News: Sirius XM Coming to iPhone
Over the past year satellite radio has been forced to reinvent itself. Sirius and XM, formerly competitors, were forced to merge to survive. Shortly after merging their programming the newly formed company declared this past February that it may have to file for bankruptcy. And while they averted any immediate shuttering of their doors thanks to an investment from Liberty Media, the satellite radio universe knows it’s on thin ice.
That’s why Sirius XM has been making some bold choices lately — choices that take the “satellite” out of satellite radio. Until very recently, you would have needed a satellite radio unit to access any Sirius or XM programming. Now they’ve changed it so you can have an internet only subscription for $12.95 a month and listen directly through streaming. Up next? Sirius XM is looking to conquer your iPhone.
During their recent fourth quarter earnings conference call, Sirius executives David Frear, Mel Karmazin and Jim Meyer announced the expected second-quarter launch of the Sirius XM iPhone app. The app will allow you to take you Sirius subscription with you on the road without the need for a satellite radio unit. Like other internet radio options out there, the Sirius XM app will stream the music live from the channel of your choice.
As a fan of Sirius XM programming, it’s hard not to get excited about this. But on the broader scale, will this really make an impact? As so many apps already exist to provide internet radio free of charge, will new subscribers really be drawn in by the possibility of sporting Sirius sounds sans satellite device? Or will it just be another nail in satellite radios coffin?
I would get excited about this because my personal car doesn’t have xm built in, and I’ve always wanted it (my work truck which I drive 20+ hours a week has it and I love it). Unfortunately, I’m assuming the programming will be streaming through your internet connection. With so many poor coverage areas in alberta and my inability to stream anything above 96kbps, I don’t think this app would work in my area – atleast not to the level I would expect it to.
Sirius XM is going to have to make a play for having superior content. With apps like Stitcher (free) already having phenomenal success on the App Store without charging a subscription, Sirius is going to have to provide an even higher level of service. Stitcher and Pandora also have a killer feature that satellite radio will most likely never have, personalization. These apps can figure out what you like and build playlists or stations to suit your tastes.
I think the biggest draw will be for existing Sirius XM customer who already pay the newly-imposed (and very irritating) $2.99 additional to get streaming. I have Sirius in my car and I love it. I begrudgingly pay the extra to stream it to my laptop. From what I understand, I’ll also be able to stream to the iPhone app with my existing plan. For me, that’s a win. I have my favorite channels on Sirius and I want to be able to take them with me on my iPhone.
As for using the iPhone as a tool for capturing new clients, I think they’ve totally missed the point here. They’re going to have to give away the streaming in order to get people interested enough to want to buy a subscription in their car. I think they really have their heads in a dark place if they don’t give away streaming on the iPhone as a gateway to sell new radio subscriptions.
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This was not remotely SiriusXMs idea. They completely stole the idea from StarPlayr. They didn’t start on an app until starplayr should have been approved. Well, that’s what most big companies do, screw the little guys with the better product over.
Sirius was offering internet radio (without a sat radio) for at least three years before the merger. Dish Network customers in the U.S. can also recieve Sirius XM music channels. The article doesn’t mention if it’s music only, makes no mention of non music channels. Odds are pretty good the talk channels such as Howard 100 and Martha Stewart Living won’t be included. I highly doubt this is a ploy to attract new customers but rather give exsiting customers the chance to enjoy the familar brand of Sirius XM on the road.
Poor reporting really.