Sirius XM one of the biggest Tech failures of decade

[BRONCOS]

Sirius XM (SIRI) satellite radio was supposed to be one of the most successful consumer electronics devices of all time. A subscriber would be able to listen to more than 100 stations coast-to-coast in either a moving vehicle, or using a portable version of the device. Initially, the service planned to run no commercials. One of the two companies that would eventually be the merged Sirius XM was XM Satellite Radio which launched its service in September 2001. At the end of the year, the company had almost 28,000 subscribers, a figure that jumped to about 350,000 by the end of the 2002 and 5.9 million by the end of 2005. Over this period, the company accumulated hundreds of millions of dollars of debt in order to cover capital expenses, operating deficits, and sales and marketing costs. Analysts expected the company to be extremely profitable once it reached subscriber levels of more than 10 million. The business was growing so quickly that this goal seemed a foregone conclusion. Rival Sirius launched its service in July 2002. Over the next five years, it would have fewer subscribers than XM but would grow nearly as fast. Sirius also took on tremendous amounts of debt to support its operations. As both companies ran low on money, they announced a merger on February 17, 2007. The FCC reviewed the request for thirteen months while the companies were bleeding cash. Subscriber growth had slowed, most likely because of new and more popular consumer electronics devices like the Apple iPod and multimedia cellular handsets. Shares in Sirius, which had traded at $63 in 2000, dropped to $.05 earlier this year. In the first quarter of 2009, the number of subscribers for the combined service declined by 400,000 from the previous quarter to 18.6 million. Neither Sirius nor XM ever made a dime.

—Douglas A. McIntyre

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1898610_1898625_1898632,00.html


In the first quarter of 2009, the number of subscribers for the combined service declined by 400,000

Ouch!

[Snapman]

In the first quarter of 2009, the number of subscribers for the combined service declined by 400,000

Ouch!

There could be a number of factors to cause this. One is the economy, of course. Also, people who subscribed to both Sirius and XM pre-merger no longer needed to subscribe to both services, and dropped one or the other. Unfortunately, the merger probably killed any growth both companies were experiencing, which probably would have softened the blow.

While I think the merger was a big mistake, now that it's more or less over Sirius XM needs to focus on getting back to where they were going pre-merger. Get back to focusing on new technology, advertising, and giving listeners an incentive on paying for satellite radio. Otherwise, it will be all over.

[cigarsandscotch]

They really don't listen to their customers and do a horrific job of marketing what they do have to offer. They don't even make clear what they have to their subscribers. It really is run rather poorly.

[Ballbuster1]

The DJ filled Sirius channels have killed XM and Mel is only pushing
Howard. Not looking good. I had 5 subs back in the XM days. It's 1
now and that goes if O&A go.

[Death Metal Moe]

It's getting harder and harder to justify the 4 subs I have from them. I mean they just banged me for the online shit. That was just a fucking slap in the face man.

The music just really isn't that great and it's STILL just a radio station. I said it YEARS before the merger, the Sirius music channels sucked and had chatty DJ's.

I hate to say it but I think I'm going to be forced to drop some of my subs. I got a $50 chunk taken out of my bank account this month and it hurts worse while unemployed.

Sirius may have priced itself out of my life.

[Hydrosludge]

It's getting harder and harder to justify the 4 subs I have from them. I mean they just banged me for the online shit. That was just a fucking slap in the face man.

The music just really isn't that great and it's STILL just a radio station. I said it YEARS before the merger, the Sirius music channels sucked and had chatty DJ's.

I hate to say it but I think I'm going to be forced to drop some of my subs. I got a $50 chunk taken out of my bank account this month and it hurts worse while unemployed.

Sirius may have priced itself out of my life.


Yup, I gladly paid for 4 XM subs. I can only justify 2 siruios subs. I am considering dropping another.

[BRONCOS]

For me (just my opinion) Sat-Radio is worth the $170.00 a year. It's a great source of entertainment for me. From Baseball,Basketball, to O&A and the music it's worth the price.

I agree that they advertise more to subscrbers (weekly emails) than they do non-subs. It's insane that they waste dollars trying to get more cash from the current subs.

Just look at the Howard AD going on now. It's not aimed at Non-subs, it's trying to get more cash from current XM people. Why not offer Howard free online to non Sat radio people? Or try to bring back former Subs?

I jumped from Sirius to XM mainly for the music and the non-DJ filled channels. Sirius loves to be FM, where XM was different more about the music and not the jock. But Mel has seen fit to spread the FM style DJ to XM.

I don't see the ship floating in 5 years. Sadly I'll stay until it sinks.

[Beeman99]

I'm still paying for 8 XM subs and 1 Sirius sub, and I'm sure I'll have them until they close the doors. It does make it nicer now though that it's a tax write off for me

[Vyce]

It's getting harder and harder to justify the 4 subs I have from them.

Moe, sometimes it's hard to justify the ONE sub I have with them.

[Goblin]

I keep XM only for O&A & Ron & Fez. After my sub expires I may switch to online only, or cancel it completely. I am utterly disgusted with what's happened to the service.

[kimothee]

I'm very torn on this issue. I have one sub, mainly for O&A, but I do enjoy some of the other talk radio stations. However, I was in *love* with XM for their music, but sadly, that has declined substantially since the merger. I have a Zen (like an IPod, just not as proprietary) and I love it, but I still enjoy the surprise of an occasional unexpected song.

I still love the concept of satellite radio; just not the quality of the music anymore.

[Zona]

They really don't listen to their customers and do a horrific job of marketing what they do have to offer. They don't even make clear what they have to their subscribers. It really is run rather poorly.

by not listening, are you referring to the commericals complaints? If so, I agree.....I fucking hate the commercials!

Here is something they can listen to, I dont like listening to music at work, I like talk radio...when the boys have commercials, I click to another talk station....every single fucking talk station has commercials on at the same time! Same commercials, all at the same time. Jesus.

Bitch bitch bitch, I know, but I feel better now.

[metallikat87]

i have one siri sub and i enjoyed it for a long time. when oNa became available via best of xm i jumped all over it. if they go, the xm package will go but would keep siri just for college football
agreed though that the marketing is awful, do you ever hear about satellite radio in any form anywhere except for when your listening to it or checking your email?

[lanestew]

I used to love XM. Now, I tolerate it for Ron and Fez and Opie and Anthony. This merger really fucked it up.

[nneptune]

It's getting harder and harder to justify the 4 subs I have from them. I mean they just banged me for the online shit. That was just a fucking slap in the face man.

The music just really isn't that great and it's STILL just a radio station. I said it YEARS before the merger, the Sirius music channels sucked and had chatty DJ's.

I hate to say it but I think I'm going to be forced to drop some of my subs. I got a $50 chunk taken out of my bank account this month and it hurts worse while unemployed.

Sirius may have priced itself out of my life.

I'm the guy standing behind you in the unemployment line. Nice economy.

Anyway, like others have said, I LOVED XM. The music selection was incredible. I look at all of the music that I recorded on to my Inno, and it was all pre-merger. I found a ton of new music out there.

Now, it's rather pathetic but still more tolerable than terrestrial.

Mel REALLY fucked all of us over. Asshole.
When I go to Deep Tracks, I really don't expect to hear a Zeppelin tune that I've known for years ( no offense to Zeppelin).

Like others, though, I'll stick with it until it dies.
or I do.... whichever comes first.

[carmelita]

I have no understanding of economics or business. I don't know how Sirius/XM radio expects to make money on somethin we can easily get for free. The OnA radio show is streamed for free (3 day trials) from the Sirius/XM website. Stern's entire show can be heard live with a simple software called Streamer. Both shows can be downloaded free of charge in their entirety each day via Usenet. If a computer illiterate like me can access this stuff; there must be millions of computer smart fuckers who know many more methods. Why pay for shit your can get for free?

[ragecage]

\ Why pay for shit you can get for free?

Well, because if we all canceled our subs and just downloaded O&A for free - they would cease to exist on this medium. Sometimes you have to realize the bigger picture.

[Norm Stansfield]

I have no understanding of economics or business. I don't know how Sirius/XM radio expects to make money on somethin we can easily get for free. The OnA radio show is streamed for free (3 day trials) from the Sirius/XM website. Stern's entire show can be heard live with a simple software called Streamer. Both shows can be downloaded free of charge in their entirety each day via Usenet. If a computer illiterate like me can access this stuff; there must be millions of computer smart fuckers who know many more methods. Why pay for shit your can get for free?
It's a question of principles and long term thinking. You probably steal stuff for the same reason you never bothered to get some understanding of economics or business:

You don't have the ability to grasp the long term consequences of your actions, and why it is important to think in principles rather than react only to immediate consequences, like a fucking savage.

It is wrong to steal, because stealing causes values to be destroyed rather than created, and will eventually leave you with nothing. Trade, on the other hand, causes values to be gained, and is the proper way for human beings to interact with each other. If you think it's OK for you to steal and treat the people you're stealing from like pieces of shit you don't need to take seriously, everyone else will start treating you the same way. How's that working out for you?

Does that begin to answer your question?

[XMScott]

I went from a huge XM supporter (look at my username). Talked handfuls of people into subscribing, own like 5 different units, loved the service. To not giving a fucking shit anymore. I bought an iTouch and stole gig's of tunes.

I now listen to NFL radio and some R&F/O&A.

Went from having 10 or so favorite music channels to just 1 and a half. Deep Tracks isnt that deep or inventive anymore. And the Verge just inst the same, when its not pre-emted for something else.

Fuck you Mel. Thanks for fucking nothing you little dicked jewbag.

[lanestew]

I went from a huge XM supporter (look at my username). Talked handfuls of people into subscribing, own like 5 different units, loved the service. To not giving a fucking shit anymore. I bought an iTouch and stole gig's of tunes.

I now listen to NFL radio and some R&F/O&A.

Went from having 10 or so favorite music channels to just 1 and a half. Deep Tracks isnt that deep or inventive anymore. And the Verge just inst the same, when its not pre-emted for something else.

Fuck you Mel. Thanks for fucking nothing you little dicked jewbag.


I used to spend a lot of time preaching the XM gospel as well. The quality was good, few commercials, no yapping DJ's. Now, it is as bad, if not worse than teristrial with all of the above. I miss XM.

[TinOmen]

I'm still paying for 8 XM subs and 1 Sirius sub, and I'm sure I'll have them until they close the doors. It does make it nicer now though that it's a tax write off for me
I have four subs as well. One will be cancelled soon because I'm gonna let the bank repo my car. The other three subs will be active till the end of XM. I love my XM.

[Hog's Big Ben]

I have no understanding of economics or business.

Ya kiddin'!

Why pay for shit your can get for free?

Convenience.

[Plunkies]

Don't worry guys. Howard will save satellite radio. Yup....Any day now...

[kloraferm]

I used to love XM. Now, I tolerate it for Ron and Fez and Opie and Anthony. This merger really fucked it up.
yup, pretty much

[Three Hole Puncher]

What I'd like to know is who the fuck over at Sirius thinks that people actually want the Slappy & Wappy Show DJ babble? I say Sirius, because it's obviously the Sirius management team that decided that this was the way to go for XM... but what the fuck were they thinking?

I mean... don't they do focus groups? I can't even imagine there are more than a handfull of hammerheads out there who would be like, "Oh yeah! More zany DJ antics between songs is more better! Thems DJs is da bomb, fo' shizzle!" Seriously, what jackass asked for, or wants thit shit?

Or is it like somebody said here before... is it just that "the suits" don't even care about customer feedback? They just think they know what is best... and since awful, yammering terrestrial DJ hackiness is what they know best, then that's what's best for everybody... no focus groups or market research necessary.

With all these DJ's, they're essentially PAYING people to fuck things up. It's ridiculous... A fifty-year-old Martha Quinn and that relic Nina Blacklung on the 80's channel... babbling and cackling like a couple of hens. PAYING these two old bats to fuck up an otherwise perfectly good music channel. WTF?

[boomer]

Here's the real sign of things to come with Sat Radio...right here.

This board is filled with the faithful (myself included) and we are cutting subs and thinking of jumping ship. How do you think the casual listeners are feeling?

Car sales suck right now so later this year when the one year free deals run out...how many will dump it? It's bad. I give it 2 years tops. They have to fix this and fix it fast.

[charlie dick]

With all these DJ's, they're essentially PAYING people to fuck things up.
What THP said.

Seems to me they could eliminate a significant fixed cost by axing these 'tards, then use the savings for promotions that effectively increase the subscriber base.

[Digital_Trauma]

I think this article is a little premature. The future doesn't look so good, obviously. They are still broadcasting, however, and still provide a service people are using. Maybe there are potential audiences that won't ever pay to get SiriusXM. I'm still a big fan of being able to listen to the radio as I travel around, without constantly searching the local channels. I'm sure the truck drivers who seem to listen and call in to every talk show on both platforms are going to be there until the very end. Now that the platforms aren't competing with each other, maybe there's a chance to make a little profit. I know they're competing with ipods and other technology. Nothing is exactly like satellite radio. I'm sure there might someday be a streaming internet audio device that will work as well or better, but not real soon, at least not with nationwide coverage. HD Radio doesn't seem to be taking over anything. I have mp3 players and CD/DVDs, but prefer live news and talk.

[Jaboodie]

For me XM202 is the only reason I am still a subscriber. I used to really enjoy the Alternative stations on XM. As in the case of Lithium (formerly Lucy) all I ever hear on there is Perl Jam and Alice in Chains. When the station was Lucy it had a ton more variety in my opinion. Alt Nation (formerly Ethel) plays a lot more Emo crap now. Also, when it was Ethel, it had a ton more variety.

My entire list of presets in the car has fallen to the same fate as the two stations listed above. Plus, as mentioned early in this thread, the addition of DJ's on music channels is as irritating as it is unecessary.

So when not listening to O&A or R&F, I listen to my IPOD. So if Sirius boots either O&A or R&F I see no point in staying with them.

[JordanSRT10]

What are some other tech industry failures that rank near SiriusXM? Off of my head, I can't think of anything, unless maybe something stupid like IRC messanger compared to AIM.

[wrightwing]

I think one thing XM and Sirius both did wrong from the beginning is charging for equipment. It should have been totally free to get a base model reciever in your car. Once people have it in the vehicle, and listen to it, they are far more apt to pay for it moving forward. Small-dish satellite TV took this approach, and for the most part it worked out. Still to this day, they want twenty dollars or something for a radio. Fucking give them away. Mass-mail shit out. Free radio, free three months, maybe 1 year contract, early termination fee. Rubes would flock to that shit. The programming still kicks the living fuck out of anything terrestrial. But until you get them to try it and get used to having it...... they will live without it.

I would have never gotten XM had it not been for O&A on channel 879 on DirecTV. Good move Mel. Ya fuckin cunt.

[JoeyDVDZ]

I occasionally listen to music on my inno, but when it's off, it's the Virus that's burned into my LCD screen. :)

That being said, if O&A go, I'm outta here. I won't pay XM/Sirius for music I can get from my Touch.

[WOWmagnet]

They really don't listen to their customers

Case in point; I wanted to cancel one of my two INNOs since it was not working right. So I get a tech-savage on the phone and explain I want 1 of the 2 INNOs shut off.

Savage: "I'm sorry you want to cancel. Please hold, Sir"

Me: "I'm not cancelling, just shutting off ONE radio."

Savage: "Please hold, Sir."

Me: "Die?"

Savage #2: "We're sorry you want to cancel, can I ask why?"

Me: "If you ask me one more time, I WILL cancel. I only called to SHUT OFF ONE RADIO!"

Savage #2: "I do appologize Sir. Can I ask why you want to shut off the one radio?"

Me: "It doesn't work and I only need one radio."

Savage #2: "I can send you a new radio for $10..."

Me: "Either shut off this one radio now or I'll cancel forever."

Savage #2: " Ok Sir. I'll do that for you..."

This actually took ANOTHER 10 MINUTES to complete and guess what? The radio is STILL ON! I am not being charged, however. That was 2 weeks ago.

:icon_roll

[Three Hole Puncher]

What are some other tech industry failures that rank near SiriusXM? Off of my head, I can't think of anything, unless maybe something stupid like IRC messanger compared to AIM.

Iridium sat phones was a pretty big flop... although nowhere near the epic proportions of SiriusXM's ongoing trainwreck.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridium_Satellite_LLC

[DonTheTrucker]

I've said it a million times.

90% of people will NEVER pay for radio. Never. Never. Never.

[aahpandasrun]

it got too corporate too fast. They should've continued adding more music channels instead of the huge deals with Oprah and Martha Stewart, sales, commercials, etc. The cool part about satellite radio was having channels of some random genre that would never be heard on the radio.

[Three Hole Puncher]

I've said it a million times.

90% of people will NEVER pay for radio. Never. Never. Never.

Shit... 10% of the population of the US alone is over 30 million people.

SiriusXM has about half that many people paying for their service... and shrinking.

They'd be jumping for joy if only 90% refused to pay.

[steve500]

Iridium sat phones was a pretty big flop... although nowhere near the epic proportions of SiriusXM's ongoing trainwreck.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridium_Satellite_LLC

Actually, Iridium was a much bigger flop....they launched 66 satellites at a cost of $6 Billion. Then went bankrupt in less than a year, and got bought up for a mere $25 million.

Even Melvin couldn't epic fail that badly!

[BRONCOS]

What THP said.

Seems to me they could eliminate a significant fixed cost by axing these 'tards, then use the savings for promotions that effectively increase the subscriber base.

Sirius (Mel) are former FM/AM radio people. While I preferred having a fluid song to song channel, Mel and his boys are doing the FM thing on Sat-Radio. Having a Jock tell you what songs are next and slipping in an ad for free Howard or extra content or extra subs.

While some complaints have brought back channels like backspin, others have been ignored for the Sirius model standard.

One thing Sirius and "Mel" haven't done is pushed Howard to do more selling. Getting out on Letterman and other media formats and get the word out (again) about Sirius-XM.

Howard just takes his check and goes home to the trophy wife.

[Ican'tFight]

I read that article a couple days ago, and what they say about XM is mostly correct. But at the same time, they just list things that aren't the BIGGEST selling tech devices and call them failures.

They list the Zune which is still being made, and coming out with a new version this fall and that's a failure. Mainly because it didn't take over the iPod's marketshare. If that's the case Sony Walkman should be called a tech failure because it let Apple take its marketshare. They even say Youtube is a failure. Its a really short sighted article.

[charlie dick]

... Mel and his boys are doing the FM thing on Sat-Radio. Having a Jock tell you what songs are next and slipping in an ad for free Howard or extra content or extra subs.
Once more proving that Mel is a bad fit for this medium. The satrad technology is sufficient to do that both audibly and visually, without a live talking head.

[iSpeakEloquent]

competing with each other is what killed them, they beat each other into submission and now are holding hands as they sink

[mikek]

Sirius XM (SIRI) satellite radio was supposed to be one of the most successful consumer electronics devices of all time.

In the first quarter of 2009, the number of subscribers for the combined service declined by 400,000

Ouch!

For me (just my opinion) Sat-Radio is worth the $170.00 a year. It's a great source of entertainment for me. From Baseball,Basketball, to O&A and the music it's worth the price.

I don't see the ship floating in 5 years. Sadly I'll stay until it sinks.

I gotta agree that I love the *idea* of satellite radio. The way XM/Sirius is implementing it, however, SUCKS BALLS.

Despite incessantly touting how SuperAwesomeBetter they are than Terrestrial... I cannot, for the life of me, understand what that advantage is.

If they ever fuck with O&A or R&F, I'm SO gone.

[brancle1177]

What are some other tech industry failures that rank near SiriusXM? Off of my head, I can't think of anything, unless maybe something stupid like IRC messanger compared to AIM.

I would say HD-DVD and DIVX that one play DVD that Circuit City offered awhile back.

[Chernabog]

I gotta agree that I love the *idea* of satellite radio. The way XM/Sirius is implementing it, however, SUCKS BALLS.

Despite incessantly touting how SuperAwesomeBetter they are than Terrestrial... I cannot, for the life of me, understand what that advantage is.

If they ever fuck with O&A or R&F, I'm SO gone.

Fuck, the idea of communism rocks too. We saw how well that worked out. Mel has ass-fucked this pig into failure. The only hope is for Liberty to exert some serious muscle when the time comes for Howard's contract negotiations. There is no way any right thinking company in the financial condition Sirius/XM is in can pay anyone that ridiculous amount of money. And now with the automotive industry in a tailspin, it compounds the problem. I'm with you man, the only thing keeping me with this operation is O&A. If they go, I go, and a boatload more just like us.

[TheCableNazi]

I would say HD-DVD and DIVX that one play DVD that Circuit City offered awhile back.

HD-DVD was a marketing/business failure, but the tech wasn't a failure. I remember many people saying it was superior to BluRay in quality.

They also list the Zune, which is also superior to the iPod in quality, but doesn't have the emo-hair going for it.

[Death Metal Moe]

I used to spend a lot of time preaching the XM gospel as well. The quality was good, few commercials, no yapping DJ's. Now, it is as bad, if not worse than teristrial with all of the above. I miss XM.

In my opinion it's WORSE than FM because I'm PAYING for it and they advertise commercial free radio. FM is free so I know what I'm getting but I fucking put the 80's station on and I'm sitting through 5 minute blocks of yammering fucking asshole DJ's waxing poetic about anything and everything.

When I turn on an 80's station I want 80's hits mixed with the occasional B-side song and even an old novelty here and there. Is that so hard to do? But I won't even ask them for that much, just get the fucking Billboard charts out from 80-89, program all the songs in there, hit RANDOM and kick Casey, Nina and Martha to the motherfucking curb.

[Three Hole Puncher]

In my opinion it's WORSE than FM because I'm PAYING for it and they advertise commercial free radio. FM is free so I know what I'm getting but I fucking put the 80's station on and I'm sitting through 5 minute blocks of yammering fucking asshole DJ's waxing poetic about anything and everything.

When I turn on an 80's station I want 80's hits mixed with the occasional B-side song and even an old novelty here and there. Is that so hard to do? But I won't even ask them for that much, just get the fucking Billboard charts out from 80-89, program all the songs in there, hit RANDOM and kick Casey, Nina and Martha to the motherfucking curb.

Was it always like this over on Sirius? Does anybody know? The DJ blather? Or is this new to Sirius too?

[Aaron Burrito]

Was it always like this over on Sirius? Does anybody know? The DJ blather? Or is this new to Sirius too?

Not sure but I believe it was always like that.

[DonTheTrucker]

Unfortunately, "more like FM" is what the people that listen to Sirius music channels want. If you want no talking, you can get an iPod.

[Death Metal Moe]

Was it always like this over on Sirius? Does anybody know? The DJ blather? Or is this new to Sirius too?

Not to be a dick or do a big "I told you so" but at least a year before there was even a merger talk I posted an old thread about the Sirius music stations. I worked in a place that had whatever satellite system gives you free Sirius stations on the end of the channels. Of course, they would NEVER give you Stern in that, you gotta get the fuckin' whole system for that.

Anyway, I would leave the TV on next to the register in this small store I was in every Saturday. It was an RV parts store so people would come in sporadically, plenty of time to sit with my DS and listen to music.

The fucking constant babble and bullshit got so bad I actually shut Sirius off and put the FM radio in the store back on. No fucking bullshit. I did it and pretty much kept doing it until I didn't have to do Saturdays anymore.

So when people were saying how much better Sirius' music selection was I would just chuckle. I guess no one is laughing now.

[lanestew]

Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Sirius.

[lanestew]

Not to be a dick or do a big "I told you so" but at least a year before there was even a merger talk I posted an old thread about the Sirius music stations. I worked in a place that had whatever satellite system gives you free Sirius stations on the end of the channels. Of course, they would NEVER give you Stern in that, you gotta get the fuckin' whole system for that.

Anyway, I would leave the TV on next to the register in this small store I was in every Saturday. It was an RV parts store so people would come in sporadically, plenty of time to sit with my DS and listen to music.

The fucking constant babble and bullshit got so bad I actually shut Sirius off and put the FM radio in the store back on. No fucking bullshit. I did it and pretty much kept doing it until I didn't have to do Saturdays anymore.

So when people were saying how much better Sirius' music selection was I would just chuckle. I guess no one is laughing now.



I chose XM over Sirius because I read an article in Forbes about how the the bosses at XM would monitor the DJ's to keep them playing music and to have the talking to the minimum. Now,all the talking makes me sick. And the commericals are the nails in the coffin. What Sirius needs to realize what we pay in subs a month would pay for a decent number of songs from Itunes.

[Three Hole Puncher]

I chose XM over Sirius because I read an article in Forbes about how thw the boses at XM would monitior the DJ's to keep them playing music and to have the talking to the minimum. Now, it makes me sick. What Sirius needs to realize what we pay in subs a month would pay for a decnt number of songs for Itunes.

Umm... what DJ's?

Seriously... am I deluded, or do I remember there being NO talking of any sort on(at least some of) the music channels at one time on XM? I seem to remember back when they went from uninterrupted continuous music to adding really short channel ID's between like every tenth song, "You're listening to the 80's channel on XM satellite radio." and even that annoyed me... shit, if I only knew what was is store. :(

[OhioPest]

Umm... what DJ's?

Seriously... am I deluded, or do I remember there being NO talking of any sort on(at least some of) the music channels at one time on XM? I seem to remember back when they went from uninterrupted continuous music to adding really short channel ID's between like every tenth song, "You're listening to the 80's channel on XM satellite radio." and even that annoyed me... shit, if I only knew what was is store. :(

Regarding Alt Nation or the former Ethel Other than Kane(sp?) or Stabwalt(sp?) i really don't recall anyone worth hearing. Madison just grades on my nerves. She is just not good and quite annoying.
I miss Fungus 53 as well.
Underground Garage is a nice additon but dislike much of the talk on there as well. I don't see the appeal of Handsome Dick Manitoba.

[Kris_LTRMa]

I had to call XM a few weeks ago to straighten out something with my account. At the end of the call, they asked me if I'd mind answering a few questions. One of the questions was 'are you happy with your XM service' LOADED question. Gave her my laundry list of things that have changed since the merger and included the fact that the DJ's talk too much. She actually told me that she had never heard that complaint before.

I ended with 'since I know this call is being recorded, perhaps you can suggest to the powers that be that one way to save money would be to fire all the DJ's and adopt the format that worked on XM: more music and less talk.'

Grrrrr

[Fendbass22]

90% of people will NEVER pay for radio. Never. Never. Never.

People will - but it has to be unique. When people ask me "well, atleast its commercial free..." Which usually ends up in me saying "not exactly" then I look like an idiot for paying to listen to advertising.


I think a large part is they need to listen to the customers. I don't think I'm off base here - I picture a big board meeting with a bunch of overpaid shitheads thinking they have innovative ideas. It is so much easier than that, ASK CUSTOMERS. As someone else said - why would you advertise free Howard channels for a week to people who already subscribe? I know I can get premium Sirius to get Howard but I don't want it. If I did I would have it already.

I can also see where forcing current subs to pay for an online service which was once free would piss off customers. It doesn't bother me much but I can see just on this board how much it pissed people off. Bad move. Especially when they were using it to con lifetime subscriptions.

[Death Metal Moe]

Umm... what DJ's?

Seriously... am I deluded, or do I remember there being NO talking of any sort on(at least some of) the music channels at one time on XM? I seem to remember back when they went from uninterrupted continuous music to adding really short channel ID's between like every tenth song, "You're listening to the 80's channel on XM satellite radio." and even that annoyed me... shit, if I only knew what was is store. :(

I may have had XM a shorter amount of time than you because I signed up when Ron and Fez started, but I remember those short channel ID's always being on th e80's and 90's channel.

Christ, I'd agree to a channel ID a song if it mean getting rid of the fucking DJ's.

[MayrMeninoCrash]

Umm... what DJ's?

Seriously... am I deluded, or do I remember there being NO talking of any sort on(at least some of) the music channels at one time on XM? I seem to remember back when they went from uninterrupted continuous music to adding really short channel ID's between like every tenth song, "You're listening to the 80's channel on XM satellite radio." and even that annoyed me... shit, if I only knew what was is store. :(

There was definitely no "hitting the posts" or talking about such enthralling topics as Jimmy Carter's birthday on Boneyard, but I know that the DJ's on Squizz (like Bohdi) could be chatterboxes when they were doing the weekly countdown or the "keep it or can it" segment when they introduced new music. So I guess it depends on what you mean by "no talking".

[Three Hole Puncher]

There was definitely no "hitting the posts" or talking about such enthralling topics as Jimmy Carter's birthday on Boneyard, but I know that the DJ's on Squizz (like Bohdi) could be chatterboxes when they were doing the weekly countdown or the "keep it or can it" segment when they introduced new music. So I guess it depends on what you mean by "no talking".

I've been listening to the XM music channels since long before I even had an XM sub... which I got in mid 04. I'm nearly positive that the XM music channels they had on DirecTV had not one single peep of talking... no ID's, no intros, no DJs, nothing... for the longest time. Maybe it was just the decade channels, but I swear there were music channels that were just continuous rolling songs back to back... it was fricken heaven.

[Balancedchaos]

I remember first hearing about XM through one of my coworkers at a newspaper I was writig for some years ago. She said that with the stock priced at $15, she expected the $10k she sunk into the stock to triple in five years' time.

Oof. That's gotta hurt.

[nneptune]

I've been listening to the XM music channels since long before I even had an XM sub... which I got in mid 04. I'm nearly positive that the XM music channels they had on DirecTV had not one single peep of talking... no ID's, no intros, no DJs, nothing... for the longest time. Maybe it was just the decade channels, but I swear there were music channels that were just continuous rolling songs back to back... it was fricken heaven.

yep. just the occasional "XM music theme". There were a few channels that had some very short comments, but nothing major at all.

I chose XM for a reason. I HATE Sirius. I can't recommend it to anyone any more. Sad. Hoo Hoo and Mel. Killers of all things cool.

[nneptune]

XM really seemed to hit their stride in late '03- early '04, until the merger destroyed them.

[carmelita]

My portable MP3 player holds 350GB of songs. That is customized music I like, in the sequence I prefer, and uninterrupted. Why da fuck would I pay for a satellite unit plus a monthly fee to listen to music with commercials? Karmazin got his business model straight outta monkey's anus. No wonder the stock is 8 cents per share.

[Death Metal Moe]

My portable MP3 player holds 350GB of songs. That is customized music I like, in the sequence I prefer, and uninterrupted. Why da fuck would I pay for a satellite unit plus a monthly fee to listen to music with commercials? Karmazin got his business model straight outta monkey's anus. No wonder the stock is 8 cents per share.

Woah! It doubled?!

[okterrificsk2]

Yeah i got xm in oct 2004 (i wonder why oct 2004?) and by mid 2005 i thought Sat radio would be just one of those things i would always have like the internet and tv. Fast forward to late 2008 and i shit canned all my subs and bought a bigger mp3 player, dl's 10000 songs (legally ;) ), bought an audible acct, and i have never missed sat radio since.

I felt like a sucker paying more and more for a service that has gotten worse and worse.

Less variety.
smaller playlists.
annoying dj's on music channels (annoying dj = any dj that utters even one word on a music channel).
more commercials.
Fucking more and more live read commercials on my favorite talk shows.
And shitty non improving hardware.
Having to pay for xm online.

sirius... no thanks.

[Hog's Big Ben]

I've been listening to the XM music channels since long before I even had an XM sub... which I got in mid 04. I'm nearly positive that the XM music channels they had on DirecTV had not one single peep of talking... no ID's, no intros, no DJs, nothing... for the longest time. Maybe it was just the decade channels, but I swear there were music channels that were just continuous rolling songs back to back... it was fricken heaven.

XM wasn't on DirecTV until late '05. You are probably remembering whatever company DirecTV used previously (which was 100% music).

I know I used to listen to hours of XM music and hear nothing but Sonny Fox introing the channel and that seven note da-da-da-da-da-da-daa stinger. Those days are looooong gone. :mad4:

[GonzoRadio]

I used to always hear how Sirius had much better stations (or at least rock stations). I am wholly disappointed.

All I hear is retard DJs talk all day long. And for whatever reason the shit they play (when they get a chance between the stupid cunts talking up a storm) is more main stream than what XM used to play; because that's what I pay for every month.... the same shit I can get for free on regular radio.

I am still optimistic that they can turn this around, but I'm losing hope every day. Meanwhile, as they continue to ruin the service my 80GB MP3 player gets filled with more and more music (and podcasts). That's roughly 70 days of 24 hour continuous play of music. With $15 services like Microsoft's Zune Pass (I'm sure Apple has an equivalent), I can make a personal music service for myself better than Sirius ever could.

The one thing I CAN'T do is replace O&A and R&F at this time. But as these services get better and more competitive, its just a matter of time before they start scooping up live talent. Sirius really should be shitting a brick (and it pains me to say it... I invested like $10k in this piece of shit stock a few years ago).

[BeersOnTheBoat]

The day O&A leave, I'm out.

[MayrMeninoCrash]

The one thing I CAN'T do is replace O&A and R&F at this time. But as these services get better and more competitive, its just a matter of time before they start scooping up live talent. Sirius really should be shitting a brick (and it pains me to say it... I invested like $10k in this piece of shit stock a few years ago).


If you're not too concerned with hearing them live, get the Audible subscription for $60 a year and kick Sirius to the curb. A lot of us have gone that direction.

[vice86]

i would love to see SIRI get back to $60..lol. I bought in at 8.00 share.

[OpensFridayWide]

I have 1 year left on my sub, but I don't think I will renew. I almost re-upped for 3 years with the Best Of Sirius for 50%, but if you read the fine print there is also at $14 fee to sign up. WTF is that shit? I'm already signed up. It takes nothing for SXM to flip a switch and give me those extra channels.

[nortonsanus]

I canceled my sub about 1 year ago because of the music channels turning to shit. I turned to Slacker. I use the Web player at work and the G2 hooked up to my car. I customize the channels the way i want and no Dj's talking over my songs. I split the week up with O&A and the Adam corrolla podcast on my mp3 player in the mornings. SatRad is a silly idea if you really think about it when i can get whatever i want of the internet. Oh yea Mel sucks midget cock !

[Taintkisser]

I miss the old Squizz channel, I could deal with the minimal talking from the DJ's since they usually played some great music. Mostly new shit sprinkled with a FEW of the current hits of the hard rock/metal scene. <sniff sniff> this channel was the first time I ever heard of OTEP, now try and get that played on 'Otane'. blech, that channel sucks baboon ass after scooting across a swamp now.

[Piffft]

Was I expected to read this... nah. Specially wif the baggery above me.

Just wanted to say hi to Mel.

(who names their kid mel?)

[Three Hole Puncher]

(who names their kid mel?)

http://www.steveklotz.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/jews.jpg

[Balancedchaos]

XM's music channels used to rock...they were just as too-cool-for-the-room as I am (and by that, I mean what cunts that listen to regular radio and enjoy the slop from their trough consider too-cool-for-the-room). I haven't been an XM subscriber for close to two years, partly because even by the middle of '07, the music channels were going downhill and becoming simply pedestrian. I left when O&A were suspended, and I never went back.

If I want O&A and R&F, I'll just hear them on Audible. Fuck XM, I have an Ipod.