck drivers, frequent flyers or anyone that travels on a frequent basis. Even with this fact, many consumers (millions, in fact), have found that satellite radio offers them an alternative to traditional advertising based programming. The sheer number of quality radio stations and impressive sports coverage, combined with popular talk radio shows offer consumers great choices in what they can listen to and when they can listen to it.

There are several different ways in which you can get access to satellite radio, both XM and Sirius offer a wide range of systems that can be used in vehicles, docking stations at home or connected to your computer.

Somewhere in space, three satellites in a tundra orbit over North America and modestly representing what could very well be the future of radio entertainment— digital satellite radio. These three satellites allow listeners access to hundreds of channels, a range far outnumbering the capacity of terrestrial radio. Sirius satellite radio’s business model is cable for radio—a pay-for-service radio free of commercials and with a whole new world of expanded options. What are some of the defining characteristics of satellite radio?

Satellite radio does not have a standardized station model; listeners pay for the content they enjoy, often times prepaying for three months at a time. Other fees include the purchase of the Sirius or XM receiver (or additional receivers) and accessories. Whenever Sirius-enabled radios play the user can see the artist and song information appear, in like manner to a DVD or iPod system.

Satellite radio has also explored new technology for interactive entertainment as well as profitable partnerships. Sirius has worked with the Dish Network in providing free music channels to some satellite providers and also launched its own brand of Sirius Internet Radio, with 78 of its 135 channels now accessible on the Web. Sirius receivers are now available for most of of the top car manufacturers in the world, including Chrysler, Jaguar, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Toyota and Volvo, among others. Rolls-Royce has gone one-step further and offered a lifetime Sirius Radio subscription as part of the cars standard equipment. Sirius has signed exclusive periodic contracts first with VW until 2008 and then Kia until 2014.

What are some of the most popular radio models from Sirius? There’s the Sirius Sportster 5 plug and play radio with color screen, while the Sirius Stiletto 100 is a portable Sirius radio that allows subscribers to listen to live programming. The Stiletto gives users two gigabytes of memory, which is about 100 hours of recording, and also features Wi-Fi technology. True to form, Sirius has continued to forge relationships with new partners such as Yahoo and Napster in finding additional content for the Stiletto.

Sirius has also made great endeavors online—that other digital planet of an entertainment and news medium. Sirius subscribers can access all of the proprietary music channels and many of the talk stations through the web, as stream media, through the official Sirius.com website. Yahoo has partnered with Sirius to in the creation of the browser-based player called the Yahoo! Widget, which resembles a Sirius Sportster model, and there is also a Sirius Internet Radio Player. Sirius’ Internet presence is gaining a following in its own right. Sirius offers special accommodations for its Linux users, who can hear streaming online channels without Windows Media Player or a web browser. Meanwhile, the Howard Stern Show streams content via a Java application. When it comes to Macintosh, users can use specially designed players the StarPlayr or the SiriusMac for a compatible solution.

When it comes to exploring the potential of satellite radio, the content is just the beginning of the universe and Sirius remains the Dog Star, possibly the brightest star in the sky.

Sirius was once known as the Dog Star, the brightest star throughout an expansive night sky. Sirius still earns its distinctive name from that star; however, the company Sirius has earned fame in its own right, shining brightly even in a world of twinkling digital content. To narrow done the music, entertainment, news and sports shows of Sirius would be like listing every single terrestrial radio show or network TV show currently being broadcast. It is an infinite universe of talent that keeps expanding as digital technology continues to increase.

First, consider Sirius’ approach to music. This satellite radio network offers an extensive variety of music programming on multiple channels, covering multiple genres. You start navigating through a Sirius radio receiver by selecting one of the big four categories, such as music, talk (or news), sports and entertainment. Within each category are various channels offering sub-genres. A music lover could search for streams such as Rock songs, Pop songs, Country music or R&B. Within these streams, there are also other sub-sections of musical styles.

However, most of Sirius’ fame and even infamy in the mainstream world stems from the edgy entertainment the satellite radio provider offers its avid listeners. One of Sirius’ strategies has been to pursue far-reaching deals with established entertainers in traditional radio and network TV. Sirius has already penned some much-publicized deals with major stars like Martha Stewart, Jimmy Buffett and Eminem—not merely an association or partnership, but has allowed these talents to produce their own streams of their own line of Sirius channels. Van Zandt went down in Sirius record books as the first musician to create two distinct stations: Underground Garage and Outlaw Country.

However, what many Americans think about when they hear the words Sirius Radio is Howard Stern. Sirius and Stern both made radio history, Stern by leaving CBS radio, and Sirius by signing a major radio personality for an exclusively digital network. Stern was signed to a five-year, at a hefty salary of $100 million dollars per year to perform his radio show on Sirius, along with the right to build three full-time programming channels. Howard 100 and 101 were thus born. Sirius shrewdly capitalized on the controversy network television suffered after the infamous Super Bowl XXXVIII, not by censoring offensive content but by filtering it and offering it for premium sale to its niche audience. Stern’s influence was later instrumental in hiring Bubba the Love Sponge, another radio talk show host dismissed by his station due to FCC fines.

Sirius is not known for carrying syndicated shows, though it does air syndicated programs from traditional radio and even television networks. Sirius real claim to fame is that its creators boldly sought out top-rated talent to be exclusively affiliated with Sirius. This type of strategy puts Sirius alongside other trailblazers such as HBO, which not only broadcast original programming, but also helped to change the face of television with some of the most original content in television series and movies. Sirius is combining the best of the cable industry as well as digital technology. It’s no coincidence that former COO of Viacom Entertainment, Mel Karmazin, was named the CEO of Sirius in 2004. Sirius is proving itself not just a profitable business venture, but also a giant in the making, ready to join the rest of the digital world as this century’s dominant form of personalized, interactive entertainment.

GO BEHIND THE SCENES WITH G-UNIT
Every weekend, 50 Cent’s crew takes over Shade 45 for G-Unit Saturdays. This weekend, 50 and DJ Whoo Kid broadcast the show from across the drink. They’re touring Europe in support of 50’s album Curtis, and they’ll give you a behind-the-scenes look at life on the road, G-Unit style. Whoo Kid will hang out with everyone from the workers setting up the show, to fellow G-Unit soldiers Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks during the after-party.

EXCLUSIVE KT TUNSTALL PERFORMANCE
This week, KT Tunstall stops by the SIRIUS Studios to hang out on The Pulse. She’ll be bringing her guitar, so expect to hear some intimate performances of your favorite KT tunes.

GRATEFUL DEAD DRUMMER BILL KREUTZMANN DJS ON GRATEFUL DEAD CHANNEL
The Grateful Dead Channel doesn’t just play the music of The Grateful Dead; the band members host shows on the channel. This week, drummer Bill Kreutzmann will take the controls for his show Drumming Into The Light. Catch some great percussion jams and find out if Bill is as adept with a microphone as he is with the sticks and skins.

From hip-hop and pop superstars to Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, It’s The Best Radio On Radio…And The Internet.

Want more? Get the latest updates from Sirius by subscribing to their newsletter here.

SiriusSpecials released the new product lines this week for the InV2, Stratus 4, Sportster 5 and Stiletto 2. The InV2 and Stratus 4 boast a more modern look that adds a little bit of taste to the previous dull facing. The Sportster 5 and Stiletto 2 are both dropping jaws with their new multi-color display. The Stiletto 2 has been at the forefront of criticism for months with everyone wondering if SIRIUS can capture that elusive audience of iPod loyals. SIRIUS has done something right for once, they actually listened to consumer feedback and built off of it. Apple may be kicking themselves for not joining up with them a year ago. Look for these products to be in stock soon and get your hands on hours of commercial free music.