Tag Archives: sirius xm 2.0

SiriusXM Introduces SiriusXM 2.0 with New Music, Sports and Entertainment Channels, Including SiriusXM Latino

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Sirius XM Radio today announced an expanded channel lineup of new and exclusive commercial-free music, sports news and comedy. The expansion includes the debut of SiriusXM Latino, a suite of new Latin channels featuring a deep variety of commercial-free music, plus programming from leading providers of Spanish-language sports, news, talk and entertainment.

The launch of new programming is the first phase of SiriusXM 2.0, a major upgrade and evolution of SiriusXM’s satellite and Internet delivered service that will ultimately span hardware, software, audio, and data services. By employing highly efficient modulation and compression techniques introduced as part of 2.0 technology that effectively delivers 25% more bandwidth capacity, SiriusXM will expand its audio and data services without affecting the broadcast quality of existing channels.

Subscribers can access these new channels through SiriusXM Internet Radio and through the SiriusXM Internet Radio App for smartphones and mobile devices. The new channels are also available by satellite through the new SiriusXM Edge, the first satellite radio able to receive the expanded programming lineup. Edge is on sale now at www.shop.siriusxm.com and  available at 2,500 retail locations nationwide by this holiday shopping season. Additional programming and expanded listener capabilities will be announced in coming months as SiriusXM builds on the promise of its new 2.0 technology.

“SiriusXM 2.0 is an exciting new chapter for our company and subscribers, and today is the first important upgrade: going live with new programming that reinforces our commitment to offer the best in audio entertainment,” said Mel Karmazin, Chief Executive Officer of SiriusXM. “The new suite of channels, including the most comprehensive Latin programming lineup available in radio today, makes our combined offering of English and Spanish audio entertainment second to none. We eventually expect the exciting new features and capabilities being added to our service to offer the opportunity for lower subscriber churn and higher sales of internet radio packages. We also look forward to extending 2.0 content and features soon to our OEM car partners, bringing them and their customers the next generation of satellite radio technology.”

An easy way subscribers can get all SiriusXM programming is through the All Access Annual subscription plan: it offers all satellite radio programming, including premium channels, access to all online channels, and the ability to listen to all programming available through smartphones and mobile devices, for $199 a year, a significant savings.

“The expansion of our commercial-free music offerings, the launch of SiriusXM Latino, the  near-doubling of our comedy channels, and additions to our live sports talk, deepens the channel offerings available to SiriusXM subscribers and adds to our unparalleled audio entertainment lineup,” said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM.

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Best Buy Leaks Sirius XM Lynx

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It looks like the Sirius XM Lynx is almost here. Best Buy has leaked product images and specs for the new Sirius XM Receiver. No Shipping date is listed and the receiver is listed at $249.99.

According to the product page for the Lynx:

Enjoy your favorite SiriusXM Satellite Radio channels with this SiriusXM Lynx SXi1 receiver that allows you to pause, rewind and replay live content and features a microSDHC card slot for listening to your favorite songs (card not included).

What’s Included

  • SiriusXM Lynx Portable Satellite Radio Receiver
  • Rechargeable battery
  • Travel charger and cable
  • Carry pouch, screen cleaning cloth
  • Owner’s manual

Product Features

  • Multitouch display
    For easy control over your listening experience. View album art and read artist bios.
  • Wi-Fi connection
    To SiriusXM Internet Radio for hours of entertainment. Receives live satellite radio when connected to a SiriusXM LV1 vehicle kit, LH1 home kit or BB2 portable speaker dock (not included).
  • Pause, rewind and play live content
    For customized use.
  • Xtra channels
    Provide additional entertainment options, including Hispanic programming (additional fees may apply).
  • Love button
    For recording your favorite songs to listen to them whenever you want. My SiriusXM Channel builds a playlist from your Loved songs and artists. My Radio Replays automatically records your favorite music to a library.
  • Start Now option
    Allows you to listen to your favorite programming on your schedule. Show Finder provides a complete list of programming and where it can be found.
  • microSDHC card slot
    For transferring media (card not included).
  • Up to 30 hours of operation
    On a single battery charge.
  • SiriusXM Satellite Radio subscription required to receive SiriusXM Satellite Radio.
The Lynx measures in at 2-1/2″ X 4-1/2″ with a Depth of only 1/2″ and is running a custom version of the Android operating system.
Dont forget to get the Sirius XM Lynx from TSS Radio when it becomes available for sale.

Report: SiriusXM Satellite Radio 2.0 to launch next month

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According to Joseph Palenchar at Twice.com, VP of retail sales Mike Roberts announced that Satellite Radio 2.0 will launch next month.

Robert’s said the first universal tuner, intended for in-vehicle installation and connection to multiple brands of satellite-ready head units, will not support 2.0 service, but a new version will be available with 2.0 compatibility next year.

Satellite Radio 2.0 will offer 30 additional channels of service which will be transmitted through XM Radios satellites. Sirius Satellites will not broadcast the new service and Roberts expects auto makers currently offering Sirius receivers to move to the XM platform. It has been a rumor that Sirius XM would slowly transition to the XM platform and Satellite Radio 2.0 looks to be the first step towards the transition.

As previously mentioned the two new Satellite Radio 2.0 receivers will offer replay and time-shift functions (some current models already offer this function). The additional channels will also be available through Sirius Xm online, these On-Demand Music and Talk channels should be available by early next year.

According to Roberts Sirius XM will use “Bandwidth Cloning” technology to offer these 30 additional channels with no loss in audio quality.

More information as it becomes available.

SXM 2.0: SiriusXM Is Attempting to License Music Directly From Labels

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According to a report by Billboard.biz SiriusXM Radio, via Music Reports Inc., is attempting to directly license music from record labels, bypassing their current licensing deal with SoundExchange.

SiriusXM is looking to expand it’s licensing which would give more functionality to current subscribers. The new licensing agreement would allow subscribers to record programming blocks and also rewind and fast-forward the recorded segments. Additionally SiriusXM would offer the ability to have music cached locally on Radios (Sirius XM 2.0 Compatible Radios) and Applications (SiriusXM App) that support the feature. SiriusXM would also need to obtain a waiver from the sound recording performance complement of the Digital Millenium Copyright Act, which currently limits how many times songs from a single artist can be played within an hour.

According to the report SiriusXM will not allow subscribers to transfer music to other devices and once a subscription expires all cached and recorded content will not be accessible.

Sirius is offering to pay a royalty rate of 7% gross revenues.  SiriusXM currently pays 7.5% to SoundExchange (SoundExchange deducts its overhead costs before paying out collected royalties). According to the report royalty rates are scheduled to increase to 8% in 2012.

According to a statement from SiriusXM ”We’ve had a mutually beneficial partnership with the music industry for years and we welcome the opportunity to strengthen that relationship by entering into direct licenses with all record labels regardless of size. SiriusXM provides a unique opportunity for artists to be heard by a national audience of more than 21 million subscribers and nearly 40 million listeners. SiriusXM listeners have diverse listening interests that are not satisfied by other audio entertainment platforms and regard SiriusXM as an influential platform for new and established repertoire.”

If SiriusXM moves to direct licensing the full royalty rate will be paid directly to the labels. Currently SoundExchange makes payments and splits royalties evenly between the artist and the label. Labels that directly license music to SiriusXM would then be responsible for paying the artist.

The most important part of this deal for SiriusXM is the ability to add the new functionality to subscribers, royalty payments aside moving to Direct Licensing is the most important aspect for Sirius XM 2.0.

It was also mentioned earlier this week that SiriusXM would be raising prices due to the FCC lifting the merger price freeze, expect the 1% Raise in Royalty Fees to be passed on to listeners once this deal is complete.

2011 Conference Call sheds more light on SXM 2.0

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During this mornings 2011 2nd Quarter Conference call Sirius XM’s CEO Mel Karmazin, President of Sales & Operations Jim Meyer and Scott Greenstein revealed more details about the elusive Sirius XM 2.0.

According to Karmazin “Sirius XM continues to work hard on SiriusXM 2.0, which will be ready to launch in the retail channel by the end of the year as previously disclosed.”

Meyer went on to say “SXM 2.0 is a major upgrade and evolution of our satellite- and internet-delivered networks that span our hardware, software and audio and data content. We are rolling it out in phases, bringing more content and capabilities to our satellite platform, while also employing connectivity technologies such as WiFi, Bluetooth and the Internet to create exciting complements to our core radio services.

This upgrade will first be available to subscribers late this year when we make 2 new-generation radios available at retail. These radios will be able to carry more channels than ever before, thanks to expanded bandwidth, and provide functions that help you enjoy satellite radio like never before.

A primary goal of what we have called Sirius 2.0 has always been to secure the commitment of our OEM partners to the next generation of satellite radio technology. We have been sharing that vision with our car partners, and I’m happy to report they are very excited about the new technology and how it will add to the driving experience. In fact, we expect to be able to announce, by year end, launch plans for at least one of our OEM partners to begin factory implementation of 2.0 features as early as next year. I’ll note here that SXM 2.0 is designed to carry us through many years and will allow us the freedom to make upgrades and additions by software without our OEM partners having to change hardware in their head units. It will also allow us 25% more bandwidth for expanded audio and data services, as well as replay and time-shift listening capabilities. We’ve also been working hard to upgrade our IP-delivered services. Late this year, we will add new convenience features such as pause and rewind. In addition, we will add a new feature called Start Now, which will allow our IP subscribers to easily time-shift most of our channels by up to 5 hours.

We will continue to evolve our IP offerings by adding true on-demand capabilities for music and talk content early next year. In addition, we intend to provide subscribers the ability to build true personalization of our winning, exclusive and accurately-curated content into their SiriusXM experience. We should be able to announce those personalization features in the first half of next year.

Finally Greenstein stated “As part of SiriusXM 2.0, we are launching a compelling new suite of channels that takes advantage of our new bandwidth and bolsters our online and mobile services. As part of this new suite, SiriusXM will deliver a robust line of Hispanic channel that will become the top destination for the best, most unique and exclusive audio in entertainment, sports and music for Latinos in both Spanish and English. SiriusXM will target the bilingual, bicultural, mid- to upper-income segment of the U.S. Hispanic population with this very combination of Spanish and English language content, of course taking into consideration their traditions, roots and values. With this new Hispanic content offering, SiriusXM will offer more variety than present in any other market in the United States, as well as unique formats that do not currently exist in terrestrial Spanish language radio. To use one example of how in-depth our offering will be, SiriusXM’s new Hispanic channel, coupled with our overall Hispanic programming, will deliver over 50% more the amount of Hispanic formats that are available in Los Angeles, which is the largest Hispanic market in the U.S. and has the most terrestrial Spanish language stations. While some other markets in the U.S. do not even have one terrestrial Spanish language radio station, SiriusXM will clearly be a factor in those markets as well.

As you can see, SiriusXM intends to compete — and compete vigorously in the Hispanic content market. We will be doing that by having SiriusXM’s Hispanic content represent a combination of 100% commercial-free music programming developed by top Hispanic programming talent, coupled with leading brands in news, sports and entertainment, including exclusive Hispanic content.

In addition to the impact that this new contact — this new content will have to the Hispanic markets across the country, SiriusXM’s Hispanic offering represents significant marketing opportunities with our OEM and retail partners who have already expressed enthusiasm for the product. To complement the Hispanic channel, SiriusXM will also, as part with SiriusXM 2.0, be launching a dynamic and exclusive new suite of music and comedy channel, including in-house and branded content channels.”

The above gives us a better idea of what to expect when SXM 2.0 Launches later this year. I expect the new Radios to be available before the Holiday season.

I would also like to mention that the FCC price freeze has been lifted and based on Karmazin’s discussion during the call I expect new tiers of service once SXM 2.0 is launched.