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XM Satellite Radio

(Redirected from XM Radio)

XM Satellite Radio (NASDAQ:XMSR http://quotes.nasdaq.com/asp/SummaryQuote.asp?symbol=NaodW29-item1df8911227d0718
1&selected=XMSR
) is a satellite radio service in the United States based in Washington, DC and controlled by Clear Channel Communications, News Corporation's DirecTV, General Motors, American Honda, Hughes Electronics, and several private investment groups.

XM provides pay-for-service radio, with commercial-free music channels, analogous to premium cable television. Their service includes 68 different music channels, 33 news, sports, talk and entertainment channels, two premium channels, and 21 regional traffic and weather channels.

As of December 2004, XM is the leader in subscriptions in its competition with Sirius Satellite Radio for the U.S. satellite radio market. XM was founded in 1992 as American Mobile Radio Corporation.

Contents

Services

XM-capable receivers cost $50–200. Monthly service fees are $10 for the first receiver, and $7 each for up to four additional receivers on the same account. XM Satellite Radio makes the majority of its stations available on the Internet, the Internet-only subscription fee is $8/month; those with an over-the-air account pay $4 monthly.

XM also provides data services such as weather information for pilots and weather spotters.


Timeline

Technology

XM provides digital programming directly from two satellites (nicknamed "Rock" and "Roll") in geostationary orbit above the equator, and a network of ground-based repeaters. The combination of two satellites and a ground-based repeater network is designed to provide gap-free coverage anywhere within the continental U.S. Unfortunately, both satellites are suffering from a generic design fault on the Boeing 702 series of satellites, which means that their lifetimes will be shortened to approximately six years instead of the design goal of 15 years). A third satellite will need to be launched in 2004 to ensure continuation of service, and procurement of a fourth will need to be advanced by several years. It is believed that XM was issued a credit by Boeing on the new spacecraft.

The XM signal uses 12.5 MHz of the S band: 2332.5 to 2345.0 MHz. XM has agreed to provide 128 kilobits per second of its bandwidth to OnStar Corporation for use with XM-enabled GM vehicles, regardless of whether their owners are XM subscribers. American Honda also retains the right to some of the company's bandwidth.

They transmit coded traffic information directly to navigation systems using TMC technology.

Controlling interest

The company's May 2004 proxy statement http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1091530/000119312504065990/ddef14a.htm notes that four directors are subject to director designation agreement s with GM, American Honda, the chairman, and the CEO. Four additional directors are investors, and two are not affiliated with any significant stockholders.

As of that statement, GM owned 8.6% of the Class A common stock (a voting percentage of less than 1%) and Honda owned 13% (with a voting percentage of 3.6%).

Until they unaminously agree otherwise, control of the company remains with the preferred shareholder and noteholders of the company, including Clear Channel, Hughes Electronics, GM, Honda, and several private investment groups.

External links

  • Official website http://www.xmradio.com/
  • SEC filings for XM Radio Holdings http://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?action=getcompany&CIK=0001091530&owner=i
    nclude
  • Pay for XM Executives Modest as Stock Recovered http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A3632-2004Aug15.html
  • Orbitcast.com http://www.orbitcast.com/ , a blog about all things Satellite Radio
  • Satellite Radio Review http://www.satelliteradioreview.com/



Last updated: 02-09-2005 18:55:19
Last updated: 02-22-2005 15:48:47