Now that the XM-Sirius merger has gotten final(?) approval, when, exactly, can I expect to pick up Sirius programming on my XM receiver?
Also, how will the Sirius content interface with the XM content? Will I, for example, continue to pick up XM Jazz on channel 70, and Sirius Jazz on, say, channel 270?
Mel Karmazin (CEO of the combined unit) was on Howard Stern yesterday and he
said they were shooting for getting Stern on XM in September. I didn’t hear the whole interview but Stern’s own website has a daily recap so you might check there.
Nitpick - Sirius bought XM, not the other way around, and the combined company name is Sirius XM.
Current plans are for some Sirius programming to be made available to XM subscribers for an up-charge, same for some XM content on Sirius.
At this point, if you want the full lineup on Sirius, you’d need to buy a Sirius receiver in addition to your XM receiver. The 2 companies use different compression systems, and expect to operate seperate systems at least throughout the decade. Interoperable receivers have been developed, but are not yet available. Expect release of such units, which can receive both signals, after 2010. (Although I expect most consumers will wait for just such units, slowing down subscription rate, and so focing a release much sooner)
You will likel.y be able to get Stern, NFL and other goodies before Christmas - but at an up-charge.
Yes, but if the combined networks continue their impressive rates of money loss, what it means is your XM receiver will still make a pretty good bull-roarer.
Good and informative .pdf document on subscription packages.