logo Sign In

XM or Sirius?

Author
Date
Author
Time
Post link
Anyone have any preference between XM and Sirius? Why? I'm gonna be in the market for it soon and I'm leaning towards XM because of baseball and better variety of Salsa music.

Author
Time
Post link
At the moment the two systems have similar music channels, the major difference comes between the sports programming. XM's got baseball and Sirius has NFL/NBA/NHL/Nascar. Personally I wanted Howard Stern and that's why i've gone with Sirius, even though i'd like to be able to listen to other baseball games besides the home teams. XM also has a truely portable device, while Sirius has one coming out this summer. (haven't read reviews yet) Don't know about XM, but most of Sirius' channels are available through an internet stream.

XM has made several big name deals (Oprah's 1/2hr per week for instance) and is having some cash problems, and more of their music channels now have some commercials. This trend should bother XM users. But if you want a cheap XM plan, sign up, then threaten to cancel. Many people are getting great deals to just stay on.

I wouldn't have bought a satellite radio if it wasn't for Howard. I find most of the music channels nausiating, it's the same crap from the radio, just without commercials. It's definitely a luxury item. But for fans of Howard it's unbelievable. the shows are now almost 6 hours long and maybe 10 minutes of commercials in that 6 hours instead of the 18-20 minutes per hour which occured on terrestrial radio. Being able to hear people speak their minds without having to bow down to nebulous community standards regulations set up to limit adult conversations is wonderful.
none
Author
Time
Post link
Sirius has a portable device (S50), and although it is very sleek, it is kind of difficult to navigate. I'm looking for a portable device, since I'll be using it at work, primarily. XM's service comes with online streaming, same as Sirius. Sirius's salsa station has salsa, merengue, etc etc. bunch of crap i really have no need to listen to. XM's has purely salsa, which I like. It's music that isn't readily available where i live. I'm also a big fan of talk radio (NPR, Public Radio), and both companies carry very similar choices. I think the maker/breaker will be MLB, since I really don't care for NFL, Nascar and the rest.

I heard Sirius is having their fair share of cash flow problems as well. take a look at their stock compared to XM. 12 bucks per share XM and 4 bucks for Sirius.

I get a discount for Sirius at work, though. I'd be lying if I said that didn't come into play. We'll see what happens.

Author
Time
Post link
I don't think either service is going anywhere. The difference I see is that XM more and more is making deals with celebrities who don't necessarily bring in people to the service. (Ellen, Oprah, Snoop, Bowie) These are not radio people. So to compensate XM is adding commercials to generate revenue. This is the anti-thesis of what pay radio should be. Plus XM didn't negotiate a good deal with the RIAA and is having problems renegotiating their blanket music license. If they make XM pay, then well... more commercials. Another stupid decision by XM was they signed Opie and Anthony, then they let him simulcast part of the show on regular terrestrial radio. That doesn't make sense, your suppostedly offering something you can't get anywhere else.... then why... makes my head hurt.

In your case if you've heard both music chanels which your of more interest, then go with the one you like best. But make sure to let the company know that if they add commercials to the channel you listen to, then your out, immediately. I heard about one guy who threatened to quit the XM service and they gave him an extra radio and 3 bucks a month for a year, just so they could keep him. It's also early on, if you influence the DJs maybe you can get the channel you want!

I think it would be in the benefit of each company if they split all the sports chanels. But that kind of agreement is years away.
none