D
drawerz
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Satellite radio...
Is it good or bad for a market like Altoona/State College?
Is it good or bad for a market like Altoona/State College?
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ratingsgeek
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drawerz said:Satellite radio...
Is it good or bad for a market like Altoona/State College?
Well, XM's satellite is so low on the horizon that these damn mountains get in the way--so, not so good.
You mean from a competitive angle? Shoot, XM & Sirius have so few subscribers--relatively speaking--that they're not a real factor. In 20 years? Yeah, maybe.
A good thing? Penn State games are on XM, so if you drive out of range of the locals, you can still hear the game. That's kinda cool.
Well, XM's satellite is so low on the horizon that these damn mountains get in the way--so, not so good.
---I commute from Altoona to Clearfield three days a week and XM's reception is great. I have not had problems with the mountains, only some overhanging trees on a spot of the highway between Sandy Ridge and Bald Eagle. I wish the signal on my cell phone was as good. The only local FM station I could listen to the whole trip was WPSU--but, I had the change the frequency three times. And, no I couldn't receive the 50kw stations---WFGY & WGMR--for the whole commute either.
You mean from a competitive angle? Shoot, XM & Sirius have so few subscribers--relatively speaking--that they're not a real factor. In 20 years? Yeah, maybe.
---Granted, subscriber numbers and market penetration aren't where XM and Sirius would like to be at this point of the business cycle, but both are relatively new services and are early in the developmental curve (compare the cycle to the emergence of cable TV). And, if they're not a "real factor," why is the NAB so concerned with the merger of the two services? I know the NAB is trying to ward off a competitor and is protecting the "localism" of AM & FM. But, IMO AM & FM lost its' localism focus years ago; from widespread voice tracking, to the use of repeaters and morning shows originating from far off cities, and the lack of funding for local news departments.
If you're into different genres of music, seek emerging artist and deep playlists within a genre--satellite has that (XM more than Sirius). There isn't a classic rock station around that compares with XM40 "Deep Tracks." Or, an oldies channel that presents the genre as well as XM6 "60's on 6." As well as, Fox News, comedy, the MLB, NFL, NBA, etc---you can read the ads for each service to see what's offered.
And, if you're happy with the music and service(s) of AM/FM---stick with it.
And, I know terrestial radio could give a crap about what I think---being outside of the age demos they're trying to reach---so, I know already what to do with my opinion.
---I commute from Altoona to Clearfield three days a week and XM's reception is great. I have not had problems with the mountains, only some overhanging trees on a spot of the highway between Sandy Ridge and Bald Eagle. I wish the signal on my cell phone was as good. The only local FM station I could listen to the whole trip was WPSU--but, I had the change the frequency three times. And, no I couldn't receive the 50kw stations---WFGY & WGMR--for the whole commute either.
You mean from a competitive angle? Shoot, XM & Sirius have so few subscribers--relatively speaking--that they're not a real factor. In 20 years? Yeah, maybe.
---Granted, subscriber numbers and market penetration aren't where XM and Sirius would like to be at this point of the business cycle, but both are relatively new services and are early in the developmental curve (compare the cycle to the emergence of cable TV). And, if they're not a "real factor," why is the NAB so concerned with the merger of the two services? I know the NAB is trying to ward off a competitor and is protecting the "localism" of AM & FM. But, IMO AM & FM lost its' localism focus years ago; from widespread voice tracking, to the use of repeaters and morning shows originating from far off cities, and the lack of funding for local news departments.
If you're into different genres of music, seek emerging artist and deep playlists within a genre--satellite has that (XM more than Sirius). There isn't a classic rock station around that compares with XM40 "Deep Tracks." Or, an oldies channel that presents the genre as well as XM6 "60's on 6." As well as, Fox News, comedy, the MLB, NFL, NBA, etc---you can read the ads for each service to see what's offered.
And, if you're happy with the music and service(s) of AM/FM---stick with it.
And, I know terrestial radio could give a crap about what I think---being outside of the age demos they're trying to reach---so, I know already what to do with my opinion.
ratingsgeek said:Well, XM's satellite is so low on the horizon that these damn mountains get in the way--so, not so good.
you must have put your antenna in a poor location on your car. mine works great whenever i am in the area.
it's definitely a good thing for those who have it. it adds more variety. face it--altoona doesn't even have an AC station.
one thing it doesn't do is cause the local stations to program more choices.
Satellite radio is great for a remote area like Central PA where signals go to die in the mountains.
I bought a Sirius radio more than a year ago. Liked the music line-up much better, would rather have the NHL and NFL than MLB and scattering of college sports (sorry PSU, your broadcast people went with the wrong horse again) and love the BBC World Service. Also decided on Sirius for technical reasons including trouble with XM's satellites being too low on the horizon this far north.
I wouldn't give the service up for anything and have cut back on my terrestrial radio listening by at least 80%. Now I don't have to listen to 15 minute commerical blocks, jocks reading idiot liner cards, or the same songs over and over and over.......
If XM and Sirius had been combined in the last spring book in Philly they would have been a top 10 station. If nothing else market fragmentation makes them an increasing force that has to be accounted for. The NAB is scared to death of them and will do anything it has to in order to stop the proposed merger.
I bought a Sirius radio more than a year ago. Liked the music line-up much better, would rather have the NHL and NFL than MLB and scattering of college sports (sorry PSU, your broadcast people went with the wrong horse again) and love the BBC World Service. Also decided on Sirius for technical reasons including trouble with XM's satellites being too low on the horizon this far north.
I wouldn't give the service up for anything and have cut back on my terrestrial radio listening by at least 80%. Now I don't have to listen to 15 minute commerical blocks, jocks reading idiot liner cards, or the same songs over and over and over.......
If XM and Sirius had been combined in the last spring book in Philly they would have been a top 10 station. If nothing else market fragmentation makes them an increasing force that has to be accounted for. The NAB is scared to death of them and will do anything it has to in order to stop the proposed merger.
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