XM or Sirius

I read somewhere that Sirius needed 1 Million new subscribers to break even with Howard Stern's salary offer. They subscribed 2.2 Million as of a week ago - they're more than cash solvent, if those numbers are anywhere near accurate.

Once Stern opens up with his 'dream format', and people respond, the floodgates will open with new programming. Stern is an acquired taste - but given the fact that he was number ONE in the morning radio circuit here in the Bible Belt should tell you something.

We have XM pumped into the local gym. I don't like it - the music is still censored, the DJs are censoring themselves like the FCC Nazi is still on their shoulder, etc. Other than less commercials (why are there any???) I couldn't tell the difference from Terrestrial radio. I thought the 'big sales point' was NO commercials, NO censorship - as a potential consumer, that's what is interesting me. Most 'safe' music formats (Jazz/Classical/Country/Bluegrass/etc.) was ALWAYS terrestrial radio-friendly right off the record with no FCC editing required. Do we really need 20+ stations of those same formats? Ah, no. People who listen to those types of music are not 'gaining' anything with a move to Satellite. Rock and Rap/Hip-Hop, however, gain EVERYTHING, since they've bore the brunt of censorship over the years. So I understand why Sirius is more Rock/Rap focused at this time.

 

Does anyone know if you have to pay royalties if you play either XM or sirius in a small, commercial setting (ie doctors/dentist office)? or does the subscription fee take this compensation into consideration?

thanks!

 

I have an Alpine with built in XM. The new Alpines will allow you to choose which sat. system you want to go with. It accepts both. Censorship?? The stations I listen to on XM are not censored at all. Plenty of cussing. From the dj's to the explicit songs.

 

The XM being pumped into the gym is most likely a commercial subscription, as opposed to a personal one. The commercial subscription is specifically programmed to take the place of "muzac" piped into places like restaurants, building lobbys, etc. That's why what he's hearing at the gym is censored, and what you're hearing in your car is not censored.

 

Not only does he do insurance, he does radios. What a hunk.

 

The difference is that O&A are still funny. Stern hasn't been since the nineties.

Besides, Ron and Fez trumps 'em all. Game, set, match, XM.

 

...nah, too easy