When President Reagan proposed his Star Wars satellite defense scheme back in the '80s, we don't think he had any inkling that 20 years later we'd be witnessing commercial satellite warfare waged in geostationary orbit high above the U.S. - a ruthless battle for subscribers between the two huge publicly traded satellite radio companies - XM and Sirius. What would The Gipper say about that?
As we write this, two million subscribers are paying between $10 and $12 a month for about 60 channels of crystal-clear commercial-free music on each service, beamed down to your truck from powerful satellites high above the earth. A wide variety of digital music with a depth and breadth unavailable to listeners of regular terrestrial radio any place in the nation. Plus lots of news, talk, sports, comedy, and other programming. The latest development in satellite radio - live traffic and weather information for the Top 20 markets.
Just how deep is the variety on satellite? If you like country music, you have seven channels to choose from on XM and six on Sirius, including classic and alternative country, country hits, bluegrass, and folk. For pop music fans, you have channels organized by decade, from the '50s through the '90s on both services plus Top 40. Rock fans have 15 channels to choose from on XM and 16 on Sirius, including everything from classic rock to punk, heavy metal, college alternative, and even hair bands. And, of course, you have multiple channels of dance music, hip-hop, jazz and blues, classical, Christian, Latin, and world music, including dedicated reggae stations on each service.
Ever since the Janet Jackson interlude at the Super Bowl, decency on terrestrial radio has been a big issue with the FCC, and now Congress is getting into the act, raising fines and using the federal organization's leverage with huge media conglomerates such as Clear Channel and Viacom to rein in the company's programming. Popular, nationally syndicated radio personalities are talking about satellite radio as the next frontier where they can better exercise their First Amendment rights with racier, more explicit programs during drive times, outside he late-night safe harbor.
Controversy is good for satellite radio and so is the cool factor, as new radios and boom boxes allow users to listen to satellite radio wherever they go. The other factor that will gradually but inexorably add millions of new subscribers is satellite-ready radio that comes with new trucks. XM radios will be factory installed on more than 50 '05 GM models, including the Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, Trailblazer, Sierra, Yukon, and Envoy. Sirius radios are available as a dealer-installed option on dozens of Ford and Dodge models, including Explorer, SportTrac, Expedition, Dakota, Durango, and Ram, including incoln Navigators and all new Jeeps.
Where else can you buy a satellite radio? Any place that sells radios, CD, or DVD players, and security or remote start should be able to put an XM or Sirius radio in your truck. For more information, visit www.xmradio.com or www.sirius.com.