XM or Sirrus Radio???

[armomof3lvsdisney]

I'm going to get my DH, XM or Sirrus radio for Christmas, but I don't know which one to get. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ICF]

I've got XM and like it very much. They have the same type of music channels for the most part and the cost is pretty much the same.

The big difference is that XM carries MLB and NHL games and lots of college sports while Sirius carries NFL and NBA games. Not sure about college games on Sirius.

If pro sports matter to him, you may want to factor in which games are on which provider and check out their respective websites for a complete channel listing.

The companies are trying to merge, but that is still up for government approval and may or may not happen some time in 2008.

 

[rigs32]

Pick up the channel listings brochure at Best Buy and look to see which has more options that he'd like. That's what you should base the decision on.

 

[Mono~rail]

We have both. I prefer XM, and so does dh. I bought him Sirius for his birthday a few months ago so he could listen to the NFL games. I second the suggestion to look at their programming guides. You can go to their websites - www.xmradio.com and www.sirius.com to have a look.

 

[Jennifer823]

I've read that XM and Sirius are going to be merging, so that could change everything program-wise. Not sure when this is going to happen, but I think it's a done deal.

 

[Mono~rail]

I've read that XM and Sirius are going to be merging, so that could change everything program-wise. Not sure when this is going to happen, but I think it's a done deal.

It isn't definite. The merger will depend on stockholders for both companies voting in favor. Shareholders for both companies vote tomorrow. They will get rid of redundant programming, and current users do not have to buy new receivers. XM and Sirius will still be offered as separate brands even though they will merge into one company.

The contracts for major league sports have already been paid so those contracts will still stand.

http://www.siriusmerger.com/site/page/whats_in_it_for_you

http://www.xmradio.com/merger/news.xmc

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XM/Sirius_merger

ETA: I expect shareholders to vote in favor of the merger, but I think the hangup will be govt approval. Until the companies are actually merged nothing is definite so I would make the decision on which one to purchase with how things are now.

 

[emilymad]

I have XM in my car and BF has Sirius. Each has channels that I like so a merger would be perfect. I get much better reception from XM then the Sirius. I am not sure why but the Sirius goes out all of the time. Both radios were factory installed so it is very weird.

 

[CinRell]

My car came with xm and a 3 month subscription. I thought the reception was awful and didn't like the music they played on, for example, the 80s station. I got sirius when Howard Stern made the move. LOVE the music selection and it comes in crystal clear.

 

[stitchlover]

So if they merge at some point they will share stations? We have Sirius but I know there are some XM stations that appeal to my husband. That would be great!

 

[STLDisney_Freak]

DH has Sirius...I had XM and then got rid of it for Sirius...I like Sirius channels much better and prefer the music on them.

 

[lisalovesmickey]

I have XM and LOVE it. That said, I've never had Sirius so maybe I'd love it too. I chose XM because they had better country music channels, and more of them, and that's the kind of music I like. I would agree with previous posters that you might get the most help from going to look at their channel listings (I think XM's is on its website).

About reception -- when I had mine installed, the guy at the auto shop recommended a signal booster. I got it (about $50 extra) and I've never had any static or reception problems. My dad (who also has XM) didn't get it and gets a lot of static. So I think reception issues have more to do with the car and the installation than XM/Sirius.

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

I have had both and prefer Sirius hands down. With the exception of a couple of channels, Sirius beat XM (IMHO). That being said, give each a try. I know Sirius offers a free trial on their website. I would think XM offers the same. Hopefully, they will merge and we'll all get the best of both worlds.

 

[T. Lynn]

I got XM radio for 3 months free when I purchased my vehicle. I think it is awful. I would never spend $12.95 to listen to music when I can get regular radio for free.

The stations seem to cut in and out and just isn't worth it for me. I have no plans to subscribe. I can use that money for something much better in life than music for in the car.

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

I have XM and I love it. I do not have a signal booster and never have static. I rarely lose reception (usually I am in a parking garage).

I also bought a receiver that I can take in the house too. I have an auxiliary jack installed though and that helps. If you are running satellite through an FM transmitter you will have some level of static. The aux jack was the best money I ever spent (I can use it for my iPod too).

I ended up with satellite radio for several reasons: I don't like the corporate policies of Clear Channel and the area I live in got rid of the country music stations. I chose XM because it carries all NHL games.

I love being able to drive across the state and not have to worry about finding new radio stations to listen to or updating my iPod so I have new music. I also did a year subscription and it was a bit of a savings over the monthly fee. It is up for renewal in a few weeks. I will be renewing. $120 a year is worth not having to deal with fuzzy music, hearing my hockey games, and getting radio reception inside my apartment (no FM reception) as well as a little thumbing my nose at the FCC.

 

[Green Tea]

I had XM which I loved but cancelled it for Sirius which I hate.

Does anyone know which Sirius channel Dave Ramsey comes on and what time?

 

[fourfoxesinpa]

We are holders of Sirius stock and have received proxy vote info. for a meeting of shareholders scheduled for this month on the merger of the two. If you can hold off for a few weeks, go ahead and see what happens. Keep your eye on CNBC to see if the merger happens - who knows how the merger will affect your receivers, antennae, etc.

We prefer Sirius because it has all the NFL and NPR. It also has Nascar but we don't listen to that but I know it's very popular.

 

[Mono~rail]

I had XM which I loved but cancelled it for Sirius which I hate.

Does anyone know which Sirius channel Dave Ramsey comes on and what time?

From http://www.daveramsey.com/radio/home/

Sirius Satellite Radio M-F
Channel 161 9 pm-12 Midnight EST

 

[Mono~rail]

We are holders of Sirius stock and have received proxy vote info. for a meeting of shareholders scheduled for this month on the merger of the two. If you can hold off for a few weeks, go ahead and see what happens. Keep your eye on CNBC to see if the merger happens - who knows how the merger will affect your receivers, antennae, etc.

The shareholders' meetings for both companies is today.

The merger will NOT have an effect on receivers. This has been said several times.

From http://www.xmradio.com/merger/news.xmc :

Will my existing radio continue to work after the companies merge?
You'll be able to use the exact same satellite radio that you are listening to now, after the merger takes place and for the life of your radio. That's the XM Customer Promise.

Will I continue to enjoy my current programming after the merger?
We will combine programming where we overlap, but the unique XM shows you love are here to stay.


From http://www.siriusmerger.com/site/page/faq :

7. Should I buy a radio today or wait for a dual-service radio? I want to buy a second radio; should I wait for the new models?There’s never been a better time to be a SIRIUS or XM subscriber. Any radios or other equipment that subscribers currently use will be fully supported by SIRIUS and XM for many years to come. Furthermore, following the merger, existing radios will all be able to receive a mix of programming from both services.


8. Which company’s satellites will the merged company use? How long will you operate both satellite systems?
Each of our satellite systems will continue to operate for many years to come providing service to the millions of radios in use today

 

[kellia]

Love XM, hate Sirrus. We have XM in dh's car (he drives 50 miles to work) and at home and we both love it. Lots of channels to choose from, songs we both like, etc. Dh gets cars from work occasionally, and they all have Sirrus in them. I can't stand it, I like a pretty wide variety of music, but I have yet to find a station I like more than one song in a row on.

Also, XM has better sattelite coverage, I think something it hits diagnally instead of just straight down like Sirrus. I know with Sirrus, every time you go under a bridge it goes out, which could be very annoying if you do that often!

 

[merryweather's twin]

When you set it up how long does it take to do? Like if I had a XM system put in(Best buy or Circut city) the car will it be activated then If I want or does it take a few days? I was thinking this would be a cool b-day gift. He gets into the car and it is done and works on his day??? Can you do this? He has asked for one but I have never given in.