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