Satellite+Radio

=SATELLITE RADIO= toc

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Referred to as Satellite radio but is more accurately called subscription radio or pay radio as it is not always broadcasted over the satellite but is always digital therefore will provide cd like quality sound. Satellite radio is more than the latest technology. It's an extraodinary new way to experience your favourite music, sports, news, talk shows, comedy. All these content can travel with you anywhere you go. No longer are your choices limited to where you live or travel. Satellite radio gives you the freedom to hear what you want, when you want it. Many radio listeners have their favourite radio station that they listen to but when you travel too far away from the source station the radio signal breaks up and all you are left with static. Most radio signals only travel for no more then 30 to 40 miles from their source. Satellite radio resolves that problem of limited range. Satellite radio has the capabilities of broadcasting its signal from more than 22,000 miles from its source and provide absolute clarity in their sound. Listeners no longer have to worry about travelling in their cars to far off distances and not receiving a radio signal.

In 1992, the US federal Communication Commission (FCC) allowed the "S" band (2.3 GHz) for nationwide broadcasting of satellite-based Digital audio radio service. Four companies applied for a license in order to broadcast over the band but only two companies were granted permission to do so. In 1997, the FCC gave licenses to Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio who each paid more than $80 million to use the "S" band space for digital satellite transmission.

Satellite Radio vs Regular Radio
Regular radio is transmitted through either the AM (amplitude modulation) or FM (frequency modulation) band. AM stations can broadcast their signal a fair distance, especially at night. It's not unusual to pick up AM stations hundreds of kilometres away on a clear night. The problem with the AM band is the quality of the signal is not that good. FM radio was developed to improve the quality of the signal. You can get rich stereo sound but the signal can't be broadcast very far. The ultimate issue with regular radio is the range to which the signals can travel is very limited and will fade out if the source signal is too far away.

With satellite radio, you get near-CD quality sound. Your car radio can pick up the signal the same way your TV can pick up digital television channels. In addition, a satellite radio channel can carry extra information such as while a song is playing you can find out information pertaining to the artist of the song such as when the performer may be touring your city. In order to have access to satellite radio transmission a special receiver is required to pick up the signal. The receiver can either be a small device that hooks up to a home stereo or boom box, or it can be a dedicated radio that's installed in your car.

One of the main advantages that Satellite Radio have over regular radio is that it is not regulated by the government whereas regular radio is significantly regulated by the government in terms of content material. On satellite radio, many personalities including Howard Stern have made the leap and advocating that the material would be much more creative and enlightening given there are not the limitations that are placed on them when on regular radio.

Although Satellite radio presents many technical advantages over regular radio it does come at a cost. Whereas regular radio is free of charge, Satellite radio can cost from anywhere from $12.95 US and up. The choice comes down to whether the consumers think whether the commercial free, hight quality, added variety and selection is worth the $13 a month.

Sirius Satellite Radio
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Sirius Satellite Radio is one of two satellite radio services operating in the US and Canada. XM Radio is the other. Sirius was founded in 1990 when originally known as CD Radio and the headquarters is currently in New York City. Sirius provides 24 hours a day of commercial free broadcasting. Sirius provides 69 channels of music along with 65 channels of sports, news and entertainment to listeners.

Sirius' strategy from the beginning was to build broadcast streams from the ground up by using big name personalities to get the ball rolling. Sirius currently have deals with Martha Stewart, Jimmy Buffet and Eminem to executive produce streams on Sirius. On October 6, 2004 Sirius announced it had signed a five year, $100 million per year deal with radio personality host Howard Stern. Howard Stern is a strong advocate of Satellite Radio due to the current nature of FCC regulations on regular radio airwaves. After the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show where pop singer Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson created headwaves with their "wardrobe malfunction" stunt, FCC enforcement were more emphasized and the creativity of The Howard Stern Show was compromised. However, Howard Stern was the first person to join Sirius Radio and offered by Sirius a $100,000,000 per year contract for 5 years. This proves how successful Sirius Radio is and how The Howard Stern Show is its diamond.

**XM Satellite Radio**
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XM Satellite Radio was founded in 1992 American Mobile Radio Corporation. Its headquarters are currently located in state capital of the United States in Washington, DC. Its service includes 73 different music channels, 39 news, sports, talk and entertainment channels, 21 regional traffic and weather channels and 23 play-by-play sports channels. With XM Satellite Radio you get the latest headlines and topics in news and talk, play-by-play action and daily recaps in sports, exclusive concerts, original music series, or commercial-free music, XM has more of what you love. XM Satellite Radio currently has 7 million subscribers compared to Sirius' 5 million and provides 50 more digital channels (170 compared to 120) than Sirius.

XM Radio is broadcasting over 170 digital channels of totally new music, news, sports and children's programming direct to cars and homes via satellite. The streams come from XM's broadcast headquarters in Washington DC and are sent to their satellites. The satellites then transmit the signal across the United States.