Sirius XM Merger?
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Instructor
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Sirius XM Merger?
Just realized today the Sirius XM merger was completed. I read they are planning on offering plans that let you get XM channels on Sirius or vice versa. I have Sirus now, anyone know if we will be able to get Sirius subscription to work through the factory XM now, or sometime in the near future?
I was planning on buying the SiriusConnect module to get Sirius on the factory radio but if it is not necessary any longer, thats $150 in my pocket.
I was planning on buying the SiriusConnect module to get Sirius on the factory radio but if it is not necessary any longer, thats $150 in my pocket.
Old Man Yelling at Clouds
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Seattle, WA
The way I understand their last report, you'll buy a base XM or Sirius subscription and "a-la-carte" channels from the other one. For example, base XM + 5 Sirius channels is one bundle, Sirius + 10 from XM is antoher, etc. I used to have a link that described all of this - can't seem to find it any more. I'll post again if I find it.
I would think the hardware would not matter (just my opinion) if they really wanted to do this right.
I would think the hardware would not matter (just my opinion) if they really wanted to do this right.
Old Man Yelling at Clouds
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 16,973
Likes: 7,362
From: Seattle, WA
I found it, but they've shut it down (www.xmmerger.com). So just going from memory, I remember reading that it should be easy for the consumer - that if you had HW for one you can still order the other. I'm 100% sure about the bundles - that you'll order one service or the other as the base, then X number from the other. The larger X is, the more the subscription costs. I've had Sirius before, and would greatly prefer a base Sirius subscription with about 10 XM channels added. That would be perfect.
I'm sure we'll all get some infomation soon about what's coming...
I'm sure we'll all get some infomation soon about what's coming...
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Thanks for that. The info I read said pretty much th same, but it wasn't too clear about any of it. Neither Sirius or XM has any info on the web that I can find about it. I'm going to try and call them when I get a chance to see what I can find out. I just dont want to buy the hardware to get Sirius on the factory radio and then find out in 2 months I don't need it.
To get your pick of all satellite channels, the postmerger company, to be called Sirius XM Radio, will offer a couple of à la carte options, including a $14.99-a-month plan that lets listeners choose up to 100 channels from either or both services, essentially letting people mix and match programming from XM and Sirius. But there’s a catch.
For this à la carte option, subscribers will need a receiver — or head unit, in electronics argot — that can pull in both XM and Sirius broadcasts. Units that can be retrofitted with a second satellite tuner and antenna to get both XM and Sirius are already available.
“Pioneer offers 21 mobile electronics models that carry the Sat Ready logo, which designates the ability to connect to both XM and Sirius tuners,” said Ted Cardenas, director for product planning at Pioneer Electronics. According to Mr. Cardenas, if you connect both tuners it is possible to switch between the satellite services.
However, it means paying for two tuners, two antennas — and two subscription services. Satellite tuners cost about $100 each and professional installation is recommended, so count on paying at least another $100.
But even if you went to this trouble today, you would still need a new radio or tuner later to get the à la carte option, which the merged satellite company will start offering it in the next three months. According to XM and Sirius, the company will require a new interoperable radio tuner (one that decodes both XM and Sirius signals) in order to subscribe to the à la carte option; no prices for such radios have been announced yet.
There is a way current subscribers can benefit from the merger without having to buy a new radio, if they are willing to stick to a limited selection of channels from the other service. A Sirius spokesman, Patrick Reilly, said this Best of Both subscription would cost $16.99 a month and would let existing subscribers keep their XM or Sirius service and choose additional channels from the other service from a list set by the merged company.
A new tuner won’t be needed because the “best of” channels will be simulcast on each service. The companies have not yet announced which channels will be available in the Best of Both program.
For this à la carte option, subscribers will need a receiver — or head unit, in electronics argot — that can pull in both XM and Sirius broadcasts. Units that can be retrofitted with a second satellite tuner and antenna to get both XM and Sirius are already available.
“Pioneer offers 21 mobile electronics models that carry the Sat Ready logo, which designates the ability to connect to both XM and Sirius tuners,” said Ted Cardenas, director for product planning at Pioneer Electronics. According to Mr. Cardenas, if you connect both tuners it is possible to switch between the satellite services.
However, it means paying for two tuners, two antennas — and two subscription services. Satellite tuners cost about $100 each and professional installation is recommended, so count on paying at least another $100.
But even if you went to this trouble today, you would still need a new radio or tuner later to get the à la carte option, which the merged satellite company will start offering it in the next three months. According to XM and Sirius, the company will require a new interoperable radio tuner (one that decodes both XM and Sirius signals) in order to subscribe to the à la carte option; no prices for such radios have been announced yet.
There is a way current subscribers can benefit from the merger without having to buy a new radio, if they are willing to stick to a limited selection of channels from the other service. A Sirius spokesman, Patrick Reilly, said this Best of Both subscription would cost $16.99 a month and would let existing subscribers keep their XM or Sirius service and choose additional channels from the other service from a list set by the merged company.
A new tuner won’t be needed because the “best of” channels will be simulcast on each service. The companies have not yet announced which channels will be available in the Best of Both program.
THE ARTICLE is 2 pages, but there is some good info there.
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