Go Sirius. Its really no option.

If you look at the two companies, XMSR (Nasdaq) and SIRI (Nasdaq), you will find XM is about out of money. Sirius has $ 400+ Million cash in the bank.

The real reason is that Sirius has THREE SATALITES vs. XMs limited TWO SATALITIES. Coverage is much, much better.

And there are no commercials at all... none... on Sirius.

XM is not much better than FM radio.

ALSO - big one - Sirius has 2 Channels of NPR radio. XM has N*O*N*E

Sirius rocks.

 

Boy are you wrong. XM is wonderful. The clarity is unbelievable and we love it. If there is a comercial, switch to another channel, There are many comercial free on XM.

Sirrus has money in the bank (?), XM has customers. Which will last?

 

Guys..... hang on one second.

I did not mean to trigger such an emotional reaction. Let me re-assure you that I have not posted on Freshalloy...ever. In fact, I just became a fan on the G35 Coupe last month.. and ordered my G35 Coupe yesterday.

I have Sirius in my QX4 (aftermarker Audiovox). My neighbor has XM (aftermarket Pioneer). While he loves his unit -- He talks about commercials and drop outs all the time - I have never had either.

As far as cash is concerned - don't take my word for it. Look it up. NASDAQ : SIRI for Sirius and XMSR for XM. XM is flat broke guys. Sirius has enough cash through next year.. and Sirius has exclusive contracts to install radios in Ford, Mercury, Jaguar, Volvo, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Mercedes, BMW, Mini. XM only has exclusive contracts with GM (Chevy, Pontiac, Cadilac, Saab, Saturn, Buick, GMC, etc). Both companies will share the res - Nissan/Infiniti/VW, etc. This is reality. I am simply making a recommendation that if you want to make a bet on a Satalite radio company that has more going for it - Sirius seems to have a lot going for it. I agree that XM has more customers (over 150,000+), but they launched over a year ago. Sirius newly launched in July 03 and is just ramping up so it is not fair to point to that measure. Sirius is adding customers at a rapid clip.

I work for a software company - not Sirius or anyone related to Sirius. I am just an educated consumer.

Another point: I think that either system is a major upgrade from standard radio. No doubt about it - XM users should love their systems. XM units rock and the 100 channel choice is sweet. I did not mean to be-little XM purchases at all. Frankly - I misspoke when I said "XM was little better than FM" - what I meant to say is that XM has commercials like FM.. and you are paying for XM unlike FM. The original question of this post was which company is better - and in my opinion, Sirius is the way to go due to no commercials, better reception, and (MOST IMPORTANTLY FOR ME) NPR radio.

My point -- If you are going to PAY for radio - get what you want and get it commercial free .


- 2001 QX4 AWD
- 2000 Nissan Maxima SE (For Sale)
- 2003 G35 Coupe, DG (On Order) <P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by CrazyOne on 09/28/02 08:08 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

Crazys right about the money issue with XM. But Sirius is only 6-9 months ahead of XM in terms of cash. But if something doesn't happen to bail XM out - they are gone as of Q1/2003. Below is from XM SEC filing:



Funds Required in 2002 and Beyond

Although we commenced nationwide commercial operations in November 2001, we expect to need significant additional funds tocover our cash requirements before we generate sufficient cash flow from operations to cover our expenses. We estimate that our existing resources, which includes the net proceeds of $146.1 million from the follow-on offering of 13,387,000 shares of our Class A common stock on April 17, 2002 and the net proceeds of $11.9 million from the over-allotment the underwriters exercised on April 29, 2002, in which we sold an additional 1,090,443 shares of our Class A common stock, would be
sufficient in the absence of additional financing to cover our estimated funding needs into the first quarter of 2003. We estimate that we will require additional funding thereafter. These estimates may change, and we may need additional financing in excess of these estimates. Funds will be needed to cover broadcasting operations, sales and marketing, general corporate purposes and further development of the XM Radio system. Sales and marketing expenses are expected to include
joint advertising and joint development with, and manufacturing subsidies of certain costs of, some of our manufacturers and distribution partners. We cannot estimate the total amount of these operational, promotional, subscriber acquisition, joint development and manufacturing costs and expenses, however, since they vary depending upon different criteria, but they are expected to be substantial. In addition, our ability to generate revenues and ultimately to become profitable will depend upon several factors, including whether we can attract and retain enough subscribers and advertisers; whether our system continues to operate at an acceptable level; whether we compete successfully; and whether the FCC grants us all additional necessary authorizations in a timely manner.

We currently expect to satisfy our continuing funding requirements by selling debt or equity securities and by obtaining loans or other credit lines from banks or other financial institutions. If we are successful in raising additional financing, we anticipate that a significant portion of the financing will consist of debt. We are actively considering
possible financings, and because of our substantial capital needs we may consummate one or more financings at any time.

We may not be able to raise any funds or obtain loans on favorable terms or at all. Our ability to obtain the required
financing depends on several factors, including future market conditions; our success or lack of success in developing,
implementing and marketing our satellite radio service; our future creditworthiness; and restrictions contained inagreements with our investors or lenders. If we fail to obtain any necessary financing on a timely basis, a number of adverse effects could occur. We could default on our commitments to creditors or others and may have to discontinue
operations or seek a purchaser for our business or assets.

Our need for additional funds may also be affected by future developments. In September 2001 we were advised by Boeing
Satellite of a progressive degradation problem with the solar array output power of 702 class satellites, including XM
"Rock" and XM "Roll."

 

Actually, neither company is exactly in a great position, as far as Wall St. goes.

This from MSNBC, today:

Analyst John Stone cut his rating on XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:XMSR) to ``market perform'' from ``buy'' and cut his rating on Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. (NASDAQ:SIRI), shares of which he owns, to ``sell'' from ``market perform.''

Stone cut his price target on XM to $9 from $10 and removed his target completely for Sirius.

In late-morning Nasdaq trade, Sirius shares were down 10.4 percent at $1.03, while XM shares were off 2.8 percent at $3.88. For the year, Sirius shares are off more than 91 percent while XM shares are off about 79 percent.

---

Sirius may have more cash in the bank, but from a fiscal POV, its underperforming (relative to the also struggling XM). Neither company is doing great.

Zippy

 

I also went with Sirius for my radio. Here is why:

03 Mercedes Benz SLK - Sirius will be available, not XM
03 Mercedes Benz CLK - Sirius will be available, not XM
04 Mercedes Benz E Class - Sirius will be available, not XM
03 BMW 3 Series - Sirius will be available, not XM
03 BMW 5 Series - Sirius will be available, not XM
03 BMW 7 Series - Sirius will be available, not XM
03 BMW Z4 - Sirius will be available, not XM

All the luxary car lines that I care about are all going with Sirius radio. It appears to be establishing itself as the premium solution. However, it may be moot if both companies go out of business. :-(

Also - Sirius actually has 4 satelites, but hasn't yet launched number 4. Sirius 1 - Sirius 3 have been launched.

 

Hey rat, I never thought about it that way. But while you are naming luxary name plates, you may want to also specify that 2003 (and up) Jaguar models (including the XK8) and 2003 (and up) Volvo models will all have Sirius has a factory option and will not offer XM.

I believe that Sirius's 4th Satalite is a spare - not intended to be launched, but I could be wrong.


- 2001 QX4 AWD
- 2000 Nissan Maxima SE (For Sale)
- 2003 G35 Coupe, DG (On Order)

 

I did a little more research on the topic as I also have made the call to update my order for Sat radio. It appears that the late Nov/Dec allocation can still take changes at this time.

I chose Sirius radio.

The zero commercials was the main reason - but more than that, it appears that Sirius has some channels that I prefer but are not offered on XM. This includes Word (Christian) and NPR (someone mentioned earlier).

Both Sirius and XM have Fox News, CNBC, CNN, Weather, 80s, 90s, Hit Music, Soul Music..(again, the only difference is that all Sirius Music has no commericials, and XM has commercials).

I like the whole concept of if you are paying for radio, why not take it commercial free.

I did confirm that Sirius had three salelites in flight - and it appears that this helps the sound quality a little - but the reception is a lot more reliable. XM does not have plans to launch a 3rd satelite.

A local Nissan dealer also said the Pathfinder also offers both XM and Sirius - and he said that more people are going with Sirius.

Anyway - my 2 cents. My risk factor is only $400.00 for the radio.. and if Sat radio doesn't make it, I will still have the ability to get AM and FM.