Any XM radio subscribers?

[TheShrimp]

If so, I have a question.

Let's say I go spend $300 for an XM radio receiver. What happens if XM radio raises their subscription fees to $50/month? If I cancel, then I'm stuck with this $300 receiver that receives nothing. Right?

Or, are there other satellite radio providers that can be detected with the receiver?

Or, do those receivers also pick up AM and FM?

Basically, am I dealing with a monopoly? Are there any provisions in the subscription that say they can't rip me off?

Yes, I have tried finding this out at the website, but it is not forthcoming on this issue.

You may think I'm crazy for wanting to PAY for radio, but really for the cost of less then a CD per month, you get tons of different music, news, and sports.

The music choices are great, if you ask me -- uncut hip-hop, two different metal stations, like 5 different jazz and country stations. They play unsigned bands. stations that play music solely from different decades.

They also have a receiver you can hook up to your stereo at home, and then take out to your car and play.

 

[acehistr8]

Shrimp I agree with you. I have been looking into it but moreso, what happens if htey go bankrupt in 10 months? Personally I have looked at the financials for XM and Sirius and dont think the market can sustain these two companies for very long. What happens if I install it and in 6 months they go out of business?

 

[TheShrimp]

Good point about going bankrupt. I have no idea about the financial status of XM or Sirius. I hadnt' even considered that, but if it happens, you won't even be able to sell your XM receiver for a nickel.

I can't remember the last time FM turned me onto a band. I don't know if it ever has.

 

[Stuman]

All good points, now here's my 2 cents. TIFWIW.

A lot of new cars are equipped with XM ready receivers, and should help the business. Also, I would imagine they are strictly regulated by the FCC and wouldn't be able to "gouge" the public down the road. Not sure how the FCC works in this particular situation, but in the cableTV business, a governing body decides how much the cable company is allowed to charge for their services. I wouldn't worry about it too much...

Also - If you sign a three year deal with XM, would they even be allowed to change your price mid-contract? Doing so sounds like a breach of contract!

Just my opinion -

 

[Terryray]

I have it, and love it!

I have it, and love it!

got the XM Delphi reciever last week.

on this baby you can preview artist or title of your 20 presets or all the offerings before you decide to switch channels.

the delphi is size of cig package, and can move from car to home stereo.

they will come out in a few months with a boombox that will take the delphi and has built in XM antenna.




the market probably can't sustain both satellite radio services, and XM is clearly the market leader.

both services are wallowing in debt, and new digital radio rolling out by traditional FM and AM will hurt it more.


It might be gone in a year, but still worth it in my opinion. Sometimes I can't get online, and only info is from XM and a few injury reports and sports interviews I heard kept me off bets and thus thing has paid for itself!




No way they could charge $50, they'd lose nearly all subscriptions and go bankrupt fast. Sirius charges a few bucks more than XM ($13) and analysts feel that hurts them quite a bit. Sirius has no commercials. XM has commercials all the talk stations, and a few others.


FCC does regulate it tightly, for example, they didn't want to grant the bandwith until there were two competitors

the installed XM car cassette or cd recievers do get FM and AM. the units you can take from car to home don't.


they don't currently get any other satellite signal, and Sirius is only other radio satellite service.


many of the DJs are terrifically informed and good, like the fellow on the Sinatra-style jazz channel is a leading authority in the field and son of famous tunesmith Arthur Schwartz. The main reggae guy is even better.


lots of nice small touches, such as historic news bites played between songs on "decades" stations. On 70's station they sometimes play famous TV jingles between tunes.

 

[TheShrimp]

nice info t-ray.

it looks like you pay about $130 for the tuner, but that does nothing for you. You then need to pay $70 for a home hook up and $70 for a car hook up. You can then take the receiver back and forth though. Is this right?

Do you know where to find a good deal? BestBuy? Internet?

That delphi is a bit slicker than the Sony ones.

Looks like no matter which way you go, you're laying out $300 if you want home and car.

thanks

 

[Terryray]

TheShrimp, you are correct in all your assumptions.

some folks report Best Buy has Delphi on sale for $122.

for more info and better answers to your questions, go to

http://www.clubxm.com/phpBB/index.php



glad I could help and good luck!