Sirius-News.com - your #1 source for news, rumors, and fun - SO STOP STARING & GET SIRIUS

 
News    

Is XM Getting Sirius?
By Rick Aristotle Munarriz

There is more than meets the ear when it comes to yesterday's deal in which XM Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: XMSR) announced that it would be paying $650 million to broadcast major league baseball over its digital airwaves for the next 11 seasons.

For starters, back when rival Sirius (Nasdaq: SIRI) announced a $220 million deal for exclusive rights over seven years with the NFL, XM was quick to point out that Sirius overpaid for something that XM would have liked at a lower price. One executive even called the Sirius catch " desperate looking ," which may seem odd now that XM will be paying nearly twice as much per year for baseball.

Granted, the regular baseball season features 10 times as many games as the NFL. The significance of landing a sport that also schedules plenty of games during weekday afternoons -- when commuters are more likely to tune in than over the weekend -- is also not lost on me. While baseball ratings are significantly lower than gridiron contests during the regular season, it's still a walk-off home run for XM. Does that mean that XM is the one that is "desperate looking" now? I don't think so.

But why is everyone always pitting XM against Sirius? I don't mean in a valuation sense, because that's a perfectly reasonable comparison when it comes to trying to peg a value for this dynamic sector. What perplexes me is why everyone assumes that just because they are the two satellite radio alternatives, they are fighting one another?

They're not really. They are more like a tag-team looking to take down free radio heavies like Clear Channel (NYSE: CCU) and Cumulus Media (Nasdaq: CMLS) . And I don't know about you but I think XM and Sirius are going to kick their butts . Yes, I know, the words "butts" is weak. It makes me wish that I was scribing for satellite radio so I could really get colorful with the language.

That's ultimately one of the many lures of satellite radio. By 2006, Howard Stern will be exclusively on Sirius grilling celebrities with sex questions while Opie & Anthony will be free to broadcast all the debauchery and flatulence that they see fit on XM. Free radio will be beating its chest to thinning crowds on the merits of censorship that ultimately tastes as exciting as vanilla yogurt.

Sports will be a big deal on satellite radio, especially for the displaced fan, fantasy leaguer, or SportsCenter diehard, yet it was ultimately content that drove television viewers to snap their rabbit ear antennas and switch to cable and satellite television. Exclusive content, above and beyond the great commercial-free music streams, is what will ultimately have free radio staggering against the ropes.

Earlier this week, Sirius signed up its 700,000th subscriber. While that may pale compared to the 2.5 million subscribers that first-mover XM has landed, the disparity is no longer that wide. Sirius expects to sign up more than half as many subscribers as XM this quarter. But let's set aside all that to take a look at the bigger picture. With Sirius looking to close out the year with more than a million subscribers and XM aiming for 3.1 million, satellite radio as a whole is looking to win over roughly a million new fans this quarter. That's a million subscribers that will have little reason to revert back to free radio. And that's just now. With more carmakers coming out with factory-installed satellite radio and more content deals to come in the coming quarters, it's not even going to be a fair fight before too long.

XM and Sirius aren't the Yankees and Red Sox of satellite radio. They're playing on the same team. They are educating the same potential audience. If the game is longball, you've got to like their chances.  

 

R U M O R V I L L E
The Rumors you may or may
not want to know about ...

* Look for a big day 6/30/05 - We hear sirius
will take off to $8.00

* Howard Stern is to announce something regarding Sirius in about two weeks

* Sony + Sirius Deal? Is it in the works? Seems like a logical move, as Apple didn't want to get involved. Then again we are in Rumorville!

* Stock is rumored to fall until Stern Signs on early

* Howard Stern to quit early? Will he say F*** You to broadcast radio, and make the jump soon to Sirius?
Rumor has it, it may be next month.

*What is up with Sirius & XM lately? The two companies have seemed to merge together in the media. Is a possibly buyout in store? Will Viacom, and Sumner Redstone buy both companies?


All statements contained are not verified for their accuracy. The statements may or may not be true and therefore are not to be relied on.
For entertainment purposes only.


Order the Sirius for life T-Shirts see the MERCHANDISE here

 

Welcome to Sirius-News.com
Thank you for browsing the newest Sirius News Satellite Radio website.  We are not affiliated with Sirius, however, we ARE your source for the latest and best Sirius news.  We are looking for some Sirius subscribers and investors to write online articles for us.  If you are interested, please contact us and let us know.   We would love to hear any ideas or suggestions you might have for the website...good or bad. Stay tuned for some exciting features coming to our site...Go Sirius Go!

Enter to win a free SIRIUS Sportster.

Enter Email Here:

Do you like the song lyrics and music videos? Check out Eric's Lyrics




Q U I C K - L I N K S
 
Archived Sirius News
Monthly Featured Investor
Writing Staff / Bios
Weekly Photo
---------------------------------
Links
Whats on Sirius (live)
Chicago Talent Agency
New Sites:
Illinois DUI Attorney
DUI Lawyer Chicago
Chicago DUI Lawyer
DUI Lawyer in Chicago
Pre-Order Now Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King
Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King good Reviews
Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King all Lyrics
melanie fiona ay yo



Poll of the Week
suggest next weeks poll


Own Sirius? We want to know
what you do for a living, what you look like, and other good stuff....get featured on our Monthly Investor Page ...email us for a chance to be featured




This website is not affiliated in any way with Sirius Satellite Radio.  2004-2005 © Sirius-News.com
Privacy Policy Contact us at info @ Sirius-News.com - Chicago IL 60622 - Go Sirius Go! ...Search
Advertise With Us


Restauraunts:
QT Chicago Dogs
QT Chicago Dogs

Dear Franks

Listings:
Free Local Directory

Chicago bars and Clubs

Information:
Illinois Unemployment Information
cd rates chicago
Teleserve Number

Autism
New Years Eve 2008 NYE Chicago