Legendary oldies radio station WCBS-FM, New York yanked for 'Jack' - Bilge

I ikitnrev Tiki Socialite D.C. / Virginia Joined: Jul 27, 2002 Posts: 1325	I ikitnrev Posted posted on Sat, Jun 11, 2005 10:50 AM I listen to XM satellite radio, and it is very tough to go back and listen to a regular radio broadcast in somebody else's car, especially with all the constant advertising. I think I'm sold on Satellite radio for life. XM recently had a week where their 1960's channel played, in chronological order, their entire 60's set list - that is over 2700 songs, with no song repeated (and no commercials), over a one week period. That was pretty cool, to see how the musical styles slowly changed over that decade. I am unfamiliar with the programming of Sirius radio - my impression is that there are probably more similarities than differences between the two providers. XM and Sirius are working to develop a receiver that would be capable of receiving both services, but there is so much musical and programming variety contained with one service, that subscribing to both would be overkill. Many people will likely choose their service based on the car they bought (XM has an exclusive deal with General Motors, Sirius with Ford) or the store where they bought the service (Sirius has a deal with Radio Shack) Others will choose their satellite provider based on unique programming (XM has every major league baseball game, Sirius has the NFL, and soon Howard Stern, etc, etc.) XM appears to be in a more stable financial position and has many more subscribers, but it is still an industry that is still generally in its infancy. Most users will spend 90% of their time listening to 5 or 10 of their favorite stations, and mostly ignore what is happening on the other channels. I myself like to rotate, one by one, through all the different channels, and discover new artists and songs. Just like regular radio programming, Sirius and XM both have the right to alter programming and add or eliminate program channels whenever they wish, which means you will still have to get used to your favorite obscure station suddenly not being there one day. I will correct a few statements that foolmanchu made XM now costs $13/month. They offer discounted plans if you purchase anywhere from 1 year to 5 years of programming. XM and Sirius are both regulated by the FCC, but most of this attention is involved with the licensing of the satellites and allotment of the frequency channels, and the use of ground transmitters that repeat the signal in the crowded urban corridors. The FCC could also in the future insist that public service channels be allocated. But foolmanchu is correct that generally, the FCC keeps its hands off in areas of programming - but I wouldn't expect any 'Let's Overthrow the Government' channels anytime soon. As for home reception, not only do you need direct access to the open sky for your antenna, that access has to be oriented to the south, which is the direction that the satellites are positioned. I can place my antenna in my south facing window and receive great reception, but it is very difficult if I place the antenna in a north facing window. This direct line-of-sight is the reason why you can lose transmission while in heavily wooded areas, or while standing under a bridge, or driving along the side of a steep hill or mountain. It is hard, for a music lover, to describe the thrill of satellite radio. With regular radio, there might be two cool channels that you flipped between. With satellite radio, there are dozens of good channels, and the challenge is that you can only listen to one of those stations at a time. Vern

I listen to XM satellite radio, and it is very tough to go back and listen to a regular radio broadcast in somebody else's car, especially with all the constant advertising. I think I'm sold on Satellite radio for life.

XM recently had a week where their 1960's channel played, in chronological order, their entire 60's set list - that is over 2700 songs, with no song repeated (and no commercials), over a one week period. That was pretty cool, to see how the musical styles slowly changed over that decade.

I am unfamiliar with the programming of Sirius radio - my impression is that there are probably more similarities than differences between the two providers. XM and Sirius are working to develop a receiver that would be capable of receiving both services, but there is so much musical and programming variety contained with one service, that subscribing to both would be overkill.

Many people will likely choose their service based on the car they bought (XM has an exclusive deal with General Motors, Sirius with Ford) or the store where they bought the service (Sirius has a deal with Radio Shack) Others will choose their satellite provider based on unique programming (XM has every major league baseball game, Sirius has the NFL, and soon Howard Stern, etc, etc.) XM appears to be in a more stable financial position and has many more subscribers, but it is still an industry that is still generally in its infancy.

Most users will spend 90% of their time listening to 5 or 10 of their favorite stations, and mostly ignore what is happening on the other channels. I myself like to rotate, one by one, through all the different channels, and discover new artists and songs. Just like regular radio programming, Sirius and XM both have the right to alter programming and add or eliminate program channels whenever they wish, which means you will still have to get used to your favorite obscure station suddenly not being there one day.

I will correct a few statements that foolmanchu made

XM now costs $13/month. They offer discounted plans if you purchase anywhere from 1 year to 5 years of programming.
XM and Sirius are both regulated by the FCC, but most of this attention is involved with the licensing of the satellites and allotment of the frequency channels, and the use of ground transmitters that repeat the signal in the crowded urban corridors. The FCC could also in the future insist that public service channels be allocated. But foolmanchu is correct that generally, the FCC keeps its hands off in areas of programming - but I wouldn't expect any 'Let's Overthrow the Government' channels anytime soon.
As for home reception, not only do you need direct access to the open sky for your antenna, that access has to be oriented to the south, which is the direction that the satellites are positioned. I can place my antenna in my south facing window and receive great reception, but it is very difficult if I place the antenna in a north facing window. This direct line-of-sight is the reason why you can lose transmission while in heavily wooded areas, or while standing under a bridge, or driving along the side of a steep hill or mountain.

It is hard, for a music lover, to describe the thrill of satellite radio. With regular radio, there might be two cool channels that you flipped between. With satellite radio, there are dozens of good channels, and the challenge is that you can only listen to one of those stations at a time.

Vern

Post #165166 by ikitnrev on Sat, Jun 11, 2005 10:50 AM