Sirius / XM

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Not sure if this will work with our Z's

 

Q: Do Sirius or XM users need new radios?

 

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A: No. Each service still will offer its current programs. They say a radio that works with both XM and Sirius will be available within a year.

 

Q: What about prices?

 

A: The companies told the FCC they won't raise rates, including the $12.95-a-month basic subscription, for three years. (They reserved the right after the first year to pass along increases in fees they're charged for the music they broadcast.)

 

Also, Sirius and XM each now will offer a pared-down $9.99-a-month package of primarily music channels and another of news, sports, and talk.

 

Q: Will channels from both now be available?

 

A: Within three months, the companies will offer a $16.99-a-month bundle called "Best of Both." Buyers would get their basic service, plus some channels from the other service. They haven't said how many of those channels, or whether marquee offerings such as Sirius' Howard Stern and NFL or XM's Oprah Winfrey or baseball will be included.

 

Q: What about offering channels a la carte?

 

A: They will offer two a la carte options: For $6.99 a month, customers can pick 50 channels from Sirius or XM, but not both, from 100 that each will make available. Additional channels then can be added for 25 cents each. Or, for $14.99, customers can pick 100 channels a la carte from Sirius' and XM's "Best of Both" offerings.

 

The catch: You'll need a new radio. The companies say radios with a la carte software will be on sale within three months. They gave no cost.

 

Q: Are new non-commercial channels due?

 

A: Sirius and XM say they'll set aside 4% of their capacity, about six channels each, for educational and informational shows.

 

Q: Will we see any changes in satellite radios?

 

A: Within a year, Sirius and XM will license their technology and sell a chip set to electronics makers. Innovations could include models that also pick up free, over-the-air HD radio or connect to iPods.