Sirius XM News » xm

XM Radio Website Down

SXMN — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:45:02 +0000

It looks like the XM Radio website is down right now. Not sure if they are turning off the switch or if there are server issues.

Will Update as information becomes available.

Update: Looks like it is just down for Maintenance, possible getting ready for Best of Both.

Update 2: Website is back online now.

XM Satellite Radio Reaches Agreement with Holders of a Majority of Outstanding 9.75% Senior Notes Due 2014

SXMN — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:22:59 +0000

XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., the nation’s
leading satellite radio company, today announced that it had entered
into a written agreement with holders of a majority of XM Satellite
Radio Inc.’s outstanding 9.75% Senior Notes due 2014. Pursuant to the
agreement, these holders have agreed to waive XM’s change of control
repurchase obligation of the 9.75% Notes with respect to the
consummation of the previously announced merger of XM Satellite Radio
and Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. Pursuant to the terms of the indenture
governing the 9.75% Notes, the waiver is effective for all holders of
the 9.75% Notes.

The waiver provides that, promptly following the closing of the
merger, XM will commence an offer to exchange the 9.75% Notes for a
combination of at least $400 million of cash and up to $200 million
aggregate principal amount of a new series of senior notes to be issued
by XM. The waiver is subject to the consummation of the merger and the
satisfaction of certain conditions in connection with various other
merger-related refinancing transactions to be undertaken by XM prior to
August 31, 2008. If the merger and the satisfaction of such other
conditions have not occurred by August 31, 2008, the waiver, unless
extended, will cease to be effective.

The exchange notes will mature in 2014, or 2013 in certain
circumstances. The yield to maturity on the exchange notes (calculated
solely on the basis of interest rate on the exchange notes and the
price at which they are offered in exchange for 9.75% Notes) will be
calculated on the basis of the selling price of and interest rate on
certain other senior notes expected to be issued by XM in connection
with its merger-related refinancing transactions. The effective yield
on the exchange notes will not be less than 13.92% per annum. In the
event that XM issues less than $150 million aggregate principal amount
of other senior notes in connection with its merger related refinancing
transactions, the effective yield on the exchange notes will not be
less than 15% per annum.

The senior notes expected to be issued by XM will not be registered
under the United States Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered
or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable
exemption from registration requirements.

Nothing in this press release should be construed as a solicitation
of an exchange or offer to purchase, or an offer to sell, any of XM’s
or XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc.’s securities. Any offer to
exchange, purchase or sell any of XM’s or XM Satellite Radio Holdings
Inc.’s securities will be made only upon the terms and conditions set
forth in an offering document related thereto.

MLB All-Star Game to Air Nationwide on XM Satellite Radio

SXMN — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:26:52 +0000

Baseball fans across the U.S. can tune into XM Satellite Radio for
comprehensive coverage of the 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Week
in New York City, including the 79th MLB All-Star Game at Yankee
Stadium on July 15.

XM will air the All-Star Game, the Home Run Derby, and exclusive
radio coverage of the XM All-Star Futures Game, featuring the top
minor-league prospects from the U.S. and abroad.

XM’s baseball talk radio channel MLB Home Plate will be live from
New York starting July 12 with Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. at the
All-Star FanFest at the Javits Center in Manhattan.

Cal and his brother and fellow major-league vet Billy Ripken will
host their weekly XM show “Ripken Baseball” at the XM broadcast booth
in the convention center this Saturday 10-11 am ET. The Ripkens’ guests
will include the Yankees’ Hall of Famer Whitey Ford.

The MLB Home Plate channel (XM 175)’s on-air team will host shows at
FanFest, Yankee Stadium, and the XM studios at Jazz at Lincoln Center
July 12-16.

This year’s Midsummer Classic will be the fourth and final All-Star
Game played at Yankee Stadium as the team prepares to open a new
stadium in 2009. Pre-game ceremonies at the “House That Ruth Built”
will include the largest gathering of baseball stars on one field at
the same time.

“The All-Star Game this year is especially historic because it’s the
last one to be played on the most hallowed ground in baseball,” said
Eric Logan, XM executive vice president, programming. “We will have
wall-to-wall coverage of All-Star events in New York for five days
straight. It’s all part of our mission to bring every MLB game to
millions of listeners across the country.”

XM airs every game for every MLB team throughout the regular season
and postseason. XM’s MLB Home Plate channel covers the game 24 hours a
day, 365 days a year. XM is the exclusive satellite radio provider of
Major League Baseball.

MLB All-Star Week on XM Satellite Radio on-air schedule:

Saturday, July 12 – Wednesday, July 16: MLB Home Plate (XM channel
175) live from DHL All-Star FanFest, Yankee Stadium, and Jazz at
Lincoln Center in New York

  Sunday, July 13: XM All Star Futures Game at 12:30 pm ET on XM 175  Monday, July 14: State Farm Home Run Derby at 8 pm ET on XM 176  Tuesday, July 15: 79th MLB All-Star Game at 8 pm ET on XM 176

uXM iPhone Beta Released!

SXMN — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 02:55:42 +0000

Millard Software has released uXM beta v .53 for for iPhone and iPod Touch today.

The application is for jailbroken iphones and allows you to enjoy XM Satellite Radio on your iPhone or iPod Touch as long as you have firmware version 1.1.4.

An XM subscription is obviously required.

Millard also noted that there are still a few bugs being worked out, such as some channel logos not loading and the stream sometimes quitting after 30 minutes.

However, this will definitely get you through until July 11th when XM releases their official iPhone app in the App Store.

To Download:

Note: Your iPhone must be jailbroken.

- uXM is located in the iSpazio repository.

- Or, you can add the following repository to your Installer.app:

http://www.millardsoftware.com/iphone.xml

Select uXM – iPhone edition from the Multimedia Section.

[Via:ismashphone.com]

Major-League Stars Derek Jeter and David Ortiz Throw Caps into Ring to Campaign for XM Baseball

SXMN — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:54:06 +0000

XM Satellite Radio launches election-themed marketing campaign to promote every MLB game, every team on XM

XMBaseball.com invites fans to send personalized audio messages from ‘candidates’ Ortiz and Jeter

This hard-fought election year just got more interesting. New York
Yankees captain Derek Jeter and Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz have
tossed their caps into the ring to campaign for XM Satellite Radio.

The “race” is the new multimedia marketing campaign from XM, the
official satellite radio network for Major League Baseball. XM airs
every game for every MLB team throughout the season and postseason for
its 9 million subscribers nationwide.

A new XM TV spot offers a parody of election ads with Ortiz
campaigning for the “Every Game” platform, while Jeter stumps for
“Every Team.” The TV spot and online ads are premiering this week.

Starting today, baseball fans can visit the new web site http://www.xmbaseball.com/
to choose Jeter or Ortiz for the President of XM Baseball, and send
their friends a personalized audio message from their candidate.

At XMBaseball.com, you enter your name and your friend’s name, your
favorite teams, and hobbies. Then you can send your friend a
personalized phone call from candidate Ortiz or candidate Jeter.

Coming soon, the web site will let you upload a personal photo and
create a bobblehead image with your favorite team’s uniform. With your
bobblehead image, you will be able to star in your own campaign video
as the running mate for Jeter or Ortiz, and share it with your friends.
You will also be able to create a voicemail greeting from the
candidates, or download a customized ringtone.

You can reach the web site by visiting XMBaseball.com, JeterForPresident.com or OrtizForPresident.com.

Technorati Tags: xm radio, derek jeter, david ortiz, jeterforpresident.com, ortizforpresident.com

XM’s ‘Oprah & Friends’ Wins Three Gracie Awards® from the American Women in Radio & Television

SXMN — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 17:38:50 +0000

Host Dr. Maya Angelou, “The Gayle King Show” and Producer Annette Flournoy Recognized for Outstanding Achievement

American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT) has honored XM Radio’s
exclusive “Oprah & Friends” channel with three national Gracie
Awards, it was announced by Harpo Radio and XM. On-air hosts Dr. Maya
Angelou, “The Gayle King Show” and “Oprah & Friends” producer
Annette Flournoy were named among the recipients of the 33rd Annual
Gracie Awards, which recognize exemplary programming created for women,
by women and about women in all facets of electronic media, as well as
individuals who have made contributions to the industry.

“On behalf of everyone at Harpo Radio, I congratulate Dr. Angelou,
Gayle and ‘The Gayle King Show’ staff, and Annette for this special
honor. These talented individuals have helped make the programming on
‘Oprah & Friends’ some of the best in radio,” said John Gehron,
General Manager, Harpo Radio. “We’re especially proud that this is the
second year in a row that ‘Oprah & Friends’ is being honored with
multiple Gracie Awards.”

Award-winning author, actress and activist Dr. Maya Angelou has been
recognized with the “Individual Achievement Award for Outstanding Host
(Information)” for her weekly XM program, “The Dr. Maya Angelou Show.”

Media personality and O, The Oprah Magazine Editor-at-Large Gayle
King and the production staff for King’s popular daily XM program, “The
Gayle King Show,” have received the award for “Outstanding Talk Show.”

Harpo Radio producer Annette Flournoy has also been recognized with
the “Individual Achievement Award for Outstanding Producer (News Series
of Special)” for her work on the “Oprah & Friends” channel.

The 33rd Annual Gracie Award winners will be presented on May 28, 2008, in New York, NY.

For more information regarding XM’s “Oprah & Friends” channel, including show descriptions and descriptions, please visit http://www.xmradio.com/oprah or http://www.oprah.com/xm.

Technorati Tags: xm, oprah and friends, harpo, Gracie Awards

NAB Wants National-Only Rule For Satellite Radio

SXMN — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 17:55:14 +0000

Hey, here is a great idea! Let’s stall this merger longer and make some more rules for this merger!

February 15, 2008: Saying a
combined XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio may well have
“different needs and incentives for the use of terrestrial repeaters”
than they do as separate companies — including “a heightened desire to
offer locally oriented programming, including local advertising” — the
NAB is asking the FCC to adopt final repeater rules that block the
satcasters from offering local content on their repeater networks.

The NAB’s FCC filing continues, “In adopting final rules for
[satellite digital audio radio service] repeaters, it is also necessary
that the commission be mindful of the SDARS licensees’ record of
misbehavior in this area.”

In XM’s case, that “misbehavior” includes, says the NAB, 19
unauthorized repeaters, 142 repeaters in unauthorized locations, at
least 221 repeaters operating at power levels exceeding authorized
levels, and unauthorized extra antennas or too-tall antennas at a
number of repeater stations — all of which, the NAB says, XM has
admitted.

Meanwhile, Sirius, according to the NAB filing, has acknowledged
having 11 repeaters in locations that “differ slightly from the
[Special Temporary Authority] — more than half of them within two
miles of their reported sites.” But, the filing continues, “Closer
examination reveals that of the 11 repeaters in question, eight are
located at least 1.4 miles away from their authorized locations, four
are places at least five miles from their reported locations, and one
in Lansing, MI, was deployed 67 miles away from its FCC-authorized location.” (NAB’s emphasis.)

In light of these “historical failures to comply” with repeater and
other rules — and “the expected negative consumer impact of their
pending merger” –the NAB says it is important that the FCC impose
requirements on XM and Sirius “as needed, with appropriate enforcement
mechanisms.”

The NAB notes that, back in 1997, the FCC said repeaters must be
“complementary” to satellite service “in order to prevent an SDARS
licensee’s network of terrestrial repeaters from transforming into an
independent terrestrial network” and ruled that satellite radio
transmission of local programming “would be inconsistent with the
allocation of this spectrum.” Says the NAB, “The conclusion was sound
then, and remains so today.”

The NAB is asking the FCC to codify language suggested by XM and
the NAB that reads, “SDARS repeaters are restricted to the simultaneous
retransmission of the complete programming, and only that programming,
transmitted by the satellite directly to the SDARS subscribers’
receivers, and may not be used to distribute any information not also
transmitted to all subscribers’ receivers.”

Along with the language, the NAB would also like the FCC to “assure
the public that it will carefully monitor and enforce the SDARS
licensees’ compliance with this and all final repeater rules,
especially given their historical pattern and practice of violating the
terms and conditions of the STAs governing their terrestrial
repeaters.”

In the same filing, the NAB expresses its opposition to allowing
Sirius to feed some of its repeaters by way of third-party satellites
and to letting it add repeaters in Alaska and Hawaii, where, the NAB
acknowledges, it is “virtually impossible” to receive a Sirius signal.
Allowing those repeaters would, says the NAB, “contradict the
commission’s long-established purpose for terrestrial repeaters as
‘gap-fillers’” for a national satellite service.

[Via Radioink.com]

What a joke….

Technorati Tags: sirius xm news, fcc, nab, sirius, xm

XM Launches New Shows on The Power (XM Channel 169) – The Only National Radio Channel Dedicated to African-American Talk

SXMN — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 18:35:14 +0000

XM Adds Tavis Smiley, Kojo Nnamdi, Blanche Williams and the 2 Live
Stews to Lineup Anchored by Top Shows Featuring Joe Madison, Reverend
Al Sharpton and Warren Ballantine

XM Radio, the nation’s leading provider of satellite
radio, today announced that beginning Monday, February 11th, the lineup
for The Power (XM Channel 169), the only national 24-hour radio channel
exclusively dedicated to African-American talk programming, will be
expanded to include new shows featuring Tavis Smiley, Kojo Nnamdi,
Blanche Williams, and the sports talk radio duo The 2 Live Stews. The
Power already broadcasts top shows featuring renowned hosts Joe
Madison, the Reverend Al Sharpton and Warren Ballantine.

“XM is proud to be the home of The Power, which is the only national
radio platform devoted to African-American talk,” said Kevin Straley,
SVP of Talk Programming for XM. “These new shows underscore XM’s
commitment to providing a deep selection of diverse programming for
listeners nationwide.”

The Tavis Smiley Show, from Public Radio International and broadcast
weekly on The Power on Saturday 11 am to 1 pm and 7 pm to 9 pm ET with
an additional airing on Sunday from 1 pm to 3 pm ET, delivers a
high-energy exchange of views, information, and insight hosted by Tavis
Smiley, along with special reports and regular commentators Cornel
West, Connie Rice, Eddie Glaude, Deroy Murdock, Dr. Rachael Ross, Omar
Wasow, Kimberle Williams Crenshaw, Antonio Gonzalez and George Johnson.
The show’s hallmark is a substantive, provocative and insightful
exploration of issues that matter from politics, health, finance,
sports, technology and pop culture.

The Kojo Nnamdi Show will be broadcast weekdays on The Power from 7
pm to 8 pm and 11 pm to 12 midnight ET. His show, originating from WAMU
88.5 FM in Washington, DC, features news, political issues and social
trends of the day. Nnamdi, a native of Guyana and a longtime Washington
broadcast personality, lends a global perspective to front page
headlines, explores emerging stories before they become mainstream news
and provides guests a platform to discuss unique topics and new points
of view.

Doug and Ryan Stewart, known nationwide as The 2 Live Stews, are
revolutionizing the world of sports talk radio. Made available to XM by
Sporting News Radio and heard each weekday on The Power from 4 pm to 7
pm, these two brothers and former athletes bring a fresh approach to
sports radio with high-energy talk, exclusive interviews with athletes
and celebrities, and hot topics that bring something new to the “old
school” sports talk format.

Greatness By Design, hosted by Blanche Williams, airs each Saturday
on The Power from 6 pm to 8 pm ET. Williams shines a spotlight on the
extraordinary lives of African-American women and men whose stories
challenge people to achieve their personal best. The author and
empowerment facilitator seeks to inspire and energize her listeners
with true stories about overcoming adversity and building a path toward
success.

A complete programming schedule for The Power, including show descriptions and times, is available online at http://www.xmradio.com/onxm/channelpage.xmc?ch=169.

“The Power” is also featuring special shows throughout the month of
February as part of XM’s Black History Month programming, which
features a variety of music, talk and entertainment content
highlighting the lasting contributions of African-Americans. More
information about Black History Month on XM is available online at http://www.xmradio.com/bhm.

The Tavis Smiley Show and The Kojo Nnamdi Show are made available to
XM through American Public Radio, a partnership of Public Radio
International, Chicago Public Radio®, WGBH Radio Boston and WNYC, New
York Public Radio®. The Joe Madison Show, The Al Sharpton Show and The
Warren Ballantine Show are made available to XM through Syndication
One, a subsidiary of Radio One.

Clear Channel still holding up Sirius Xm Merger

SXMN — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 03:18:34 +0000

I don’t know why Clear Channel is so afraid of the Sirius Xm Merger, but they continue to file complaints with the FCC.

This is the Latest complaint to the FCC.

A few Quotes from the complain with a link to the full PDF.

REGARDLESS OF HOW ONE DEFINES THE MARKET, THE PROPOSEDXM-SIRIUS MERGER RAISES SERIOUS COMPETITION ANDTELECOMMUNICATIONS POLICY CONCERNS. THE FCC SHOULD NOTGRANT THE LICENSE TRANSFER APPLICATION.

THE PROPOSED XM-SIRIUS MERGER IS PER SE ANTICOMPETITIVE
UNDER A NATIONAL PAY RADIO MARKET DEFINITION.

IF THE MARKET IS DEFINED AS ALL RADIO SERVICES, THE ENORMOUS
SPECTRUM ADVANTAGE POSSESSED BY THE MERGED SATELLITE
RADIO COMPANY WOULD UNDERMINE THE ABILITY OF FREE, OVERTHE-
AIR RADIO TO DISCHARGE ITS CORE PUBLIC INTEREST
OBLIGATIONS TO PROVIDE A LOCALLY-FOCUSED AND DIVERSE
SERVICE.

IF THE MARKET IS DEFINED AS ALL AUDIO SERVICES, TERRESTRIAL
BROADCAST RADIO IS UNDER EVEN MORE INTENSE COMPETITIVE
PRESSURE BECAUSE IT REMAINS TIGHTLY REGULATED WHEREAS ALL
OF ITS COMPETITORS ARE ESSENTIALLY UNREGULATED.

HD RADIO IS NOT A MEANINGFUL THREAT TO SATELLITE RADIO – NOT
NOW AND LIKELY NOT FOR SOME TIME, AND A COMBINED XM-SIRIUS
COULD ABUSE ITS MARKET POWER TO IMPEDE THE GROWTH OF HD
RADIO.

WERE THE COMMISSION TO CONSIDER SERIOUSLY GRANTING THE
LICENSE TRANSFER APPLICATION, IT SHOULD IMPOSE STRINGENT
CONDITIONS.

What are these guys so afraid of? Is it actually Sirius and XM merging or is the the Government Officials that they donate money to?

I believe this is the longest merger in US history. It has been over one year now. By the time this merger gets a verdict there will be no companies to merge.

Link to PDF.

Technorati Tags: sirius xm merger, fcc, clear channel, anti merger, sirius, xm

Super Tuesday Wall-to-Wall Coverage on XM Radio’s Presidential Election Channel ‘POTUS ’08′

SXMN — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:52:41 +0000

XM Satellite Radio’s presidential election channel POTUS ’08 will
provide wall-to-wall coverage of the Super Tuesday contests on February
5 as voters go to the polls in 24 states.

POTUS ’08 is the first radio channel devoted exclusively to news and
commentary about the 2008 election. The non-partisan, commercial-free
channel airs nationwide on XM channel 130.

POTUS ’08 hosts Rebecca Roberts, Joe Mathieu, and Adrienne Mitchell
will anchor the Super Tuesday coverage from the XM studios in
Washington, D.C. POTUS ’08′s Scott Walterman will be in Los Angeles to
cover the California primaries, while fellow anchor Tim Farley will be
in Manhattan to report on the results in New York state.

Tammy Haddad, the veteran network TV political producer and media
commentator, will host the latest edition of “High Definition Politics”
on POTUS ’08 on Tuesday at 6:00 pm ET/3:00 pm PT. Haddad’s guests for
the hour- long special will include CNN political correspondent Jessica
Yellin; Bob Shrum, presidential campaign adviser for Al Gore and John
Kerry; Todd Harris, presidential campaign adviser for Fred Thompson and
John McCain’s 2000 bid; Mike Allen, chief political correspondent for
The Politico; and Alexandra Stoddard, political analyst and associate
editor for The Hill.

POTUS ’08 contributors from the Washington Post, FOX News, Los
Angeles Times, the polling firm Zogby International, National Journal,
and Campaigns & Elections’ Politics magazine will report news from
Super Tuesday states across the nation. Bloggers and podcasters will
weigh in with opinions and analysis.

As a public service, XM broadcasts the POTUS ’08 channel for free to
all XM radios. Those who do not have XM radios can listen to POTUS ’08
for free for two weeks at http://www.xmradio.com/potus. The channel’s name (pronounced “POH- tus”) is a term used by White House staff for President of the United States.

Technorati Tags: super tuesday, xm radio, xm, satellite radio, election