XM, Sirius planning new post-merger pricing options

XM and Sirius have already talked a bit about some of their post-merger pricing schemes, but it looks like that's not all they have in store, with Reuters now getting word of some additional changes coming once the deal is done. Specifically, the companies are now saying that they'll be offering a subscription package "priced 46 percent below current levels," along with an option for customers to buy packages of their favorite channels. While exact pricing is still unclear, the "a la carte" programming would apparently be available "within one year following the merger" -- whenever that actually happens.

[hartmania @ Jul 23rd 2007 1:27PM]

As a Sirius subscriber, I hope the merger falls through before it comes to this.

[Ty @ Jul 23rd 2007 1:29PM]

I'm an XM subscriber and this sounds like what cable companies do. If I can pay for xm for 13 bucks a month and keep all the channels I have now I will go with it. Anything else and I guess I stop being a xm subscriber.

[John M. @ Jul 23rd 2007 1:33PM]

I haven't been able to figure out why neither of the services offers a free service plan, offer about 6 channels covering the basics, Top 40, AC, Urban, Country, etc with limited commercials and heavy reminders that for only $13 a month they can get all of these channels and more commercial free. I think if that happened and with the cost of equipment having gone down so much a whole lot of manufactures would bundle the equipment in to things like car radios, home theater receivers, etc and there would be a lot of conversion from the people introduced to the service that wouldn't have paid for the equipment or service otherwise.

[hartmania @ Jul 23rd 2007 2:00PM]

So for $100 (about the cost of a sat radio) I get a whopping six channels with commercials and "heavy reminders" from Sirius? Sounds like a great plan.

[Eric @ Jul 23rd 2007 7:37PM]

Radios aren't $100.

[Adam @ Jul 23rd 2007 2:09PM]

I don't want this merger to happen. I've been using XM for what.....4-5 years now and I love it. In fact I’m still using my original Delphi SkyFi receivers! I'm concerned when/if they merge they'll be no competition and everything will go downhill from there. I'm still mad at XM for getting rid of the world channel and the unsigned artists channel to replace them with the shi**y French only music channel and the unsigned artists from Canada channels. In both cases it showcased music from a lot of places and now it showcases music from Canada/and or France. US subscribers lost 2 great stations just because XM did what the Canadian government wanted to get their foot in the door. XM should of just added 2 Canada/French stations and left the other ones alone.

That’s a sign that they care more about other stuff than what their customers want.

[Fred @ Jul 23rd 2007 2:21PM]

I guess the merits of the plan depend on how you use the service. I pretty much stick to XM channels 41-48 and the MLB channels, so I suspect that a la carte pricing might help me. In fact, if Xirius would offer me the chance to buy just the sports programming and a couple of music channels, I'd jump at that offer. Say the MLB package and NFL package (post-merger, of course, as one is on XM and one on Sirius) for $40 per season and a couple of bucks a month for 10 music channels.

[daeishahn @ Jul 23rd 2007 2:31PM]

If the merger does fall through that will be a tragedy. The only true opponents to this merger are Clear Channel and News Corp who do nothing but innundate you with top 40 crap over and over and over. If the merger goes through i would love to see a pricing structure like cable or satellite TV. If the merger fails to go through you can be happy knowing that you have the option of listening to DRM protected tunes from iTunes or Napster from your mp3 player if you want to keep the RIAA of your back or listen to the next american idol or some other disposable pop music on FM.

[Mike @ Jul 23rd 2007 2:44PM]

I bet they will have tiered packages like cable and satellite tv providers do. While it's nice to have cheaper "options", most people will want the whole enchilada since that's what they get now.

I bet the new whole enchilada will be $20/mo due to all the sports channels.

[strider_mt2k @ Jul 23rd 2007 3:01PM]

This looks like a job for Slacker!

(Get on that will ya?)

[PDubNYC @ Jul 23rd 2007 3:13PM]

That picture looks like the Sirius dog is farting a toxic XM cloud

[strider_mt2k @ Jul 23rd 2007 4:18PM]

I think we're afraid of it happening for reals. :(

[Sam @ Jul 23rd 2007 3:15PM]

I just want a package of the NFL games.

[Eric @ Jul 23rd 2007 3:17PM]

What will happen with my lifetime'd Stiletto? So if it will only continue to receive Sirius stations, I will have to go buy another radio and have two to receive XM's content? Sounds inconvenient and expensive to me.

[howard @ Jul 23rd 2007 3:31PM]

my wife likes XM and i have Sirius in my truck. the only way either of us is going to be unhappy is if we get FEWER channels for the same monthly subsription fee.

want to bet how this will affect variety of choice?

[Doc @ Jul 23rd 2007 4:11PM]

ala cart...this is french for fucking you, right??? this is one thing that i was afraid of this means that all we are getting is screwed!! lower my ass, i hate the idea of ala cart i like paying $13 per month for "all" my content and i decide what to listen to! having a tier system is an exploit IMHO and i too really hope that this merger fall through....

[strider_mt2k @ Jul 23rd 2007 4:19PM]

I don't know about you, but the minute anything gets the least bit fishy we're gone.

Enough people do that and they'll notice.

[tcc3 @ Jul 23rd 2007 5:36PM]

Both services are too expensive. It was tempting at $10/month. $15-$20 for something Im only going to listen to in the car? Too much.

[Eric @ Jul 23rd 2007 7:37PM]

Make your lunch for a few days, have free satellite radio.

It's a bargain.

[tcc3 @ Jul 23rd 2007 7:52PM]

So you say, I just don't buy it (pun intended). I'm sure the service gives a wonderful selection, but its too much.

Then again I don't like bending over for the cable co either.

[apeguero @ Jul 23rd 2007 9:45PM]

Okay Engadget, turn on the voice changer, or the witness protection program voice changer.

I bought a 2006 VW Jetta in January with the Sirius satellite package. It came with a free, introductory 3 months included for Sirius radio. I've received monthly reminders to subscribe to a plan and get 3 more months for free. I keep turning it down because there really isn't anything that Sirius can offer that my MP3 CDs can carry. I burn my own MP3 CDs and listen to Podcasts all the time. I rarely have time for Sirius radio. Now for the funny part, it's end of July, 6 whole months since I bought the car, 3 whole months since the supposed introductory period was supposed to have ended. Guess what? I still have Sirius. Guess what? I still don't want to subscribe. Wonder why I'm still getting it for free? I never gave them any billing info. The only info they have of me is just the car that I bought. I keep turning them down, yet they never turn the service off. I guess I should just STFU and keep listening for free eh?

Oh damn! I forgot to use a different User Name on this post. Hush everyone. Don't rat me out please.

[Bill @ Jul 24th 2007 4:10PM]

Yes, this is very common.

Enjoy your free subscription and keep your mouth shut.

[Scott @ Nov 12th 2007 12:46PM]

I just bought a sirius radio but don't have a credit card to subscribe and I don't know anyone with a card. Is there any other way to activate my new radio?????

[docsharp01 @ Mar 4th 2008 8:16PM]

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http://www.1-satellite-tv-facts.com/Satellite-Radio.html