Autoblog

SiriusXM has turned back on lapsed subscribers' radios for two weeks

Zach Bowman — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 09:58:00 EST

If you own a vehicle with SiriusXM Satellite Radio capability and happen to have let your subscription lapse, we have good news for you. Sirius is allowing anyone with an expired subscription to listen to 60 of the service's channels free of charge from now until Sept. 11. What's more, all you have to do is turn on your radio to get listening. There are no codes involved or sweepstakes to enter. Pretty sweet.

From talk news stations like Fox News, CNN and NPR Now to sports coverage from ESPN and NASCAR Talk Radio and a lengthy list of pop and rock stations, the sampler platter gives listeners an idea of what they've been missing since they cut their service. The available channels represent less than half of the total SiriusXM options. Head over to subscription service's website for more information.

SiriusXM has turned back on lapsed subscribers' radios for two weeks originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Sep 2012 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi offering four-year SiriusXM Traffic subscription on select 2013 models

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:32:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Audi, Infotainment

There's about to be a whole lot more traffic news for select Audi buyers. SiriuxXM radio is already offered free for three months to folks who buy a new Audi, but now, if you select MMI Navigation Plus or MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch, you'll get four years of SiriusXM Traffic, free, even if you don't pick up the subscription to the rest of SiriusXM's offerings.

The offer is available on all Audi models so long as you tick the correct options box. With SiriusXM 2.0 head units supposedly due later this year, though, perhaps you'll want to wait to get the most of your radio, instead of having all those dead SiriusXM options staring back at you. Scroll down to read the press release.

Continue reading Audi offering four-year SiriusXM Traffic subscription on select 2013 models

Audi offering four-year SiriusXM Traffic subscription on select 2013 models originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 May 2012 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Carmaggedon Radio coming to SiriusXM for LA drivers, others taking advantage of freeway shutdown

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:33:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

Motorists in the Los Angeles area are facing down what could be one of the worst traffic situations in California's already tangled history. Beginning on the evening of Friday, July 15, a 10-mile section of the 405 freeway will be closed so that construction crews can bring down part of the Mulholland Drive Bridge. That 10-mile section won't open to traffic again until sometime in the early hours of Monday, July 18. If you've ever driven in the area, you'll understand why SoCal residents are terrified and calling it "Carmageddon."

A few enterprising folks have decided to turn this traffic nightmare into a business opportunity. SiriusXM will launch a new channel appropriately titled Carmageddon Radio. Starting at 10am on July 15, satellite radio listeners can tuned in to channel 140 for updates and driving advice related to the 53-hour 405 freeway shutdown. SiriusXM will conclude its Carmageddon Radio programming on Monday July 18 at 5pm PST.

It's not just SiriusXM that's jumping into the Carmageddon pool, however, as a few others are toeing the traffic-related marketing line. Landmark Theatres is offering movie goers free popcorn at its two L.A. locations. Starting at 7pm on Friday, the free popcorn promotion will run throughout the weekend. Another enterprising entrepreneur is musician Ken Elkinson. Mr. Elkinson produces ambient instrumental music, which he says is wonderful backdrop to one's commute. In fact, his 60-track box set is titled Music for Commuting, and Ken Elkinson is giving an entire collection away starting Monday July 11. Music for Commuting is available as a free downloadable ZIP file at Ken's site until Monday, July 18.

There's no doubt that this is going to be a terrible weekend for Southern California. Those who've never experienced L.A.-area traffic simply won't understand. Stop-and-go frustration can strike at any hour of any day - and that's when the 405 is open for business. Still, it's good to see a few folks jumping in to try and offer some good.

Oh, if you were't already aware, the 405 will be shut down a second time later this year to bring down the other half of the Mulholland Drive Bridge. In other words, Carmageddon will strike twice - we can only hope the giveaways will return as well.

Have you heard about any other items or services being offered this weekend in response to the 405 closure? If so, let us know about them in the comments below.

Carmaggedon Radio coming to SiriusXM for LA drivers, others taking advantage of freeway shutdown originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sirius and XM to consolidate channel lineups

Aaron Richardson — Tue, 03 May 2011 18:31:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Technology

Starting on Wednesday, May 4, Sirius Satellite Radio and XM will finally be almost completely indistinguishable from one another. Since their merger, the two satellite radio providers have sported the same channels, just on differently-numbered stations. Starting Wednesday, though, the channel sequences will be the same as well.

The new lineup will more closely ape Sirius' format, which means pop and rock stations will be available starting in the teens, followed by sports beginning at channel 84. Howard Stern will have not one but two stations of his very own, residing at channel 100 and 101 on the new Sirius/XM dial.

Listeners of both companies' broadcasts shouldn't have to spend any time reprogramming their preferences if they want their familiar tunes and talk shows back - the satellite radio provider says it should happen automatically. Either way, for those who frequently move from one car to another, this move is long overdue. See all the details here.

Sirius and XM to consolidate channel lineups originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 May 2011 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Will Ford's Sync kill Sirius XM?

Chris Shunk — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Ford

There are currently 19 million Sirius XM subscribers out there, and the vast majority of those cash-paying customers listen only in the car. Ford was among the earliest mass-market adopters of Sirius, as The Blue Oval made infotainment a big part of its vehicle strategy. But while Ford was an early passenger on the satellite bandwagon, another very popular technology could put the squeeze on pay-for-play radio.

The Motley Fool opines that advances to Sync could hurt Sirius in a very meaningful way. Sync already connects to your MP3 player and your smart phone, but Microsoft and Ford have been working with third parties like Pandora to bring free content through the iPhone, RIM or Android data plan you're already paying for. Beyond Internet radio, Sync also provides turn-by-turn navigation, traffic and weather, emergency assistance and Google Maps.

In the end, though, The Fool is quick to remind us that Ford gets a cut from every Sirius XM subscription. That means the automaker likely will stop short of toppling over the satellite provider. Besides, Sirius subscriptions have done nothing but climb since Sync hit the market three years ago.

[Source: The Motley Fool]

Will Ford's Sync kill Sirius XM? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Satellite TV battles for remains of satellite radio, DirecTV owner wins stake in Sirius XM

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Technology

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.

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Sirius and XM debut new lineups

Dan Roth — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Etc., I.C.E., Technology

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.

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