Satellite Radio News (4.6.04)

The following is a summary of today's satellite radio headlines:

SIRIUS Satellite Radio Provides the Ultimate Choice: Three Full-Time Channels of Liberal and Conservative Talk Programming (Sirius Satellite Radio, 3.5.04) Press release notes that Sirius Satellite Radio announced that it will add Air America Radio to its lineup of programming that already includes the first radio channel dedicated to liberal viewpoints, SIRIUS LEFT. The two channels complement SIRIUS RIGHT, the talk radio channel dedicated to conservative viewpoints, which today announced the additions of such hard-hitting national stars as Michael Savage, Laura Ingraham and Tony Snow. SIRIUS LEFT begins its second year as America's first voice for liberals by adding seasoned radio hosts including Fox News Channel personality Alan Colmes, nationally-known liberal Midwesterner Ed Schultz, fiery New Yorker Lynn Samuels, San Francisco radio legend Alex Bennett and SIRIUS originals The Young Turks. SIRIUS RIGHT promises the fiery, unyielding opinions of national talk sensation Michael Savage; the biting conservative views of Laura Ingraham; and the unmatched knowledge and insights of Fox News Commentator Tony Snow and accomplished talk show hosts Rusty Humphries and Michael Reagan. (Read more)

XM Satellite Radio Shows Gains (Reuters, 4.1.04) News article notes that XM Satellite Radio reported greater-than-expected subscriber gains in the first quarter of 2004 in what many analysts believe is a critical year for building consumer acceptance of the nascent satellite radio industry. XM Radio reported 320,000 net new subscribers in the fourth quarter on Thursday, up 230 percent from the same period last year, bringing the company's total subscriber rolls to 1.68 million. The company said it expects 2.8 million subscribers by the end of 2004. Analysts had expected additions of 259,000 in the quarter, which is typically strong due to activations of new radios given as holiday gifts. XM's smaller competitor Sirius Satellite Radio said it plans to report first-quarter subscriber numbers with its first-quarter earnings, as is company policy. It expects to have 1 million subscribers by the end of the year. (Read more)

XM Satellite Radio Shows Gains (Reuters, 4.1.04) News article notes that XM Satellite Radio reported greater-than-expected subscriber gains in the first quarter of 2004 in what many analysts believe is a critical year for building consumer acceptance of the nascent satellite radio industry. XM Radio reported 320,000 net new subscribers in the fourth quarter on Thursday, up 230 percent from the same period last year, bringing the company's total subscriber rolls to 1.68 million. The company said it expects 2.8 million subscribers by the end of 2004. Analysts had expected additions of 259,000 in the quarter, which is typically strong due to activations of new radios given as holiday gifts. XM's smaller competitor Sirius Satellite Radio said it plans to report first-quarter subscriber numbers with its first-quarter earnings, as is company policy. It expects to have 1 million subscribers by the end of the year. (Read more)

XM Rockets Past Subscriber Target (TheStreet.com, 4.1.04) News article notes that XM Satellite Radio saw a big jump in new subscribers for the first quarter. The Washington, D.C., pay radio service added 320,000 net new subscribers for the quarter ended yesterday, exceeding the 260,000-addition target that some analysts had set. XM now counts 1.68 million users and says it is on track to reach its goal of 2.8 million subscribers by year-end. (Read more)