Sirius XM announced the content line-up for SIRIUS XM’s new “Best of Both” programming options. As part of “Best of Both” programming, most current XM customers will continue to receive their existing XM service, and be able to obtain select SIRIUS programming. Likewise, most current SIRIUS customers will continue to receive their existing SIRIUS service and be able to obtain select XM programming. In addition to their existing service, SIRIUS and XM subscribers will be able to purchase the following channels:
| SIRIUS on XM | XM on SIRIUS |
|---|---|
| Howard 100 | NBA * |
| Howard 101 | NHL Home Ice * |
| Martha Stewart Living | Oprah & Friends |
| SIRIUS NFL Radio * | Public Radio with Bob Edwards |
| SIRIUS NASCAR Radio | College Sports * |
| Playboy Radio | PGA Tour |
| The Virus |
* Sports offerings will also include channels for play-by-play of NBA, NHL, NFL, and College Sports games.
“Best of Both” programming will be available to satellite radio consumers beginning October 6, 2008 on most existing satellite radios at a monthly cost of $16.99. Also, the company’s full slate of new packages will be available to consumers on Oct. 6, including the opportunity to choose programming on an a la carte basis for the first time ever in subscription media.
So what happened to the promise:
“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.”
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This is not more choices nor lower prices, did I miss something.
What Sirius XM missed . . . a chance to bring the original content like OutQ to XM subscribers is missed by this merger. Why did the “Best of Both” leave out The Michelangelo Signorile Show (Daily 1-5pm CST) (blog) and ‘run on sentence’ Frank Decaro Show with Jim Colucci (Weds 12:30pm CST). The Michelangelo Signorile Show a great show with an ever growing fan base, oen of the shows XM subscribers were really hoping for and the 1/2 hour with Jim “Must See TV Guide” Colucci with the insightful television perspective that is a win-win for any Sirius XM subscriber.
What does Sirius XM thing of it’s general population? According to the “Best of Both” choices all men like sports and all women go ga-ga for Oprah and Martha Stewart. There is nothing in between, unless you count Howard Stern and is that the “Best of Both”? I just think Stern comes with a heafty monetary contract to Sirius and the merger was the attempt to aleviate some of that burden.
I guess everyone has to pay for Stern, even if you do not listen to his show. I guess you can’t blame Stern, but you can expect ‘more choices’ and higher prices without substance. Disappointing.
As far as “a la carte” didn’t cable try this and fail? I guess Radio is doomed to make the mistakes that the history of Television already tried and failed and too expensive. I guess the FCC, Sirius XM and Television Executive decision makers are a bit too young to remember.
