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Sirius vs. XM, revisited; Will Sirius feel compelled to imitate XM's latest changes?

C

Cybelesown2

I've noticed that XM Radio plans a channel expansion/overhaul soon (April 17th if I'm not mistaken). These changes seem to be at least in part a reaction to the arbitration decision allowing Clear Channel to air commercials on the streams it produces for XM.

According to a news release, the new XM channels will be:

Big Tracks (XM Channel 49): Classic Rock from the late 70's onward
XM Chill (XM Channel 84): Chill Music
U.S. Country (XM Channel 17): Country Superstars of the 80s & 90s
Flight 26 (XM Channel 26): Modern Hits of the 90's & Now
XM Hitlist (XM Channel 30): Today's Hit Music
enLighten (XM Channel 34): Southern Gospel
XM Liquid Metal (XM Channel 42): Heavy Metal
The Heat (XM Channel 68): Rhythmic Top 40
Escape (XM Channel 78): Easy Listening
Viva (XM Channel 91): Latin Pop Hits

Additionally, Clear Channel will provide six regional news/talk channels.

(BTW, as I just asked on an XM board post, why doesn't Clear Channel do something on XM with one of its obvious assets, New York's dance-oriented CHR/rhythmic WKTU? See http://www.radio-info.com/mods/board?Post=696264&Board=xm.)

Looking at the above list, offhand, the only streams being added that Sirius doesn't have are ones that program easy listening, Latin pop hits and, perhaps (I'm not sure about this one) Southern gospel. (Personally, I have no strong desire to hear any of the three formats I just mentioned; but as they say in some car commercials, "Your mileage may vary.")

Granted, opinions are like noses (everyone has one). But it seems to me that (while I certainly can offer plenty of suggestions for new streams and format tweaks on at least a couple of existing ones) Sirius has a good basic product, whereas XM's is becoming clogged (at least partly) by commercials on a few music streams and redundant commercial-free music formats.

Granted, XM still has U-Pop and it has managed to score NHL play-by-play (an exclusive, I do believe, after the end of the following 2006-2007 hockey season and playoffs).

I'm not sure which I'd prefer, Sirius's dance channels or XM's. (I do enjoy Sirius's The Beat, Area 33 and The Strobe.)

I like what Sirius did with its Canadian channels -- CBC Radio One is a particularly useful addition, in my opinion -- but I have read the opinions of those who think XM's Canadian channels stink.

I've been a bit concerned by what I've read recently about trends on XM's alternative rock streams (reportedly giving new emphasis to "nu metal" and active rock-type bands, for example and, in the words of one poster, "a lot less pre-grunge era hits" on Lucy).

XM got rid of another minor asset, its African music stream, around the time it added its Canadian channels.

XM does have a channel devoted to comic novelty songs, albeit only on DirecTV (and online?).

XM, of course, lacks anything that are like two of my all-time favorite Sirius features, World Radio Network and OutQ.

But, in sum, it seems like my preference for Sirius over XM has been buttressed of late by what is happening to XM. All these new XM changes make me feel glad once again that I opted for Sirius. (Not that I've ever regretted it; I haven't.)

It seems to me that, based on observation, Sirius feels compelled to change its lineup every six months or at least once a year. It also seems to me that, to an extent, the two services sometimes imitate each other. (Couldn't it be argued that some of XM's new channels, such as XM Chill, imitate Sirius's channels?)

These things make me wonder what steps, if any, Sirius will take to imitate the latest XM moves?

Personally, I hope Sirius does nothing at all. No action is necessary on this front, in my opinion.


http://www.xmradio.com/lineup/
 
Re: Sirius vs. XM, revisited; Will Sirius feel compelled to imitate XM's latest changes?

> Looking at the above list, offhand, the only streams being
> added that Sirius doesn't have are ones that program easy
> listening, Latin pop hits and, perhaps (I'm not sure about
> this one) Southern gospel. (Personally, I have no strong
> desire to hear any of the three formats I just mentioned;
> but as they say in some car commercials, "Your mileage may
> vary.")

Sirius skipping the easy listening format is a big flaw in their lineup. It is *exactly* the kind of niche format satellite radio was designed to fill. Instead, we get a bunch of dance/pop/rock channels which are not THAT different from each other. That's one reason I went to XM in my car, but I have both services at home.

> Granted, opinions are like noses (everyone has one). But it
> seems to me that (while I certainly can offer plenty of
> suggestions for new streams and format tweaks on at least a
> couple of existing ones) Sirius has a good basic product,
> whereas XM's is becoming clogged (at least partly) by
> commercials on a few music streams and redundant
> commercial-free music formats.

They have commercials on around a half dozen channels programmed by Clear Channel, which is not their fault. I remember ads on XM music channels. We're talking around 3-5 minutes an hour tops, hardly that irritating.

Sirius' channel lineup is less diverse than XMs, especially in niche formats like easy listening. The redundant formats are XM's hardball response to Clear Channel. If CC changes their mind and drops ads, watch the channel consolidation happen nearly overnight.

> I like what Sirius did with its Canadian channels -- CBC
> Radio One is a particularly useful addition, in my opinion
> -- but I have read the opinions of those who think XM's
> Canadian channels stink.

The CBC was a real coup for Sirius. I love Radio One, and am irritated XM doesn't have it. Instead we get two throwaway news channels for Canadians using the same compression CODEC they use on their traffic channels, making them completely unlistenable.

> XM got rid of another minor asset, its African music stream,
> around the time it added its Canadian channels.

Many deleted channels live on online through free streaming to XM and AOL customers.
 
Re: Sirius vs. XM, revisited; Will Sirius feel compelled to imitate XM's latest changes?

As an XM subscriber, I will agree that XM tries to super-serve their audience. Whether this is good or bad is in the ear of the beholder. The fact that they have added all of this additional programming without a price increase, not as of yet anyway, gives them an edge in delivereing product per dollar in my humble opinion. Being that I get Sirius with my Dish Network account, I have chance to compare the two anytime I wish. Given the choice, I would still choose to subscribe to XM over Sirius. I'm not trying to take anything away from Sirius, it's just my preference.


> I've noticed that XM Radio plans a channel
> expansion/overhaul soon (April 17th if I'm not mistaken).
> These changes seem to be at least in part a reaction to the
> arbitration decision allowing Clear Channel to air
> commercials on the streams it produces for XM.
>
 
Re: Sirius vs. XM, revisited; Will Sirius feel compelled to imitate XM's latest changes?

When it comes to sports, I think MLB is an obvious advantage for XM. NFL is on Sundays when people are home watching on TV. Baseball is every day and I'm sure many Yankees/Red Sox/Braves fans who live away from home subscribe just for that reason.
Sirius does have a better college sports package (w/ many of my beloved SEC teams)
One genre that Sirius had that XM seriously lacked was Chill. XM now has chill, though I think the Sirius version is better (w/ more mainstream Morcheeba, Massive Attack type stuff)
But in most other genres, XM has superior choices.
I notice Sirius has added Coffeehouse since I've left, which seems to be a direct answer to Hear Music on XM.
The loss of the swing channel is a big loss for Sirius, and XM has the 40s channel.
For both networks, world music is just a pseudonym for Hispanic, with no world stations that NEVER play Spanish language music, except for the French-Canadian stations. BOO HISS.
 
Re: Sirius vs. XM, revisited; Will Sirius feel compelled to imitate XM's latest changes?

> They have commercials on around a half dozen channels

> programmed by Clear Channel, which is not their fault.



I get what you're trying to say, but it is their fault, as they signed the agreement with Clear Channel to allow them to operate those channels without stipulation.



As an XM subscriber I'll get used to it. I don't mind commercials, but then again I'm not the "average listener" since I work in radio. :-\
 
Re: Sirius vs. XM, revisited; Will Sirius feel compelled to imitate XM's latest changes?

I hope Sirius takes notice and adds a beautiful music channel.Xm will soon have two.I have an Xm car and home sub and am estatic that they will soon have a second beautiful music station.I'm also pleased about Enlighten XM's Southern Gospel Channel which will be programmed by none other then Marlon Taylor who is also programming Escape Xm's new b/ez channel.Sirius also needs to put on a Southern Gospel format.I would like to hear both a b/ez format and a southern gospel on sirius when I'm listening on dish.

> I've noticed that XM Radio plans a channel
> expansion/overhaul soon (April 17th if I'm not mistaken).
> These changes seem to be at least in part a reaction to the
> arbitration decision allowing Clear Channel to air
> commercials on the streams it produces for XM.
>
> According to a news release, the new XM channels will be:
>
> Big Tracks (XM Channel 49): Classic Rock from the late 70's
> onward
> XM Chill (XM Channel 84): Chill Music
> U.S. Country (XM Channel 17): Country Superstars of the 80s
> & 90s
> Flight 26 (XM Channel 26): Modern Hits of the 90's & Now
> XM Hitlist (XM Channel 30): Today's Hit Music
> enLighten (XM Channel 34): Southern Gospel
> XM Liquid Metal (XM Channel 42): Heavy Metal
> The Heat (XM Channel 68): Rhythmic Top 40
> Escape (XM Channel 78): Easy Listening
> Viva (XM Channel 91): Latin Pop Hits
>
> Additionally, Clear Channel will provide six regional
> news/talk channels.
>
> (BTW, as I just asked on an XM board post, why doesn't Clear
> Channel do something on XM with one of its obvious assets,
> New York's dance-oriented CHR/rhythmic WKTU? See
> http://www.radio-info.com/mods/board?Post=696264&Board=xm.)
>
> Looking at the above list, offhand, the only streams being
> added that Sirius doesn't have are ones that program easy
> listening, Latin pop hits and, perhaps (I'm not sure about
> this one) Southern gospel. (Personally, I have no strong
> desire to hear any of the three formats I just mentioned;
> but as they say in some car commercials, "Your mileage may
> vary.")
>
> Granted, opinions are like noses (everyone has one). But it
> seems to me that (while I certainly can offer plenty of
> suggestions for new streams and format tweaks on at least a
> couple of existing ones) Sirius has a good basic product,
> whereas XM's is becoming clogged (at least partly) by
> commercials on a few music streams and redundant
> commercial-free music formats.
>
> Granted, XM still has U-Pop and it has managed to score NHL
> play-by-play (an exclusive, I do believe, after the end of
> the following 2006-2007 hockey season and playoffs).
>
> I'm not sure which I'd prefer, Sirius's dance channels or
> XM's. (I do enjoy Sirius's The Beat, Area 33 and The
> Strobe.)
>
> I like what Sirius did with its Canadian channels -- CBC
> Radio One is a particularly useful addition, in my opinion
> -- but I have read the opinions of those who think XM's
> Canadian channels stink.
>
> I've been a bit concerned by what I've read recently about
> trends on XM's alternative rock streams (reportedly giving
> new emphasis to "nu metal" and active rock-type bands, for
> example and, in the words of one poster, "a lot less
> pre-grunge era hits" on Lucy).
>
> XM got rid of another minor asset, its African music stream,
> around the time it added its Canadian channels.
>
> XM does have a channel devoted to comic novelty songs,
> albeit only on DirecTV (and online?).
>
> XM, of course, lacks anything that are like two of my
> all-time favorite Sirius features, World Radio Network and
> OutQ.
>
> But, in sum, it seems like my preference for Sirius over XM
> has been buttressed of late by what is happening to XM. All
> these new XM changes make me feel glad once again that I
> opted for Sirius. (Not that I've ever regretted it; I
> haven't.)
>
> It seems to me that, based on observation, Sirius feels
> compelled to change its lineup every six months or at least
> once a year. It also seems to me that, to an extent, the two
> services sometimes imitate each other. (Couldn't it be
> argued that some of XM's new channels, such as XM Chill,
> imitate Sirius's channels?)
>
> These things make me wonder what steps, if any, Sirius will
> take to imitate the latest XM moves?
>
> Personally, I hope Sirius does nothing at all. No action is
> necessary on this front, in my opinion.
>
>
> http://www.xmradio.com/lineup/
>
 
Re: Sirius vs. XM, revisited; Will Sirius feel compelled to imitate XM's latest changes?

> > They have commercials on around a half dozen channels
> > programmed by Clear Channel, which is not their fault.
>
> I get what you're trying to say, but it is their fault, as
> they signed the agreement with Clear Channel to allow them
> to operate those channels without stipulation.
>
> As an XM subscriber I'll get used to it. I don't mind
> commercials, but then again I'm not the "average listener"
> since I work in radio. :-
>


Once the contact is up with CC, there gonna dump those stations anyway.
 
xm on direct tv

>
> Many deleted channels live on online through free streaming
> to XM and AOL customers.
>

and on directv..
<P ID="signature">______________
note to the NAB..satellite radio..its worth paying for!!</P>
 
Re: Sirius vs. XM, revisited; Will Sirius feel compelled to imitate XM's latest changes?

> When it comes to sports, I think MLB is an obvious advantage
> for XM. NFL is on Sundays when people are home watching on
> TV. Baseball is every day and I'm sure many Yankees/Red
> Sox/Braves fans who live away from home subscribe just for
> that reason.
>

you would be correct. i am a braves fan and i can see about 80 games per year on tv..as for the rest..i am at work when a lot of them are on or i am driving to work. so listning to braves radio wgst on xm is a plus and will keep me as a subscriber no mater what happens on the music channels. ps..its rumored the actual station wgst is coming to xm....<P ID="signature">______________
note to the NAB..satellite radio..its worth paying for!!</P>
 
Re: Sirius vs. XM, revisited; Will Sirius feel compelled to imitate XM's latest changes?

I agree that XM having the MLB contract is a definite benefit, but other than that I have throroughly enjoyed my Sirius much more than I enjoyed XM the year and a half that I had it. I absolutely love being able to listen to the local NFL announcers while I watch the games on Sunday...hearing the insight through the team's announcers is a benefit, so I just pause my dvr until the sirius catches up with the action.I'm not a huge baseball fan, so I don't really miss MLB, although I do agree that it is probably more beneficial to baseball fans than the NFL is to football fans.The only area that I think XM is head-and-shoulders above Sirius is in their sports talk genre. Sports By-line is perhaps the worst sports network that I have ever heard, and pales in comparison to the Sporting News and FSR options. Musically, I find Sirius much better than XM, but that is just my personal opinion.
 
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