SIRIUS XM Radio
The time is now to say goodbye to XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio. The merger has been finalized and the new company has officially changed its named to Sirius XM Radio Inc. as of Wednesday, August 6, 2008. The company is now considered the second biggest radio company in the country. This is based off revenue produced from over 18.5 million subscribers to Sirius XM Radio.
Broadcasting more than 300 channels of content consumers are expected to have new options for audio packages and lower prices. Subscribers are anxiously awaiting the opportunity to include content from both Sirius Radio and XM Radio services. The combined company has exclusive programming with Martha Stewart, Oprah, Howard Stern and more. Each radio service has channels devoted to individual groups or artists such as Elvis, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, and the Grateful Dead among others.
Satellite radio content includes a large array of news, sports and talk radio. Listeners have had the pleasure of hearing complete football games with Sirius NFL Radio, sitting in the drivers seat with Sirius NASCAR Radio, or stepping up to bat with the MLB on XM Radio. Sports program will continue to be a part of Sirius XM Radio packages as will the extensive lineup of news programs from some of the most trusted names in news including CNN, FOX, BBC, and even NPR news.
New packages that will be offered as a result of the merger will include packages featuring the family channels, music packages, or news, talk and sports. Sirius XM Radio Inc. has reported that the new “Best of Both” package selections will be available to subscribers in early fall.
The company has reported that they will make good on their promise to subscribers. Existing radios will continue to work post merger. This has been a big concern to subscribers. Although new package options will be available to subscribers all existing subscribers will be able to maintain their existing subscriptions. For those of us who tend to resist change there is no need to be concerned about making any changes to our existing audio setup due to the merger.
Sirius XM Radio Inc. subscribers and audio enthusiasts should keep watch for the updated offerings this fall. The long awaited merger brings with it the hope that satellite audio entertainment will continue to remain a step above the rest delivering incredible content, commercial free music, complete sports coverage and unique talk personalities.