Radio research firm Bridge Ratings projects HD receivers will be in the hands of 1.06 million consumers by the end of 2007, 2.0 million by the end of 2008 and 8.84 million by the end of 2010. Meanwhile, Bridge predicts that XM Satellite Radio will grow to 9.0 million subscribers by the end of 2006 as rival Sirius grows to about 6 million subscribers over the same period. (R&R via RAIN)
Tag Archives: XM Radio
Oprah & Friends on XM
Oprah Winfrey has signed a three-year, $55 million deal for her own channel on XM Satellite Radio. “Oprah & Friends,” as the channel will be known, is aimed at closing satellite radio’s gender gap. Men account for about two-thirds of the 9.3 million satellite subscriptions nationwide, but XM and its rival, Sirius Satellite Radio of New York, expect to attract more women as they purchase cars equipped with satellite radios.
Somehow, I just think the XM guys understand this satellite radio thing better than the other guys. This sounds like a really good idea to me.
Bob Dylan to host weekly show on XM
Bob Dylan has signed on to host a weekly show on XM Satellite Radio, the D.C.-based pay-radio provider. Dylan will select the music, offer commentary, interview guests and answer e-mail from listeners during the one-hour program, which will start in March. Now, just tell me this: Is there anybody that Bob Fucking Dylan can’t get to be on his show? I’m trying to understand why Bob Dylan would do this. It’s not the money. Maybe he’s bored and this sounds like fun.
These are strange and wonderful times. I don’t ever remember seeing anything as big or as disruptive as what we’re seeing now. Color TV was big. Cable TV didn’t seem big at first but it got to be big. I was at the NAB meeting in Chicago when the announced MTV. That was big for a while. But the flood gates (sorry, New Orleans) are open and things just aren’t gonna ever be the same again. I honestly don’t know what it means for me and all my radio buddies but I’m glad it’s finally here. The anticipation (and the need to prepare or do something) has been exhausting. I can’t say we haven’t had a chance to gear up for this sea change, because it’s been ten long years. I’m pooped. But I can finally shut the fuck up about the changes “blowin’ in the wind” because they are here.
Is Jack FM the long tail of radio?
The main problem with radio is not the relatively small size of the playlists (although that doesn’t help); it’s that music is polarizing–people may like one song but hate the next, so they’re prone to switch stations or switch off entirely. As MTV found out a decade ago, there simply is no single playlist that can keep enough people listening long enough to please the advertisers. MTV switched to reality shows because they’re sticky. Radio is switching to talk for the same reason.
It is the curse of broadcast: with just a few dozen stations in each city, most must aggregate audiences in the tens of thousands. In an era of infinite choice and narrowcasting, such mass-market broadcast distribution–the ultimate one-size-fits-all model–just can’t compete.
— Chris Anderson on the future of music on radio
I have not heard the Jack format and think it unlikely I will. The little nano is getting more and more of my limited listening time (mostly podcasts, some music). I’m even listening to XM less since getting the little iPod.
XM offers “biggest givaway” at World Series
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“Touting it as the largest giveaway in the 102-year history of the World Series, XM Satellite Radio said Thursday it was giving a free satellite radio to every fan who enters U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago for Game One this Saturday between the Chicago White Sox and the Houston Astros. Fans will receive a coupon good for the new Delphi XM RoadyXT satellite radio receiver which retails for $79.99 plus a World Series commemorative pin.” — Billboard Radio Monitor
Back stage with the Rolling Stones
XM Ben attended the Rolling Stones concert Monday night (DC) and managed to get backstage where he had his photo taken spooning Ron Wood. I think that qualifies as a Brush with Near Greatness.
It flashed me back to 1964 (my sophomore year in high school) when the Rolling Stones were all over the radio. We had never heard anything remotely like them. How can they possibly be touring 40 years later?
PS: That’s been peeping out from behind Ron Wood
XM launces “Red Cross Radio”
The American Red Cross and XM Satellite Radio have joined forces to launch Red Cross Radio, a 24-hour, nationwide XM channel to provide help and information for Hurricane Katrina victims, Red Cross staff and volunteers along the Gulf Coast, and other Red Cross workers across the country. Former Learfielder and Jeff City expat Ben Krech played a big role in getting the project airborne.
XM Radio Online
This is just a very different listening experience. The player displays the artist and title currently playing each of my preset channels. Listening can be as passive or interactive as mood dictates. And the audio quality (on my DSL connection) is pretty amazing. Radio good enough to pay for.
XM’s America Left now Air America Radio.
XM Satellite Radio announced Monday it has signed a multi-year content agreement with Air America Radio, making XM the exclusive satellite radio network for the left-leaning radio network. Financial terms were not disclosed. When the deal begins in May, Air America Radio will no longer air on Sirius Satellite Radio, which has 1.2 million subscribers to XM’s nearly 3.8 million.
Have you seen Left of the Dial, the excellent HBO documentary about the start-up of Air America? Painful but I could not look away.
Satellite Radio
Two interesting nuggets from (still another) NTY story on satellite radio. 1) Total (XM + Sirius) subscribers will probably surpass eight million by the end of the year, “making satellite radio one fo the fastest-growing technologies ever – faster, for example than cellpones. 2) Steven Van Zandt (E Street Band and Sopranos) programs two music channels for Sirius.