XM Radio subscribers, did you get an email...

[rcraw45425]

stating this:

Thank you for being an XM subscriber. We are dedicated to providing our subscribers with the best programming and listener experience available on radio today. As part of this commitment, we have an important update regarding your XM subscription.

Music royalty rights were established by the U.S. Congress as part of the Copyright Act. This Act requires payment of copyright music royalties to recording artists, musicians and recording companies who hold copyrights in sound recordings.

These royalties have recently increased dramatically, principally as a result of a decision made by the Copyright Royalty Board, which is designated by the Library of Congress to set royalty rates for sound recordings. Beginning on July 29, 2009, a “U.S. Music Royalty Fee” of $1.98/month* for primary subscriptions and $.97/month* for multi-receiver subscriptions will be effective upon your next renewal. This fee will be used directly to offset increased payments from XM to the recording industry.

Unfortunately, we cannot control the Copyright Royalty Board's rate increase, but we can offer you ways to save on your subscription. The longer your subscription, the more you save!



Call 866-377-7287



Thank you for being a loyal XM listener and we hope you continue to enjoy the unparalleled listening experience XM provides.

Joe Zarella
Chief Service Officer
SIRIUS XM Radio

P.S. Questions about the U.S. Music Royalty Fee? Please visit xmradio.com/usmusicroyalty for additional information.


I find this a little suspicious since I also have Sirius in my Mercedes (free 6 month subscription provided by dealer) and have seen nothing about this from them. THe XM is in DHs truck, I actually tried to cancel it back in May ewhen I picked up the Sirius, and to try to keep us as customers they gave DH 3 months free. This makes me glad they don't have my current CC info so I can cancel this puppy when it's time.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

Oh geesh, I guess I better check my email. Ugh!!

 

[rcraw45425]

Mine arrived in my mailbox last evening.

 

[SaraJayne]

No, I haven't gotten anything like that.

 

[SaraJayne]

I just googled (from info in your email) and found this...

8. When will I pay the U.S. Music Royalty fee?

1. For plans renewing after July 28, 2009, the fee will be automatically added to your next bill. There will be no change to your current plan and that plan will remain in effect without change until your next renewal date.

It's from the XM site, so it sounds legit...though I have yet to receive any notice about it.

Maybe because we pre-paid for two years?? Who knows.

 

[Monte Cristo]

No email here....

 

[rcraw45425]

Maybe because we pre-paid for two years?? Who knows.

probably.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

Okay I did check my email and I didn't get anything about it.

 

[rcraw45425]

Guess I'm lucky. Do y'all do automatic renewal? I cancelled mine back before my card (Visa Debit) renewed with new expy and security code. Each time I spoke with them (usually someone in Pakistan) they attempted to pressure me to renew early and give them the new info. I refused, now I'm glad I did, if it's the auto renewal that's keeping you from getting a notice, or maybe it's the fact that DHs free 3 months ends the end of August.

 

[DVCLiz]

I got it.

 

[rcraw45425]

I got it.

glad to know I'm not being singled out!

 

[Buckalew11]

I already canceled so I haven't received this and don't expect to. I canceled back in April but DH's XM just now cut off so I am wondering if they gave us 3 months free. Mine cut off right away, his did not. I canceled both at the same time and they were due the same time.
I found canceling wasn't the easiest thing to do through them. it took several calls and several time being put through to here and there.

 

[rcraw45425]

I already canceled so I haven't received this and don't expect to. I canceled back in April but DH's XM just now cut off so I am wondering if they gave us 3 months free. Mine cut off right away, his did not. I canceled both at the same time and they were due the same time.
I found canceling wasn't the easiest thing to do through them. it took several calls and several time being put through to here and there.

Yeah, they really had me steaming when I called to tell them to cut my radio off since I had the Sirius free for 6 months. Ours expired on May 31, so when I called on May 1st I told them just to apply the little bit remaining on mine as a prorated amount to keep his active a little longer. I had also renewed early before they began charging for the XM online, but when I cancelled my radio they immediately cancelled that as well. The Sirius side has been a lot nicer, I had a few issues with them since the car salesman activated it for me and did not get it completely activated, plus he set me up an account name and password and forgot to tell me what it was! I'm really so used to the satellite radio now that the thought of listening to our local "stuff" turns my stomach!

 

[minnie56]

Nope-didn't receive it

 

[LoraJ]

I have Sirius and have not heard anything. I really hate that my new car, when I ever get it, will have XM. Although, they do offer a Lifetime subscription. Too bad I won't have the car in time to get in before the 28th when they will probably raise the Lifetime fee as well.

 

[MomofKatie]

Yup- we got the notice about 3 weeks ago. Went right out and bought DH a new car stereo that he could plug his MP3 player into, and called and cancelled our subscription.

We had been unhappy with their service since the merge- didn't like the new station layout. It seemed that the playlists were more repetitive, and the DJ patter was off-putting. When we had XM only, there was no DJ interrupting the music- once Sirius came in, we got annoying chatter. I don't want to hear from some irritating DJ every 20 minutes- that's one of the reasons we got satellite radio in the first place!

When we got the "we're charging you more" email, it was the last straw. When we called to cancel, they tried everything to persuade us to stay. We kept saying NO, and they finally agreed to cancel. So, as of next weekend, we will be without XM for the first time in 5 years- we won't really miss it.

 

[Green Tea]

Sirius called me about renewing since my 6 month free promo is expiring. They said there would be a royalty fee on each account after some July date.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I have a current 2 year subscription so I suppose that's why I didn't get the e-mail. Wouldn't think of cancelling tho--since we got XM I haven't listened to "normal" radio in almost a year.
Where else can I get 40's, 50's, 60's Sinatra, Broadway, etc?

 

[kydisneyfans]

The email was received here too. It looks like a junk fee to me.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Is it JUST XM paying this fee?? Are regular radio stations required to pay?
Not quite sure how the "process" works. Both play recorded music--