Like television before it, radio is now available by satellite. Two providers, XM Radio
and Sirius offer satellite radio service throughout the continental US.
What is Satellite Radio?
Basically, it is an additional band for your radio. Unlike AM & FM, which are
transmitted from earth-bound transmitters, satellite radio comes primarily from a
signal sent via satellites orbiting the earth.
What Programming is Available?
Both Sirius and XM Radio offer over 100 channels (Sirius calls them 'streams')
of music, news and entertainment. Visit our
Interactive Programming Guide to see
what's playing!
Do I Need Satellite Radio?
That's up to you, of course. There are 4 primary differences between satellite
radio and the stations provided on traditional radio:
| |
Clarity: Satellite radio signals are digital,
and the satellites cover the entire continental US. This means channels
have no geographic boundaries; you can drive across the country and not
encounter static or fade*.
Content: With over 100 channels, satellite radio
offers far more variety than traditional radio. If your tastes run outside
the mainstream, chances are you will still find a channel for it on
satellite radio. If you live somewhere that doesn't have many radio
stations, you may find yourself overwhelmed, in a positive way, with the
number and variety of programming now available to you.
>> Visit our Interactive Programming Guide
Commercials: All the music channels on both XM
Radio and Sirius are commercial-free!
Cost:
While broadcast radio is free, satellite radio is a subscription service. Both XM Radio and Sirius cost $12.95 per month, and offer longer-term subscriptions at reduced rates, and 'family plans', whereby you can activate additional radios at a reduced rate.
|
* Brief reception loss can occur where your receiver loses site of the satellite. For example, a dense urban area surrounded by high-rise buildings, or some mountain valleys. Note that both services have installed land-based repeaters to minimize this occurrence.
|
|
|
