| Millions of radio listeners in the United | | | | offers is that information about the song |
| States and all over the world have become so | | | | being played at the moment is displayed on |
| much happier with the introduction of | | | | your radio set -- a small convenience for |
| satellite radio. Now, people can listen to | | | | those people who have to know about who is |
| literally hundreds of stations that offer | | | | singing what song right-now. The fact that |
| music, news, radio talk shows and more in | | | | satellite radio programming is completely |
| virtually real-time and at a much higher | | | | uncensored at the moment is also a draw for |
| audio quality than that which FM or AM radio | | | | many people. Noteworthy personalities, such |
| provides.With conventional radio, land-based | | | | as shock jock Howard Stern (who was kicked |
| stations broadcast their signals to your boom | | | | out of network radio programming) has made |
| box, computer, or car radio via the earth's | | | | satellite radio his new broadcasting home. |
| airwaves. With satellite radio however, | | | | Whether you want to listen to hip-hop music, |
| providers transmit encrypted signals to | | | | stand-up comedy shows, or news programs, |
| satellites they launched in outer space; | | | | satellite radio offers them -- all completely |
| these satellites in turn beam the signals to | | | | uncensored.Because Sirius, XM, and other |
| customers' listening devices. But you can't | | | | providers are the ones who set the channel |
| use just any radio; you need a special | | | | selections, some people might find it a bit |
| receiver (which is available at electronics | | | | inconvenient that they won't be able to |
| retailers) and a satellite radio set. You | | | | listen to their local radio stations and get |
| can also listen to satellite radio broadcasts | | | | information on local goings-on. However, |
| in your car since many new cars rolling of | | | | Sirius and XM do provide traffic and weather |
| the assembly lines have satellite-ready | | | | data for major cities, so that should be a |
| equipment already installed. All you would | | | | bit of a relief for city residents. And if |
| need to do is pay for your monthly | | | | you think about it, not getting access to one |
| subscription.In the United States, service is | | | | local radio station wouldn't seem to be such |
| offered by XM Satellite Radio and Sirius | | | | a bad deal if you compare it to the ability |
| Satellite Radio. Sirius, a company based in | | | | to listen to hundreds of channels of |
| New York City, has over 125 channels from | | | | commercial-free music and unregulated |
| which to choose, 67 of them dedicated to | | | | non-regulated shows.Sirius and XM plan to add |
| commercial-free music and the rest to various | | | | even more features and functions to offer to |
| other content. XM, on the other hand, offers | | | | their subscribers. Sirius, in particular, is |
| more than 160 channels, which offer content | | | | readying the launch of a Windows Media Video |
| that is as diverse as that which Sirius | | | | 9 service and the company plans to offer |
| extends to its customers. The services are | | | | several channels dedicated to children. |
| available coast-to-coast, so geographical | | | | That's one more thing to keep the kids |
| availability of programs is not an issue. A | | | | occupied and not distract their parents on |
| customer in Los Angeles, for example, can | | | | long road trips. XM plans to release a |
| listen to the same talk show that another | | | | similar video service. The two companies are |
| customer in say, Boston, is listening to at | | | | anticipating that this will add to the number |
| the same time, and with no degradation in | | | | of their subscribers -- Sirius has over one |
| audio quality. Remember that satellite radio | | | | million, trailing after XM which has more |
| also means digital radio -- sound is | | | | than three million.If you're an avid radio |
| crystal-clear. There's none of the static or | | | | listener and you're finding yourself becoming |
| hissing you would sometimes hear on FM or AM | | | | fed up with the constant barrage of |
| radio. Non-US residents can also take | | | | commercials on regular music stations or if |
| advantage of the benefits of satellite radio; | | | | you're looking for more no-holds-barred |
| XM and Sirius offer their services in Canada, | | | | commentaries or radio talk shows, you |
| while WorldSpace broadcasts its service | | | | probably wouldn't mind forking over the |
| across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle | | | | $12.95 monthly subscription for satellite |
| East. Australia has several providers of its | | | | radio service charged by Sirius and XM. And |
| own also.Factors that attract people to sign | | | | with the increases that the two companies see |
| up for satellite radio subscriptions are | | | | in their subscriber numbers, it's evident |
| numerous. For one thing, there's the | | | | that a lot of people feel the same way.Matt |
| pleasure of listening to commercial-free | | | | Barstow offers valuable tips and information |
| music. Since the providers make their money | | | | about satellite radio, players, and services. |
| from subscriptions, there is still no | | | | Read his latest report answering the most |
| pressing need for advertising revenue. | | | | popular questions about satellite radio. |
| Another attractive feature that this service | | | | |