Satellite Radio FAQ

What is Satellite Radio?

Basically, it is an additional band for your radio. Unlike standard radio, which is transmitted from earth-bound transmitters, satellite radio comes primarily from a signal sent via satellites orbiting the earth directly to 3-band AM/FM/ SAT radios. Satellite radio is offered on a paid basis by two companies, Sirius Radio and XM Radio both of which provide digital-quality, no commercial radio programming throughout the United States. This Satellite Radio FAQ should help you determine if satellite radio is right for you. Satellite radio may very well be the wave of the future because of the clarity, lack of commercials and broad range without signal inturruption. Some prominant radio personalities, such as Howard Stern, have begun to move their shows to Satellite radio, partly to avoid FCC regulation. It is important to note that the FCC doesnt regulate the content on Satellite Radio, so on air personalities are free to discuss topics and use any language they choose.

Is Satellite Radio for me?

That's up to you, of course. This Satellite Radio FAQ should help. There are 4 main differences between satellite radio and the stations provided on traditional radio:

• Digital Clear Sound: Satellite radio signals are digital, and the satellites cover the entire continental US and many other countries such as Mexico. This means channels have no geographic boundaries; you can drive across the country and not have dead spots or be constantly searching for a channel you like.
• Programming and Content: Sirrus and XM Radio both offer over 100 channels each. So satellite radio offers far more variety than standard radio. If you live somewhere that doesn't have many radio stations, you may find yourself pleasantly suprised byt the choices and with the variety of programming now available to you.
• No Commercials: All the channels on both XM Radio and Sirius are 100% commercial-free!
• Cost of Satellite Radio: While broadcast radio is free, satellite radio is a subscription service. XM Radio costs $9.99/month, while Sirius is $12.95/month. Sirius offers annual and lifetime subscriptions that can significantly reduce this cost as well.

 

What Programming is Available on Satellite Radio?

Both Sirius Radio and XM Radio offer over 100 channels of music, entertainment and news each:

Sirius Radio offers programming including:

C-SPAN Radio, The Weather Channel, BBC, Bloomberg Radio Networks, Playbill, CNBC, Discovery Networks, NPR, Public Radio International, Wisdom Radio, WRN, Court TV, E! Entertainment Radio, ESPN, Fox News, Live Broadway, Radio Disney, Sports Byline USA, ABC Radio Networks, CNN Headline News, EWTN, Online Tonight, Radio Classics, The Word Network, WSM and Grand Ole Opry, Webster Hall, American Academy of Achievement - Shock Jock Howard Stern has announced that he'll join Sirius in January 2006.

XM Radio offers programming including:

C-SPAN Radio, BBC World Service, CNN Headline News, Bloomberg News Radio, The Weather Channel, NASCAR, Discovery Networks, CNBC, CNET Radio, CNN in Espanol, The Sporting News, E! Entertainment News, Radio Disney, Sonic Theatre, Radio Classics, MTV, VH1, Ask!, America Right, America Left, The Power, Family Talk, Open Road, FOX News, CNN, ABC News & Talk, MSNBC, ESPN, FOX Sports

 

Part 2: How to Put Satellite Radio in Your Car or Home