XM Satellite Radio

XM satellite radio changed the way America listens to radio. This along with other money making testimonials made by XM fans is proof of the great impact of the company on radio entertainment.

Radio truly has evolved. From the days of Marconi to the years of transistor radio, the medium was such an important part of the lives of many people. There was no other way then to get the latest news than radio as the family would gather around a huge box, all dressed formally as if attending to a ball.

It was the only source of entertainment during those eras. It was so captivating in fact a radio drama series shook havoc of panic and hysteria in several cities who were dear patrons of “War of the Worlds”.

Television however took the spotlight from radio. But not for long as from being monophonic, radio metamorphed the static AM into near studio quality FM. This has improved programming in radio. And over decades of broadcasts, radio would have to make drastic measures in order to survive.

1997 was the start of the new era of radio entertainment. As two major companies signed for franchise of a newly approved frequency band by the FCC, this milestone introduced the satellite radio services. American Mobile Radio, which was later to become XM satellite radio, was at the frontline in the satellite radio industry.

XM Satellite radio is now an entirely operated subsidiary of the XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. The company is also traded in public at the NASDAQ exchange ever since October 5, 1999. Its take-on on the satellite radio services has led a pack of fans from New York to Los Angeles, from an over-the-road truck driver to a corporate executive, to an agreeable pure radio entertainment.

In the XM satellite radio homepage, the company’s slogan “Beyond AM, Beyond FM, XM” is indeed a true breather. The company took advantage and exploited the medium that enable the company to offer a variety of programming from talk to music, weather to sports, each American citizen has his own XM satellite radio channel.

On top of their channel lineup are the decades channels that offer music programming of classic hits from the decades that were. Channel 4 to channel 9 is commissioned for decades channel from the 40s to the 90s respectively. Kiss on channel 21 and Mix on channel 22 are geared to teenagers and young adults who go for pop and lifestyle music. A set of channels are dedicated for country, rock, blues, love songs, broadway, classical, R&B, jazz, soul, hip-hop, and news from major media entities like FOX, CNN, CBS, ABC, CNBC, Bloomberg, BBC, ESPN and other sports channel that cover the NHL, NBA and other major sports events.

XM Satellite radio cashed in on the biggest names in the industry like Larry King and Oprah Winfrey to capture more listeners. And assigned channels in foreign languages that cater to a diverse ethnic audience. The company also has the most music channel over its sole rival Sirius with 69 commercial free channels.

XM is undoubtedly the market dominator with over 7 million subscribers registered and still growing. The company’s success is also felt among its other business offering such as satellite data servicing. It inked with several companies like General Motors, Toyota, Hyundai, Nissan and Volkswagen to incorporate free XM satellite radio receiver in their cars.

Indeed the company has reached the pinnacle of its might. Just this January of 2007, XM and Sirius passed a Consolidated Application for Authority to Transfer Control to the FCC stating their intention to merge as a single entity. This move was initiated by the companies’ common goal to achieve higher revenue and increased market growth.

A great testimony to the success of XM is its popularity among drivers. One testimonial goes that he would rather get stuck in traffic so that he could listen more to XM radio.