Satellite Radio Services

How Satellite Radio Works

2009-05-11T18:46:00.000-07:00

As early as 1992, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) worked with companies that wanted permission to broadcast satellite-based Digital Audio Radio Service across the nation. By 1997, the FCC granted permission, and licenses, to Sirius Satellite Radio, which was CD Radio at the time, and XM Satellite Radio, which was known as American Mobile Radio.

Typically, each device through a subscription package. As the subscriber, you pick the type of package that you want and pay a monthly fee for the use of the service. The receiver is purchased separately.

Most satellite radio plans are based on your use, like for a business, marine use, navigational systems, and more. For just a satellite radio, plans are available on a one year or two year basis. Generally, discounts are available for those who pay annually, as opposed to those who pay on a month to month basis.

Additionally, you can add multiple radios to your plan at a reduced rate, which means your satellite device for your car, home, and kids all under the same bill, and at a fraction of what it would cost to purchase each one individually. In terms of car manufacturers, some cars are being equipped with a specific brand of device.

However, with the latest merger between XM and Sirius in the works, only time will tell how the sale of individual services and systems will work as the two companies join. As of now, it seems that the two companies will operate separately, but offer options to customers who would like to access the best of both networks.

Furthermore, the way that satellite radio works is that it offers you commercial free programming or limited commercials. Depending on the network you choose, you have news, sports, comedy, talk, and music channels from which you can choose.

With each package, the service works through three parts: satellites, ground repeaters, and radio receivers. Much like a satellite television service, radio works over the S-band to provide approximately 100 channels to subscribers, depending on the type of service that you have purchased.

While XM radio has two satellites, "Rock" and "Roll", Sirius radio has three satellites that allow one satellite to be positioned over the United States at all times. These send the signal to the ground repeaters or to the antennas directly.

An antenna module from each subscriber's radio works to pick up the signal from the ground repeaters and then transmit the signal to the receiver. In addition to picking up the signal and passing it along, the antenna is also used to amplify the signal and filter out any interference so that listeners get the clearest reception possible.

Although the technology continues to advance, the way that satellite radio works will continue to be fairly basic. The only part of the process that changes is the ability to get more channels and the dynamic between the satellites and the antennas and receivers.

Introduction to Satellite Digital Audio Radio service(SDARS)

2009-05-11T18:41:00.000-07:00

Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service (SDARS):

SDAR is a satellite-based direct-broadcast radio service in which
digitally encoded audio entertainment material is broadcast to
Earth-based receivers, either directly from an orbiting satellite, or from the satellite to
the receiver via a repeater station (This is a special case in which the receiver is in a
shielded location). SDARS is a radio communication service through which audio
programming is digitally transmitted by one or more space stations directly to
fixed, mobile, and/or portable stations, and which may involve complementary
repeating terrestrial transmitters, telemetry, tracking and control facilities.
Through SDARS compact-disc quality audio is available because of digital transmition
is employed.

History of Satellite Radio:

Satellite radio is an idea over a decade long. In 1992, the U.S.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allocated a spectrum in the
"S" band (2.3 GHz) for nationwide broadcasting of satellite-based
Digital Audio Radio Service (DARS). Only four companies applied for a
license to broadcast over that band. The FCC gave licenses
to two of these companies in 1997. CD Radio (now Sirius Satellite Radio) and
American Mobile Radio (now XM Satellite Radio) paid more than $80 million each
to use space in the S-band for digital satellite transmission. The first satellite based radio launched by XM on Sep 25, 2001, then followed by Sirius on July 1, 2002.

At this time, there are three space-based radio broadcasters:

Sirius Satellite Radio

XM Satellite Radio

WorldSpace Satellite Radio

Importance and significance of Satellite radio:

We all have our favorite radio stations that we preset into our car
radios, flipping between them as we drive to and from work, on errands
and around town. But when you travel too far away from the source station, the
signal breaks up and fades into static. Most radio signals can only travel about 30
or 40 miles from their source. On long trips that find you passing through
different cities, you might have to change radio stations every hour or so as the signals fade in
and out. Now, imagine a radio station that can broadcast its signal from more than 22,000 miles (35,000 km) away and then come through on your car radio with complete clarity. One could drive
nearly hundreds of kilometers without ever having to change the radio station! Not
only would you never hear static interfering with your favorite tunes, but also the
music would be interrupted by few or no commercials.

Satellite radio companies are comparing
the significance of their service to the impact that cable TV had on
television 30 years ago. Listeners won't be able to pick up local stations using
satellite radio services, but they will have access to hundreds of stations offering a
variety of music genres. Each company has a different plan for its broadcasting
system, but the systems do share similarities.

XM Satellite Radio, Sirius Satellite
Radio and WorldSpace satellite individually provides digital-audio
radio services (SDARS), with commercial-free programming, digital-audio quality, and
countrywide coverage. Each company offers nearly 100 channels of digital music and
talk radio (many of them commercial-free or with a reduced number of commercials)
that can be received from coast to coast with no service interruption. Each
offering number of music channels, these services clearly provides programming options
not available through traditional radio.

One of the main feature of SDARS is SDARS provides almost Commercial free (or Commercials are restricted) programs. And also it provides news, weather forecasts, and sports apart from
entertainment-based programs The primary application for this service is constant coast-to-coast coverage of radio for cars. We have all experienced the problem of trying to listen to radio on a long trip. Both AM and FM stations fade in and out as we drive into and out of their coverage
area. Portable full satellite radio service available now a days for
the car, home stereo and personal radio environments. Car manufacturers have been installing satellite radio receivers in some models for a few years now, and
several models of portable satellite radio receivers are available from a variety of
electronics companies.

Signal reception is generally poor as well as variable in the cases of AM or FM. With the SDARS systems, radio coverage throughout the 48 continental states is solid and continuous. Unlike
for AM and FM channels SDARS signals are available in a unique format

Subscription based radio service:

Because the technology requires access to a commercial satellite for
signal propagation; Satellite Radio services are commercial business
entities (not private parties), which offer a package of channels as part of their service
—requiring a subscription from end users to access its channels. Satellite
Radio Service can be subscribed at a monthly fee of $12.95 U.S. and up which
is very much worth full to the service that it gives.

Future of Satellite radio:

SDARS seems to get good market growth because of the following factors. Increasing
partnerships of XM and Sirius with Automobile OEM and distribution outlets made the
SDARS more popular. Introduction of more convenient hardware smaller and more
portable radios for the automobile as well as the home stereo,
computer and office and personal environments made possible at the
same time.

Home and personal use Industry promotional advertising and
awareness campaigns given the SDARS more popular. Sirius and XM now
also offer subscribers the option of listening to their programming
online. Apart from all of this,
price drop of hardware making it more affordable for after market purchase.

Satellite Radio is Rapidly Expanding

2009-05-11T18:38:00.000-07:00

Sirus Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio are the only two radio services of their kind in the United States. Let's focus on Sirus Satellite. This radio service has many channels-65 sports broadcasting channels and 69 music stations. The sports channels include news and various forms of entertainment. You can recognize a Sirus channel by the "SR" in front of the channel number. Prior to 1999, Sirus used to be called Satellite CD Radio. It was named after the most brilliant star in the sky.

Sirus began a radio service by internet that was available all around the world in 2006. in 2007, Sirus Satellite Radio decided that they should join together with XM and provide just one satellite network here in the United States.

Sirus has three satellites orbiting over North America. These satellites are where their channels are transmitted from. Also, most Sirus radios will allow you to view a picture of the artist along with information about the song. The sirus radios have several remote controls that will operate the radio.

They also, have a line of receivers that can be installed after you purchase your Sirus Satellite Radio like Sirius One and Sportster4. You will need an outside antenna to get clear reception on your radio. It should be mounted on the roof or an outer wall of the house. You can also connect XM receivers to your Sirus Satellite Radio and XM merger. One outstanding and popular receiver is the Delphi company's Roady2 receiver. This receiver fits perfectly and snuggly on your home stand and there are areas to connect an antenna. Sirus Satellite Radio comes in different typed. There are portable that you can conveniently carry with you wherever you go because they fit in your hand. These portables also have built in antennas as well as rechargeable batteries. Some of the best known portable radios are the Delphi MyFi and the Giant International Tao. There are even variations of Sirus Satellite Radio designed for your boat, such as the Galaxy style SRA-25.

Sirus is rapidly expanding and entering in to modifications that incorporate XM Satellite Radio and unlimited technologies regarding the capabilities and counterparts of the satellite radio system. There are endless possibilities for the satellite industry to explore and conquer and there is more and more hope for this modern system of Sirus Satellite Radio to reach out past the current countries it incorporates.

Satellite Radio - How Does it Work?

2009-05-11T18:30:00.000-07:00

A satellite radio, also known as a subscription radio, is a satellite communicated digital radio signal, enveloping a larger geographical scope than normal radio signals.

Satellite radio provides a valid option to terrestrial radio in certain countries, particularly the United States. Mobile services, including Sirius, XM, and Worldspace, provide the functionality for listeners to rove an entire country allowing them to tune in to the same audio programming wherever they travel.

Satellite Radio services are typically payment based and provided by business based organizations. The different services are proprietary signals, needing specific hardware for decoding and playback. Providers typically supply a selection of news, weather, sports, and music, with the music channels commonly free from advertising. In regions with a comparatively elevated populace, it is simpler and cost effective to contact the mass of the population with normal broadcasts. Consequently in the UK and several countries, the current development of radio services is focused on Digital Audio Broadcasting services or HD Radio, as opposed to satellite radio.

Currently, Sirius and XM both offer in excess of 100 channels of uninterrupted, unambiguous music without commercial intermission. Satellite radio is comparable to the dedicated radio channels offered on digital cable and satellite TV.

Lately, the regard of AM radio stations has diminished in support of the clarified FM stations. As the clarity of satellite radio is superior than that created on the FM range, it's reasonable to speculate whether normal radio will before long become outdated.

Programmers assemble playlists for specialist channels, loading them with suitable music. Yet this opening action in the broadcast procedure diverges from normal radio, where a DJ chooses and plays tracks.

The playlists are uploaded to computers, which then assign them to orbiting satellites. The music is then communicated to listeners on terra firma. Since obstacles such as large buildings and natural structures can deteriorate the signal, satellite radio providers activate a quantity of global repeaters, which improve the airwaves and strengthen the signal.

Local repeaters comparable to boosters permit signal accessibility even though the sight of the satellite is jammed, for instance, by buildings in a city. Main tunnels can too have repeaters. This process furthermore allows local programming to be transmitted such as traffic and weather in most key urban areas.

Similar to the cable-available radio, satellite broadcasts are characterized into music type. Satellite radio also presents channels devoted to comedy, sports, news, chat, and leisure. There are in addition weather and traffic channels accessible for chief U.S. cities.

In conjunction with the clarity of sound and the nonexistence of adverts, satellite radio is unrestricted. The FCC doesn't compel convention on the content broadcast through this medium, consequently, as with cable TV, each topic is open for debate without prohibition.

Satellite Radio Service Experience

2008-12-12T11:38:00.000-08:00

Satellite radio services have been in the news for quite a while, and the two main providers in the United States have gained millions of subscribers. There are still billions of people who haven’t experienced the difference between a satellite radio system and a traditional radio, though. It may cost a few extra dollars, but satellite radio services offer much more than AM/FM radio.

The most obvious difference between satellite radio services and traditional radio is the hundreds of channels that are available. The two main satellite radio providers in the United States, Sirius and XM, each offer well over 100 channels to choose from. The channels are also practically commercial-free, save for a few station identifications. With so many channels available, the satellite radio services can cater to every niche market all at once. Listeners can peruse music stations from every decade and every genre; whether it’s alternative country or mainstream top 40 or anything else they are in the mood for. There are also news, talk, traffic, weather, sports and other types of entertainment channels.

All those choices do come at a price, but the cost of a satellite radio subscription to Sirius or XM makes it possible for them to offer commercial-free broadcasting. There are also opportunities for consumers to win free satellite radio through great satellite radio sweepstakes on the Internet. Whether consumers win satellite radio or purchase a satellite radio system with a small monthly fee, they will have a whole new world of radio to listen to. Consumers can either choose a monthly or yearly subscription fee to enjoy one of the satellite radio services. Sirius and XM are planning to merge by late 2007 or early 2008 as long as they can get clearance with the FCC. If this occurs, many of the services will probably be universal as well.

Automobile dealerships and manufacturers have also begun offering different types of incentives for consumers to get auto satellite radio. Many car dealers are giving three months or even up to six months of free satellite radio services to get car buyers in on the technology. Having an auto satellite radio allows drivers to get a clear station anywhere they go without switching around, which is safer. Drivers can listen to the same station or hundreds of other stations ranging from news, music and news in better quality than AM or FM bands. To receive the digital audio streams they just need a satellite radio antenna and receiver.

It may soon even be possible for satellite radio stations to broadcast pictures and videos directly to a car or home stereo with digital broadcasting. Receiving a satellite signal is completely digital; and digital signals sounds clean static-free. The satellite radio signal is encoded and sent to the satellite, then sent back to a receiver which decoded and plays the sound. The only reason listeners may lose the signal is because the satellites are traditional on the horizons, and drivers move along the Earth’s round surface. The signal never goes out on a satellite radio system for more than a couple moments, though. And the technology will just continue to improve as time goes by.

For more information about Sirius.

Satellite radio costs

2008-07-26T05:18:00.000-07:00

Everybody has heard about satellites. But how many people heard about satellite radios? Satellite radio is a subscription radio service. It’s somehow identical to cable television, with the difference that it provides a wider range of stations not available on a standard AM / FM radio. There are many questions to be answered about satellite radios like “How does satellite radios work?”, “What kind of equipment should I purchase?” etc. but in this article I will try to answer a question that first pops up in everybody’s mind: “HOW MUCH DOES SATELLITE RADIO COST”? This is a tricky question because the cost of a satellite radio is divided in two: installation (or activation) costs and the monthly subscription fee.

Activation costs

Activation costs refers to the amount of money that are to be spent on a XM or Sirius Satellite Radio to start the service. Although you can find many promotions that allows you to save up money, the activation costs vary, being able to make the activation by phone or by World Wide Web. To be more precise, if you activate your satellite by phone, you will pay $15.00 if you choose Sirius Satellite or $14.99 by choosing XM and, as for WWW activation, the cost of goods is somehow lower: $5 with Sirius or $9.99 with XM. As for the monthly subscription costs we will discuss this below, but, before that, I must say that recent media campaigns are dramatically dropping the prices for installation and activation, both on Sirius or XM, in some cases even offering free activation.

Typical costs for a car dedicated installation

If you want to install a satellite radio into your car you are to consider buying a new satellite-ready car stereo if you don’t have one. Although many local dealers offer built-in car satellite radio, there is still the problem of having a satellite radio receiver. And these, as you may notice, cost money. It is possible though to use the existing car stereo that does not support satellite radio. How? There are two known ways of connecting the receiver to the available non-satellite radio car stereo. First, by using the radio inputs (usually the CD) and installing a control unit for tuning up the satellite radio streams. The second method consists in installing a satellite radio receiver, which broadcasts the satellite radio signal on a FM frequency. The place where you can install the receiver depends: under the seat, in your trunk, etc. taking care of connecting the receiver to the satellite radio antenna mounted on the car’s exterior.
So, there will be a minimum cost of $350.00 and a maximum of $600, like below:

Receiver $75 - $125
Radio $125 - $250
Antenna $60.00
Labor $80.00
Activation $10

Costs for a dedicated home installation

If you choose this option, that means you will have to install a dedicated stereo receiver unit, which in some cases is similar to regular AM / FM receivers. As an additional cost, you will have to buy an antenna, which can be found at a price of $60. Here is a short review of the approximate price of installing a dedicated stereo receiver unit:

Receiver $150 - $300
Antenna $60
Activation $10

Costs for a Portable Unit

Portable units gives you the ease of using you brand new satellite radio wherever you want, but, in every room you will have to own a home kit (antennas, output cables and power supplies). The price for this option is around $400.

Receiver $120
Home kit $140
Boombox x2 $100
Activation $10

Subscription costs

As for the subscription costs, it depends if you own a Sirius or XM Satellite Radio.
Subscription costs for a Sirius Satellite Radio are paid monthly where the charge is $12.95, with a low adjustment is you subscribe to a year or two. The highest number of Sirius radios that can be activated are three for $6.99 each per month. Business subscriptions are $24.99 per month. Another interesting thing is that for $499.99, Sirius is offering a life time subscription.
On the other hand, if you have a XM Satellite Radio, you will have to pay a monthly charge of $9.99. Still, some channels are to be paid separately, like Playboy Radio, which costs an additional $2.99 per month. Commercial and Business Subscriptions cost $24.99 per month.

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2008-07-26T05:14:00.000-07:00

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Canadian satellite radio

2008-06-13T11:31:00.001-07:00

While the United States initiated the satellite radio evolution, Canada is now hot on their trails. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) began hearings in 2004 for applicants ready to develop Canada’s first satellite radio broadcasting. The Canadian satellite radio industry received quite a lot of interest and in the end three main applications were filed: XM filed one in partnership with Canadian Satellite Radio and Sirius filed an application with Standard Broadcasting and the CBC. The third application belongs to CHUM Limited and Astral Media and to many came as a surprise.

That was mostly because CHUM Limited and Astral Media came up with a different solution that that proposed by Sirius and XM Radio. CHUM applied for a subscription radio service that is to be delivered through the already existing terrestrial DAB transmitters. In other words, the transmitters would be the ones receiving the satellite transmission, from where they would continue the broadcast to consumer owned receivers.

While the CHUM Limited and Astral Media proposal offers an entirely Canadian approach, the first two bring in a blend of US based technology and Canadian broadcasting channels. XM Radio and Sirius had a slight advantage in the fact that the coverage area of their satellites already existed in parts of Canada, so a small audience was already using their services.
Three satellite radio services for Canada

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) approved all three applications in June 2005, but with a series of conditions imposed to the three solicitants. Here they are as required by the CRTC:
• A minimum of 8 channels must be produced in Canada and for each Canadian channel 9 foreign channels can be broadcast.
• At least 85% of the content on the Canadian-produced channels (whether musical or spoken word) must be Canadian.
• At least 25% of the Canadian channels must be French-language stations.
• At least 25% of the music aired on the Canadian channels must be new Canadian music.
• At least 25% of the music played on the Canadian channels must be from up-and-coming Canadian artists.

The three companies had to accept these conditions as they are part of the Canadian broadcasting regulations. The US companies and their Canadian partners began negotiations for tilting the rules in their favor. One of the main offers of both the Sirius and XM Radio partnerships was that they would play 50% French content as opposed to the 25% required by the CRTC.

AS a results of the negotiations, XM Radio received 5 channels of National Hockey League Play-by-Play in addition to the channels they already had – XMs part of the deal was to cover the Canadian National Hockey League games. The fact that the US satellite industry giants were both allowed to broadcast on Canadian territory determined CHUM to appeal the decision. They motivated their action by saying that the two US companies would simply “suffocate” CHUM with their presence in Canada, not allowing any room for development for the all-Canadian company.

CHUM also complained about the deals that were cut with the two US companies. As a response, Canadian Satellite Radio and Sirius Canada said that CHUM is in fact trying to obtain monopoly over the Canadian satellite radio market for themselves.

Today’s Canadian satellite radio
One of the main complaints of the people of Canada was that the CRTC decision did not require sufficient Canadian content. This made the broadcasters come out with promises of additional French and Canadian content. The Canadian Federal Cabinet accepted the CRTC decision on September 10, 2005. XM satellite radio was launched on the 29th of November 2005 and Sirius was next on December 1.

Monthly subscription rates are $12.99 for XM with a one time activation fee of $19.99 and $14.99 for Sirius, without any activation fees. Both companies are expecting rapid increases in the numbers o subscribers, although, in spite of the extra Canadian content they added to their air time, there are still quite a few voices protesting against the potential monopoly the two companies may get to in the near future.

Playboy Satellite Radio

2008-06-13T11:21:00.000-07:00

As we can see, satellite radio is no longer a field reserved for a very small group – anyone with enough interest and financial power can participate in the digital radio revolution. Playboy Satellite Radio is one of the newest and most dynamic radio channels you can access on satellite broadcasting. Since it was launched in March of 2006, the Playboy Satellite Radio has been a huge success. Today, as Christie Hefner recently announced on the air, Playboy Satellite Radio boasts a number of over one million subscribers on the Sirius network.

One of the most impressive things about this is that the Playboy Satellite Radio channel does not come as default to Sirius subscribers and they have to select it. This is why a one million opt-in number is something amazing, especially since the regular opt-in rates are much smaller than this for other types of broadcasting. In order to choose the Playboy Satellite Radio program users have to call Sirius or opt in for it on the Sirius website.

What does the success of Playboy Satellite Radio say

Well, let’s look at it this way – if Playboy, a brand name associated by 99% of the public with something visual, can now convince over a million people to tune into their programs, it seems that they have discovered a very interesting niche there. The Playboy empire was built on the visual presentations they make and converting this “almost entirely visual” brand into something that attracts radio users is amazing.

Of course, the main Playboy brand elements are still present in the radio broadcasting, but ensuring that their traditional symbols stay unaltered is a much more difficult task. Many analysts believe that the initial success of Playboy Satellite Radio is more a fad than something that will last for years to come. That’s because the Playboy name has an irresistible attraction to many and a lot of conversions were made based on this power of magnetism alone. Another important factor that made Playboy Satellite Radio so popular is the fact that it was offered for free to users in the beginning.

The curiosity factor and the fact that the Playboy name is something cool and modern made many users opt in to receive its transmissions. Some believe that after the initial magnetic attraction will start to wear off, the impressive one million subscriber list will gradually start to decline.

What the users think of Playboy Radio

Some of the most interesting reactions to Playboy Satellite Radio can be found today on message boards, forums and personal blogs. Many users have come up with interesting explanation to why Playboy Satellite Radio was such a huge success so far and many have predictions regarding its future. One forum user wrote that “In all honesty, if XM came out with a free optional channel I could activate online, I would do it immediately. Even if it was a home decorating channel or something.

I'd just want to know it was there if I needed it.” This is an interesting view on the large subscription numbers and it might indicate that many activated Playboy Satellite Radio just because they could, not necessarily because they listen to it frequently. Another forum poster tells us about his personal experience with Playboy Satellite Radio: “I opted in out of curiosity. I was actually very surprised just how entertaining this channel really is.

The morning talk show is good, but Night Calls with Christy Canyon & Ginger Lynn is awesome!” Another idea that has been spreading around the Internet is that having a song play on Playboy Satellite Radio or appearing in a talk show is the “audio equivalent” of appearing in the pages of the Playboy magazine. In other words, if you are not sexy, successful or interesting enough to appear in one of Playboy’s pictorials, articles or interview, there’s always the Playboy Radio to turn to.

Portable Satellite Radio Breakdown

2008-05-17T11:25:00.000-07:00

With today's technology, just about any satellite radio could qualify as a portable satellite radio. However, there are a few things to look for in a portable satellite radio.

The first factor to look for in a portable satellite radio is how versatile it is. Can it be played in the car, at home, or on the go? It is able to handle more than one of those features? Is it able to handle all three? Most importantly, you need to determine which method is most significant to you.

Depending on what you like to listen to, the amount of storage on your portable hard drive may need to include space for MP3s and for recorded programming from your satellite radio channels. With commercial-free music, Sirius is the perfect way to store individual songs. If your receiver does not hold enough music, you can always purchase an additional MicroSD card for more memory.

For added features, you may choose a portable satellite radio with a color screen. Not all of them are available with it, but for those who would enjoy it, it is possible to purchase a Sirius receiver with a color screen. In addition, your display lights may even be able to match your dash lights, your personality, or any other type of customizable color that you prefer.

Typically, when a person wants a portable satellite radio, they prefer one of the Stiletto models. You can either choose from the Sirius Stiletto 100 or the Sirius Stiletto 2. Both versions of this portable radio give listeners the best of live radio and recorded songs. In addition to docking your radio in the home or in the car, you can also connect your Stiletto to any WiFi network for Sirius internet radio anywhere and at anytime.

However, the Stiletto line of portable satellite radio receivers is not the only portable choices. Many of the plug and play can be taken with you from the home to the car or even on a trip. While it has its limits, it is more versatile that other types of radios and receivers.

Once you have determined what you want in a portable receiver you will have to determine which model best fits your needs. There are only a few XM and choose from that offer this amount of flexibility. This way you can find a receiver that offers all the features, all the accessories, and all the channels you want. Typically, the more you want your portable satellite radio to do, the more it is going to cost. But, when you eliminate the need for additional equipment, like a separate MP3 player or a new radio for your car, you can easily see the value in purchasing this type of receiver.

by Bob Maines

The advantages of satellite radio

2008-05-17T10:55:00.000-07:00

One of the great advantages of satellite radio is the fact that the programs are not interrupted by commercials. This is because the provider’s income comes from listeners and not from advertisers. Satellite radio services offer around 70 programs of commercial fee music channels each and you have a great variety of choices, from mainstream rock, hip-hop and dance music to folk music, opera, blues and many more.

Another great thing about satellite radio is the absence of static. You can be driving from the West Coast to the East Coast in the United States of America and you will not get any static at all on the way. The satellite radio signal is digital, which means that you will get crystal-clear sound wherever you go.

Satellite radio tuners receive, along with the actual radio programs, an influx of metadata that consists of information regarding song title, artist, radio program and radio channel. This means that your satellite radio receiver will display all the necessary information about what you are listening to. For instance, if you hear a great song and you want to know which artist sings it, you just look at the receiver‘s display.

All satellite radio programs are uncensored. This is one of the reasons why artists like Howard Stern chose to move their shows on satellite radio. You can also listen to your favorite hip-hop songs without the interruption of those annoying ‘beep’ sounds.

Satellite radio programs also offer information about local traffic and weather conditions. The information is very detailed especially for those who live in big cities. If there is a major national calamity and other terrestrial radio stations will not work, you can always count on getting accurate information from satellite radio program. You can also listen to satellite radio online on your computer.

If you still are not convinced on why you should pay money for something that you can get for free, think about how much time you have wasted listening to commercials and all kinds of other boring stuff on terrestrial radio programs. Traditional radio is not free, despite the popular belief. It is time-consuming and irritating because you have to listen to five minutes or more of commercials so that you can finally hear a song you like. The satellite radio subscriptions are very affordable and, for around 13 dollars per month, you get exactly the programs you want, which you can listen to wherever you are, at the best sound quality.

Satellite radio is great for you especially if you travel a lot. If you are traveling across the United States of America, for example, you can listen to the channel or channels you want during your whole trip, without losing signal or getting static. If you have a traditional radio, you will have to keep changing channels every hundred miles, but if you are using satellite radio you do not have to do that because the geographically availability of programs is not a problem. Satellite radio subscribers will soon get the chance to watch video programs as well. Both Sirius and XM services have announced their intention of introducing in the near future a variety of video satellite channels that will have some of the great advantages that are currently available to satellite radio: commercial free programs, great quality of sound and vast geographical availability.