Edition #16: The latest from SiriusXM.
Prices may go up, Sirius won't be shut down after all, new Xtra channels, events, and more.
Friday, September 16th, 2022
Welcome back to the SeriousXM newsletter for the week! I won’t delve too much right now so before this week’s news, make sure you subscribe for FREE.
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On to this week’s news…
The Latest News
SXM’s plans on the increase?
SiriusXM is possibly planning to roll out rate increases for its subscribers in the near future. This comes as new features and new hardware continue to come into the service.
Currently, SiriusXM offers this for traditional car plans…
A new Music Showcase package for $13/month that includes…
Just music channels. No sports, Howard Stern, comedy, news/talk, entertainment channels, etc.
A general Music and Entertainment package for $18/month.
Music and entertainment channels, but no sports, Howard Stern, news/talk, etc.
The Premium package is for $23/month.
Everything under the sun, including music, entertainment, sports, Howard Stern, and more.
All of these packages also tack on an extra $3/month for music royalty fees.
There has been a longstanding practice of trying to give customers special rates to keep customers from canceling. However, according to The Desk and Matthew Keys, that may soon come to an end as the company looks like it wants to keep the increased prices as SXM’s CEO Jennifer Witz said that the prices were better for the company’s bottom line, a.k.a. money and profit.
“It was better for revenue, so we’re constantly looking to adjust, so we can build overall revenue growth.”
The CEO acknowledges that SXM is more expensive than Apple Music and Spotify, but its because they’re trying to reach younger folks with better technology, more live programming, and sports.
It is really expansive and the current 360L platform is one they’re heavily promoting, as part of that better technology, because of its traditional channels with hundreds of online-only streams (of all kinds) curated by SXM.
If the satellite subscription costs do go up, the only cheaper option would be its streaming plans that cost as little as $5/month for its Music Showcase to $11/month for its Platinum package, the latter also including Stitcher which is new.
We’ll see how this turns out, as the majority of SXM’s customer base still comes from cars and Witz acknowledged that the company’s health is tied to the cars and the auto market.
H/T to Matthew Keys and The Desk for this story.
By the way, if you’re interested in the 360L product, SiriusXM is selling it for $150. However, I was able to find it on Amazon for as low as $120, but it depends on which version you buy so shop carefully if you do so.
Sirius’ transponders aren’t going away anytime soon.
I thought I’d shake it up with a different picture than usual. 😛
Anyways, it looks like the Sirius transponders of the service may not be shut down as soon as most would’ve thought.
Again, SXM CEO Jennifer Witz said that its no longer possible to consider shutting down Sirius’ transponders by the middle of this decade, which would’ve freed up spectrum for other satellite radio and data applications.
She said that while the majority of SXM subscribers use the XM side of the platform, there are still several million on the Sirius side of the platform. Ending that would be a HUGE interruption to millions of customers, especially those who have Sirius on car radios.
Sirius and XM started out separately in the early 2000s with different technology and hardware. Once combined in 2009, the short-term plan was to continue using both but then eventually use XM’s spectrum and technology. Unfortunately, that still won’t happen… YET.
Also, it needs to continue with it due to a pre-2005 lifetime subscription that was offered to early Sirius customers for a one-time $500 fee. The company argued that its for the hardware, not the customer, with a max of three radio transfers (for a $75 fee). The company got sued for that in 2018 by a Sirius customer saying they weren’t honoring the terms of their subscriptions. Eventually, it got settled and SXM was forced to recognize the subscriptions to the customer, not the hardware.
This means that changing it now would interrupt a million+ customers who are on the Sirius side with lifetime subscriptions and not everyone would want to switch over, especially with cars that have Sirius technology.
Another H/T to Matthew Keys and The Desk for this one.
SXM honored Queen Elizabeth II last week.
I know not everyone in the states will care about this, but SXM did an amazing tribute to a wonderful U.K. royal member who we lost last week at the age of 96.
A limited-run Queen Elizabeth Tribute Channel ran for 21 hours last Sunday, September 11th that played music from artists Her Majesty knighted and honored. Those artists included Paul McCartney, Elton John, Adele, Ed Sheeran, Mick Jagger, Bono, Van Morrison, Elvis Costello, and plenty more.
A four-hour music special was aired and hosted by 1st Wave (Channel 33)’s Richard Blade. The special is still available at the moment on the SXM app and will run for another week.
Now, this may have already aired, but CNN Originals (Channel 121) ran a six-part series about the British Royal Family, which includes interviews with insiders and experts to put together the story of the family.
As we speak, people from all over the world are mourning and paying their last respects at Westminster Hall in London where the Queen is lying-in-state and will be buried next to her late husband, Prince Philip, at the King George VI memorial chapel on Monday, September 19th, the day of the State Funeral.
BBC World Service (Channel 120) is offering special coverage of the Queen’s death. Get live updates and coverage throughout the next couple of days there.
Lizzo on the Small Stage Series is About Damn Time!
We have another big name added to SXM’s Small Stage Series. Enter Lizzo into the picture.
There’ll be a special invitation-only concert as part of the series in Lizzo’s hometown, Detroit, at Saint Andrew’s Hall on Wednesday, October 5th. This will feature music from her fourth studio album, Special, plus other fan favorites from over the years.
If you want to attend the concert, first make sure you are in the Detroit area by then, and then click here for more details.
If you can’t attend though, don’t worry. SXM will broadcast the concert a week later on Wednesday, October 12th at 9:00 p.m. and 12:00 Midnight ET (6:00 and 9:00 p.m. PT) on SiriusXM Hits 1 (Channel 2). It will be heard again on The Heat (Channel 46) on Friday, October 14th at 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT). Plus, of course, select songs will be heard on The Pulse (Channel 5), Pandora NOW (Channel 3; XL), TikTok Radio (Channel 4; XL), and The ‘10s Spot (Channel 11).
Two new podcasts debut on the SXM platform.
Two new podcasts have debuted this week on the SXM platform. One focuses on comedy and another on what else, superheroes.
First up, Marvel’s Wastelanders: Doom. The weekly ten-episode fifth installment of their audio epic series debuted on Monday, September 12th.
Episodes 1 and 2 are already available on the SXM app and on Marvel Podcasts Unlimited on Apple Podcasts. Episode 1 is also available on every other major podcast platform, including SXM’s two very own services, Pandora and Stitcher.
Another one is The Ballad of Uncle Drank, played by comedian Will Sasso. Its a new animated musical-comedy podcast from SiriusXM and Audio Up about the most important fictional Gulf and Western country music superstar of all time. This one’s an eight-episode series and the first one debuted on Tuesday, September 13th.
This one is available on the SXM app and on all major podcast platforms, including Pandora and Stitcher with new episodes released every Friday, including today.
New Channels
Time to let you know about two Xtra app-only channels that you should know about. Because these are Xtra channels, they’re only available on streaming plans.
The first one is Octane Workout. Meant to bring you high up-tempo music that’s not meant to slow you down, especially if you are working out or at the gym. All music played here fits Octane (Channel 37)’s format of New Hard Rock.
The other one is Nitro. This one is a mix of Octane, Turbo (Channel 41; XL), and Ozzy’s Boneyard (Channel 38), and plays nonstop hard rock from the ‘70s to today.
These are all a part of SXM’s Xtra offerings that are app-only based, mixed in with Pandora features, and feature an extra selection of music curated from SXM’s popular music channels such as ALT Nation 2K Hits, Chillhop, Pop and Dance Mix, New Music Mash, BPM Top Hits, Spa Instrumental, Country and Pop Party, Yoga, Prom Radio, The Coffee House Discovery, and much much more.
In fact, there are 200+ Xtra channels available for your convenience. Yes, I counted.
Events
Time to get to this week’s entertainment and sporting events.
Before I do, one final reminder about Shinedown Radio. This was from their recent Small Stage Series performance last month but a channel was dedicated to the band for nearly a month on the SXM app. This upcoming week, starting today is your last chance to hear the station before its gone next week on Friday, September 23rd.
Also, this weekend is your one last chance to hear Pearl Jam’s Small Stage Series concert as well on their own channel, Pearl Jam Radio (Channel 22).
Today, Friday, September 16th at 2:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT).
Tomorrow, Saturday, September 17th at 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. ET (5:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. PT).
Sunday, September 18th at 2:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT).
Now, onto this week’s events…
Gene Watson: 60 years in Country Music.
Gene Watson is celebrating 60 years in the music business, and as a result, a new special to celebrate his career. Watson will be collaborating with the legend himself Willie Nelson for the first time on a new album, Outside The Box, and will be a part of a new Album Release Special that’ll premiere today, Friday, September 16th on Willie’s Roadhouse (Channel 59).
The one-hour special will feature music from that album, plus other new and classic songs from Watson and his Farewell Party Band, plus a conversation with Grand Ole Opry legend and Sundays with Seely host Jeannie Seely.
It will air at the following times on Willie’s Roadhouse…
Tonight, Friday, September 16th, at 6:00 p.m. ET (3:00 p.m. PT).
Tomorrow, Saturday, September 17th at 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. ET (6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. PT).
Sunday, September 18th at 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. ET (5:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. PT).
LatinX and Hispanic Heritage Month Specials across SiriusXM.
We’ve made it to LatinX and Hispanic Heritage Month, and SXM will be celebrating with specials throughout the month, with music, news, comedy, talk, and other specials of all sorts.
As a result, every week from now until October 14th (the month is from Sept. 15th-Oct. 15th), the newsletter will be highlighting those specials. This will be the first of five editions where you’ll be hearing about Specials dedicated to LatinX and Hispanic Heritage Month on SXM so here’s this week’s collection.
NOW on the SXM App
Influ-Herencia con Sebastián Yatra. It debuted yesterday on Viva (Channel 763; online only) but will be available on the SXM app throughout the month. Its a celebration of today’s biggest musicians honoring their influences by sharing their favorite songs. The first episode will include Vicente Fernandez, Andrea Bocelli, and more.
Multi-Latin Grammy Award winner Gilberto Santa Rosa is a guest DJ on Rumbón (Channel 767; online only). He plays his favorite songs plus his top salsa moments and biggest milestones in a Guest DJ special called La Clave.
Yesterday was Roberto Clemente Day across Major League Baseball, which honors the late Puerto Rican sports icon and National Baseball Hall of Famer. Now available on the app, the MLB Network Radio (Channel 89) special features his former teammate with the Pittsburgh Pirates Al Oliver, retired catcher and fellow Puerto Rican player Bengie Molina and current Pirates manager Derek Shelton.
A special on Doctor Radio (Channel 110) focuses on health and related topics towards LatinX and Hispanic communities. Health Equity NOW will focus on those health needs and will be aired on the station plus all month on the app.
Throughout the Month
Comedian Jesus Trejo will give you something to laugh about on Netflix is a Joke Radio (Channel 93; XL). His hilarious celebrations will be every Thursday from now until October 13th at 12:00 Noon and 7:00 p.m. ET (9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. PT) plus the SXM app.
Águila (Channel 761; online only)
Today is Mexican Independence Day. Yesterday, the channel celebrated Fiestas Patrias with the renowned Mexican mariachi band Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan.
On Thursday, September 22nd, a special performance from the first banda music ensemble from El Salvador, La Autentica Banda LL.
The Village (Channel 741; online only)
All next week, host Dan Navarro will host Prisms: The Sound of Color that’ll look at the month with special guests, songs, and more.
She’s So Funny (Channel 771; online only; XL)
Today, Friday, September 16th, the channel will be celebrating the best of Latina Comics, including Carmen Lynch, Cristela Alonzo, and more.
On Tuesday, September 20th, Carmen Lynch will host The Human Centipod: This Latino, in which Lynch and her friends discuss what’s it like to be Latina.
Comedy Greats (Channel 94; XL)
All month long, they’ll air hour-long specials from Latin and Hispanic comedians, including Greg Giraldo, John Leguizamo, and more. It will replay this week on Monday, September 19th with three more replays later on.
SiriusXM Fight Nation (Channel 156)
Thunder Rosa, AEW Women’s Champion and a Mexican-American herself, hosts Busted Open every Friday on the station.
Sports
Finally, we get to the sports section. Let’s see what’s happening here.
First off, I still won’t get to the MLB as there are still plenty of games left in the year as teams are trying to get spots in the Playoffs (as of this writing, the L.A. Dodgers are the only team with a playoff spot so far).
I also won’t get into College Football, or Soccer, since again, those offer plenty of matches as well. Plus, both have only just begun their seasons (NCAAF or the Premier League).
🏈: NFL Matches for Week 2.
However, Matthew Keys from The Desk, who has broken some amazing SXM stories on his site lately, was able to put a weekly guide of where you can hear the NFL matches across SXM. With permission, I’m able to re-post the information for all of you. Thank you Matthew for doing this!
Here are this week's NFL games and where you can hear them on SiriusXM.
NOTE: The channels include Sports Play-by-Play channels and NFL Play-by-Play channels to hear the hometown broadcasts, SiriusXM NFL Radio (Channel 88), and post-game analysis across SXM’s multitude of sports networks.
🏀: WNBA Finals are almost done.
We’re close to the end of another WNBA Finals for another year. As of this edition, the Las Vegas Aces have a 2-1 series lead over the Connecticut Sun. The Sun won last night to keep the series alive.
SiriusXM NBA Radio (Channel 86) will continue to have all the action right up until the end.
Game 4 - Sunday, September 18th at 4:00 p.m. ET (1:00 p.m. PT) in Connecticut.
Game 5 (if necessary) - Tuesday, September 20th at 9:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. PT) in Las Vegas.
⛳: Golf is back after a short two-week break.
The PGA Tour is back. Yet, from last season to the new season, it was only a two-week break. Yet, despite that, the tour is back for another year.
To kick it all off, SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio (Channel 92) will have coverage of the Fortinet Championship from Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, Calif. It kicked off yesterday with the tournament resuming this weekend.
Today, Friday, September 16th at 3:00 p.m. ET (12:00 Noon PT).
Tomorrow, Saturday, September 17th at 4:00 p.m. ET (1:00 p.m. PT).
Sunday, September 18th at 4:00 p.m. ET (1:00 p.m. PT).
🏁: NASCAR is in Bristol this week.
This week, NASCAR is at Bristol Motor Speedway for this week’s races. Of course, all of it can be heard on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).
Today, Friday, September 16th
NASCAR Xfinity Series - Food City 300 at 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT).
Tomorrow, Saturday, September 17th
NASCAR Cup Series - Bass Pro Shops Night Race at 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT).
And that’s it for this week’s edition of the newsletter.
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Thank you for reading and subscribring and have a great weekend.
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Ah yes, the ever-nonsensical "Latinx" moniker (that nobody ever used or understood) returns from the grave. Between that, the ever-forgettable "Lizzo," and the price hikes, it's like they really despise their customers. At least there was some actual news this week with the Sirius retirement delay!