Satellite Radio is a digital radio signal that can be broadcasted through different satellites allowing the radio signal to reach farther areas in comparison to normal radio signals such as AM and FM. Martine Rothblatt is responsible for launching several communications satellite companies, including Sirius Satellite Radio in 1990, the first non geostationary satellite to car broadcasting system. In 1997, Rothblatt parted with Sirius to pursue other projects. Wikipedia states, " satellite radio uses the 2.3 GHz S band in North America and generally shares the 1.4 GHz L band with local digital audio broadcasting stations elsewhere. "In an article I came across an article titled "How Satellite Radio Works," the author compared satellite radio to regular terrestrial FM and AM radio. He stated, "most radio signals can only travel about 30 to 40 miles from their source… Now imagine a radio station that can broadcast its signal from more than 22,000 miles away and then come through on your car radio with complete clarity."
Yeah, thats satellite radio for you more specifically, SiriusXM.
The two most popular satellite radio companies, Sirius and XM; their headquarters is based in New York City, which merged into a single company in 2007 offer uninterrupted (no commercials) music without the signal fading out no matter where you are, but these offers do not come for free and are subscription based. You can find on the SiriusXM website what satellite radio offers more than 140+ stations that include commercial free music, sports, exclusive talk and entertainment (Howard Stern, if interested), comedy, news, traffic and weather but of course with a price tag. Satellite radio requires a monthly subscription fee that varies, depending on which service you choose and how many stations you want to receive. Their best deal, $199/ annual plan for XM all access. Their other options include:
XM Premier (Over 140+ stations) $16.99/ month
XM Select (Over 130 stations) $12.95/ month
Sirius XM Internet Radio (Internet Listening) $12.95/ month
and they also offer specialty packages including:
XM News, Sports, and Talk
XM Mostly Music
XM Family-Friendly
Sirius XM All-In-One
Sirius A La Carte
There are nine satellites in orbit, five XM and four Sirius satellites. The FCC has strict regulations for radio and broadcast that do not apply to SiriusXM because they are subscription based. You can also find SiriusXM in your car, many car companies offer new and pre-owned vehicles that come equipped with SiriusXM ranging from 2004 to present day. In another article, I read that SiriusXM had announced a new deal with Nissan and Infiniti dealerships, giving new customers a three month subscription when they purchase any preowned vehicle from the satellite radio equipped inventory of participating dealers. Before that, they had also announced the same deal with 1,000 GM customers. Satellite Radio has also provided great service to businesses, including retail stores, hotels, and restaurants by providing non source of background music. SiriusXM has a revenue of $2.817 billion as of 2010, a operating income of $465.4 billion, a net income of $43.06 million and total assets of $7.383 billion. Sirius XM had a total of 1,749 employees in 2010. As of November 2010, Sirius XM has claimed to have over 20 million subscribers.
Jennifer, you provided very detailed information on satellite radio and I found many of your points interesting. Specifically, I found it quite interesting that just nine satellites can provide everyone in the world with their Sirius or XM radio enjoyment. I was happy to read that you mentioned that SiriusXM has deals with Nissan and Infiniti dealerships because I think this was an amazing marketing tool that they used. It introduced the product to consumers by forcing it (in a way) upon them. Therefore, once the trial ran out, drivers were so used to the idea of a commercial free radio station that they normally decide to purchase the subscription. However, I just wanted to let you know that many more car companies have that same deal and it is not limited to just Nissan and Infiniti. I know this because my mother has an Audi and also received the offer. Overall, I found your post very educational to read, thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou made several interesting points throughout this article, but I kept finding out new information with every couple of sentences (needless to say I’m not very versed in the ways satellite radio). Yet, I found that although you included supporting links that were wonderfully embedded; I kept feeling like you didn’t expand on any one given point. Two points I wish you had talked more about were the workings of satellite radio and the reason why the FCC can’t regulate this form of radio. Especially the FCC thing because I think it is amazing that the FCC can be circumnavigated with such ease. Anyway, keep up the good posts.
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