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XM vs. Sirius

Stock price has nothing to do with anything (Xm has a higher stock price, Sirius a higher market cap so settle down dpaanlka)

Sirius is growing subscribers at a faster rate, but XM has more, but was losing subcribers - another wash.

Another plus for Sirius - their churn rate is much lower. They lose fewer subscribers that XM - infact percentage wise, Sirius loses half that of XM in a quarter. Sirius grows with much less churn - and there are lots of boring reasons not wirth mentioning.

The above aside (youare listening to a radio for pete's sake) I think the deal breaker for anyone should be commercials. Sirius is 100% commercial free. XM (maybe under te influence of Clearchannel) seems to be sneaking in ads on their music channels.) If you are a sports nut (other than MLB) again sirius.
 
Ya I wish MLB was on Sirius other then that I am thinking of getting it for Stern. Hopefully in a few years they will both merge and will solve everyones problems.
 
Another vote for Sirius, but I joined because of Stern. I have a stiletto 100 with an aux in to my alpine deck. Have never complained of not being able to find a good song. Granted I have never listened to XM, but I have never been disappointed by Sirius in the year I have been listening.
 
I've had XM for ~2 years now. Love the variety, the multitude of channels plus NHL & MLB, but miss NPR that Sirius has. Use a Delphi MyFi in my Celica, and then can take it into the house too. However,,, :( I do find myself quite disappointed in a few things w/ XM:

1. seems that I am constantly changing channels, as a tune comes on this or that channel that I can not stand. :eek:

2. when listening to this or that channel, seems that there is many repeats of some artists. Its as if they have a limited library in certain channels?

3. if I'm listening to a certain channel, say 40 which is supposed to be Deep Classics, I hear tunes that are/were top 40's. :rolleyes:

I have read again recently where both firms are bleeding $$$, only somewhat making profits this past quarter. Seems to me that they are spending way too much on shock jocks and such, and not on more satellites or quality. There really needs to have another bird, one in the northern sky. :D

Oh, by numbers, XM has almost 2x subscribers as Sirius. However, the latter does have a cuter icon... :p

But, all may be mute somewhat, if the recurring rumour of a merger between the two do come to pass. Which, I don't know if the FCC would allow such
to happen?

For more details/info on both & related, check out the following:
http://www.orbitcast.com/
http://www.radiosatellite.org/
 
i like sirius but i love howard stern so thats why i got sirius. does anyone know how to schedule to record a show on sirius on the mac, starplayr can record but i dont see how to schedule a recording, i dont know maybe i could use automator to do it but i cant really figure it out
 
If the merger between XM and Sirius gets approved by the FCC (pending approval, already ok'd by the DOJ), then buying XM or Sirius for programming choices would be a moot choice after the merger goes thru at the end of the year (possibly as soon as Q3, but maybe Q4).

Here's the info on the XM website:

MERGER UPDATE

On March 24, XM announced that the Department of Justice (DOJ) had approved the proposed merger with SIRIUS. XM is pleased that after a thorough review, the DOJ agrees that the entertainment marketplace will remain highly competitive and robust after our merger.

With the DOJ's decision behind us, our next and final regulatory step will be a decision from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Soon after FCC approval is obtained, XM and Sirius would complete the merger.

The combination of our companies will lead to more choices and better pricing for our subscribers, and result in a stronger competitor in the rapidly evolving audio entertainment market.

As we have said, no XM radio will become obsolete as a result of the merger. We have millions of radios in use, including many that are factory-installed in automobiles. After the merger, our subscribers will not need another radio to continue to receive programming like they now enjoy. The XM platform will continue to offer a full complement of programming to our millions of subscribers.

We'll communicate directly to our subscribers once the FCC has rendered its decision.
///end of announcement

In the interim, I would go with XM. I've had XM for over 5 years now and I think the broadcast quality is much better than Sirius. My parents went with Sirius, and when they listen to my XM (in my Acura TL) they prefer the XM signal much better.

It will be interesting though when the merger does go thru what Sirius is going to do with some of the XM channels that duplicate their services/channels. In this merger, Sirius is the main player and will be absorbing XM, offering new and different tiers of programming choices. While programming on the satellite service, post merger, is all conjecture, it will be interesting to see what will happen after the merger is approved -- if it does get approved, that is.
 
merger

ehh, it won't matter much after the merger. You'll be able to get whatever channels you want.
 
crackermac,

I'm really hoping Sirius doesn't fiddle too much with the XM channels currently offered but build all currently offered channels into multiple tiered packages. I just don't see Sirius staying put and having to pay, for example, for staffing on two 80s channels that pretty much play the same music.
 
AppleIntelRock said:
I'm looking to purchase satellite radio for my car today or tomorrow and was wondering who I should go with. I'm looking for polotical radio as well has a large selection of music.
Click to expand...

Well, I love Sirius..I listen to 99% Howard Stern, and occasionally some Orchestral and Jazz. Sirius has a good selection and variety, but the sooner the merger happens, the better...
 
Yeah, I wish the merger would go thru sooner or later. I absolutely love Cinemagic on XM and since Sirius doesn't have that sort of programming currently in their lineup, I hope they keep Ch. 27 XM Cinemagic after all is said and done. I do like some of Sirius' programming like Margaritaville; but we'll see what happens.
 
jeffreyk said:
Yeah, I wish the merger would go thru sooner or later. I absolutely love Cinemagic on XM and since Sirius doesn't have that sort of programming currently in their lineup, I hope they keep Ch. 27 XM Cinemagic after all is said and done. I do like some of Sirius' programming like Margaritaville; but we'll see what happens.
Click to expand...

Well, I'm sure they understand their businesses better than anyone else, and whatever they end up doing after the merger could be nothing but good. And hey, if it's not, we still have terrestrial radio :p I've never been an XM fan, but more choices is always good. Not that I listen to anything but Howard Stern anyways..

By the way, improper use of a semi-colon there. :p First of all, no "but" after a semi-colon, as that would be for a comma. Then, the two sentences you tried to link were not tied in a way to justify a semi-colon.

Sorry...English.
 
I have XM because thats what my car came with. I do love it though! I remember when the 6 month trial was up, and I had to go back to FM for a bit. OH the horror. I was on the phone to them as soon as I got back home.
 
I heard the FCC is dragging their feet in the ground on allowing Sirius and XM merge because they're trying to stick it to Howard Stern. Also, what will be interesting is what is going to happen to the people who bought lifetime memberships to Sirius.. I have one!
 
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