Audio/ Video/ Navigation / Electronics DiscussionDiscuss the Nitro A/V and navigation system here, along with other items such as custom installations, alarms, radar detectors, etc.
Posted on : 2008-10-02 | Author : SIRIUS XM Radio
News Category : PressRelease
NEW YORK, Oct. 2 NY-SIRI-Starmate5
Popular Dock & Play radio will be the first satellite radio enabled for A La Carte channel selection
Starmate 5 will also support "The Best of XM" on SIRIUS and other new programming plans
NEW YORK, Oct. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SIRIUS XM Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI) today announced the introduction of the Starmate 5, the next generation Dock & Play satellite radio that will play over 130 channels of SIRIUS programming, including 100% commercial-free music, plus talk, sports, news, comedy and entertainment.
The Starmate 5 will also support A La Carte channel selection, as well as "The Best of XM" programming package. With an MSRP of $129.99, the Starmate 5 is now available at retail at Best Buy, Crutchfield, RadioShack and regional retailers. Starmate 5 radios are also available at Portable Sirius Radio, Satellite Radio Car Kit, Sirius Satellite Radio System.
"We are pleased to launch the first-ever satellite radio enabled for A La Carte channel selection," said Bob Law, Group Vice President and General Manager, Aftermarket Division, SIRIUS XM Radio. "The Starmate 5 Dock & Play radio reinforces SIRIUS XM Radio's promise to give consumers more programming and pricing options."
Starmate 5 is built with universal docking capability, allowing for effortless transfer between home and car docks. The popular SIRIUS Dock & Play radio features a blue widescreen display for easy viewing and use, and includes a complete vehicle kit. Optional accessory docking kits and audio systems allow convenient use in the home, office and additional vehicles.
The Starmate 5 is easy to use and features:
A La Carte channel selection or "The Best of XM" and other programming packages
Blue wide-screen display for easy viewing and use
SIRIUS Replay(TM): Pause, rewind and replay up to 44 minutes of live satellite radio
FM transmitter or stereo audio output to connect to any vehicle's radio
FM preset function: Store the best FM frequencies in the area
30 presets: Enjoy fast access to favorite channels
S-Seek(TM) Alert: Don't miss favorite artists, songs and sports
One-Touch Jump(TM): Jump to favorite channels or local traffic and weather
Universal docking capability: Add accessories to enjoy in the home, office or additional vehicles
SIRIUS XM Radio's "Best of Both" programming and full slate of new plans, including the opportunity to choose channels on an A La Carte basis for the first time ever in subscription media are now available.
About SIRIUS XM Radio
SIRIUS XM Radio is America's satellite radio company delivering the "The Best Radio on Radio" to more than 18 million subscribers, including 100% commercial-free music, and premier sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic and weather.
SIRIUS XM Radio has exclusive content relationships with an array of personalities and artists, including Howard Stern, Oprah, Martha Stewart, Jimmy Buffett, Elvis, Jamie Foxx, Barbara Walters, Frank Sinatra, Opie & Anthony, The Grateful Dead, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tom Petty, and Bob Edwards. SIRIUS XM Radio is the leader in sports programming as the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the NFL, Major League Baseball, NASCAR(R), NHL, and PGA Tour(R), and broadcasts major college sports.
SIRIUS XM Radio has exclusive arrangements with every major automaker. SIRIUS XM Radio products are available at shop.sirius.com and shop.xmradio.com, and at retail locations nationwide, including Best Buy, Circuit City, RadioShack, Target, Sam's Club, and Wal-Mart.
SIRIUS XM Radio also offers SIRIUS Backseat TV, the first ever live in-vehicle rear seat entertainment featuring Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network; XM NavTraffic service for GPS navigation systems delivers real-time traffic information, including accidents and road construction, for more than 80 North American markets.
Sirius Coming Out With New Satellite Radio Boombox
October 14, 2008
For those of you aspiring to be the next Satellite Radio Raheem, here's a few newly leaked photos of the upcoming Sirius SUB-X2 Boombox. Much like the current SUB-X1, the new music player will sport a front-panel headphone jack, auxiliary input for other MP3 players, and a universal docking system. I wonder if that docking system will support XM radios as well, now that they're married and all. Prices and more detailed specs have yet to be announced, though it shouldn't cost you too much more than its last iteration.
New York — Sirius XM and Pioneer Electronics announced availability of the next-generation Pioneer Inno wearable satellite radio receiver, now called the XMp3, at a suggested retail of $279.
The new 3.1-ounce portable is the first satellite radio receiver that can record several stations at once for storage in memory. It also has a programming guide that displays broadcasts on each channel up to two weeks in advance to help users discover new music and broadcasts.
Users can schedule up to five channels of XM recording on the XMp3 for 75 hours of stored sports, talk and music programming. The device also automatically records an additional 30 hours of content, so when the user is not in range of a satellite signal he can switch to recorded content.
Another feature is DVR-like recording of up to 30 minutes of live programming that lets users rewind, pause or fast forward through his selections. MP3 files can also be stored on the device and it has a micro-SD card for additional MP3 storage.
According to the XM2go Web site, the device appears to access XM programming as well as the option of Best of Both programming offering full XM plus select Sirius channels. It does not appear to offer Wi-Fi.
The new programming guide lets users schedule shows to record in advance and the device has a music manager that lets users create custom playlists of favorite XM recordings and their own MP3 files.
The XMp3 predecessor, the Pioneer Inno ($399) was one of the first satellite radio headphone MP3 players. The Inno is also the subject of two lawsuits by record labels and music publishers that are in the process of being settled. At the heart of the suits is the Inno’s DVR-like feature because it lets users retain individual recorded songs in memory.
Sirius XM Radio laid off at least 50 workers yesterday,
Sirius XM Radio Lays Off 50 Including DJs, Employees SayBy Mike
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Sirius XM Radio laid off at least 50 workers yesterday, including on- and off-air talent at channels with formats ranging from oldies to modern rock, according to employees and a source with direct knowledge of the cutbacks.
The satellite radio company's New York offices did not return phone calls or e-mails yesterday seeking comment on the matter. But a source, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the staffing situation, confirmed that the company was initiating layoffs.
Staff reductions had been rumored since Sirius acquired District-based XM this summer in a deal valued at $3.3 billion. Chief executive Mel Karmazin told investors and analysts last month that the company will lose about $350 million this year on revenue of $2.4 billion.
XM DJ Kandy Klutch said talk of pending layoffs at the company had been stress-inducing in recent months.
"It's not a surprise at all," she said. "It's actually a relief." Klutch, who was a DJ on XM's '80s channel, had worked at XM since 2001.
But Washington-based disc jockey Matt Baldassarri, who until last night hosted a show called "Night Prowl" on which he played music from the '50s, said he was shocked when he found out he'd lost his job.
Baldassarri had got married a week and a half ago and just returned from his honeymoon.
"This is probably going to be one of the hardest things I have ever had to do," said Baldassarri, reached yesterday afternoon before his final show. "It's devastating on several levels. I'm riding so high on the anxiety of doing my last show that it hasn't sunk in yet."
Baldassarri said he hopes to find another job as a DJ in another major market, "but jobs these days for a disc jockey like me are pretty rare -- that's what made XM so special."
At a Web site for XM alternative music station XMU, the station's DJs offered a brief, cryptic goodbye. "[We] have enjoyed the years of love, music, fun and passion we have exchanged with our friends in music," said a message posted on the site. "It's been more than a pleasure."
Analysts said yesterday that layoffs were to be expected as the merged companies consolidated their staff.
"It shouldn't be any surprise that some people will be relieved of their duties as a result of the merger," said April Horace, a radio industry analyst with Janco Partners. "This is part of the overall cost synergy that Mel [Karmazin] has talked about."
The company's shares have been steadily declining since before the market's recent troubles. A year ago, shares were trading at almost $4. Yesterday, shares closed at 42 cents after starting the day at 49 cents.
NEW YORK The chief executive of Sirius XM Radio Inc. received $5.27 million in compensation for 2007, according to a Friday regulatory filing in which the company asked shareholders to approve a reverse stock split to boost the share price so it won't violate stock listing requirements.
Mel Karmazin, whose 5-year employment contract with the satellite radio company expires next year, received a salary of $1.25 million, a cash bonus of $4 million and retirement benefits worth $18,743.
Up to 50% of 2009-model U.S. vehicles will feature satellite radio
[I]The proliferation of the technology in the automobile is reaching a critical point as 2010 approaches. Just a couple weeks ago it was revealed that 58% of all 2009 model year cars will have a media player or iPod interface. Today it's satellite radio that has broken through the 50% barrier.
Satellite radio hasn't always been popular; in fact just two years ago, only 15% of new models carried the feature. Doubling that figure to 30% in 2008 and almost doubling again to over 50% for 2009 models, according to Automotive News, satellite radio is on a charge.
The focus of most of the rapidly growing technology inside cars is related directly to music and phone connectivity. Keeping in touch with friends and family while keeping abreast of the latest and hottest trends in music are apparently driving forces in the new-car buying public.
How the impending merger of XM and Sirius, the two satellite radio companies in North America, will affect this expansion is not clear, but it will take time. Developing joint technology - hardware that can interoperate with both satellite systems - and getting it into automobiles could take up to 15 years because of the logistics of both the hardware itself and the car companies. [/i]
Mel Karamzin, CEO of Sirius XM Radio, with panelists Neal Boudette, The Wall Street Journal and Jeff Gilbert, WWJ Newsradio. Topic: survival plans for Sirius XM and its role in the auto industry.
Too many channels, not enough listeners, pools of red ink -- welcome to the world of satellite radio. Despite its myriad of advantages and incorporation into many new cars and trucks, both Sirius and XM Radio seemed more hooked to financial life support than to fleets of vehicles the last few years. It was as if the business was crying for, as David Bowie put it, "a Starman waiting in the sky" to supernaturally save the service. Well, that celebrity executive landed at Sirius some four years ago in the form of Mel Karmazin with a resume that included running Infinity Broadcasting, CBS Radio and as well as the entire CBS Corporation. Since his arrival he has not only increased subscriptions but more importantly brokered a merger between the two services believing that one strong company can prosper in this less than predictable economy.
This week Autoline welcomes Mel Karmazin, CEO of Sirius XM Radio. Host John McElroy along with panelists Neal Boudette from The Wall Street Journal and Jeff Gilbert of WWJ Newsradio Detroit talk to this Hall of Fame broadcast executive about his survival plans for Sirius XM and the important role the auto industry plays in the process.
So if you'd like to know what the "Starman of Sirius XM" plans for the media in your car or truck, check out this week's Autoline.
This is a great and interesting Interview about Sirius XM Radio! Check it out....
Fans of classic rock will be glad to hear that Sirius XM Satellite Radio has announced that it will be offering a new channel that is strictly for Led Zeppelin. The channel will be 100% commercial free and broadcast on Sirius channel 12 or XM channel 39.
The station will launch on Saturday November 1 at 6 pm ET and run through December 31. In addition to playing most every song from the Zeppelin catalog, the station will also offer archived interviews with band members.
"Led Zeppelin is one of the most important rock bands in history," said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SIRIUS XM Radio. "We are thrilled to broadcast Led Zeppelin Radio for our subscribers and provide Led Zeppelin fans the only place to go for a comprehensive experience of their music and interviews with one of rock's most iconic bands."
Siriusxm Sirius and XM satellite radio subscribers wondering when the merger of the two companies will start affecting their programming need wonder no more. Sirius XM Radio will shift both services into their new formats on November 12.
The XM Escape channel was the first to announce the date that the new Sirius XM Radio line-up will go into effect, according to Rolling Stone, and a DJ on Sirius' The Pulse channel later confirmed the date.
For some, it's the chance to experience a better selection of high-quality channels (Howard Stern's already on both Sirius and XM, for instance). Others could lose their favorite channels, assuming those channels aren't included in one of the "best of" packages. One example of this is NBA fans with early Sirius radios losing NBA programming after the switch, and the punk channels Sirius Punk and Fungus 53 being replaced by an AC/DC channel.
Other than that, not much is known about Sirius and XM's combined channel line-ups and packages, because neither division of the merged company has released that information. But with only a about a month until the channels change, we shouldn't have to wait much longer to see what the combined line-up will include, and what sort of packages are available to try to fill gaps.
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