Satellite Radio - Sexy Radio

The recent merger of Sirius and XM Radio has saved this venture of satellite radio from bankruptcy, as I understand.  Apparently, I don’t undersstand as much as I thought.  As I evaluate the jump into Satellite Radio, I’m forced to look at why it almost didn’t make it.  It certainly has a little something for everyone; From commercial free music to Comedy, sports, News, Bible thumping, Boy stations, Girl stations, Music Stations broken down into different categories, appealing to different moods or peeps.
 
I see on the US side of things Sirius Radio and XM Radio, with both .com websites offer slightly different programming, yet they appear to collaborate.  On the .ca’s I see two different websites that carry similar programming with the exception of 3 or 4 stations namely Howard Stern, Playboy and perhaps Martha Stewart.

Certain stations, I see, are not offered north of the border.  Is that a CRTC issue?  Since I’m not sure I emailed XMradio.ca .   Let’s see what I get as a response. 

<<EDIT>> I got a polite response from XM Canada saying:  " Unfortunately, the Howard Stern stations 100 and 101 are limited to Sirius and XM US with a special programming package. We do not offer Howard Stern in XM Canada but we have our very own set of shock jocks that might do it for you: Opie and Anthony. You can find them on channel 202, The Virus.  " .  <<EDIT>>After a whole day’s research I am satisfied with this answer.

Got to get this whole issue out of my system.  Or did I?  I don’t mind Canadian content, but leave the selling feature into it.  As I dig deeper, it looks like the two sattelite networks are not merged in Canada.  Sirius Canada does offer the above mentionned stations.

I’ve listened to Howard Stern, he can get me going and he can turn me off.  It wouldn’t be a great loss, but I certainly would like the choice of listening to Howard Stern or not, uncensored.  This week end, I’ll see what else is on there that could be Adult related.  Not that it has to be a requirement of satellite radio, but I am curious.  XM Canada does not offer these stations, or my car came with the wrong satellite radio installed in it.  Despite the above reply from XM Canada, my findings show that the Howard Stern stations are available on Sirius Canada.

I also don’t like any regularity board to make decisions for me. I’m in favour of Canadian Content, I’m in favour of the linguistic availability in this country.  I should be aware of the above two points.  When I television surf late weekends on the regulated movie channels, If I don’t want to watch the approved porn, I have a choice.  I can change the channel.  I can even block it, during those hours.  I choose, I decide.  Why can’t the same be done on XM Radio?  I think this board is important, I support the CRTC, I just don’t like the way they go about certain things.  Be consistant!  Anyone heard of ONI?  There’s an eye opener for everyone.  In the end, this doesn’t appear to be a CRTC issue, but my rant still stands for other matters.

So why isn’t satelite radio  making it?  Well by the time you acquire the hardware, you’re likely at least another $100 down.  Hardware is certainly to study here.  There are a lot of options.  Some as low as $35, others as high as $500.  Depends how you want to go.

Here’s how promising this was.  When the hardware came out, some measured it up to the Ipod.  Many people don’t know, but the Ipod wasn’t the first mp3 player or digital music player.  I was using a product called Thompson’s Lyra 40 gigs 2 years before the Ipod came out.  Apple just worked harder at making it everyone love it, creating tons of accessories for it and it worked.

Sexy radio resources is  a wide statement.  Do you want Sexy music?  Do you want a talk show with its host getting off on the air?  You may as well download a couple of adult podcasts!  Playboy Radio is already out there, I’m not sure of its success, because it hasn’t been an issue for me apart from a couple of bloggers who made a go of it.  To get an uncensored program guide I found this listing over on XMfan .com. 

Personally, I’ve enjoyed my free 7 days on line.  It’s given me a chance to explore.  As for the car subscription, it’s for 3 months free.  I have time to decide, but I doubt I’ll let it go having the hardware in the car.  So that will be about $14.99 a month.  Unfortunately, I can’t take it in the house without an additional fee ($9.99.)  So, for $25.00/month I could have XM radio  where I want it.  Just not the way I expected it with all the stations.  Oh yeah, and it also looks like they throw in the on line for free, once you take a regular package. 
That is all the stations I assumed it should come with.  Since I was under the impression both stations had merged to avoid bankruptcy and I would benefit from merged programming.  Well such is not the case.  The merger was only in the US.  So in the US, whether you had one hardware or the other, you now benefit from both programming.  Not in Canada. 

At least not yet, too many kinks to iron out.  A lot of what I’ve read favours XM to have better programming overall.  The NHL broadcast seems to be an issue as to the percentage of ownership here since XM has acquired the rights to broadcast the games.  I’m sure there are other issues too.

For the time being it looks like different car company carry different hardware.  Some new cars ship with Sirius others with XM.  Mine shipped with XM Canada. 

Truth is, in the morning, on my 15 minute drive to work at 7.00Am, I like to catch the news and the local talk shows.  Our latest conversion from Mix 96 to Virgin Radio is adequate for me.  Virgin made very few staff changes and beefed up programming.  Cut local talent and stuck in some syndicated shows.  The point is commercial free radio is lovely!  Sure I can spend hours converting my CD’s to MP3s and making play lists and what not, pushing a button of choice on my satellite radio might be just as pleasant.  I can even listen to Grateful Dead all day if I want.  At night, the ride can be up to an hour….XM Radio please!

To make a long story short, as Howard Stern himself would probably say… "As for Howard Stern, he can go fly a kite for now."  (except he wouldn’t quite say it like that now would he?).

Before jumping in, consider where you live, look at your hardware options, look at your programming options to make sure you’ll really get what you’re looking for.  See if you’re still willing to dish out for it.  In Australia there is Stripe Radio, In the UK, as I understand it be patient, it’s a work in progress, In Japan Mobaho.  If you have access to interenet, no problem.