Sirius/ XM merger - will it affect our Sirius radios?

Flying J · **Posted:** Sun Feb 25, 2007 10:00 am

Let me be the first to say I know very little about Satellite radio other then my wife has it in her CRD and liked it so much she bought a lifetime package last summer for 5 bills!

So if Sirius and XM merge, are the technologies compatible with each other, or would new equipment be needed if they broadcast on XM frequencies? Is this anything to worry about?

Thanks,

raceinfan · **Posted:** Sun Feb 25, 2007 10:37 am

where did you hear this??? I was thinking of switching over because XM got rid of the Nascar channel maybe I should wait now????

unixxx · **Posted:** Sun Feb 25, 2007 1:09 pm

The infrastructure would remain the same and they'd come out with new radios that support both frequencies. The old radios could still get their respective services, but some channels might be removed or added as they replace redundant ones. Right now the FCC is trying to stop the merger, so it could be a while.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 26, 2007 8:48 am

I read about this on CNN last week.... I was thinking about picking up a Sirius add-on for my wifes car but after the news I decided against it. I just wonder how many other people are now going to wait until the dust settles to make a new purchase..

StarDreamer.us · **Joined:** Fri Oct 06, 2006 9:15 pm **Posts:** 63

Just go to the Sirius.com web site. They have a complete discussion on what they are going to do. I would not wait to buy. I have the Sirius package and enjoy it very much. This merger may take years to complete or it could be completed by next year. No one knows!

ratmloud · **Posted:** Tue Feb 27, 2007 12:16 pm

xm is better :wink:

StarDreamer.us · **Joined:** Fri Oct 06, 2006 9:15 pm **Posts:** 63

Just got a letter from Sirius radio yesterday about the merger. They said that the merger would not affect service and that NO radio would ever become outdated. Got the service and love it. Purchased a lifetime of service and enjoy it very much.

WV Jay · **Posted:** Thu Apr 19, 2007 11:11 pm

I've had Sirius for over a year now and the wife and I love it.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Apr 22, 2007 4:52 pm

I had XM in my Jeep for around a year and just didnt like it. Waste of money IMHO. My mom has sirius radio in her Jeep and I seem to like it alot better. I canceled my XM along time ago.

JMLoughrey · **Posted:** Thu Apr 26, 2007 1:26 am

well, working in the car audio industry i have some kind of a privy (sp) to a bit more info then they will release the general public.

Yes, eventually they will merge, one/both of the companies will have to sell or release some of there patenets/rights to there respective companies. Between the two of them they own 100% of the patents of the industry and if they merge they will create a monopoly, thats the main reason the FCC is creating a stink.

No radio will be obsolete. (straight from XM and Sirius Reps that visit the store)

They are leaning towards 3 basic subscription options, all sirius, all XM or a Both kinda thing.

Rumor has it, if/when the merger happens, streaming video will be the next project of the company.

I wouldn't bother waiting because chances are it's going to be quite some time and you'll easily get your moneys worth.

humptyjumped · **Posted:** Thu Apr 26, 2007 1:59 am

Jeepjeepster wrote:

I had XM in my Jeep for around a year and just didnt like it. Waste of money IMHO. My mom has sirius radio in her Jeep and I seem to like it alot better. I canceled my XM along time ago.

i couldn't agree more

StarDreamer.us · **Joined:** Fri Oct 06, 2006 9:15 pm **Posts:** 63

Sirius radio, soon to be TV, will be offerring to new buyers 08 Chrysler model year, a new video service for certain new channels for kids. Then after 08 it will be made available to other car brands/dealers. Sounds to me like they will be expanding services. We currently have Sirius Radio lifetime service and are very happy with it. When I called them to ask about any proposed changes in our service, they said none.

What is SIRIUS Backseat TV™? From the web site for Sirius.

"SIRIUS Backseat TV™ is a dynamic and pioneering TV service that delivers live TV from the best family TV networks to the video screens of select vehicles equipped with a SIRIUS Backseat TV™ receiver. The SIRIUS Backseat TV™ receiver is the only receiver capable of receiving the SIRIUS Backseat TV™ service. In addition, all SIRIUS Backseat TV™ receivers can receive SIRIUS’ satellite radio service.

When can I get it? Where can I watch?

SIRIUS Backseat TV™ will initially be available in the all-new 2008 Chrysler Town & Country and 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan minivans, available later this year. This factory-installed option will include the SIRIUS Backseat TV™ receiver and one year subscriptions to SIRIUS Backseat TV™ and SIRIUS Satellite Radio services.

An after-market version of the SIRIUS Backseat TV™ receiver is expected to become available through our retail partners this summer."

unixxx · **Posted:** Thu Apr 26, 2007 10:47 pm

How will they become a monopoly? There are still FM, AM, and Internet providers in the radio market. Satellite (Sirius/XM) directly competes with FM (Clear Channel), which is why Clear Channel keeps trying to pull the monopoly card.

JMLoughrey wrote:

Between the two of them they own 100% of the patents of the industry and if they merge they will create a monopoly, thats the main reason the FCC is creating a stink.

Endurance · **Posted:** Fri Apr 27, 2007 12:11 am

unixxx wrote:

How will they become a monopoly? There are still FM, AM, and Internet providers in the radio market. Satellite (Sirius/XM) directly competes with FM (Clear Channel), which is why Clear Channel keeps trying to pull the monopoly card.

JMLoughrey wrote:

Between the two of them they own 100% of the patents of the industry and if they merge they will create a monopoly, thats the main reason the FCC is creating a stink.

XM/Sirius is a Monopoly in its market because they are the only ones providing SATELLITE RADIO. In my opinion they both suck because their bitrate is just horrible, absolutely horrible bitrate. Its like listening to 28kbps mp3's.

unixxx · **Posted:** Fri Apr 27, 2007 12:38 am

We only get Cox cable TV in our neighborhood but Cox isn't a monopoly because satellite TV is available. We will only get Sirius-XM satellite radio in our car but Sirius-XM won't be a monopoly because HD/FM radio is available. Clear Channel's heavy lobbying proves that HD/FM is competing with satellite. There can't be a monopoly when there's competition. Clear Channel could just as easily charge for HD Radio but instead lobbies the FCC.

Sirius/ XM merger - will it affect our Sirius radios?

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