Sirius Xm News

From SFN.com

This is an Alpha
release, so some features are disabled such as XM radio, CD Quality
streaming, and preset persistence across platforms. This version will
cease to function at some point in time when we go full release… but
a simple re-install of the latest version will be all that is needed
when the time comes. This version will run for quite some time.

Please report any crashes in that thread.

http://forums.geekstoolbox.com/file_store/StarPlayrWin.zip

Unzip to a folder, run setup.

StarPlayr will install much faster once Framework 3.5 is present on your Windows PC as StarPlayr is very small.

Russo to headline ‘Mad Dog Radio,’ new sports talk channel on SIRIUS and XM

SIRIUS XM Radio announced today that it has signed
renowned sports talk personality Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, the former star
of the Mike and the Mad Dog show, to a five-year contract to headline a
new sports talk channel exclusively available on SIRIUS and XM.

Mad Dog’s recent departure from the market-leading Mike and the Mad Dog
has been national news in recent days — a dramatic reflection of his
loyal fan base, huge popularity and strong name recognition. Mad Dog is
known for having helped popularize the sports talk radio format across
the country and speculation on his next step has been high.

“Mad Dog’s fans are passionate about their sports and passionate
about where they get their sports news and commentary from — these are
the listeners that any audio entertainment company would want,” said
Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SIRIUS XM Radio.
“Having Mad Dog on SIRIUS and XM will fuel subscriber growth and create
new and exciting opportunities for advertisers. Choose whatever sports
analogy you want — this is a big win.”

SIRIUS
channel 123 and XM channel 144 will relaunch as Mad Dog Radio, a
reformatted channel that will cover the spectrum of sports with
engaging talk, high profile interviews, up-to-the-moment news and live
remote broadcasts from the biggest sporting events.

More Information Here: http://www.sirius.com/siriussportscentral

Allaccess.com is reporting that a source has told them Sirius XM Radio has selected the new executives who will lead the new merged company’s programing division.

JON ZELLNER will be SVP/Music Programming

JEREMY COLEMAN will be
SVP/Talk and Entertainment Programming

STEVE COHEN will be SVP/Sports
Programming

PAUL TURCOTTE will be SVP/Advertising Sales

TIM
SABEAN will continue to report directly to HOWARD STERN

President
& Chief Content Officer SCOTT GREENSTEIN in overseeing THE HOWARD
STERN CHANNELS.

GREENSTEIN said, “Please join me in congratulating these people and all
who have helped build the foundation of SIRIUS XM RADIO. Please welcome
them as we continue the exciting though challenging work of being the
nation’s best provider of audio entertainment.”

SIRIUS SVP/Music Programming STEVE BLATTER will remain with the company.

[Via: Allaccess.com Registration Required]

- Revenue of $283 Million, Up 25% Year Over Year
- Total Subscribers of More Than 8.9 Million, Up 25% Year Over Year
- Record Second Quarter Gross Additions
- Adjusted Loss from Operations Improves 70% Year Over Year

SIRIUS XM Radio today announced stand alone SIRIUS Satellite Radio second quarter 2008 financial results, including a 25% increase in revenue to $283.0 million, total subscribers in excess of 8.9 million and a 70% decrease in the adjusted loss from operations.
“Second quarter stand-alone SIRIUS results once again demonstrated that we achieved strong revenue growth and solid cost control,” said Mel Karmazin, CEO of SIRIUS. “Despite a tough economy and weak auto sales, gross additions set a new second quarter record. In the second quarter both revenue and subscribers grew 25% as compared with last year, while cash costs remained essentially flat leading to a 70% reduction in our second quarter EBITDA loss.”

“The combined company now has an annualized revenue run-rate of over $2.4 billion, making SIRIUS XM Radio one of the fastest growing and best positioned subscription media businesses. With rapid integration efforts underway, we started realizing synergies on Day 1. We expect to realize $400 million in synergies next year and see this figure growing substantially beyond 2009.”

SIRIUS ended the second quarter 2008 with 8,924,139 subscribers up 25% from 7,142,538 subscribers at the end of the second quarter 2007. Retail subscribers increased 7% in the second quarter 2008 to 4,676,814 from 4,364,646 at the end of the second quarter 2007. OEM subscribers increased 53% in the second quarter 2008 to 4,247,325 from 2,777,892 at the end of second quarter 2007. During the second quarter 2008, SIRIUS added 279,820 net subscribers.

Total revenue for the second quarter 2008 increased to $283.0 million, up 25% from second quarter 2007 total revenue of $226.4 million. Second quarter 2008 average monthly self-pay customer churn rate was 1.6%. The second quarter 2008 conversion rate was approximately 48%. SAC per gross subscriber addition was $78 in the second quarter 2008, an improvement of 27% over second quarter 2007 SAC per gross subscriber addition of $107.

Read the rest Here.

Mel Karmazin was just on Neil Cavuto’s Your World. As soon as the Video is uploaded I will try to get it posted.

From what I have heard there are reports that Mel bought 2 Million shares of Sirius Stock today at $1.37 a share. I guess he wanted to show investors that he believes in the company. The good news is that Sirius XM Radio is up in the after hours but it’s still dropping like a dead weight.

Hopefully Mel’s actions encourage people to invest in the company. I believe Sirius XM Radio has a bright future. Things are rough right now but I see things getting better.

Sirius XM Radio closed at $1.39 today.

Here is the Video:

Here are a few answers to common questions I have been reading around the net concerning the merger between Sirius and XM. Though not 100% official these answers are taken straight from press releases and interviews Mel Karmazin has done post merger.

What are the new pricing plans? Will my Monthly Bill go up now?

If you do not listen to Howard Stern (Premium Channel) there are $6.99-9.99 pricing plans, so you will actually save money on your monthly bill. You can add on optional premium channels but as long as you don’t get into any XM programing your bill will never go above the current price of $12.95. I repeat as long as you don’t add on any XM programing your bill will never go above $12.95.

So to sum up above if you are paying $12.95 now, do nothing. You will have the same programing and same price as you always had as a Sirius Subscriber.

Can I get XM channels yet? When will I be able to get XM programming?

As of right now you can not get XM channels on your Sirius Radio. There are plans for an Al La Cart system but for right now your reciever can not get transmissions from the XM Satellites. Mel said that new radios are already designed but they are not going to be available until they start mass production.

What you will be able to get is a “Best of XM” package that consists of 11 XM Channels wich will brodcast over Sirius’s current satellites. So you will not need a new radio but there will most likely be a price involved with this service. Also what 11 channels are being offered is not known at the moment.

How long before I can get MLB Radio on my current Sirius Radio? I want it now, why is it taking so long?

The MLB will not be available to Sirius right away. There are currently licensing issues that need to be worked out with no deffinate time table. The MLB will not let Sirius brodcast. So your best option is to contact the MLB and not Sirius. The same goes for NASCAR on XM.

What about Howard Stern? I’m on XM and I’ve been waiting for this day to happen, when can I hear him?

Howard Stern will be available to XM subscribers this Fall. No specific date was given yet but it could be as close as September. It’s also unclear if both Howard 100 and 101 will be included also he will not be a part of the “Best of Sirius” package since it’s considered premium content.

What about my current receiver? Do I need to buy a new one?

No not unless you need a new one. You existing WILL NOT BECOME OBSOLETE. You will still be able to enjoy Sirius or XM as you have been in the past.

What about my Lifetime Subscription?

You will still have your lifetime subscription. How it will work with different Sirius/XM packages is not known.

What about my Favorite channels? Are they going to remove channels? How will they do this?

They will be slowly merging channels from XM into Sirius programming. This means that some of your favorite channels may get replaced. If XM has a better Hip-Hop channel it may replace one of Siriu’s, but if Sirius has a better performing Country channel it will stay and replace one from XM.

No official word but the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s channels will most likely be merged and be the same on both Sirius and XM.

I have a Factory XM radio in my car with DVD Monitors, can I convert the XM Radio and Screens to Sirius Backseat TV?

NO

That is it for now, as I gather more Questions I will post them. The main question I’m trying to find out right now is how Internet Streaming will work with the newly merged companies.

Just a small update.

Pretty interesting talk, but still nothing that we already don’t know about.

Link here http://www.marksfriggin.com/news.htm#wed

I will throw some audio up later if I can find it.

Inside the details of the deal, with Mel Karmazin, Sirius Satellite Radio president/CEO

Here is a link to the video on CNBC

http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=808001565

Will have links/info on Stern and O&A as it comes in, will most likely be the same news though.

Here are some highlights from the video, nothing really new here though.

Mel says they are fully funded now, and investors will see

the value of the company.

Free cash flow positive for 2009.
New Satellite this year.

David Fabre (Interviewer) gets frustrated with him Mel throught interview.

3.5 million new subscribers per year
depending on Detroit.

Mel admits stock sucks and it’s embarassing!

Here is Audio from Mel Karmazin on Opie and Anthony

SIRIUS XM Radio Chosen as New Corporate Name
Combined Company Has Over 18.5 Million Subscribers, Annualized Second Quarter Revenue Exceeding $2.4 Billion
Company to Offer Consumers Best of Both Services, While Maximizing Significant Efficiencies
SIRIUS XM Reiterates Financial Guidance; Expects 2009 Synergies of $400 million and 2009 Adjusted EBITDA of over $300 Million

SIRIUS Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio today
announced that they have completed their merger, resulting in the
nation’s premier radio company. The new company plans to change its
corporate name to SIRIUS XM Radio Inc. The combined company’s stock
will continue to be traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the
symbol “SIRI.”

SIRIUS XM Radio begins day one with over 18.5 million subscribers,
making it the second-largest radio company, based upon revenue, in the
country; and, based upon subscribers, the second largest subscription
media business in the U.S. With under 10% penetration of the home and
car market, the opportunity for continued growth is significant.

“I
am delighted to announce the completion of this exciting merger between
SIRIUS and XM,” said Mel Karmazin, CEO of SIRIUS XM Radio. “We have
worked diligently to close this transaction and we look forward to
integrating our best-in-class management teams and operations so we can
begin delivering on our promise of more choices and lower prices for
subscribers.”

“Every one of our constituencies is a winner. Combined, SIRIUS XM
Radio will deliver superior value to our shareholders. By offering more
compelling packages and the best content in audio entertainment, we are
well positioned for increased subscriber growth. Our laser focus on
subscribers will continue and listeners can be assured that there will
be no disruption in service. We also believe that the completion of the
merger will eliminate any confusion that has been lingering in the
marketplace,” added Karmazin.

XM shareholders will receive 4.6 shares of SIRIUS common stock for each share of XM.

Competitive New Options for Consumers

SIRIUS
XM Radio broadcasts more than 300 channels of programming, including
exclusive radio offerings from Howard Stern, Oprah, Opie & Anthony
and Martha Stewart, among others. SIRIUS XM Radio will offer these
expanded options to consumers through arrangements with the world’s
leading automakers and its relationships with nationwide retailers.

As
a result of the merger, SIRIUS XM Radio will also be able to offer
consumers new packages in audio entertainment, including the first-ever
a la carte programming option in subscription media. In addition to two
a la carte options, the new packages will include: “Best of Both,”
giving subscribers the option to access certain programming from the
other network; discounted Family Friendly packages; and tailored
packages including “Mostly Music” and “News, Talk and Sports.” The
first of the new packages will be available in the early Fall.

“One
of the most exciting benefits of this transaction is the ability to
offer subscribers the option of expanding their subscriptions to
include the Best of Both services. Given the respective popularity of
exclusive programming on both SIRIUS and XM, we expect many subscribers
will upgrade their current subscription,” said Karmazin.

“The
upside potential for both consumers and shareholders is huge. Consumers
have the ease of adding premier programming without purchasing a new
device. For shareholders, this kind of organic growth is a key part of
the company’s future and the success we expect to see,” said Karmazin.

As
promised when the merger was first announced, existing radios will
continue to work and every subscriber has the option of maintaining
their current service package.

Benefits for Shareholders Begin Immediately, Integration Already Under Way

SIRIUS XM Radio expects to
begin realizing the synergies expected from this transaction immediately.

“In
addition to realizing significant potential revenue growth, the
management team will move quickly to capitalize on the synergies that
many analysts have predicted for this combination. We expect to begin
achieving those synergies without sacrificing any of the world-class
programming and marketing we are known for,” said Karmazin.

The
company today also reiterated guidance for the combined SIRIUS XM
Radio. Based upon a preliminary analysis, the combined company expects
to realize total synergies, net of the costs to achieve such synergies,
of approximately $400 million in 2009; to post adjusted EBITDA
exceeding $300 million in 2009; and to achieve positive free cash flow,
before satellite capital expenditures, for the full year 2009. The
company also expects that both synergies and adjusted EBITDA will
continue growing beyond 2009.

“We have all the
tools necessary to begin executing as a combined company with high
aspirations for subscriber growth and greater financial performance in
part from the significant synergies that we begin realizing literally
today — on Day One. We are moving quickly to integrate the
operations,” said Karmazin.

The corporate headquarters will be
located in New York, NY and XM Satellite Radio, the company’s
wholly-owned subsidiary, will remain headquartered in Washington, DC.

Effective after the close of the market yesterday, trading in XMSR common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market ceased.

This is all great news but I would like to hear from Mel about the stock that is down to $1.70 as we speak.

Straight from the FCC website is the official announcement from the FCC green lighting the merger of Sirius and XM.