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Opinion: The demise of satellite radio

#61
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5/28/09 at 8:50am
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Re: Opinion: The demise of satellite radio

I have to say, I'm still insanely happy with satellite radio. I may be the exception to the rule, I don't have a single "music" station programmed into my hotlist. If I want that, I've got CDs. But the access to constant news & live sports programming? No way I could go without it. The merger to me is the ultimate in positives. During the summer, I can follow full on baseball, and in the winter, football. Sine I'm a fan of a not-local team in the NFL, it makes it a snap to follow, and getting both calls (home/away) is a treat - I've often found that I'll turn down the volume on TV and listen to the home call of a game, and when an injury occurs, I'll flick over to the away call.

I admit, the only thing that would make me happier is if they would form some sort of agreement with Audible and do serialized books or allow their radios a memory card to "store" programming of the same, more then the 45 minute storage limit.

But nothing, and I mean nothing in my mind beats the ability to hear about something going on in North Korea, and then flick through five different news sources instantly and get the information. It's like a news junkies dream.
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#62
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5/28/09 at 9:54am
  • Joined: August 2002
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Re: Opinion: The demise of satellite radio

Count me in as a fan also. I have a Sirius in my car and 2 internet accounts (1 for my Sonos, 1 to record on the computer). The internet replaced my trusty old S50, it's much easier to get home reception from the internet.

As to the complaints, I understand the anguish XM fans are expressing, they are used to deep, deep, deep playlists and Sirius doesn't do that. I too would like deeper playlists, but since I was a Sirius customer first, I learned to enjoy the music because of a lack of commercials and the vast number of genres to choose from. My musical taste has expanded incredibly since owning Sirius.

As a result, I never, ever stay with a station for long and choose a particular channel by where my mood leads me. Old Rock, New Rock, New Wave, Alternative, Punk, Garage, Singer/Songwriter, Jazz, New Jazz, Standards, Classical, New Age, even Country - I've listened to each one at least once in the last month.

Plus, I'm a Stern fan for 20 years, and he's the number one reason I subscribe. He makes me laugh on a daily basis, and more laughter in the world is a good thing. As long as he's on the air, Sirius has me as a subscriber. I know others feel differently, and they are welcome to feel that way.

And as far as the O&A thing is concerned; they just lost every affiliate they had on FM, I'm sure giving them Stern sized accomodations is not high on the priority list for Sirius XM. Sucks for them and their fans, but them's the breaks.
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#63
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5/28/09 at 3:47pm
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Re: Opinion: The demise of satellite radio

Jeff,

As a O&A fan I just want to clarify what happened to them....

They lost all their affiliates because one, in souring economic conditions
the show was becoming too expensive to carry and two, once their
home station in NY changed formats, they dropped Opie and Anthony
despite that the show ratings were up. Once they were dropped from
their home station, there were no more affiliates.

Sirius has benefited from Opie and Anthony with increased subscriber
numbers since they left FM radio.

I used to be a huge Stern fan, but all he does is talk about himself
and the rest of the staff just kisses his ass. He is no longer edgy for me.

However, it's inevitable that some will love him some will hate O&A
(and vise-versa).
Ronald J Epstein
Home Theater Forum co-owner
Email me at: repstein@hometheaterforum.com 
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#64
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5/29/09 at 5:46am
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Re: Opinion: The demise of satellite radio

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronald Epstein
Jeff,

As a O&A fan I just want to clarify what happened to them....

They lost all their affiliates because one, in souring economic conditions
the show was becoming too expensive to carry and two, once their
home station in NY changed formats, they dropped Opie and Anthony
despite that the show ratings were up. Once they were dropped from
their home station, there were no more affiliates.

Sirius has benefited from Opie and Anthony with increased subscriber
numbers since they left FM radio.

I used to be a huge Stern fan, but all he does is talk about himself
and the rest of the staff just kisses his ass. He is no longer edgy for me.

However, it's inevitable that some will love him some will hate O&A
(and vise-versa).

Whatever. They lost over 20 affiliates in 2 1/2 years, most of which preceded the financial crisis. They never broke the top 5 mornings 12+ in any affiliate, never mind their home town, where they never broke the top 10. Their terrestrial "experiment" was a complete and utter failure, no matter what excuses they give. But that's neither here nor there; I'm not here to argue Stern vs. O&A. It's like arguing the New York Yankees vs. the Toledo Mudhens.

And what "increased subscriber numbers" are you talking about? Sirius XM has been losing subs for at least 2 quarters now.
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#65
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5/29/09 at 6:44am
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Re: Opinion: The demise of satellite radio

I have to dismiss comments that the O&A show
terrestrial experiment failed miserably -- especially
when there have been offers for their return.

They have also recently been discussing how Sirius
management has been patting them on the back for
bringing many listeners over to satellite since their
departure from FM.

I'll respect the fact you like Howard and I an certain
you will do the same for my preferences -- but some
of these stats are not true and discussed on the show
regularly.
Ronald J Epstein
Home Theater Forum co-owner
Email me at: repstein@hometheaterforum.com 
To View My Massive DVD Collection Click Here
HTF Rules and Regulations
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#66
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5/29/09 at 6:53am
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Re: Opinion: The demise of satellite radio

Whatever, the ratings were what the ratings were. Never breaking the top 10 (actually hovering around 15-20) in your time slot in your own home town will not sustain 20 national affiliates, no matter who you are. They can spin the ratings however they want, but Arbitron is Arbitron, and that's what advertisers use.

But like I said, I'm not here to argue Yankees vs. Mudhens. The facts are the facts, and you are entitled to your interpretation, as am I.
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#67
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5/29/09 at 10:10am
  • Joined: July 1999
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Re: Opinion: The demise of satellite radio

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Gatie
lack of commercials

My SO has XM/Sirius in his car which we drive on weekends. I've mentioned before how I have little use for it since their classical selection has gone from bad to worse. And while there may be no commercials, it seems the amount of mind-numbing idiotic chatter has more than compensated. For instance, on the alternative station, they do a top 18 on the weekends of the most requested songs of the week. It seems that between every song, they do the stupid "Alt 18" jingle ad nauseum (it reminds me of the radio jingle spoof on Family Guy!) and then sit and talk about the top 18 countdown for a while. And on top of that they have "guests" that merely take up more time talking about absolutely nothing.

So while it may be non-commercial, it feels like commercial FM in that one spends most of the time jumping from one station to another to another looking for one that's actually playing music, and hopefully a song you haven't already heard dozens of times in the last few days.

...And then there's the guy who saw the sign that said "Wet Floor", so he did.

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#68
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5/29/09 at 10:34am
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Re: Opinion: The demise of satellite radio

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Gorman
My SO has XM/Sirius in his car which we drive on weekends. I've mentioned before how I have little use for it since their classical selection has gone from bad to worse. And while there may be no commercials, it seems the amount of mind-numbing idiotic chatter has more than compensated. For instance, on the alternative station, they do a top 18 on the weekends of the most requested songs of the week. It seems that between every song, they do the stupid "Alt 18" jingle ad nauseum (it reminds me of the radio jingle spoof on Family Guy!) and then sit and talk about the top 18 countdown for a while. And on top of that they have "guests" that merely take up more time talking about absolutely nothing.

So while it may be non-commercial, it feels like commercial FM in that one spends most of the time jumping from one station to another to another looking for one that's actually playing music, and hopefully a song you haven't already heard dozens of times in the last few days.

I'm sorry it doesn't work for you. I must be listening to different stations at different times, because the stations I listen to either have no DJ's (Bridge, Spa, Coffee House, etc.), or the DJ's are minimal and interesting (Sinatra, Underground Garage, Classics, etc). I stay away from the Decades over 50 and most of the "modern" stations. And I don't listen to any "special" programming like countdowns, except Marky Ramone's Punk Rock Blitzkrieg Extravaganza. Matter of fact, the only annoying DJ I can think of is Madison, so First Wave goes bye-bye when she's on.
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#69
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5/29/09 at 3:04pm
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Re: Opinion: The demise of satellite radio

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Gatie
the only annoying DJ I can think of is Madison, so First Wave goes bye-bye when she's on.
Funny you should mention her. I believe she's the one that when she started talking, I said to my SO "If they're paying her anything, she's overpaid"

...And then there's the guy who saw the sign that said "Wet Floor", so he did.

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#70
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5/31/09 at 7:28pm
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Re: Opinion: The demise of satellite radio

It proved invaluable to me again today. As all the local radio news stations were flipped over on Sundays to just prepaid ads, it's easy to find NEWS on SIRIUS on Sunday. Considering there was an APB in my city today over a shooting (nationwide attention, but let's not go there for political reasons) I was interested to keep on top of the news. This is one case where I flipped over to AM to see what was going on.

Let me add something to this: for years, I've had seven radio stations programmed into my car radio, all AM. I don't have a single FM station saved outside of SIRIUS.

Not a single local news station was doing live reporting - something I figured they would. But on SIRIUS.. wall to wall. 4 channels with everything from live reporting to talk back to call in. Genious. I was better served locally by a satellite company then I was any local outlet. Take that!
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#71
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6/5/09 at 7:32am
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Re: Opinion: The demise of satellite radio

I find it compltely bizzare when on the Classical station (XM78). They've got the DJ rapping like he's on AltNation (XM47). I find that incredibly funny (not in a good way) and totally takes me out of my classical mood. They only time I want to hear the DJ on the classical station talking is when he is providing some sort of imput to the music I am listening to. Having a classical DJ cracking lame jokes between songs is really uncalled for.

What XM/Siris should be doing, now that they have merged, is breaking out the classical station into 6 or more seperate genres similar to what Pandora does. it would be so cool to have classical station like;

Violin Concertos
Piano Concertos
Vocal Music
Symphonic, Romantic era
Symphonic, Classical Era
Baroque
Gregorian Chant
Chamber Music
Pops
and so on...

Mark F. Leiter

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#72
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6/8/09 at 4:57am
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Re: Opinion: The demise of satellite radio

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Leiter
breaking out the classical station into 6 or more seperate genres

I've always thought they should at least split it out into separate stations based on general eras/timeframes. I can only handle so much baroque and pre-baroque music before my head explodes. On the other hand, they hardly seem to care enough to provide one classical station, much less 5+.

...And then there's the guy who saw the sign that said "Wet Floor", so he did.

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#73
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6/11/09 at 12:05pm
  • Joined: June 2001
  • Location: Fairfax, VA
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Re: Opinion: The demise of satellite radio

I was an XM subscriber but had to cancel when I sold my BMW X-3. I used the Blitzsafe Adaptor in order to use XM in a Sirius pre-wired car. Alas, my new X-3 has navigation and the adaptor is not compatible. Now I have to buy the BMW Sirius radio for about $500. What upsets me is one of favorite stations is NOT on the Sirius lineup but still on XM and that is Cinemagic.
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