(Bloomberg) -- Sirius XM Radio Inc., the U.S. satellite radio broadcaster, wants to be free to raise its basic monthly subscription price from $12.95. Sirius, which reported 19.8 million customers at the end of the third quarter, told the Federal Communications Commission in a Jan. 20 filing that the agency shouldn't extend a price freeze negotiated as part of the 2008 merger that formed the company. Sirius, the New York-based company created by Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.'s purchase of XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., didn't say in the filing whether it wants to raise rates. Sirius and XM agreed to hold the basic subscription price unchanged for three years after the closing of their merger, an anniversary that falls on July 28, Sirius said in its FCC filing. It asked the agency to take “no steps†to extend or modify the rate cap. Sirius said it faces a “robustly competitive†market with consumers able to choose terrestrial radio and Internet music services such as Pandora and Rhapsody, while automakers including Toyota Motor Corp. and Ford Motor Co. increasingly offer ways to access Web-based entertainment in their cars. The FCC is reviewing the request, Janice Wise, a spokeswoman for the agency's media bureau, said in an interview. Patrick Reilly, a Sirius spokesman, didn't immediately provide a comment. Source - Automotive News
With so many folks listening to iPods I think Sirius/XM better be careful. If they want any more money for their service I'll throw the XM radio in the recycle bin & never look back. I'm sure I won't be the only one.
I bought IPO shares way back in the day and purchased a lifetime subscription at the same time...$425, I think! I've had the subscription for at least 5yrs, if not longer; I'd have to digup the receipt. Best part is the lifetime subscription price is LOCKED. I have it on two units; just need to figure out how to get one of the units into Schultze. I haven't researched it much, though... Schultze currently has the iPod adapter through the glovebox, so I'm not sure if I could use a y-splitter at the back of the headunit to have the iPod and Sirius installed simultaneously. Help?
I'm happy with my satellite radio now. I waited until I was 5 days out of subscription and they offered a promotion year's coverage for $77. So, my first year free (From MINI) and my second on the cheap I'm good so far. I like having new music and no commercials available to me all the time no matter where I am. I also use my USB thumb drive for music as well but I eventually get bored and I need a new infusion of music.
I'm with Crashton on this one. I've had Siruis or XM since very shortly after they were launched. Frankly I was tremendously excited with they launched the first satellite way back when. But I do agree that there is far more competition today than even 5 years ago. I have 3 subscriptions and clearly should have bought the lifetime subscriptions, but I wasn't sure they would be around long enough to use it all. It will certainly be interesting to see what they do...
I have lifetime subscriptions on two of my vehicles, but not the MINI. Since I only drive my MINI during mild weather, I have the windows rolled down most of the time. With wind buffeting, I don't listen to the much radio at all and when I do it's with my iTunes- iPhone music.
I have it an like it, but if the price goes up so does it. I only listen to the radio on the freeway while traveling. In traffic or on twisty roads I don't want the distraction. Besides, recorded books are very cool. Jim
Don't have and I'm against pay radio. Have the radio on at home all day while working and use a Squeezebox to pull in internet radio. I usually listen to WXPN out of Philly or Radio Paradise. Both are commercial free and I donate when I can. In the car a 160GB iPod with about 1 byte of space is used for traveling. Locally we now have a station, KKXT that is a non-profit public radio that plays an eclectic mix of indie music.
this is the email i received from them. At $799.99 there will be no lifetime for me and i also noticed they no longer give discounts for multiple radios. I am just about done with them. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on SiriusXM Lifetime Subscription. We are happy to assist you. We are sorry to learn of your negative impression on our Lifetime Subscription. If you will allow us, we'd like provide you more information about the Lifetime Subscription, in case you decide to reconsider. With this subscription, you receive Sirius service for the LIFE of your receiver, for a one-time fee of $799.99 + U.S. Music Royalty Fee and any applicable tax for the Sirius Everything plus the Best of XM package and $699.99 + U.S. Music Royalty Fee and any applicable tax for the Sirius Everything package. This plan enables you to receive the quality programming that Sirius offers for years to come at a great price. You never have to worry about paying another bill for your service. You can transfer your subscription to a new receiver a maximum of three times, for a fee of $75 per transfer. This transfer fee does not apply to replacement equipment that falls under warranty. As with all our receivers, there is an activation fee of $15 for activation. Additional Information: - A cancellation fee will not be incurred when an existing subscriber upgrades to a Lifetime Subscription. The Lifetime Subscription cannot be cancelled. - The Lifetime Subscription is only available to individual subscribers (not businesses or for re-sale) and are available on all products. - If a current subscriber upgrades to the Lifetime Subscription, they will receive a credit for any unused portion of their current plan towards the cost of the Lifetime Subscription. - The payment can be divided into 5 EZ payments. - A "Lifetime Subscription" is one that continues for the life of the Receiver equipment. Lifetime Subscriptions are non-refundable. You may cancel a Lifetime Subscription but if you cancel during the first year of service you will be charged a cancellation fee set forth in these Terms. Non Automotive Receivers: A Lifetime Subscription associated with a home, portable, or dock & play Receiver is transferable from one Receiver to another Receiver, up to a maximum of three (3) times. For each permitted transfer of a subscription from one Receiver to another or from one person to another you will be charged a transfer fee set forth in these Terms. Automotive Receivers: A Lifetime Subscription is not transferable if it is associated with a Receiver installed by an automaker or an automotive dealer in a vehicle, except in the event the original Receiver associated with that Lifetime Subscription is stolen, accidentally damaged or if, in the sole discretion of SiriusXM, it is defective. For each permitted transfer of a subscription from one person to another based upon a stolen or accidentally damaged Receiver you will be charged a transfer fee set forth in these Terms. No transfer fee will be charged for the transfer of a Lifetime Subscription associated with a Receiver installed by an automaker or an automotive dealer if, in the sole discretion of SiriusXM, the Receiver is defective. We are committed to providing you with the best in listener care. If you have any questions, feel free to reply to this email. Thank you, Gil SiriusXM Email Listener Care Team 1-866-635-2349
Fail. It's not lifetime of they don't let you move more than three recievers. At the rate technology is changing a "lifetime" would be maybe 7 years for the typical consumer. Dumb.
I only have the "Mostly Music" package and if that goes up, I think I may be done. Seems like an odd marketing move to me. Competition increases, so they raise the price of the service to compete. :confused5: The other problem I have is the type of music depends on the DJ at the time. The stations like Bone Yard, Deep Tracks, Classic Rewind are suppose to play the music I like, but sometimes I have no idea what the song is as I have never heard it before. A DJ that lived in the 70's plays the good stuff. The others must be playing all the B sides of the albums that never made it. :frown2: Jim
Interesting. I listen to Octane, Boneyard, Lithium, Metal, Classic Rewind, and occasionally Alt Nation. I've been pretty happy with the tracks that get played. Given that I'm effectively paying $6.42/month it's still worth it to me.
Don't have it and never saw the need. Got decent radio around here and when I can't get radio I have my mp3 collection on CD's. No iPod for this old geezer!
I see that you were born twenty days before me in May, but perhaps the year might make a difference in what songs we like. :lol: Jim
:cornut: I've never had it and I never will. Take a hike Sirius. You're just more space junk/debris. Jason PS My 8 track works just fine, Tee Hee.
It sounds like Sirius took a page from the airline companies handbook.... Charging a fee for every conceivable thing they can come up with.... Crazy
I've had it since it was available and absolutely love it. My antenna broke a couple of weeks ago and for 4 days I was without and it was miserable. I don't have time to search out new music on my own so I let them do it for me. Granted, I should have done the lifetime a long time ago, but I was concerned about them being around to make it worthwhile. In hindsight I was wrong and pay more now for my 3 receivers than I should. But I do love it. I may reconsider if they raise rates, but I just haven't found pandora or slacker as a good replacement, granted I really haven't give them a fair shake. But for now, i'm content.