Is XM Radio worth it?

[Jack_Dawson]

I can't STAND all the unfunny talking DJs in the San Diego market. Just fucking play music and shut the fuck up (ahhh...feel better already). Having said that, is XM "all that" or is it overrated? Can you search for a particular artist or song that might be playing? Juss wonderin'.

[Marnieworld]

1. XM=Clear Channel. Get Sirius

I have Sirius and it is so freaking great! SO much music, Air America, comedy channels, news, weather and traffic and NO COMMERCIALS. Occassionally you do hear a DJ but they are usually people who were very successful on regular radio and they got into this new market on the ground floor. But you hardly ever hear them anyway. They just added an all Elvis channel! It is soooooo worth it.

[Joy Anne]

5. X-M

We have X-M, and it's terrific. You can get all 1940s* music with no commercials or the music of any decade since, folk music, C-SPAN, Air America, CNN, a couple of types of jazz, a dozen varieties of current music, most of which I've never heard of. Mostly there are no announcers and no commercials; a little screen shows the song and the artist that's playing.

*We got one for my parents, and that's all they play, except occasionally they turn on the old radio comedies channel. We have one in the house and another in a car, and the third subscription for my parents costs something like $4/month.

[MattNC]

2. i've only heard XM

but Sirius seems to have a better selection - especially for talk radio. Two liberal channels and then three NPR channels.

[Mr_Lefty]

3. Yes

I have it- I think Sirius has better content but costs a few dollars more per month. It's only 10 bucks a month. I have a 45 minute commute each way to work so I get my monies worth. My radio is removable and plugs into a boombox too.

[k in IA]

4. The flexibility of it is my question (which you partly answered).

My Mom wants to get one of these. I know you can stream for free but her computer at work doesn't have audio (cheap bastards). I think she has a boombox at work.

So you can plug it in your car and a boom box and can it be moved all around your house if it is with the boom box?

[Mr_Lefty]

7. I like the flexability too

My friend bought a new car with it in the dash- he can't take it out of the car.

I have the Delphi skyfi radio. It's a portable radio- you buy a car kit and a boombox. I just put the radio into the boombox (runs on batteries or plug in) and can play anywhere. I took it camping last year and it was great. In the car, the radio sits in the car kit adaptor and plays through the car stereo. I really like it.

[Beware the Beast Man]

23. Do you have trouble using the skyfi indoors?

I ask because I bought my wife the Roady, and it came with a home adapter kit, which is basically a plug and a SkiFi antenna. I can't seem to get it to work indoors, though.
Hmm...maybe if I just put the antenna outside...:eyes:

[fishnfla]

6. I'd say no

but then again, no

[Mr_Lefty]

9. As long as the antenna can get a signal

some places it's tough to get a signal (in the house) but the antenna has a very long cord so you can usually place the radio in a good spot and then move the antenna around. Outside there are no problems as you'd expect

[Mr_Lefty]

13. Yes but then again

What's your point?

[mvd]

8. I have Sirius instead

I still like the talk radio programming more on Sirius.

But after Sirius just added the "Patriot" channel, I got mad and sent them a complaint e-mail. The "Patriot" channel is another right wing talk station - and naming it that makes it look like the Air America and Talk Left listeners aren't patriots. If they don't re-name it, XM WILL be worth going to.

[Mr_Lefty]

10. I like Sirius stock better too

I'm going to pay a lot of taxes on my earnings this year :)

[qazplm]

11. since I am going to Iraq

will either Sirius or XM work over there does anyone know?

I would like to think about getting it for that reason.

[Mr_Lefty]

12. I know XM won't - Sirius might

XM satellites are in geosynch orbit- they rotate with the earth and stay over the US. Sirius satellites orbit- I think they are in some kind of polar orbit (the Russians launched their satellites and I think helped decide on orbit)

[Maestro]

14. I'm getting Sirius tomorrow

I am sick of Clear Channel neo-conservative shite!

[Beware the Beast Man]

22. Remember, there's nothing stopping Clear Channel

From buying stock in Sirius either. Face it, they're eventually going to have their fingers in every mass communication pie someday.

[Not Me]

15. I have XM...wish I had Sirius

My new GM car had the XM radio installed when I bought it.
My next one won't. I think the Sirius lineup is better, and worth the extra $3 per month.

[Maestro]

16. Did you know

that Sirius has a special now where you can pay $500.00 up front and never pay another bill again? For as much as I listen to the radio with my long commutes, I am seriously considering it. I'm buying a new car stereo tomorrow with Sirius installed.

[bbernardini]

17. I believe XM=Clear Channel is a myth.

I'll look into it.

[DemNoir]

18. It is a myth

Clear Channel owns something like 4% of XM. But that doesn't stop people from spreading the same disinformation every time the subject comes up.

[bbernardini]

19. Here's what I found...

An article exists (trying to find it) which says that Clear Channel has a "2.5% non-consolidated interest in XM". Whatever the hell that means. :)

Also, I found a thread about it on xmfan.com, THE place to go to find out anything and everything about XM use.

http://www.xmfan.com/viewtopic.php?t=14529

[Beware the Beast Man]

20. XM is in some kind of partnership with clear channel

not sure what exactly that means. I think it's a distribution thing. But yes, that is a myth. XM IS NOT OWNED BY CLEAR CHANNEL! They own stock in the company, and a meager portion at that.
And from what I gather, the music programming (i didn't subscribe to listen to talk radio all day, left, right or otherwise)is just about the same. Sadly, though, Sirius has broadcast rights to all NFL games this season. Now that's the only thing that makes me regret getting XM.

[sbj405]

21. Another vote for Sirius

Air America and Talk Left, plus all the sports if you are into that. Also, you get a password to listen online which is nice for work or home.

[medeak]

24. 300 miles

from a city...we have XM and great coverage. No outages in remote areas...and get air america. Didn't know about clear channel however and that creeps me out.

[Beware the Beast Man]

25. Read the above posts.

CC does not "own" XM.