SiriusXM Seeking F.C.C. Permission To Offer Local Programming

[Barry]

In connection with the F.C.C.'s stated desire to delete outdated regulations, SXM has submitted a request to make some changes. Among the most notable is to remove the prohibition from using their repeaters to provide localized programming, as opposed to retransmitting the national satellite channels.
Do the repeaters cover a wide enough area to make this practical?
Among the other changes they are proposing is dropping the requirement that they offer a number of channels to nonprofit and minority broadcasters, and the provision for tiered pricing. These requirements were imposed in exchange for permitting the merger between XM and Sirius.
Are these reasonable requests?

SiriusXM Rule Change Request

 

[Cold Coffee]

My wife's 2025 Lincoln Nautilus can play internet stations, and You tube for free. And, with a 16-speaker sound system they sound great.

 

[CTListener]

The dropping of the nonprofit/minority requirement should be a slam dunk under this FCC. SiriusXM has shown its distaste for that requirement from the outset, carrying those channels -- even the ones playing music -- in dull monaural rather than bright stereo, at least via the satellites. Those channels, none of which SXM ever promotes, target black, Hispanic, Korean and Mormon listeners.

 

[Don CT]

The dropping of the nonprofit/minority requirement should be a slam dunk under this FCC. SiriusXM has shown its distaste for that requirement from the outset, carrying those channels -- even the ones playing music -- in dull monaural rather than bright stereo, at least via the satellites. Those channels, none of which SXM ever promotes, target black, Hispanic, Korean and Mormon listeners.

Well since diversity is dead the FCC should applaud the idea.

 

[TheBigA]

In connection with the F.C.C.'s stated desire to delete outdated regulations, SXM has submitted a request to make some changes. Among the most notable is to remove the prohibition from using their repeaters to provide localized programming,

They want to do this so they can get a discount in music royalties. Pandora tried this before when they bought a station in South Dakota.

https://www.ascap.com/~/media/files/pdf/advocacy-legislation/pandora-fact-sheet20130614.pdf

 

[itsTheRolyPoly]

They want to do this so they can get a discount in music royalties. Pandora tried this before when they bought a station in South Dakota.

https://www.ascap.com/~/media/files/pdf/advocacy-legislation/pandora-fact-sheet20130614.pdf

TIL... Pandora used to own a radio station. I did not know that.

In terms of the requests overall, considering how this FCC is like right now, there's no way in hell they will say no to any of this. SXM will probably get their wishes.

 

[b-turner]

The NAB will never allow this and will pressure the FCC with just enough flexing and back room negotiating to put this wishful request to bed.

 

[KilowattKat]

I like the idea of localized programming on Sirius XM. Why would this be a bad idea?

 

[TheBigA]

I like the idea of localized programming on Sirius XM. Why would this be a bad idea?

Depends on what it is.

The last time they tried something like this, it was traffic reporting. They discontinued it because it became too expensive.

I think you would still need a subscription to receive the repeater.

At one time, they had approx 600 repeaters around the country to fill in gaps in satellite coverage, such as in tunnels. Don't know how many they have now. Don't know how effective they would be.

 

[bigdonho]

Don't think the repeaters operated in the regular FM band. Weren't they on the same frequency as the satellites?

 

[CTListener]

Don't think the repeaters operated in the regular FM band. Weren't they on the same frequency as the satellites?

Correct.

 

[b-turner]

I'll agree to Sirius/XM doing local programming but they need to pay an annual fee for their 'frequency' and air public affairs programming that addresses the needs and issues of the community and air local EAS activations. I would like to see them do this because 'paying to listen' is something missing in over the air commercial radio. That barrier needs to be breeched.

 

[wadio]

The last time they tried something like this, it was traffic reporting. They discontinued it because it became too expensive.

Or was it because it wasn't being used. I set a preset to it back in the day and used it maybe twice. Google Maps is a much better option.

 

[davideduardo]

The dropping of the nonprofit/minority requirement should be a slam dunk under this FCC. SiriusXM has shown its distaste for that requirement from the outset, carrying those channels -- even the ones playing music -- in dull monaural rather than bright stereo, at least via the satellites. Those channels, none of which SXM ever promotes, target black, Hispanic, Korean and Mormon listeners.

Right from the beginning, XM had 5 Spanish channels, thinking they would attract subscribers. Later they hired expensive talent to attract Hispanics. Neither effort worked at all.

I programmed the Spanish channels at the start, and was party to the subscriber data. It was sad.

Why should they be required to provide services that do not attract subscribers?

 

[speer360]

SiriusXM has spent a lot of time actively working getting users on the XM side of the network, most all new cars in the last decade plus are on the XM constellation + ground repeaters.

Perhaps they could run a ground based network on the sirius spectrum without alienating the entire existing user base. With today's compression algorithms, alot could be offered for very little.

 

[Barry]

Right from the beginning, XM had 5 Spanish channels, thinking they would attract subscribers. Later they hired expensive talent to attract Hispanics. Neither effort worked at all.

I programmed the Spanish channels at the start, and was party to the subscriber data. It was sad.

Why should they be required to provide services that do not attract subscribers?

Isn't this similar to broadcast stations airing public service programming to help maintain their licenses, typically very early on Sunday mornings? Most of those shows, which are seldom mentioned during their regular programming, probably also have small audiences.
Also, XM and Sirius had far fewer subscribers in their early years than they do now. And they're divided among so many channels.
SiriusXM currently has 5 Latin music channels broadcast via satellite, and about 8 more that are available only online.

 

[DXingRadio]

SiriusXM has spent a lot of time actively working getting users on the XM side of the network, most all new cars in the last decade plus are on the XM constellation + ground repeaters.

Perhaps they could run a ground based network on the sirius spectrum without alienating the entire existing user base. With today's compression algorithms, alot could be offered for very little.

Ideally, that spectrum would be better utilized for increased satellite programming. I recall that being a reason for the merger? Regardless, building out a national terrestrial system would cost way more than it could ever make back. Prime example, cell coverage in rural areas.

 

[speer360]

Ideally, that spectrum would be better utilized for increased satellite programming. I recall that being a reason for the merger? Regardless, building out a national terrestrial system would cost way more than it could ever make back. Prime example, cell coverage in rural areas.

A 1 way broadcast SFN is not as complex as a cell network.

 

[Identnut]

Right from the beginning, XM had 5 Spanish channels, thinking they would attract subscribers. Later they hired expensive talent to attract Hispanics. Neither effort worked at all.

I programmed the Spanish channels at the start, and was party to the subscriber data. It was sad.

Why should they be required to provide services that do not attract subscribers?

I have to wonder why that is. There are populated areas that lack Spanish language stations on FM, like, say St. Louis or Pittsburgh, but don't have enough Latinos to justify one, so they'd be the underserved sectors that satellite radio exists for. Add to that many people who aren't Mexican living in places where the Spanish-language stations play only Regional Mexican.

Then again, many people will just stream their hometown station on their phone instead, like my father does for WPRM.

 

[NE Ohio RF Monitor]

Many years back I shared an equipment cage in a tall building in Cleveland with at that time a XM repeater. It took the Sat signal and filled in the shadow areas blocked by tall buildings. Was very seamless as the system had many seconds worth of buffering.