Satellite radio could be one of the best inventions in a long time, no commercials , and you choose what format you want to hear, of course you have to pay monthly fees but lets face it when your in your car with no cds or tapes and try to listen to the radio you go through ten stations before you ever hear any music!!im so sick of commercials on tv also. The Big Picture I believe that satellite radio will force commercial radio stations to come up with ways to make free radio better , thayll have to because everyone is sick of commercial radio, I dont have satellite radio yet because like evrything elese when it first comes out its expensive give it a couple years and evryone will have it whats your opinion?
I have XM both in my car and at home and I love it. There is no place on a commercial radio dial that I can turn to and hear obscure 80's metal stuff like Brighton Rocks or Tyketto unless it's on satellite radio. And just so you know man, satellite radio isn't all that expensive in the grand scheme. The new XM car systems have a lot of the stuff built into the unit to save install cost. I had to buy a FM modulator, along with the car kit and the receiver when I got mine. The new Delphi XM systems have a wireless modulator built in and are at least a good 25% more compact than mine and the cost isn't too bad. Right around $150 for the receiver. Not sure what they charge for the car kit for the new Delphi units, so you'd have to check that. I can't imagine the whole thing costing you more than $300 (The activation fee is included in that price).
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I have Sirius with my DishTv and I love it as well. I hook that up through my surround sound and blast death metal all day (almost, there are other forms of metal....) on HardAttack....I love commercial free radio, where you can actually hear what you really want...
Yes, I too have Sirius on my Dish Network and love it. I bought a new JVC CD deck for my car with the built-in Sirius compatible controls. I am just waiting for them to come out with that universal tuner setup for like $50 so I can get Sirius in my car. Another thing that is nice about Satellite radio is you can get a family plan and get a discounted monthly rate for multiple vehicles/home access.
I know Stern is moving to satellite radio...another good thing about it is that it doesn't fall under the control of the FCC. Now if they could just get a Bob & Tom station going, that would rule!
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Since a lot of the members here are employees of broadcast radio stations, I'm interested in hearing their replies. Their jobs get closer to becoming history as every satellite radio receiver comes off of the assembly line. This is also a pivot point for the people in bands, as less people will hear the local nightspot reports and commercials for the clubs you play in.
On another note, satellite radio will definitely be more popular in areas such as ours, where the rolling hills play havoc with FM broadcasts, causing drop-outs and multipath problems.
In areas such as the great plains region, or other flat areas, satellite will probably be less popular, as receiving an FM broadcast from 200-300 miles away is a cake walk.
Since my day job is working for a commercial radio station, satellite radio is something I've kept an eye on as it has continued to grow and develop in popularity. I've heard it a few times, and it does have its advantages as noted above; particularly the ability to pinpoint an exact type of music or programming you want to hear without commercials or hearing other elements or music you might not be interested in. And especially for road travelers who don't want to be continually spinning a radio dial for a new station after every 50 miles, satellite radio's constant signal is another advantage over commercial radio - except during sunspot activity.
One disadvantage I've noted is that at least some satellite channels' signal quality can be suspect, especially if certain signals are heavily processed and wind up sounding tinny or compressed. I imagine a lot of this will improve with the technology.
One big advantage commercial radio still has at this point is local information. Satellite radio can't yet tell you if a tornado or bad weather is approaching your town, whether a major fire is happening and roads are blocked, or other local emergencies, local news and information.
So just as satellite television hasn't buried commercial television yet, I don't see satellite radio burying commercial radio for a while to come. Satellite radio will have its impact, and commercial radio may have to find ways to adapt to the presence of this new innovation, but I don't see commercial radio disappearing any time soon.
I have seen and heard the Sirius network on my Dish receiver. I don't really care for it much except as background music. If you have a bunch of people and everyone is talking you don't have to worry about changing the CD. I do think it is cool but even if you are sitting around with an icy cold bong there is something about putting on the music you want to hear and listening. I don't do regular FM radio much either so I am probably not a very good gauge on this..
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My job as well as Jim's is doing commercial radio. I also have been keeping an eye on satellite radio, and I am impressed with it, but I wonder if the companies can make the product viable financially for themselves.
I recently read an interview with a Sirius exec, where they are planning on being in the red for at least the next 5 years. The major difference in satellite vs commercial is that local radio depends on advertising for their revenue, whereas satellite will go on subscriber monies.
Also, I have to agree with JP about the locality. Satellite shows are nice, but think about it...if satellite radio took over totally, it's the end of programs like "The Backyard Rocker" and the local shows in Harrisburg. There's a locality you just can't get with satellite, and hell, it'll all end up getting owned by Clear Channel anyway, LOL!
Good points, I too love the local programs and nightspot reports, who knows maybe theyll figure out a way to make satellite radio regional, just as they have different format channels maybe they could have different regional channels and on these channels they could have local music news and shows etc. old time radio kicks ass with comedy and local personalities like J.P. who have made huge contributions to the local music scene, but those damn commercials get so old and its seems lately that there becoming more and more everyday, q94 did come up with a good idea though doing the 40 min. commercial free jam.
Another thing about local radio is the fact that the same songs are played every hour or two. Where as with satellite there seems to be more of a variety. This is not a hit on any local station or anything. It would be nice if there was more variety in the list of songs ..
f.sciarrillo wrote:Another thing about local radio is the fact that the same songs are played every hour or two. Where as with satellite there seems to be more of a variety. This is not a hit on any local station or anything. It would be nice if there was more variety in the list of songs ..
especially if you live in johnstown or its area....the Rock's playlist is all of about 10 songs...
, and you choose what format you want to hear, of course you have to pay monthly fees but lets face it when your in your car with no cds or tapes and try to listen to the radio you go through ten stations before you ever hear any music!!im so sick of commercials on tv also. The Big Picture 
I believe that satellite radio will force commercial radio stations to come up with ways to make free radio better , thayll have to because everyone is sick of commercial radio, I dont have satellite radio yet because like evrything elese when it first comes out its expensive give it a couple years and evryone will have it whats your opinion?
