5.2 Satélite

Um rádio (Sirius) que recebe em andamento

«Sirius Satellite Radio says its Stiletto 100, the company’s first live portable radio, will be available this month. Stiletto includes WiFi, Yahoo music purchasing software, and the ability to save music for playback. Users can store up to 100 hours of content, schedule recordings six hours in advance and connect via WiFi to Sirius’ Internet radio services. Users’ own MP3/WMA files can be stored on the Stiletto 100 and managed with the included software for Windows PCs. The unit is compatible with Windows-based Internet music providers’ download and subscription services, according to the satcaster. Stiletto 100 lists at $349.99. A vehicle kit will list for $69.95, a home kit for $69.95 and an executive system for $149.95»

fonte: «Sirius Introduces Its Portable Radio», RWonline, 26/9/06

O futuro é já aqui

Um condomínio nos EUA que oferece, como equipamento-base, rádio via satélite (isto é importante porque mostra que esta rádio se está a implantar):

«Alchemy Properties has become the first real estate developer in the state to install SIRIUS satellite radios into a multifamily complex -- the 47-unit Lookout Hill Condominium in Brooklyn.

In order to complete the project, Alchemy partnered with Applied Media Technologies Corp., the exclusive business service provider of SIRIUS. Residents of the complex, located on State Street in Brooklyn Heights, will not be charged for their first year of service»

via Hear2)

XM engana ouvintes e põe publicidade nos canais musicais

«on XM's Music Channels There is Still Controversy:
Some XM subscribers have been hearing commercials on some music channels despite what they thought they were promised - and they don't know why. This explains it:
Anger and Confusion Over XM Satellite Radio's Commercial-Free Music Policy

Am I Crazy or Didn't XM Promises Commercial-Free Music?
No, you're not nuts. As a matter of fact, on February 4, 2004 that's exactly what XM stated. Have a look at this article:
XM Satellite Radio Drops Commercials On All Music Streams »

fonte: http://radio.about.com/b/a/257731.htm?nl=1

Um receptor wi-fi para o satélite EUA

Não sei o que é mas convém estar atento:

«Bear Stearns analyst Bob Peck said Sirius’ subscriber adds were “significantly higher than our 565k estimate.” He also expects that Sirius will maintain its subscriber momentum into the Summer—driven, in part, by an expected push into offering a Wi-Fi enabled receiver.

In a note to investors this morning, Peck wrote: “The technological gap between the two has largely narrowed to an extent that the features available on one platform are virtually comparable to those on the other.”

The next stage in this development, he says, will be Sirius’s next-generation receiver: a “live wearable satellite radio-cum-MP3 player. . . that could feature WiFi access (as Sirius becomes agnostic to the method of distribution.)”

Peck says such a device could be released by the end of this summer.»

fonte: Billboard Radio Monitor, Satcasters Add 1 Million Subs; WiFi Link Next?, July 06, 2006, By Tony Sanders

Previsões de crescimento para o satélite (EUA)

«Satellite radio will boast 19.5 million subscribers by 2010 with about 17% of all U.S. households tuning in to at least one of the two pay radio services, primarily because consumers like commercial-free music and the ability to listen to their favorite channels no matter where in the country they are»

fonte: Study: Satellite Radio To Grow -- Slowly, July 12, 2006, By Paul Bond, The Hollywood Reporter

O medo do satélite...

«"Fear of satellite radio is prompting an unprecedented level of cooperation among broadcasters in their efforts to launch HD Radio and HD2," says Frank Viquez, director of ABI Research's transportation practice. Viquez adds that HD Radio multi-casting is especially attractive to broadcasters because of its ability to divide the radio signal into separate audio channels, allowing new programming opportunities. "Traditionally, many stations with dual formats have been forced to split their programming according to a certain time schedule; thus HD2 offers them many new possibilities."»

fonte: «Fear Of Satellite Forcing Terrestrial Stations To Work Together?», Droxy, May 22nd 2006 7:33PM by Grant Robertson

Sirius quer XM ou XM quer Sirius?

«Sirius Satellite Radio CEO Mel Karmazin said yesterday that Sirius would be interested in buying XM Satellite Radio at the right price, though regulatory issues "would be a question mark."

Karmazin added that he'd be less interested in being acquired, though he also would consider it if it were in the shareholders' best interest. Asked if he would consider a merger with a satellite-television provider, Karmazin said it would make more sense for DirecTV Group and EchoStar Communications to merge with each other than with Sirius.

Karmazin was speaking at a conference on media convergence at the Museum of Television & Radio.

"Regarding XM – would we like to buy them? Sure. We'd love to buy them. Price would matter, so that would be an issue (and) there would definitely be the regulatory issue," he said.

An XM spokesman said, "We do not comment on our competitors' wishful thinking."»

fonte: «Sirius CEO Karmazin ”Interested” In Buying XM», Radio Ink, 27/6/06

Um receptor que junte XM e Sirius? Até que enfim...

«Satellite radio enthusiasts who subscribe to both XM and Sirius may soon be able to consolidate both of their satellite subscriptions into one radio receiver. A company called Interoperable Technologies, a joint venture between Sirius and XM, is currently working to create interoperable satellite radio receiver technology that allows subscribers to access both services. Last year the company successfully completed the design of a radio capable of receiving both services, and now they have a timeline to bring a receiver to market this year, says Orbitcast.com.»

fonte: Dual XM/Sirius Radio Could Appear This Year, FMQB, 19/6/06

Há polémica nos EUA: canais sem publicidade têm publicidade?

Já aqui me tinha questionado - mas a distância impede-me de conhecer melhor essa realidade: a rádio via satélite aparece com um grande trunfo, livre de publicidade, e afinal retransmite publicidade, mesmo nos canais commercial-free?

Desenvolvimentos:

«Subscribers to XM Satellite Radio continue to be either upset, dismayed, or confused about XM’s policy concerning commercials on music channels. I have...noticed a marked increase in little "blurbs" such as "the next hour of music is brought to you by so-and-so". This is an advertisement, no matter how you look at it, and I pay premium dollar to not hear ONE advertisement. The promos pushing their own shows on other channels irritate me also, but I can deal with those since there is no extra money funneling into XM Radio to have these promos. I'm NOT happy about the plugs for sponsors... - Andy»

Novos tempos na (boa) Radio Caroline

A mítica Radio Caroline, que - a partir d um barco - desafiou os poderes na GB, no pós-guerra, e obrigou a desregulamentar o espectro, a mesma Radio Caroline está desde a semana passada a emitir via satélite, através da plataforma digital da Sky, a Sky's Electronic Programme Guide (EPG).

A RC recolheu donativos dos ouvintes para conseguir este objectivo:

Station manager Peter Moore said in a statement: "Yes, we are the same station that famously broadcast from ships at sea from 1964 to 1990. We might still be at sea had it not been for a dramatic shipwreck and a sinister change to UK law. "No, we are not owned by or connected with any other radio station or holding group, we are totally independent.

"Yes, many of our presenters and staff were with us during our time at sea and yes we still have our 'pirate ship' MV Ross Revenge, currently under restoration. Perhaps we will one day broadcast from our ship again. Certainly we would like to invite the public on board when restoration is more advanced.

We are all volunteers. Nobody in Caroline whether on air or behind the scenes, or even the Boss, gets a wage or takes any expenses. We create radio for the love of it. Some of our guys have walked out of good radio jobs to return to Caroline.»

Sirius encomenda quarto satélite

«New York - Jun 8, 2006 - Sirius Satellite Radio has placed an order with Space Systems/Loral to design and build a new satellite. The satellite is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2008. Sirius plans to launch the satellite on a Proton rocket from the International Launch Services (ILS).

Sirius currently flies three satellites in highly elliptical orbits so that at least two of them are visible at any time in the United States. This fourth satellite will complement these three by being launched into a geostationary orbit. This hybrid constellation will provide redundancy and enhanced coverage.

The cost to design, build and launch the satellite will be about $260 million.»

fonte: «Sirius Orders Fourth Satellite», beradio: http://beradio.com/currents/radio_currents_061206/index.html#sirius 

Sirius e XM quase empatadas?

«Bridge Ratings projects that over the last fifteen weeks 1,718,945 additional subscriptions to satellite radio have occurred at the retail level. XM's share of this 15 week projected retail sales total is 50.2%, Sirius 49.8%. Based on the slowing trend line of sales for XM, Bridge Ratings now projects XM total subscriber count at 8.4 million by year end 2006 and 6.5 million for Sirius. Projections are updated quarterly.»

fonte: Bridge Ratings Update: Sirius & XM Running Neck & Neck, Radio Ink, 17/6/06, http://www.radioink.com/headlineentry.asp?hid=133981&pt=inkheadlines

Sirius ultrapassa XM?

Parecia impossível, mas...

«Bridge Ratings projects that of just over one million retail sales of satellite radios sold since April 1, 2006, 51% (534,994) were XM radio systems. But this percentage in recent weeks has flipped in Sirius’ favor. Over the last three weeks of May, Bridge projects 57% of the 350,000 satellite systems sold were Sirius, with 58% of sales going to Sirius during the week ending May 29»

fonte: «Report: Sirius outpacing XM», 7/6/06, Radio Ink, http://www.radioink.com/headlineentry.asp?hid=133876&pt=inkheadlines

Sirius não baixa a previsão de assinantes

Ao contrário do que aconteceu com a XM, a Sirius mantém as previsões de crescimento:

«In the wake of a scaled-down subscriber forecast by XM Satellite Radio, fast-growing Sirius has now reaffirmed its earlier projections. The quickly-growing upstart maintained its estimate of 6.5 million subscribers by year-end, a figure that represents an addition of 2.5 million over the next seven months. "This supports our expectation that we will capture the majority of retail satellite radio net additions in 2006," said Sirius CEO Mel Karmazin. Meanwhile, the company also indicated that it could reach positive free cash flow as early as the fourth quarter.»

fonte: Digital radio News, «Sirius Satellite Reaffirms Subscriber, Financial Guidance», 26/5/06

Um sinal de pessimismo no satélite

A XM anunciou ontem uma revisão em baixa da sua previsão de assinantes - efeito Sirius/Stern?

da RBR: «Already reeling from a federal investigation into how it counts subscribers and a raft of shareholder lawsuits that followed, XM Satellite Radio shocked Wall Street yesterday by reducing its subscriber forecast for 2006. Rather than nine million subscribers, it is telling The Street to expect 8.5 million at year end. XM's stock, which had already been in a slide, fell over 11% yesterday. "Subscriber growth for the first quarter of 2006 was consistent with our initial guidance of nine million subscribers by the end of 2006.»

Fusão entre Sirius e XM?

O problema é da Autoridade local da Concorrência:

«When asked yesterday, at the Lehman Worldwide Wireless, Wireline and Media Conference about a potential merger between his company and XM, Sirius EVP/CFO David Frear said he thought it would “make sense from an economic standpoint.” He added, however, that he couldn’t predict what government regulators would have to say to the hypothetical merger»

fonte: radio ink, 24/5/06, http://www.radioink.com/headlineentry.asp?hid=133679&pt=inkheadlines

Sobre a hipotética fusão:

«NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. (SIRI) thinks it could make sense to merge with rival XM Satellite Radio Inc. (XMSR) but isn't so sure regulators would approve such a deal.

Speaking at an investor conference organized by Morgan Stanley Wednesday, Chief Financial Officer David Frear said putting the two satellite radio companies together would create better a return for shareholders. It makes economic sense, but "whether or not that's feasible from a public policy perspective" is unclear, he said, according a transcript of his comments.

Chatter about possible talks between the two companies has circulated for months. Sirius and XM are currently the only two satellite radio providers in the U.S. In order for regulators to approve such a deal, the two would have to be considered part of a broader industry with other competitors»

fonte: «Sirius CFO: likes XM merger, but regulators may not agree», Market Watch.com Ellen Sheng, Last Update: 1:12 AM ET May 25, 2006

Industria discografica processa XM

por causa dos novos aparelhos da XM (e da Sirius) que gravam a emissão e a transformam de imediato em ficheiros mp3 - com a oferta musical do satelite, estes aparelhos tornam-se melhores do que um iPod...

«"As has been widely reported, the four major record labels have filed a copyright infringement suit against XM Radio, based on the recording capabilities included in certain recently-introduced XM receivers, such as the Pioneer Inno and Samsung Helix. [Read previous RAIN coverage here.]

"The complaint [PDF] makes it clear that the RIAAcompanies are gunning not just for XM, but for all innovators. [A] summary of the claims, many of which reach well beyond the borders of established copyright jurisprudence.»

fonte RAIN, 19/5/06, http://www.kurthanson.com/archive/news/051906/index.asp

Honda vende um milhão de carros com XM

«XM Satellite Radio is rapidly expanding its dashboard footprint, thanks to a steady tide of new, satellite-ready automobiles. On Wednesday, American Honda Motor Co. announced the sale of its one-millionth, XM-enabled vehicle, part of a growing partnership between the two companies (...)

Looking ahead, American Honda expects sales of 550,000 XM-enabled vehicles by the end of this year. The company offers factory-installed XM receivers on a wide range of models, including the Honda Pilot, Accord, Accord Hybrid, Odyssey, and Element, and the Acura RL, TL, TSX and MDX. Meanwhile, XM carries a heavyweight roster of automotive partners, which includes General Motors, Toyota, Hyundai, Nissan, Porsche, Suzuki, Subaru, Volkswagen, and Audi. Overall, buyers of 130 different models will have access to an XM receiver, generating a larger pool of lifetime subscribers.»

fonte: «Honda Delivers One-Millionth XM Factory Installation», Digital Music News, http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/#051106

 

Os ouvintes de Howard Stern

Continua a ser um dos mais temas mais interessantes - o que é que aconteceu aos ouvintes hertzianos de Howard Stern?

Mais um estudo:

«"Our latest estimate is that a total of 1.1 million (8.4 percent) of Stern's terrestrial fan base has migrated to Sirius," the research group noted. "As Bridge Ratings continues to interview former Stern listeners, there is an apparent apathy regarding future Sirius subscriptions." The company surveyed a total of 3,200 terrestrial Stern listeners, and found that many were simply not motivated enough to make the switch from the free, terrestrial dial»

fonte: «New Report Projects Stalling Howard Stern Conversions», Digital Music News, 12/05/06 

Sirius chega a acordo com editoras para vender músicas

O receptor portátil da Sirius que grava a emissão e faz ficheiros em mp3 tem sido contestado pela industria discografica. A Sirius resolveu o problema, negociando com as «majors»:

«Sirius Satellite Radio’s fight with the major labels over its S50 portable receiver is over. EMI today became the fourth and final major to ink a deal with Sirius that allows for sales of controversial device. Details of the agreement were not disclosed but it is believed to mirror similar pacts Sirius struck with Sony BMG, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group in mid-March. According to sources close to the agreements, Sirius will pay the labels an undisclosed fee for each S50 sold and will cap the number of devices it sells.
Sirius has not disclosed sales figures for the S50. Analysts expect no more than 1 million will be sold»

fonte: «Portable Player Dispute Ends Between Sirius, Major Labels», April 14, 2006, By Brian Garrity, Billboard