Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Satellite TV battles for remains of satellite radio, DirecTV owner wins stake in Sirius XM]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/18/satellite-tv-battles-for-remains-of-satellite-radio-directv-own/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/18/satellite-tv-battles-for-remains-of-satellite-radio-directv-own/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/18/satellite-tv-battles-for-remains-of-satellite-radio-directv-own/#commentsFiled under:

Due to the recent merger of former satellite radio competitors Sirius and XM, and despite a recent rate hike, the newly formed Sirius XM conglomerate has a huge pile of debt and no cash on hand to pay it off. Fear not, lovers of radio from the sky, Liberty Media, owner of DirecTV satellite television, has just stepped up to the plate with a major infusion of moolah, which it will provide in exchange for 12.5 million shares of preferred stock that's convertible to a 40% equity stake in the company. A total of $530 million will be paid out by Liberty, $280 million of which will be paid immediately with a second installment of $250 million a little later down the road. A whopping $171 million of that first payment will go straight to Siruis XM's debtors.

DirecTV rival EchoStar, which owns Dish Network, was in the midst of gobbling up huge chunks of the satellite radio company's debt, prompting many to assume a takeover bid was imminent. Regardless, most analysts believe that the move by Liberty was mostly a financial decision, as Liberty will receive a 15% return on its initial $280 million investment.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Satellite TV battles for remains of satellite radio, DirecTV owner wins stake in Sirius XM originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Feb 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>directvdish networkDishNetworkechostarliberty mediaLibertyMediasiriussirius satellite radiosirius xmsirius xm debtsirius xm radioSiriusSatelliteRadioSiriusXmSiriusXmDebtSiriusXmRadioWed, 18 Feb 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sirius and XM debut new lineups]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/14/sirius-and-xm-debut-new-lineups/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/14/sirius-and-xm-debut-new-lineups/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/14/sirius-and-xm-debut-new-lineups/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Sirius and XM have buried the hatchet and merged their content, to the likely displeasure of many. XM closes 15 stations while simultaneously adding 22 new selections to the lineup, and Sirius pretty much broke even, trading 11 stations for 10 new ones. As has always been the case, the sports fans fare the best. Reception is reportedly better, too, though we're sure the lossy-codec lack of fidelity still makes it all virtually unlistenable to anyone that pays attention. If you don't care that cymbal crashes on SatRad sound like a pair of metal trash cans being hurled down a fire escape, you'll likely be pleased with the shuffling; though we hope they've left our beloved Soulsville alone.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

Sirius and XM debut new lineups originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>siriussirius radiosirius satellite radiosirius xmsirius xm mergersirius xm radioSiriusRadioSiriusSatelliteRadioSiriusXmSiriusXmMergerSiriusXmRadioxmxm radioxm satellite radioXmRadioXmSatelliteRadioFri, 14 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Ford demonstrates new nav system with Sirius Travel]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/15/video-ford-demonstrates-new-nav-system-with-sirius-travel/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/15/video-ford-demonstrates-new-nav-system-with-sirius-travel/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/15/video-ford-demonstrates-new-nav-system-with-sirius-travel/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above to view videos after the jump

One of the cool features that Ford is introducing for the 2009 model year is its updated navigation system with Sirius Travel Link. When we went out to drive the updated 2009 Ford Escape this week, Ford's chief technology spokes-model Alan Hall gave us a guided tour of the system. The next generation nav unit takes the traditional touch screen GPS unit and integrates it with the popular SYNC system that debuted last year, while adding real time downloadable information from Sirius and a 10GB jukebox. The Sirius system provides information such as live weather maps overlaid on the navigation data, current fuel prices, movie listings and more.

With the jukebox, you can insert an audio CD and automatically rip it to the internal hard drive like you can in the Cadillac CTS. The full Gracenote CDDB database is incorporated so that the meta-data can be automatically added. The screen can even display the album artwork. The system can even play DVDs with the video only being visible on the front seat screen when the car is in park. As soon as the transmission is shifted into gear, it only plays the audio track. If you pull up a restaurant listing, it can automatically dial your bluetooth phone through the SYNC system. Like SYNC, the whole system can be controlled by voice commands so you don't have to take your hands off the wheel. The new setup will be on most 2009 Fords, with bigger vehicles like the new Flex and the MKS getting an 8-inch touch screen while the smaller Escape makes do with a 6.5" inch screen. Ford will be charging $1,995 for the full system including SYNC, the nav system, Travel Link and the jukebox. Check out a pair of video run-throughs of the system after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading VIDEO: Ford demonstrates new nav system with Sirius Travel

VIDEO: Ford demonstrates new nav system with Sirius Travel originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 May 2008 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 ford escape2009 ford escape hyb...2009FordEscape2009FordEscapeHyb...ford escapeFordEscapesiriussirius radiosirius satellite radiosirius travel linkSiriusRadioSiriusSatelliteRadioSiriusTravelLinkThu, 15 May 2008 12:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Sirius / XM merger approved by Justice Department]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/24/sirius-xm-merger-approved-by-justice-department/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/24/sirius-xm-merger-approved-by-justice-department/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/24/sirius-xm-merger-approved-by-justice-department/#commentsFiled under:

On February 19th, 2007, rival satellite radio providers Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio announced a merger worth $5 billion. It was approved by shareholders last November, but many weren't confident the Justic Department would approve the merger of satellite radio's only two providers. Today it has done just that, removing one of the last obstacles to the holy union of these two companies. The feds' main justification for its approval is that the companies compete as much with other forms of radio (terrestial, HD, etc.) and entertainment as they do with each other, therefore, consumers will likely not be harmed satellite radio will still face stiff competition. If satellite radio is to survive the onslaught of in-car entertainment options, which will soon include the web itself, this merger is a must. Howard Stern (Sirisu), meet Oprah (XM).

[Source: Engadget]

Sirius / XM merger approved by Justice Department originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>sirius radiosirius satelliteSiriusRadioSiriusSatellitesiriussatelliteradioxm radioxm satellite radioxm siriusxm sirius mergerXmRadioXmSatelliteRadioXmSiriusXmSiriusMergerMon, 24 Mar 2008 15:58:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Product whore Tony Hawk shilling Jeeps and Sirius]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/10/video-product-whore-tony-hawk-shilling-jeeps-and-sirius/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/10/video-product-whore-tony-hawk-shilling-jeeps-and-sirius/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/10/video-product-whore-tony-hawk-shilling-jeeps-and-sirius/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



If there's one thing we can say about Tony Hawk with absolute certainty, it's that he loves capitalism. According to Wikipedia, he's starred in commercials for Apple Computer, Burger King, Bagel Bites, Got Milk?, GoSnacks, The Colorado Tourism Board, and Domino's Pizza. If we knew how to edit a Wikipedia entry, we'd add Jeep and Sirius Satellite Radio to that list. Here the Birdman can be seen doing a rail slide with a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, no doubt made possible by the Unlimited's extra-long wheelbase. It's pretty funny and has that oh-so-popular viral video feel, but if we see Tony Hawk on either YouTube or the boob tube one more time pimping somebody else's products, well let's just say we can't be held accountable for our actions.

There's two more DaimlerChrysler commercials after the jump for the same Sirius Satellite Radio deal if you're interested.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Product whore Tony Hawk shilling Jeeps and Sirius

VIDEO: Product whore Tony Hawk shilling Jeeps and Sirius originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Nov 2006 19:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commercialcommercialssiriussirius satellite radioSiriusSatelliteRadiotony hawkTonyHawkFri, 10 Nov 2006 19:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Mitsubishi cuts deal with SIRIUS Satellite Radio]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/01/mitsubishi-cuts-deal-with-sirius-satellite-radio/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/01/mitsubishi-cuts-deal-with-sirius-satellite-radio/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/01/mitsubishi-cuts-deal-with-sirius-satellite-radio/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mitsubishi Motors North America announced Monday that it will offer SIRIUS radio as a standard feature or factory option, starting with four models this fall, and expanding to the full Mitsubishi product line next year. All SIRIUS-equipped vehicles will include a pre-paid six month subscription.

The first models to come standard with SIRIUS will be the 2007 Galant RALLIART, and the Endeavor SE, as well as the Raider LS and DuroCross double-cab pickups.

Other automakers exclusively partnered with SIRIUS include Aston Martin, Audi, BMW and Chrysler, among others.

[Source: Mitsubishi]

Mitsubishi cuts deal with SIRIUS Satellite Radio originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Aug 2006 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car audiocar radioCarAudiosiriussirius radiosirius satellite radioSiriusSatelliteRadioTue, 01 Aug 2006 11:04:00 EST