SIRIUS Will Be Exclusive North American Radio Broadcaster of F1
Races
will be available for first time to U.S. radio audience; Grand Prix
events to air nationwide exclusively on SIRIUS channel 125

SIRIUS Satellite Radio and Formula One Management have
entered into an agreement that will make SIRIUS the exclusive North
American radio broadcaster of all FORMULA 1 (F1) races, marking the
U.S. radio premiere of the high-profile sport.

SIRIUS’ F1 schedule kicks off this weekend with live coverage of the
Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo (Sunday, May 25 at 8:00 am ET), one of
the world’s most prestigious and challenging motor racing events,
exclusively on SIRIUS channel 125. Often referred to as the crown jewel
of F1, the Monaco Grand Prix is one of the only street circuits in use.
SIRIUS will broadcast the entire remainder of the 2008 calendar’s races
live nationwide on SIRIUS 125, including the first-ever F1 night race,
being held in Singapore on September 28.

“We are
very happy to be associated with SIRIUS Satellite Radio, and that they
will broadcast our races into North America,” said Bernie Ecclestone,
Chief Executive of Formula One Management.

“FORMULA
1 is a worldwide spectacle, blending international backdrops and
advanced automotive technology from some of the best brands in motor
racing with extremely talented drivers racing the world’s most
challenging circuits,” said Scott Greenstein, SIRIUS’ President of
Entertainment and Sports. “SIRIUS is thrilled to deliver the
high-profile excitement of F1 to our subscribers, with live coverage of
races from each exotic location, giving North American racing fans
unprecedented access to this unique sport.”

The FIA FORMULA 1
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP is the highest end of open wheeled motor racing and
a single season can consist of a series of 18 races, known as Grands
Prix, run from March to November on road course circuits, and in a few
cases on closed city streets. The cars race at high speeds, exceeding
200 mph, and the results of each race are combined to determine two
annual World Championships, one for drivers and one for constructors
(teams).

The
reigning drivers’ champion is FERRARI driver Kimi Raikkonen of Finland,
who is currently the top points holder this season (35), ahead of
FERRARI driver Felipe Massa of Brazil (28) and MCLAREN/MERCEDES driver
Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain (28). The reigning constructor’s
champion is SCUDERIA FERRARI.

    2008 FORMULA 1 Motor Racing on SIRIUS:<br /><br />    Dates         Race (City)                           Channel<br />    May 25        Monaco Grand Prix (Monte-Carlo)          125<br />    Jun. 8        Canadian Grand Prix (Montreal)           125<br />    Jun. 22       French Grand Prix (Magny-Cours)          125<br />    Jul. 6        British Grand Prix (Silverstone)         125<br />    Jul. 20       German Grand Prix (Hockenheim)           125<br />    Aug. 3        Hungarian Grand Prix (Budapest)          125<br />    Aug. 24       European Grand Prix (Valencia)           125<br />    Sep. 7        Belgian Grand Prix (Spa-Francorchamps)   125<br />    Sep. 14       Italian Grand Prix (Monza)               125<br />    Sep. 28       Singapore Grand Prix (Singapore)         125<br />    Oct. 12       Japanese Grand Prix (Fuji Speedway)      125<br />    Oct. 19       Chinese Grand Prix (Shanghai)            125<br />    Nov. 2        Brazilian Grand Prix (Sao Paulo)         125<br /><br /><br /><br />

FORMULA 1 complements an extensive auto racing lineup on
SIRIUS that includes every NASCAR race, exclusive shows hosted by star
drivers Tony Stewart and Juan Pablo Montoya, plus 24 hour racing talk
on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio, channel 128.

The addition of FORMULA 1
also expands the European sports programming available to SIRIUS
listeners on channel 125, which already features English Premier League
and Champions League soccer, including every Chelsea FC match, plus
Celtic FC matches from the Scottish Premier League.

For more information visit www.sirius.com.

Here are a few Highlights. More to come later.

Cramer said he has no clue why the merger is taking so long. He talked about some other companies to invest in and he also talked about going to Harvard and about him making 100 Million Dollars.

Cramer also said he has never seen the Government come together on an issue except for this merger.

He also made a future prediction that if the merger takes place and Howard is available in every car Satellite Radio subscriber numbers will Double.

Cramer:

‘When congress gets embarassed over the fact that there

We will see about that one.

More later.

Technorati Tags: sirius xm merger news, howard stern jim cramer, mad money, satellite radio merger, stern

UPDATE! From Howardstern.com

Jim Cramer stopped by to promote “Mad Money,” and
Howard thanked him for his public support of the Sirius/XM merger. Jim
said it was no favor; he believed the FCC was stalling their approval
and scrutinizing the deal more than any other merger in history. Howard
asked Jim if the delay might have something to do with his show, and
Jim agreed, noting the polarizing effect Howard has on legislators.

Howard asked Jim how he felt about the Superbowl, and Jim
noted all the Giants players who love his show, like Michael Strahan,
and said, “It was very difficult to not love last night’s game.” Jim
said he was “too visible” to bet on the game, so Artie gloated about
his own winnings. Howard wondered if Jim had any advice for Artie’s
winnings, and Jim cited “housing,” Hudson City Bank, and Black &
Decker as the hottest investments.

— “A Moment in Time,” a month-long series of short-form programming on XM’s Gospel channel, “The Spirit” (XM 33), depicting historical events where Gospel artists have made great achievements in African-American history. Begins February 1

— “Black First,” a daily segment on XM’s classic soul channel, “Soul Street” (XM 60), that pays tribute to the accomplishments and contributions of African-American men and women, including Arthur Ashe, Alvin Ailey, A. Phillip Randolph and many others. Begins February 1

— A panel discussion exploring African-Americans in Presidential politics on XM’s talk and lifestyle channel, “Take Five” (XM 155), with insight from journalists and political experts. Airs February 3

— Episodes of XM’s popular performance/interview series “Artist Confidential” each week on “The Groove” (XM 64), showcasing the life and work of notable African-American artists, including Natalie Cole, Aaron Neville and Gamble & Huff. Begins February 4

— “Mission Songs,” a special three-part, weekly series on XM’s old school R&B channel, “The Groove” (XM 64), highlighting classic and contemporary R&B tracks with a social message, including music by Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder. Begins February 6

— An interview on XM’s “Soul Street” (XM 60) with Herman Boone, the legendary high school football coach whose career inspired the movie “Remember The Titans,” about his experience dealing with segregation and racial prejudice in the early 1960s. Airs February 6
Complete information about XM’s Black History Month programming,
including a full list of shows and schedules, will be available online
beginning February 1 at http://www.xmradio.com/BHM.

Technorati Tags: xm radio, xm, satellite radio, black history month, Gamble & Huff, Aaron Neville, Natalie Cole