Sirius video service coming this year, sez Karmazin
By Donald Melanson 
posted August 3rd 2006 8:24AM
posted August 3rd 2006 8:24AM
Talk of a Sirius satellite video service has been going on for practically as long as Sirius itself has been around, but it looks like it's now finally, maybe, definitely getting closer to reality. In a conference call yesterday, Sirius CEO Mel Karmazin himself said: "We are close to signing deals to offer the best video programming for kids as part of our OEM offering in the second half of the year" -- seems pretty definitive, no? The focus on kids programming certainly jives with earlier statements from the company on how they foresaw the service being used, but the launch date is actually earlier than most recent word we've heard from Sirius Senior VP Bob Law, who pegged it to be sometime "post-CES 2007." We can only assume that they're still planning for the service to be a live one, as opposed to cached, but your guess is as good as ours as to what it'll actually look like.[Via MobileMag]
I don't think either of these companies should be focusing on video when everyone is complaining about the audio quality. Those people who complain about the audio quality now will be really pissed when the video starts sucking up more of the bandwidth.
I have XM and have no complaints about the sound quality but then again I listen to mainly talk on a factory stereo system.
ahh... i hope we have closed captionings on mobile tv programs for hearing impaired. :^/
Kurt is right. Sirius shouldn't get into the video battle it's only going to get DirecTV to push harder and develop dishes for car roofs. They offer music stations and video for TV, the car I’m sure is only a short while away. Plus I can see them offering the monthly service for the car free if you’re a DirecTV subscriber.
As for XM, I listen mostly to news station and the commercials are terrible it's like listening to someone reading from my spam folder. The music selection sucks and they sold out to Clear channel and now have commercials on a couple of their music stations now too.
Sirius' sound quality is *seriously* (pun slightly intended) lacking when compared to XM. Neither one of them should be worrying about video until they are comfortably in the black (if even then). As for your comment, Paul; XM did not "sell out" to ClearChannel. An arbiter forced XM to let ClearChannel do what they wanted with the 5 (I think it was...) channels they provided content for. Xm did not want to do this and, when faced with the judgement, created their own channels to "replace" ClearChannels. If you look at the online streamer, ClearChannel is no longer listed at all.
when tvs attack.. man thats alot of tvs in one said vehicle.
To add further criticism of Sirius, the compression of their audio is horrendous-- it hurts my ears! I have both XM and Sirius, and with XM's ground transmitters augmenting the satellites, I rarely lose signal. With Sirius' satellite-only solution, I can just drive by an average tree and -zap!- no signal.
Personally, I like XM's music programming and less use of DJs refreshing. And O&A are funnier than Stern. Ok, someone had to say it in this thread. Grrr...
10 bucks says HowardTV is on this by the end of the year.
"what are they watching in that minivan?"
"i think it's Carmen Elektra on the Sybian"
I have Sirius, and the only time I lose signal is when I go through a toll booth or under a wide bridge. And anyway, I think the fact that they're adding video is a good thing. I hope they make it live like "normal" television. Oh how I'd love to have ESPN playing whilst I drive.
buy a dictionary - the word is "jibes" (agrees with), not "jives" (disagrees with). mel k talked about kids programming in the earlier article, which "jibes" with "the focus on kids programming" in this article.
First, let me see I'm not against this idea...
Second, if satradio wants to start transmitting video, then I think they should be subject to the same must-carry laws as satellite tv providers. That said, we should finally be able to put an end to HD-Radio and Sirius and XM can carry local stations as part of their normal digital offering. I'll probably embrace satradio this year, but it's time for them to start getting the same treatment from the FCC. As cool as satradio programming is, I'd still like to get my local stations (and their respective programming and jocks) at the same input point as everything else. One antenna to rule them all.
The word is "jibes" not "jives."
I still think this is much to optimistic by Mel Karmazin. The FCC has clearly stated that their license did not include TV programming, and was questioning the project. So, how did he resolve that little issue?
These companies are poor. This is dumb. No one wants half-@ssed video from a radio provider. Good luck making content deals. What a waste of time- we don't all have screens in our cars, and we don't all want them. We don't all have kids. We don't all care. We subscribed to satellite radio for music, or talk radio. What are you going to be able to provide to me, a single commuter, that's useful? And yes, I do think probably more single people have XM than families. But I think lots of those families already have screens in the cars, and DVD players (will the video come on a new device with a screen, or hook up to any existing screen, or what?)- and like someone mentioned above- Direct and Dish will OWN this market when the time comes, they're already there- they have all the content sown up and they're in your home already- I don't even know why XM/SIRI even want to pretend this is a practical business model.
Hmmm, and as you say above, we all dont care to hear you rant about Sirius. I have Sirius, and I wouldn't change them for nothing. I must admit driving under a bridge and losing signal sucks, but the channels are better, less commercial channels, and well Sirius has better hope of future showings. It's like Mac and PC, XM is the PC, Sirius is the Mac. Sirius may be less popular, but its the sleeping giant. I appreciate their efforts for trying, unlike those who bash them and most likely have nvr heard a satradio in their life. At least its advancing technology! Unlike you HD and reg FM listeners who cant afford to trade in your stock sh** radio and upgrade to the NOW.
I've tried Sirius twice because I like their programming better than XM, but am now with XM due to sound quality. Sirius has already pushed their antequated codec beyond what it was ever intended to do. Fact is, XM has too - but it handles it with a bit more grace.
I wish one of these companies would take the other route and offer spectacular sounding music on fewer channels. I don't want video, weather, traffic, etc. etc. etc.
It's about the music stupid(s).
HooHoo, we're uhh gonna be on sirius tv channels robin.. Look how original i am, I invented TV, HooHoo, tell em Fred..
Go ahead sirius, spend all your money on tv, use all your bandwidth, then pimp out howard some more for more money..
XM > Sirius
I have a country music video and interview show that has been air borne for 20 years. I interview Nashville artist and intersperse there videos in the show as we talk about them. I also do a video show that airs the latest videos from Nashville artists. I would like to send you a DVD of the shows for your consideration on your system. Each show is 28:00 minutes long. If you are interested please for me more information.
Thank You,
Herb Sudzin(producer/host)