Unified radios (coming next year?) and other similar thoughts:

[Kryptonite]

It's my understanding that most of the music is exactly the same on both services, right?

Most of the "TV channels" like Fox News, CNN, etc. are on both providers, right?

Howard 100, Howard 101, and the Virus are on both services.

Really, the only thing outstanding is MLB which is XM exclusive, but i've actually seen my radio display "MLB Home Plate" on the BOXM channel.


So, I guess what i'm asking is this:

What the heck is so good about this "super radio" that is coming out next year where you can "pick and choose" what you want? The ability NOT to subscribe to "Best Of" packages in order to get what you want?

 

[hexagram]

I would say that Sirius XM will be sticking with one line of radios for both services, instead of one line of radios for each service.

 

[Kryptonite]

I would say that Sirius XM will be sticking with one line of radios for both services, instead of one line of radios for each service.

So i'd be able to go to buy a radio on Sirius.com or the same one on XMradio.com?

Is this the big deal?

Interesting.

 

[TSS Taylor]

The main advantage of the interoperable radios is the ability to get everything. Mostly its for sports fanatics. Those that want all the MLB games and all the NHL games. It will likely be something sold under the new SIRIUS XM name and sold at both sites.

The Ala Carte Radio exists now, but it's more suited for entry level subscribers on that Ala Carte than the interoperable radio would be. That radio is for the hardcore fans more.

 

[Vargas]

They need to come out with someting, fast. I am dying to buy a new radio and want something to come out.

Where is the Stiletto 3 with bluetooth, video player, and the thing that lets you listen over wireless in hotels when you have to "accept their terms and conditions."

Taylor---what is the word here man, any plans for the new, cool stuff?

 

[GoodDog]

The advantages would be for Sirius/XM’s benefit, not for the end user. As the OP said, much of the feeds are duplicated on each service. The big advantage is in development, equipment, and inventory costs. Why support two lines of radios and associated equipment (boom boxes, docks, etc) when one common line of radios can do the job?

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

They will come out with it to comply with the FCC mandate. My prediction is that it will be 1 radio and will go no further. If their plans are to unify the spectrum 10-15 years from now, the next step would be to decide the technology and stop producing radios for the other service. For example, if they were going to keep a modified XM platform, stop producing new Sirius radios. New XM radios would be settable to get either 1/2 or the full spectrum. Then it becomes a waiting game for older Sirius radios to die.

 

[TSS Taylor]

They need to come out with someting, fast. I am dying to buy a new radio and want something to come out.

Where is the Stiletto 3 with bluetooth, video player, and the thing that lets you listen over wireless in hotels when you have to "accept their terms and conditions."

Taylor---what is the word here man, any plans for the new, cool stuff?

I've heard rumors about 2 things, one would be an Interoperable new Sportster that looks similar to the XpressRC and the other rumor I've heard is REALLY cool and I don't know the details but it's really geared towards gadget lovers. But as much as these may be announced in the near future I can't see anything actually coming out until Spring or Summer time.

 

[Vargas]

I've heard rumors about 2 things, one would be an Interoperable new Sportster that looks similar to the XpressRC and the other rumor I've heard is REALLY cool and I don't know the details but it's really geared towards gadget lovers. But as much as these may be announced in the near future I can't see anything actually coming out until Spring or Summer time.

Cool.

Who is going to make the radio's now that Sirius and Directed Electronics have parted ways? Pioneer?

 

[TSS Taylor]

Cool.

Who is going to make the radio's now that Sirius and Directed Electronics have parted ways? Pioneer?

Directed never really made much, they housed SIRIUS' inventory and was the distributor for much of their products. They make the Polk SR-H1000 and a good number of accessories but the distributor changing won't affect the consumers much.

But something happened with the merger that allows more companies to get in the game and produce radios, but it doesn't mean they will.

Pioneer is the maker of the Pioneer XMP3 XM Portable.

 

[Kryptonite]

The main advantage of the interoperable radios is the ability to get everything. Mostly its for sports fanatics. Those that want all the MLB games and all the NHL games. It will likely be something sold under the new SIRIUS XM name and sold at both sites.

The Ala Carte Radio exists now, but it's more suited for entry level subscribers on that Ala Carte than the interoperable radio would be. That radio is for the hardcore fans more.

But doesn't my Stiletto 2 get everything (except for MLB?) Will this mean I won't have to subscribe to Best of XM?

 

[DAB]

But doesn't my Stiletto 2 get everything (except for MLB?) Will this mean I won't have to subscribe to Best of XM?

No this means you need a subscription to XM and Sirius to get all the programming. It will just be a single radio with both chipsets to allow access to both services.

The SL2 won't support this.

 

[v1ru5]

No this means you need a subscription to be XM and Sirius to get all the programming. It will just be a single radio with both chipsets to allow access to both services.

The SL2 won't support this.

And if the powers that be get their way the new radios will also have to be AM/FM/HD capable.

 

[TSS Taylor]

I've seen the demand of an interoperable radio drop like crazy. There will be more merging of content of then it will be the only difference is the extra play by play sports channels.

 

[Kryptonite]

I've seen the demand of an interoperable radio drop like crazy. There will be more merging of content of then it will be the only difference is the extra play by play sports channels.

I'm sure.

Since I already get everything Sirius, as well as the BOXM, I guess I really don't have much of a need for a radio that gets the full XM and full Sirius lineups since the music and talk are mostly the same.

 

[MikeTheActuary]

I've seen the demand of an interoperable radio drop like crazy. There will be more merging of content of then it will be the only difference is the extra play by play sports channels.

Of course, if interoperable radios were to hit critical mass, SiriusXM could stop duplicating so many channels on the two services. This would, in turn, free up bandwidth to expand the content offered, including possibly:

• Returning some of the channels lost/ruined in the merge (e.g. Fine Tuning, 66Raw, the decimation of the Spanish/Latin content);
• Allowing new niche channels to be launched (Irish? Japanese Pop? Darkwave Dance?)
• Allowing short-term specialty channels to be brought on without sacrificing full-time channels; or
• Improving sound quality on existing channels

I'm probably going to let my subscription lapse when it comes up for renewal this spring, because even though the channel-merger wasn't quite as bad as I feared it would be, I've been having to turn to my iPod more to satisfy my eclectic tastes.

But if SiriusXM could carry through on the promise of interoperable radios, and expanding the content....that would probably bring me back.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Of course, if interoperable radios were to hit critical mass, SiriusXM could stop duplicating so many channels on the two services. This would, in turn, free up bandwidth to expand the content offered, including possibly:

• Returning some of the channels lost/ruined in the merge (e.g. Fine Tuning, 66Raw, the decimation of the Spanish/Latin content);
• Allowing new niche channels to be launched (Irish? Japanese Pop? Darkwave Dance?)
• Allowing short-term specialty channels to be brought on without sacrificing full-time channels; or
• Improving sound quality on existing channels

I'm probably going to let my subscription lapse when it comes up for renewal this spring, because even though the channel-merger wasn't quite as bad as I feared it would be, I've been having to turn to my iPod more to satisfy my eclectic tastes.

But if SiriusXM could carry through on the promise of interoperable radios, and expanding the content....that would probably bring me back.

That is probably about 10 years down the road. All existing radios need to keep working for a considerable time in the future.

 

[Road Hog]

It's my understanding that with the current "Best of Sirius" package, you only get one feed of each NFL game (either the home broadcast or the away broadcast). So if one radio were to get both services, you would have your choice of either broadcast. Is that correct?

And there are a handful of music channels that are unique to each service. As a Sirius subscriber, I don't have access to the Village (folk music).