I love my Sirius Sat radio specifically because it gives me those 'niche' channels that you are alluding too. I get my 80s music (CD quality BTW...better than terrestrial radio) with expert DJs...the MTV VJs Alan Hunter, Nina Blackwood and Mark Goodman. I get several fantastic alternative rock choices with insightful commentary...something like 75 music choices in all. (I don't agree with your "generic voicetracked stuff' comment, although I have little experience listening to XM. ) I get 3 seperate BBC channels and 3 NPR/PRI channels. Comedy, entertainment, all the talk you can shake a stick at...
The one thing you are missing here is that I hear no commercials on the music channels EVER. That is the biggest selling point. That and the song title display on my receiver, but terrestrial radio has caught up with that point.
I do enjoy your wireless internet in the car idea allowing us to listen to whatever channel we might wish to from around the world. But it will only make me happy if I don't have to hear the commercials. There is no way an internet-delivered station will survive without commercials unless it's subscriber-based like XM and Sirius.
And most of my friends with XM and Sirius feel the same way about commercials. That's the one thing Sirius and XM have over locals...no commercials. Of course if I want local news/traffic/weather I MAY hit a local here in Waco, TX...but since I currently do morning weather at a local TV station...it't not too likely.
Local needs to focus on niches and truly local things to keep people interested. they can get their music and info a thousand other places and a thousand other ways. Make it special for them and they will come back.
Mark Strzepek
Former Revolution DJ (Summer 1996...when it was born!)
Former WINK 108 DJ (1994/5...when it was alternative music)
> > > XM, sirius, etc is a passing fad. Technology will
> surpass
> > it
> > > quickly. With wireless internet coming in all forms
> soon,
> > if
> > > I want to listen to a station in Alaska i will soon be
> > able
> > > to.
> >
> > You can listen to a station in Alaska NOW if you want to.
> > Google it. You'll find it.
> >
>
> Obviously, but I do believe we are not far away from
> listening to that same station in Alaska everywhere, even in
> the car. At this point I do not think we can do that. When
> that day happens though there are stations out there like
> WRNR, WDST, WXPN, KROQ, 97X, KCRW, BBC Radio One, etc that
> will replace the XM/Sirius options because you will get the
> terrestrial radio quality (ie not the generic voicetracked
> stuff most of the music stations at XM and sirius currently
> use)
>
