Satellite Radio: XM or Sirius?

[Joe Canadian]

So satellite radio is finally officially coming to Canada, and I'd like to ask our American neighbours a few questions. For arguments sake I'll assume, though this isn't known yet, all US stations will carry over to Canada.

First, I have an MP3 player with around 6,000 songs... so is it worth getting for music? Does sat radio in general offer a decent variety of music? And more importantly do they offer a good amount of new, lesser known acts? As well is there a difference in selection between the two companies?

Next is channel selection. Is one better than the other? For News? For Music? For Sports?

Regarding sports... do blackouts apply on sat radio?

The big selling points as far as I know for bother companies in Canada are as follows:

- Sirius is working with CBC... so for Canadian news they have the best set-up right off the bat. As well Sirius has the NFL.

- XM has MLB, and NHL.

----

Is there anything else I should know about the two?

[SegRat]

XM also has college sports

[lynchjm24]

XM also has college sports

They have the Pac-10, ACC and Big-10.

[Ksyrup]

Which came in handy on my evening drive from Valdosta, GA, to Tallahassee. I had no phone signal 90% of the drive, but a clear XM signal for the FSU/BC game. Even if the announcers were BC.

[Ksyrup]

I use it vey sporadically for music; the kids and my wife get more use out of the music than I do, and they're in the car a fraction of the time I am. Our local ESPN affiliate sucks, so just the fact that I can get a clear signal for ESPN radio is a huge plus. I'll reiterate what I said in another thread we had on this a couple of months ago, though - I'm shocked at how often I lose the signal. This is, for the most part, a heavily-wooded town, and driving on some of the canopy road the reception is spotty. And in parking garages...forget it from the moment you drive in. But even the drive-thru teller at the bank will cause your signal to go out. I was pretty surprised at that.

But otherwise, I've enjoyed XM. Decent music, good news/sports, and I enjoy the baseball/college sports packages more than I would NFL, since I'll be planted on my couch for most games.

[Anthony]

they need to do a better job with the signal. they have satellites AND land based antenna's, no need for the signal to go out when i'm driving in certain areas.

[CamEdwards]

Sirius also has NCAA football, NBA, NFL, hockey, Maxim radio, Howard Stern (in January)... and me.

Of course, I don't get any kickbacks for recruiting new subscribers, so go with whatever one you want. :)

[bossfan2000]

I guess it depends on what you are interested in. I have had XM for 2 1/2 years now and love it.

I like that they carry college sports for some conferences. They also carry PGA and NASCAR. I personally prefer MLB to NFL for radio. I havent checked Sirius in awhile, but last time i did, XM had much better Sport talk coverage, since they carry the big 3: ESPN, FOX, and Sporting News.

Although I usually use my ipod in the car, i do like the music selection. You can hear a lot of indie music on Channel 43 (XMU..basically a college station). The unsigned channel is an excellent place to hear new music as well.

You can also try xmfan.com

I know XM also seems to have a lot of artist special and in studio exclusive stuff. Not sure how sirius compares in this category.

For instance, on channel 41, its 24/7 bon jovi, with a live concert tonight, and going thru the new cd track by track at 2 separate times today.

Finally, for your subscription, you can listen to most of the XM stations online...though you really only get the XM produced stations. You could try signing up for a streaming account only, to sample the music/comedy stations.

[Cringer]

Sirius is getting the NHL back this fall..

from their website:

It's Official!
The NHL is returning to the ice in October, and you can celebrate its return on SIRIUS all season long. Listen to live play-by-play of up to 40 games a week, from opening night to the coronation of a new Stanley Cup champ.

Sirius will have 3 channels programed by Howard Stern, so I am interested in seeing what he puts up on them. The main general talk station Talk Central seems to be breaking up some, as part of it becomes one channel, and 1 or 2 shows go to another channel. So they will be adding more stuff it sounds like.

The Sirius lineup changes a bunch on Septempber 29th, when they rearrange the channels and add some of the news ones coming on.

As far as music, I only know about Sirius. The playlists on the stations are OK to me. I wish a few of the stations had more depth to them, since it is not really popular music anyways. I understand XM can get too deep, were you never here the same song again after hearing it once....

[Cringer]

I like that they carry college sports for some conferences. They also carry PGA and NASCAR. I personally prefer MLB to NFL for radio. I havent checked Sirius in awhile, but last time i did, XM had much better Sport talk coverage, since they carry the big 3: ESPN, FOX, and Sporting News.

Sirius has ESPN, ESPNews, Sportsbyline, and one with their own shows if I remember correctly. The big one is NFL Radio, 24/7 talkshows about the NFL. It was great in the offseason too.


I know XM also seems to have a lot of artist special and in studio exclusive stuff. Not sure how sirius compares in this category.

Sirius gets things like this.


Finally, for your subscription, you can listen to most of the XM stations online...though you really only get the XM produced stations. You could try signing up for a streaming account only, to sample the music/comedy stations.

Sirius can be listened to online too.

Also, a coouple other things I just thought of. The new Sirius 'walkman' type unit also has an MP3 player and AM/FM radio on it. I wish tat was around last year when I got my radio.

Sirius also has Maxim Radio. Which can be good sometimes. Basically done by Maxum Magazine, so it's guy radio.

[Ksyrup]

I understand XM can get too deep, were you never here the same song again after hearing it once....
First, that's not true, as I've heard the same songs on XM, and I rarely listen to their music stations.

And second, there's no such thing as "too deep" - if you like a song so much that you want to hear it more than once or twice, buy the album or download the song! :p

[Cringer]

First, that's not true, as I've heard the same songs on XM, and I rarely listen to their music stations.

And second, there's no such thing as "too deep" - if you like a song so much that you want to hear it more than once or twice, buy the album or download the song! :p

I agree with what you say, I have no problem with 'too deep'. I would prefer Sirius to be more like XM from the comparisons I have heard from people who own both. But I do good with Sirius. My main knock is XM has a punk station, and Sirius only has punk mixed into their Faction station, which is ok.

More on faction, if you are into X-games kind of guys. Faction has shows every week by Bam Margera, Tony Hawk, Bode Miller, Lance Armstrong, and some other guys I can't remember. They are ok shows, nothing special to me. Margera has a good show.

And I forgot, Howard Stern announced one of the shows that will be on one of his channels. I am kind of interested in hearing this guy, since he was fairly controversial for a bit...Bubba The Love Sponge.

[Cringer]

Oh, and this is what pisses me off about the changes on Sept. 29th.

SIRIUS’ new music channels:

BBC RADIO 1, ch. 11: SIRIUS launched BBC Radio 1 in July, featuring the best new music from the U.K. direct from London.

SUPER SHUFFLE, ch. 12: A continuous mix of the most popular songs played across all of the music genres represented on SIRIUS 65 commercial-free music channels.

THE COFFEEHOUSE, ch. 30: Singer-songwriters and acoustic coffeehouse music.

REVOLUTION, ch. 67: Today’s most popular, faith-based rock music with a message.

SPA 73, ch. 73: The best new age instrumental music from around the world.
----------------------

No punk station, but christian rock and new age?!?

B.S.

[Ksyrup]

My main knock is XM has a punk station, and Sirius only has punk mixed into their Faction station, which is ok.
And my main gripe with XM is that it has a punk station, but cut Liquid Metal last year and only has metal mixed in with the hair bands channel and the heavy alternative channel.

Oh, and both Sirius and XM will have NHL this year, which is nice. I guess the NHL isn't in a position to be doing an exclusive deal with anyone right now, which is good for the fans.

[Ksyrup]

Although, I just read that XM will be the NHL's exclusive satellite radio broadcast partner in 2007, so...

[Scarecrow]

Although, I just read that XM will be the NHL's exclusive satellite radio broadcast partner in 2007, so...
I'll post the source...

XM SATELLITE RADIO AND NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE ANNOUNCE LONG-TERM AGREEMENT

XM To Begin Broadcasting NHL Games In October 2005
NHL Chooses XM As Its Exclusive Satellite Radio Network Starting in 2007

Washington D.C., September 12, 2005 -- XM Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: XMSR), the nation's leading satellite radio service with more than 4.4 million subscribers, and the National Hockey League (NHL) today announced a 10-year, $100-million agreement that makes XM the exclusive satellite radio network of the NHL beginning with the 2007-2008 season.

XM will begin broadcasting NHL games with the launch of the new 2005-2006 season and will become the League's exclusive satellite radio broadcast partner in 2007.

In addition to providing live play-by-play coverage of more than 1,000 games per season, XM will create a dedicated NHL radio channel featuring original programming that will focus on all aspects of the sport. NHL games and the NHL channel will be available in Canada through XM's partner, Canadian Satellite Radio (CSR), which is funding a portion of the agreement. CSR has been awarded a license to distribute satellite radio in Canada, as recently approved by the Federal Cabinet.

"We are thrilled about the National Hockey League's decision to partner with XM Satellite Radio," said Hugh Panero, President and CEO of XM Satellite Radio. "The clear winners of this partnership are the millions of hockey fans here in the U.S. and in Canada who are incredibly passionate about their favorite NHL team, and who will now be able to follow them regardless of where they call home."

"We're delighted to have XM as our newest satellite radio partner," said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. "At this exciting time in the League's history, a new partnership with XM allows us to offer hockey fans unprecedented NHL coverage on the nation's largest satellite radio service."

XM's comprehensive coverage of the NHL will include games from every team, as well as the NHL All-Star Game, the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the Stanley Cup Final. XM will start its NHL schedule with sweeping coverage of Opening Night on October 5, 2005.

Panero continued, "XM and its Canadian partner CSR are excited to participate in the resurgence of this great sport."

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

I'll post the source...
This is good news for me but I dont like the 2 year wait for the full NHL.

[Jon]

I think XM is getting the full NHL this fall, but won't have an exclusive deal until 2007.

[Ksyrup]

XM and Sirius are both getting full access to the NHL until 2007, when XM will have the exclusive. The reason that press release reads like it does is because XM is going out of its way to not mention Sirius, so the 2007 part seems strange. But what they're not saying is that they are sharing the NHL until then.

[dervack]

For you NASCAR fans, in 2007, Sirius will be the exclusive home to NASCAR.

[Ksyrup]

Hmmm....I think I'll trade NASCAR for NHL.

[panerd]

As you can tell both sides do tend to defend their product when listing positives, but I also think both sides also realize how good satelittle radio is. I think all satelittle users will agree, either way XM or Sirius is going to be about 1000 times better than AM/FM radio. When I am not in a car with satelittle I go nuts!

By the way I am a Sirius subscriber who loves it and my buddy loves XM so I don't really think you can go wrong.

[Joe Canadian]

I've seen XM players that are "walkmen" like... but can also be used at home and in the car. Do these work as good as the car\home only models?

Now I'm hearing coverage isn't that great when you're not by a window, or when it's cloudy... and with St. John's being the official fog capital of the world (I'm not joking about that), I'm a tad concerned.

[lynchjm24]

I've seen XM players that are "walkmen" like... but can also be used at home and in the car. Do these work as good as the car\home only models?

Now I'm hearing coverage isn't that great when you're not by a window, or when it's cloudy... and with St. John's being the official fog capital of the world (I'm not joking about that), I'm a tad concerned.

I have the XM Walkman (XM 2Go). I use it in the base at work with the big antenna. You can't use it really inside anywhere, unless it's attached to the base. Outside, I have no problem getting a signal with no antenna.

The one thing you can do with it is record 5 hours from XM stations and then listen as you like. I record Kornheiser and then get through the 2 hours in about 1 by skipping the many score updates and breaks. I'll grab a few hours of one of the alternative stations for the treadmill.

I have factory installed XM in my car. The only time I have a problem is when I'm on a parkway that has heavy tree cover.

If you use the XM 2Go in the car, it's going to go through the FM transmitter and I doubt you'll be very happy with it. EDIT: Unless you have a tape player in your car, I believe that the XM 2Go works pretty well if you have a tape player to plug the adaptor into.

[Joe Canadian]

If you use the XM 2Go in the car, it's going to go through the FM transmitter and I doubt you'll be very happy with it. EDIT: Unless you have a tape player in your car, I believe that the XM 2Go works pretty well if you have a tape player to plug the adaptor into.

I have AUX inputs in my car, so that shouldn't be a problem... but what about the cloud cover. If cloudy skies ruin the signal then I doubt sat radio will go over well in Eastern Canada.

[Ksyrup]

I haven't noticed any problems with cloudy skies, but tree cover and any kind of wall will kill the signal until you move out from behind it. I've lost the signal just driving next to a building a couple of times and while taking money out at a drive-thru teller.

[Logan]

Just a bump because I'm pretty sure I'll be subscribing to satellite radio in the very near future. The job I started will have me on the road every now and then, and I really hate looking for stations when I'm out of the area of my presets (yeah, I'm too lazy to scan). Plus I have some disposable income in my young age that I can afford the cost of the unit and the monthly charge.

I'm 99% sure I will be going to Sirius, mainly because of Howard Stern. The way I see it...its XM with MLB and Opie and Anthony (and everything else) vs. Sirius with NFL and Stern (and everything else). I'm a Met fan living (and working) in the NY area, so I won't be needing to listen to baseball games on satellite. And hopefully the Niners will eventually be decent enough to not make me wanna drive off the side of a road when I listen to them, so the NFL would be nice.

I guess my question comes down to the units. Is there a certain one to get? Are only some of them able to be taken out of the car to be used with the walkman/boombox? Are there Sirius fan sites that break down this stuff? Any help is appreciated.

[Eaglesfan27]

I can't answer your questions Logan, but I just bought a unit for an XM subscription this past week, as I'm now driving 80 miles each way to work. I can't believe I went this long without XM (I'm sure I would have liked Sirius as well) in my car.

The final factor for me on which one to get was XM's coverage of Pac-10 sports.

[spleen1015]

Just a bump because I'm pretty sure I'll be subscribing to satellite radio in the very near future. The job I started will have me on the road every now and then, and I really hate looking for stations when I'm out of the area of my presets (yeah, I'm too lazy to scan). Plus I have some disposable income in my young age that I can afford the cost of the unit and the monthly charge.

I'm 99% sure I will be going to Sirius, mainly because of Howard Stern. The way I see it...its XM with MLB and Opie and Anthony (and everything else) vs. Sirius with NFL and Stern (and everything else). I'm a Met fan living (and working) in the NY area, so I won't be needing to listen to baseball games on satellite. And hopefully the Niners will eventually be decent enough to not make me wanna drive off the side of a road when I listen to them, so the NFL would be nice.

I guess my question comes down to the units. Is there a certain one to get? Are only some of them able to be taken out of the car to be used with the walkman/boombox? Are there Sirius fan sites that break down this stuff? Any help is appreciated.


www.sirius.com should be all you need to get your info.

[dervack]

There are some models that are able to use a boombox, however, not all reciever units are compatible with all boomboxes, which I think stinks. I.E., the orbiter series that used to be available from Radio Shack was only compatible with orbiter series line. Too bad you didn't post earlier about wanting to get set up, as I just moved my reciever, car kit and boombox that for some reason, would have still come with the signal, even though I cancelled back in august.

[panerd]

Check the forums at www.siriusbackstage.com. Somebody pointed me in this direction a few months ago and they can answer (or a simple forum search an answer) basically any question you might have. IMO, the sirius corporate site is pretty shitty.