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XM going Commercial Free Starting February!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by Danny, Jan 12, 2004.

  1. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    This is awesome news for everyone with XM or choosing between XM & Sirius, but I'm sure it's horrible news for Sirius.

    Same price, still $9.99/month.

    Looks like they are adding some good channels, too, and getting rid of some of the ones that, I at least, don't listen to.

    Code:
    
Dear xm Subscriber:



First, from all of us at xm, thank you for being a valued member of the xm family. 



From every vantage point xm had a spectacular 2003. Ending the year with over 1.36 million subscribers, xm Satellite Radio is one of the fastest growing entertainment media ever. Building on this tremendous momentum, we’re delighted to announce several programming content enhancements in 2004 we know you’re going to love. 



First, xm will offer 100% COMMERCIAL-FREE MUSIC beginning February 1st. With 68 commercial-free music channels, xm will deliver the most commercial-free music in satellite radio. From Rock to Jazz, Classical to Hip-Hop, Country to R&B, you’ll now enjoy more of the music you love, without commercial interruption.



Complementing the move to 100% commercial-free music will be the debut of exciting new channels, including:

* Highway 16 – Today’s top Country Hits - Ch. 16

* The Blend – Adult Contemporary Hits - Ch. 25

* Fungus – Punk Rock - Ch. 53 

* Lucy – Classic Alternative Hits - Ch. 54

* MSNBC – Global and national news - Ch. 130



We are also pleased to announce the launch of xm INSTANT TRAFFIC & WEATHER. Powered by Traffic Pulse and The Weather Channel, xm Instant Traffic & Weather will offer listeners in-depth, up-to-date information about road and weather conditions in 21 major metropolitan markets nationwide, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing greater detail and more frequent updates than available elsewhere on the radio. The first 15 metropolitan markets are available beginning March 1st. You can visit http://traffic.xmradio.com to hear report samples and learn more about this wonderful new xm service.



There’s more good news. 100% Commercial-free music, exciting new programming content, Instant Traffic & Weather – all will be included as part of your basic subscription. There are no new charges or fees. 



To accommodate these many exciting enhancements, some channels will change number, category, and/or format, or will be eliminated.

* MTV (ch. 25) and VH1 (ch. 26) will move from Hits to Variety (ch. 155 and 156, respectively).

* Spirit (ch. 63) will move from Urban to Christian (ch. 33)

* Fine Tuning (ch. 104) will move from World to Rock (ch. 49)

* xm Live (ch. 168) will move from Variety to Hits (ch. 26)

* We will no longer carry Special X (ch. 30), Aguila (ch. 90), Vibra (ch. 92), and Tejano (ch. 93).



A new channel lineup card will be mailed to you later this month. For more information about all the changes and to view a new channel lineup immediately, please visit http://lineup.xmradio.com.



Thank you again for your valued patronage and for making xm #1 in Satellite Radio.



Best Regards,

The xm Team
     
    #1 Danny, Jan 12, 2004
  2. petteri

    petteri New Member

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    It's not really BAD news for Sirius, it kind of validates thier position that people don't want ads on SAT radio. I think both services will thrive. I prefer Sirius over XM due to their superior sports coverage and talk programming. Just wishing that Toyota would add a Sirius tuner!
     
    #2 petteri, Jan 12, 2004
  3. rflagg

    rflagg Member

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    Man, I just wish they'd have that option for Sirius or XM as factory installed, instead of having to throw $500 towards either CoastalDave or Jon (xmprius.com). I'm an XM customer, but with both companies alive and doing well, it's good for the consumer, so I hope nothing but long life and prosperity for Sirius.

    Plus, rumour is going around about the price difference now - either Sirius will be lowering their rates soon, or there's also talk of XM raising rates if they're unable to meet their expectation of 2.8 mil by the end of the year. I see it more likely that Sirius would lower rates, personally, but who knows. Either way, I will not live without my satellite radio. :)

    -m.
     
    #3 rflagg, Jan 12, 2004
  4. Mitchla

    Mitchla New Member

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    There's no way I'd give up listening to NPR.
     
    #4 Mitchla, Jan 12, 2004
  5. spectre

    spectre New Member

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    Is there no NPR on XM? If so, this wouldn't be so bad, since you can pick up NPR on FM most places.
     
    #5 spectre, Jan 12, 2004
  6. Wolfman

    Wolfman New Member

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    That's awesome. I've always resented paying for a service and still being forced to put up with the commercials. It may be enough to finally tip me into buying into an XM unit.
     
    #6 Wolfman, Jan 12, 2004
  7. Mitchla

    Mitchla New Member

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    I presumed that the XM radio replaced the regular FM radio. Wrong? It's in addition to?
     
    #7 Mitchla, Jan 13, 2004
  8. Wolfman

    Wolfman New Member

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    You still get to keep your regular radio. Most of the XM units I've seen feed through an unused FM frequency.
     
    #8 Wolfman, Jan 13, 2004
  9. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    The Prius' stereo system is like this:

    AM|FM|CD|XM

    All 4 are seperate from one another.
     
    #9 Danny, Jan 13, 2004
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