• If
  you listen to your SIRIUS radio wirelessly through your vehicle’s FM
  radio, then please review the solutions listed below and select the one
  that works best for you. SIRIUS will provide you the best solution at
  no cost.

• If you use your SIRIUS radio only
  when docked in a boombox, or directly connected to your car radio or
  home stereo using audio cables or a cassette tape adapter, then no
  interference can occur and no further action is required, provided you
  have turned off your FM transmitter. To turn off the FM transmitter,
  first press the MENU button. Use the channel up/down buttons to
  highlight “FM Transmitter” and push the SELECT button. Use the channel
  up/down buttons to highlight the “FM On/Off” menu item and then press
  the SELECT button. Use the up/down buttons to highlight “FM Off” and
  press the SELECT button. To exit the “FM On/Off” menu, press the MENU
  button. Use the same procedure to turn off the FM transmitter if you use Solution 1 or Solution 2 below..

Solution 1 – Direct Wired Audio Connection:
If your vehicle radio has a “LINE IN” or “AUX IN” jack, you can use a
stereo cable to connect directly to your SIRIUS radio. This solution
is the easiest to install and provides the best audio performance.
Many newer vehicles provide the required audio input jack. It will
normally be found on or near the front faceplate of your vehicle’s
radio.

Solution 2 – Cassette Tape Adapter:
If your vehicle has a cassette tape player, you can use a cassette
adapter that allows you to play your SIRIUS radio through the cassette
portion of your vehicle radio. The adapter slips into your vehicle
radio as easily as a cassette tape and provides better performance than
a wireless connection.

Solution 3 – FM Extender Cable Kit:
An FM extender cable will provide a special transmitter antenna that
allows you obtain the best audio performance through your vehicle’s FM
radio. This solution is easy to self-install, but does require that an
easy-to-hide wire be run in your vehicle so the transmitter antenna can
be placed in close proximity to your vehicle’s radio antenna. Using
this FM Extender Cable Kit, you will continue to use your SIRIUS radio
exactly the same way as you do currently.

Solution 4 – FM Direct Adapter with Professional Installation:
An FM Direct Adapter provides a wired connection between your SIRIUS
radio and your vehicle’s radio. You will continue to listen to your
SIRIUS radio through the FM tuner of your car radio, but the FM Direct
Adapter eliminates the outside static and interference you sometimes
experience when using a wireless FM connection. This solution usually
requires professional installation. We will provide a certificate
redeemable for installation at an installation center in your area.

Please go to www.sirius.com/optimize
and select the solution that works best for you. If you have any
questions, please call 1-(877) 635-5130. Detailed instructions will be
included with your solution.

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.

SIRIUS Satellite Radio today announced preliminary
second quarter 2008 financial results, including a 25% increase in
revenue to $283 million, total subscribers in excess of 8.9 million and
a 70% decrease in its adjusted loss from operations.

As of June 30, 2008, SIRIUS had 8.924 million subscribers, an
increase of 25% from June 30, 2007 subscribers of 7.143 million. Retail
subscribers increased 7% in the second quarter 2008 to 4.677 million
from 4.365 million in the second quarter 2007. OEM subscribers
increased 53% in the second quarter 2008 to 4.247 million from 2.778
million in the second quarter 2007. Total gross subscriber additions
for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 were 1.029 million, compared to
1.002 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 and 1.003 million for
the quarter ended March 31, 2008. During the second quarter 2008 SIRIUS
added 279,820 new net subscribers, consisting of 246,221 from the OEM
channel and 33,599 from the retail channel.

Second
quarter 2008 average monthly self-pay customer churn rate was 1.6%,
down from 2.1% in first quarter 2008. The second quarter 2008
conversion rate is estimated to be approximately 48%, up from the first
quarter 2008 conversion rate of approximately 47%.

Total
revenue for the second quarter 2008 is expected to be approximately
$283 million, an increase of 25% from the second quarter 2007 total
revenue of $226 million. Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and
stock based compensation, are expected to remain approximately flat in
the second quarter 2008 as compared to the second quarter 2007. Second
quarter 2008 adjusted loss from operations is expected to be
approximately $24 million, an improvement of 70% from the adjusted loss
from operations of $79 million in the second quarter 2007.

Sirius Travel Link System Demo – In 2009 Lincoln MKS

From: CarDataVideo

ABBA Radio will feature non-stop broadcast of the ABBA song catalog
as well as exclusive and rare long-form interviews with Benny Andersson
and Bjorn Ulvaeus of ABBA
The 24/7 channel dedicated to ABBA will premiere in celebration of the worldwide release of “MAMMA MIA!” The Movie

SIRIUS Satellite Radio will launch ABBA Radio, an
exclusive channel dedicated to international pop supergroup, ABBA. ABBA
Radio will debut on Monday, July 7 at 6 pm ET on SIRIUS channel 3 in
celebration of the upcoming release of MAMMA MIA! The Movie.

Meryl Streep leads an all-star cast in the feature-film adaptation
of the beloved stage musical seen by more than 30 million people in 160
cities and 8 languages around the world. MAMMA MIA! The Movie opens in
theaters in the U.S. on July 18, 2008.

ABBA Radio will
broadcast ABBA music 24/7 for two weeks and will feature all the hits
originally performed by the group. The channel will also feature tracks
from the original cast recording of the hit stage musical phenomenon,
MAMMA MIA!. In addition, SIRIUS listeners will hear two-time Academy
Award(R)-winning actress Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, and Colin Firth
sing ABBA songs on the soundtrack to MAMMA MIA! The Movie, to be
released by DECCA on July 8, 2008.

“Thanks
to ABBA Radio on SIRIUS, both new and longtime fans have a place to
experience the original music of ABBA, together with the new songs
produced for the soundtrack to Mamma Mia! The Movie, in a distinctively
innovative way. ABBA Radio allows for our early songs to join the new
ones in harmony on SIRIUS’ national platform, and engage all
generations of listeners,” said Benny Andersson.

“A world wide
release of a movie and a soundtrack album is a once in a lifetime event
and I’m so proud that ABBA Radio on SIRIUS is following it closely,”
said Bjorn Ulvaeus. “ABBA Radio on SIRIUS is unique in that both Benny
Andersson and I have made extensive interviews for the channel and
we’ve done that for no-one else.”

“ABBA created one of the most distinctive sounds and
styles in music and has found to this day enduring international
popularity,” said Scott Greenstein, SIRIUS President of Entertainment
and Sports. “We are excited to offer ABBA Radio to SIRIUS listeners,
which will include interviews with Benny and Bjorn as well as the cast
of the MAMMA MIA! movie, and of course unprecedented access to ABBA’s
music.”

Click here for the rest of this story.

http://www.sirius.com/abbaradio

Merrill Lynch’s Glen Campbell this morning raised his rating on Sirius Satellite Radio to Buy from Hold, while slightly trimming his price target to $2.70 from $2.80. Campbell says he expect “imminent approval” from the FCC for its pending merger with XM Satellite Radio. Campbell says the upgrade reflects the recent decline in the stock and the upbeat post-merger guidance the company provided yesterday. The company sees $400 million in merger synergies, positive free cash flow before satellite cap ex and $300 million in EBITDA before stock compensation.

Campbell contends the current valuation discounts 30 million subscribers in 2017, which would be about 1 million new subs a year after 2009. He thinks that may be too low, noting that satellite radio should become more appealing and affordable post merger with tiered and a la carte pricing.

Despite the upgrade, SIRI today is unchanged at $1.92.

[Via Barron's]

SIRIUS Satellite Radio today announced financial guidance for 2009 assuming the completion of the merger of SIRIUS and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. Based upon the company’s preliminary analysis, it announced that:

– Total synergies, net of the costs to achieve such synergies, for the combined company are expected to be approximately $400 million in 2009;

– Adjusted EBITDA for the combined company is expected to be approximately $300 million in 2009. Adjusted EBITDA is net income/(loss) before interest and investment income, interest expense (net of amounts capitalized), depreciation expense, and non-cash stock compensation expense; and

– The combined company is expected to achieve positive free cash flow, before satellite capital expenditures, for the full year 2009.

To date, neither SIRIUS nor XM has reported positive adjusted EBITDA or achieved free cash flow for a full year.

“The upside potential from this merger is significant. In addition, the synergies, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow are expected to continue to grow in subsequent years, and we look forward to providing more detail of this growth in coming months,” said Mel Karmazin, SIRIUS Chief Executive Officer and the previously announced CEO of the combined SIRIUS and XM.

The closing of the pending merger remains subject to the approval from the Federal Communications Commission and satisfaction of other applicable conditions, including the refinancing of certain XM debt. On March 24, 2008, the U.S. Department of Justice informed SIRIUS and XM that it had ended its investigation into the pending merger, that it had concluded that the merger is not anti-competitive, and that it will allow the transaction to proceed. SIRIUS and XM each obtained stockholder approval for the pending merger in November 2007.

The company’s financial guidance for total net synergies, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow assumes, among other things: that the merger will be consummated in the third quarter of 2008; that XM will incur certain incremental interest expense as a result of refinancing certain of its debt; that the combined company will realize certain additional advertising and subscriber revenue synergies as a result of the merger; and that the combined company will achieve cost savings and efficiencies in nearly all aspects of its operations. No assurance can be given that any of these objectives will be met or that the amount of incremental interest at XM will not exceed that anticipated by the company. Furthermore, the company’s financial guidance also assumes that the combined company will, following the consummation of the merger, immediately take steps in nearly all operational areas to rationalize its operations and realize the expected synergies in a timely manner, but no assurance can be given that the necessary measures to realize expected synergies will be implemented in a timely manner.

When the merger was structured, the parties determined that SIRIUS would be the surviving public parent company and that XM would become a subsidiary of SIRIUS. As a result, the preponderance of XM’s existing debt will require refinancing in connection with the merger. Because of the refinancing, the combined company expects XM to incur incremental interest expense as a result of refinancing certain of its debt. Principally as a result of this higher interest expense at XM, among other factors, substantially more of the free cash flow before satellite capital expenditures in 2009 is forecast to be realized at SIRIUS, the parent company, than at XM. In addition, SIRIUS and XM expect to refinance certain debt in 2009 that is scheduled to mature during that year.

“The Sirius Everything Package” I have never seen that before. Is this a sign of the future?

Can everyone log in and verrify this please.

Attached is a screen shot

Oh and for people that don’t know the name for the new plan post merger is called the Sirius Everything Package.

Patiently waiting for the merger…….

Update: TerryMR is also saying he is seeing the Family Friendly Package in his account.

Also is You Visit the Sirius website and click on the shop link you will see this image with the listed radios.

Via: Gizmodo

You can see the official report Here.

This time he met with Jonathan Adelstein, must be one of the commissioners holding out.