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Satellite Radio Overview

Ironically, the situation in satellite radio business is quite the same when compare to the satellite TV market. In satellite TV world, shoppers get to choose between two major providers: Dish Network and DirecTV. While for satellite radio services, Sirius and XM are the major two in United States. Sirius's original programming originates from its studios in New York, while XM Radio's studios are based in Washington, D.C.

What's so special about satellite radio?

Wide selections on commercial free radio channels With less than fifteen bucks a month, you will get nearly hundred of radio channel with satellite radio services. From sports to live talk, entertainment gossips to international news, traffics report to marine weather; these satellite radio services have more than you can take.

Further more, satellite radio's business is based on user's subscriptions thus most of the income comes from the listeners but not the advertisers. By employing such business model, both XM Radios and Sirius Satellite Radio offers up to 70 commercial free music channels. This means no matter what genre you prefer, there is at least few commercial free radio channel with satellite radio services.

Better sound quality compare to AM/FM radio Satellite reception is fully digitized - it is whether you get the signal, or you don't. There is bad sound quality (mainly due to static effects) like you have with AM/FM radio. Once you have the satellite radio signal, the sound quality will always remains in good quality with static-free.

Uncensored radio programming Both Sirius and XM are offering 100% uncensored radio programming, which for sure you cannot get with the ordinary AM/FM radios. And before you ask, yes, you will get Howard Stern's show with satellite radio (Sirius Satellites).

Local traffic and weather Sure, it's not as local as your "Traffic on the Fives" commuter station, but nationwide broadcasters Sirius and XM do manage to offer weather and traffic reports in selected major markets. If you live in a major U.S. city, chances are you can tune in to one of these channels and hear updates every five minutes or so on local traffic and weather conditions.

Compare satellite radio services: XM vs Sirius

In term of consumer's reviews, it seems Sirius is taking the lead in the satellite radio business. Nevertheless, XM enjoys more subscribers at the moment and remain as nation #1 radio channels. In case you are curious, here is how briefly XM radio and Sirius Satellite Radio stack up*.

Radio Programming	XM	Sirius	Comment
Sports	--		In overall, Sirius has better advantage in term of Sports, Talk Shows, Entertainment programming, Country, and Rock. Sirius Satellite Radio was highly credited for the past few years for its content choices in radio talk shows and entertainment programming. Their DJs and talk shows are much live-lier than XM's. With Sirius, you'll get a wonderfully mix of right and left talk streams, including liberal network Air America. Also, Sirius carries everything from conservative heroes such as Mike Savage and Sean Hannity to OutQ, a gay/lesbian news and talk stream. XM, on the other hand, has better lineup of radio news products and pop musics. Despite of the 'standard' latest hits charts and love songs, XM goes one step further in term of pop music, throwing into the mix such unusual offerings as U-Pop (29, Euro and global chart hits), Cinemagic (27, movie soundtracks), and XMLive (26, rebroadcasts of live concerts). Such eclectic mix puts them in front of Sirius Satellite Radio.
News		--
Talk Shows	--
Entertainment	--
Country
Pop		--
Hip Hop/ R&B
Rock	--
Final Results on XM vs Sirius
Scores	4	6	Sirius Satellite Radio wins over XM. Click to visit Sirius online.

The choice is clear when it comes to satellite radio services, Sirius Satellite Radio is our pick. In case you wish to try out thier satellite radio services (free trial available), you can visit Sirius Satellite Radio official website by clicking here.

Basic package and pricing for Sirius Satellite Radio services

In case you are wondering, here's what Sirius currently offering:

Sirius	Service Package	Price per month
	Sirius Satellite Radio	Starts at $12.95
	Sirius Internet Radio *Free Trial! Click here to try for Sirius Internet radio for free!	Starts at $12.95
	Sirius Music for BUSINESS	Starts at $24.95
	Sirius Traffics	Starts at $9.95
	Sirius Marine Weather	Starts at $29.99

Click here to order Sirius Satellite Radio service now!

More about satellite entertainment services

Check out more about satellite TV services at www.SatelliteTVIssue.com.

• Review Dish Network satellite TV service
• Review DirecTV satellite TV service
• Review satellite Internet services
• Review satellite TV on PC
• Review satellite TV retailers

More related resources:

• Edmunds.com's: Satellite Radio XM vs Sirius
• XM radio at unofficialxmblog.com
• Webcasting at webcastingzone.com