SIRIUS XM Patriot to Broadcast Glenn Beck’s ‘Restoring Honor’ Rally Live

Is this Sirius XM 2.0?

A recent Patent from XM Radio has surfaced from June 19th, 2008 that might just give us some hints to the Upcoming Satellite Radio 2.0 service mentioned by Mel Karmazin during the 2010 Second Quarter Conference Call.

During that conference call Karmazin stated the following about Satellite Radio 2.0

Our next generation of satellite radios are expected to offer significantly more choices for the consumer and contain functionality that does not exist today in our radios.

If anything in this patent pertains to this new service (Launching in Holiday 2011) expect Sirius XM to change the way you listen to Satellite Radio. Not only that, this could change the Future of Satellite Radio as we know it.

According to the Abstract for Patent Number 20090320075:

A method and apparatus are provided for generating a personalized radio channel playlist by time division multiplexing songs from multiple received channels from one or more broadcast source streams in a queue. Users can specify favorite channels for building their personal playlists, or multiple default playlist channels can be provided by genre. Navigation tools permit users to see upcoming songs in their playlist queue and skip ahead and backward. Thumbs up/down buttons on the radio receiver permit entering a song or artist being played back into a favorites list that is used to search all channels for matches or a banned list used to block songs from future playlists. If matches are found, the channel carrying the favorite is extracted and added to the playlist. Channel searching for matches involves monitoring real-time song and artist labels for all channels carried in a separate data channel (e.g., Broadcast Information Channel (BIC)). Segments on the playlist are dynamically truncated to reduce the average time each segment is played to facilitate preview of playlist segments. Preview times can vary depending on the size of the playlist or number of channels used. During a preview of a segment, users can opt to listen to the full song or back up in the playlist to listen to a previous song. Connectivity options and web interfaces are provided to facilitate transfer and sharing of customization parameters for personalized radio configuration.

If any of the above sounds familiar, it is. Mentioned in this patent are well know services Pandora, LastFM and Slacker.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003]On-line personalized radio service has demonstrated its appeal to music fans as evidenced by the continued growth of personalized radio service providers such as Pandora, LastFM and Slacker. These providers assemble personalized playlists for users by accessing a large music library where each song has a metadata field containing ratings on multiple stylistic parameters. A user inputs a preferred music style, and the provider’s system extracts songs from the library for the playlist based on correlation to the song metadata field. Advantageously, users are provided with the capability to accelerate their discovery of new content which is largely aligned with their personal preferences, by skipping over content in the playlist which the user finds uninteresting.

The great thing about this patent is that Sirius XM would not need to update or deploy any new or existing satellites for this service to work. Satellite Radio 2.0 would be a Hardware/Software solution built into these future receivers, think in line of the Slacker G2. This new service would share the current Like and Dislike options that are currently used on other services. But unlike Slacker and Pandora, Satellite Radio 2.0 would differ with it’s over 100 Channels ranging from Sports, Talk and Comedy to News and Music, something that would definitely make Satellite Radio 2.0 “contain functionality that does not exist today in our radios”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002]The present invention relates to a system and method for providing a broadcast radio service listener with the ability to generate a personalized radio channel playlist on a radio receiver from broadcast content as it is received. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method for buffering content from a set of channels selected from among the broadcast channels of a source stream(s) as they are received, and for generating a playback stream using the buffered content that provides a multi-channel listening experience to the user with preview, reverse, fast forward and other navigation functions for the buffered content.

Based on the information above the new receivers would be Buffering (Caching) the live streams allowing you to create a personal channel. Did you say Satellite Radio OnDemand?

The XM Radio Patent also states that “Satellite radio offers more than 100 channels of audio content. After initially exploring the content offering, subscribers typically narrow their listening choices to 10 or fewer favorite channels, which may be any combination of music and talk channels. For example, a subscriber may prefer listening to popular music and may preset 5 or 6 popular music channels on the radio, along with a comedy channel and news channel. With present radio receiver hardware, the subscriber is limited to listening to one channel at a time and therefore misses the opportunity to be exposed to content simultaneously broadcast on the other favorite channels. A need therefore exists for a satellite digital audio radio service (SDARS)-based personal radio service that provides the subscriber with an option to be exposed to content simultaneously broadcast on multiple channels selected for building a personalized radio channel playlist.” “In addition, conventional personalized radio services do not carry news, live concerts or sports events which some users might like in a personalized radio channel playlist. A need therefore also exists for an SDARS-based personal radio service that allows the subscriber to select from among the diverse content channels simultaneously broadcast in an SDARS stream to build a personalized radio channel playlist from both music channels and talk channels (e.g., news, sports or comedy channels), the content of which is not typically provided in the on-line libraries of conventional personalized radio service providers.”

There is a ton of great information to read in this patent, from How they will use the existing Satellites and Repeaters to live broadcasts (events) and navigation. I suggest any fan of SiriusXM that a quick look and read over the patent. As of right now this is all speculation but based on Karmazin’s words from the conference call this could well be Satellite Radio 2.0.

[Source Seekingalpha.com]

SIRIUS XM Radio to Broadcast Live From the 2010 Fantasy Football SUPERDRAFT in Las Vegas

SIRIUS XM Radio announced that it will broadcast live from the Fantasy Football SUPERDRAFT at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, NV, this Friday, August 27, and Saturday, August 28.

All shows will air on SIRIUS XM Fantasy Sports Radio, the 24/7 channel dedicated to fantasy sports, available on XM channel 147 and SIRIUS channel 211 for subscribers with the “Best of XM” programming package.

The Fantasy Football SUPERDRAFT is a weekend long series of events — combining fantasy football drafts, live entertainment and Vegas nightlife — that draws fantasy football fans from all over the country to kick off the fantasy football season.

On Friday, August 27, SIRIUS XM Fantasy Sports Radio will broadcast Fantasy Football Live, a talk show featuring Ashton Kutcher and Nathan Zegura, The Fantasy Consultant, from 5:00 – 6:00 pm ET. Kutcher, a devoted fantasy football player, and Zegura will preview the fantasy football season and discuss player picks and draft strategies.

Immediately after Fantasy Football Live, SIRIUS XM Fantasy Sports Radio will broadcast Kutcher’s Celebrity Fantasy Football Draft, where Kutcher and other celebrities will bid, auction-style, for players and build their fantasy rosters for the 2010 season. SIRIUS XM’s John Hansen and Zegura will be on air during the proceedings, analyzing each pick and speaking with the celebrity participants.

On Saturday, August 28, Hansen and Zegura will host a special three-hour fantasy football special (2:00 – 5:00 pm ET) live from the SUPERDRAFT Draft Room at the Palms, where thousands of fantasy football players will be gathered for their 2010 draft. Hansen and Zegura will offer fantasy draft advice, ranking position players, picking sleepers, and analyzing the rosters being assembled throughout the day.

SIRIUS XM Fantasy Sports Radio debuted July 1 on XM channel 147 and on SIRIUS channel 211 for subscribers who purchase the “Best of XM” package. The 24/7 channel offers advice and news from a collection of experts and covers a full spectrum of fantasy sports, including football, baseball, basketball, NASCAR, hockey, soccer and golf.

SIRIUS XM Fantasy Sports Radio is available to Premium Online subscribers through XM Radio Online and SIRIUS Internet Radio and through the SIRIUS XM App for the Apple iPhone, iPod touch and several BlackBerry and Android-powered smartphone devices. (Access to channel online and through the App may require a subscription upgrade.)

SIRIUS XM to Launch Exclusive Weekly Show With Wine Expert, Social Media Commentator and Bestselling Author Gary Vaynerchuk

SIRIUS XM Radio announced that it will launch Wine & Web with Gary Vaynerchuk, a live, two-hour weekly call-in show hosted by the wine expert, social media commentator and bestselling author.

Gary’s unconventional commentary on wine has earned him a cult-like following and numerous fans, self-named “Vayniacs.”  Using humorous expressions like “sniffy-sniff” and “The Oakmonster,” he encourages straightforward wine tasting and debunks wine myths. He took the wine world by storm in 2006 by using the internet to reach millions of people through his energetic wine review video blogs on WineLibraryTV.com.

On SIRIUS XM’s Wine & Web with Gary Vaynerchuk, he will help millions of satellite radio listeners across the country navigate the world and culture of wine, social media and more with his trademark wit, wisdom and fast-paced style. Wine & Web with Gary Vaynerchuk will launch Thursday, August 26 from 10:00 pm – midnight ET/7:00 pm – 9:00 pm PT on SIRIUS XM Stars Too, (SIRIUS channel 108/XM channel 139) and will air Thursdays in that timeslot. SIRIUS XM Stars Too is available to Premium Online subscribers through XM Radio Online and SIRIUS Internet Radio, and via the SIRIUS XM App for the Apple iPhone, iPod touch and several BlackBerry and Android-powered mobile devices.

Broadcasting from SIRIUS XM’s Rockefeller Center studios in New York City, Gary will welcome guests from the wine, social media and tech industries and take calls from around the country. Weekly features include “Wine of the Week,” on which he will try a new wine for the first time on the air, and “Site of the Week,” on which he’ll riff on the latest gadgets, websites, and social media trends.

“Radio is a new platform for me and I’m thrilled to be taking to the airwaves with Wine & Web,” said Gary. “I’ve always wanted to marry my two passions – wine and social media – and SIRIUS XM is the perfect partner for this type of show. SIRIUS XM’s audience embraces creative independent thinkers and I plan to give them a show that will educate, entertain, and inspire.”

“Gary’s entrepreneurial spirit and energetic expertise in wine make him and Wine & Web the perfect match for satellite radio and our cutting edge, sophisticated audience,” said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SIRIUS XM Radio. “His passion for life and wine is infectious, and will resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds.”

Gary’s New York Times bestseller Crush It!: Why Now is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion maps out his road rules for how to “crush it” in today’s business market by following your passion and building your own personal brand. In the spring of 2009 Gary and his brother AJ launched VaynerMedia, a digital brand building agency whose clients include the NHL, Campbell’s Soup and Forbes. Gary’s businesses also include his family-owned store, Wine Library in Springfield, NJ. Gary was one of the first Facebook users to max-out his friend limit, with over 17,000 requests still pending. He also has close to 1 million followers on Twitter and was included in BusinessWeek’s list of the top 20 people every entrepreneur should follow.  In addition to being a rabid New York Jets fan, Gary is determined to educate the masses about wine, one “sniffy-sniff” at a time.  His unique approach to wine tasting has broadened the category, attracting a diverse fan base that includes football tailgate revelers, NASCAR fans, young professionals and senior citizens. Gary dispenses business advice and comments on emerging technologies and cultural trends at www.garyvaynerchuk.com.

2010 PGA Championship to Air Nationwide on SIRIUS XM Radio

SIRIUS XM Radio announced that it will broadcast the 92nd PGA Championship, the season’s final major championship, this Thursday, Aug. 12, through Sunday, Aug. 15, on XM channel 146 and SIRIUS channel 209 with the “Best of XM” programming package.

SIRIUS XM’s live coverage, from Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin, will be hosted by Gary Williams and Matt Adams alongside analysts John Maginnes and Dennis Paulson, with hole-by-hole updates from roving reporters Fred Albers, Doug Bell and Michael Collins.

On-course coverage will start Thursday and Friday at 12:00 pm ET and Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 pm ET and will continue until the conclusion of each day’s play. Play-by-play will immediately be followed by a wrap-up of the day’s action on PGA Championship Replay, which will include a recap with highlights, analysis and interviews with players.

Whistling Straits, a links-style course on the shores of Lake Michigan, is hosting the PGA Championship for the second time. In its 2004 debut, Vijay Singh won the Championship after a three-hole playoff with Chris DiMarco and Justin Leonard. Y.E. Yang is the defending PGA Champion, having won at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota last year.

The PGA Championship perennially features the strongest field in golf, with 97 of the top 100 ranked players in the world in this year’s field. That list includes Tiger Woods, last year’s runner-up and a four-time PGA Champion; reigning Masters Champion Phil Mickelson, who won the 2005 PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club; 2010 U.S. Open Champion Graeme McDowell; Louis Oosthuizen, who won the 2010 British Open last month; and Wisconsin native Steve Stricker, the fourth-ranked player in the world.

In the days leading up to the Championship, SIRIUS XM’s hosts will provide golf fans with daily talk and analysis of this year’s event.

DiMarco, who participated in the exciting playoff at Whistling Straits in 2004, will debut a new edition of his weekly SIRIUS XM show, oPINionated, on Tuesday, Aug. 10 (12:00 pm ET and 4:00 pm ET). DiMarco, who has finished in the top 16 in four PGA Championships, will talk about his own experiences and share his thoughts on this year’s Championship field.

Fairways of Life with Matt Adams and Earl Forcey will air live Monday through Friday (7:00-9:00 am ET), followed by Teed Off (9:00 am – 11:00 am ET), then Making the Turn with Peter Kessler (11:00 am- Noon ET).

Vince Cellini will host The PGA Championship Preview Show, featuring complete tournament analysis and player interviews, on Tuesday and Wednesday (1:00 – 4:00 pm ET) and Saturday and Sunday (11:00 am – 1:00 pm ET).

All shows air on XM channel 146 and on SIRIUS channel 209 for subscribers with the “Best of XM” programming package.

For more information on SIRIUS XM’s golf coverage, visit www.xmradio.com/pgatour.

TSS Radio Customer Spotlight – Hilu from Baker Lake, Canada

Every month we’d like to spotlight one customer with a unique experience. Perhaps they use Satellite Radio in a non traditional way or place. Perhaps they go out of their way to show their appreciation to TSS-Radio. Maybe they use their Slingbox to watch TV some place they never would have expected.

In our first month we are highlighting Hilu who lives 45 hours NORTH of Chicago. But it’s not a place you can’t get to by car. Only 3 ways to get to her town of Baker Lake, Nunavut Canada and thats via Dogsled, Plane or Snowmobile. Baker Lake is a town that is as far north of where TSS-Radio is in Chicago as Colombia is south. That being said it’s quite cold there. So cold in fact no trees grow in the area, it’s part the tree line. Some of those have Satellite Radio in the town though. And they’ve had it longer than they’ve had cell service. Here is the story of Hilu and how she found TSS-Radio.

Hilu From An Igloo

I’m an Inuit living in the only inland community in Canada’s Arctic – Baker Lake. It’s closest to the geographic centre of Canada and is home to 1800 people. Most of us have lived off the caribou for generations but like everywhere else the times they are-a-changing and a lot of our people are now employed, many to a newly opened gold mine. We have two historic rivers, the Kazan and the Thelon that flow into our freshwater lake. Our community is also known for it’s artists, some world renowned, such as Simon Tookoome and the late Jessie Oonark.

(more…)

SIRIUS XM to Broadcast ‘Doctor Radio Reports: Understanding Autism – Looking for Answers’

SIRIUS XM Radio announced that it will broadcast Doctor Radio Reports: Understanding Autism – Looking for Answers, a live, two-hour call-in show hosted by veteran journalist Perri Peltz on which a panel of world-class doctors, experts, scientists and parents of affected children will explore the latest research and treatment options for autism and disorders on the autism spectrum and take calls from listeners across the country.

Doctor Radio Reports: Understanding Autism – Looking for Answers will air live Friday, August 6 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm ET on Doctor Radio, SIRIUS channel 114 and XM channel 119. It will replay Saturday, August 7 from 12:00 – 2:00 pm ET and Sunday, August 8 from 8:00 – 10:00 pm ET. Topics include the role technology plays in helping individuals with autism better communicate and interact socially, the latest advancements in early screenings and genetic research, and advice for parents of affected children. The panel of experts will be taking questions throughout the entire two-hour show – listeners are encouraged to call 1-877-NYU-DOCS (I-877-698-3627) or email docs@siriusxm.com with their questions.

Doctor Radio Reports: Understanding Autism – Looking for Answers is a follow up show to a Doctor Radio Autism Month special hosted by Peltz that SIRIUS XM aired in April 2010. Peltz moderated an important and candid conversation/dialogue between doctors/experts and parents, friends and families of people affected by autism and the show sparked strong listener feedback across the country.

Peltz’s guests on Doctor Radio Reports: Understanding Autism – Looking for Answers include:

• Melissa Nishawala, MD, Assistant Professor of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at the NYU Langone School of Medicine, Medical Director of Autism Spectrum Disorders Services at the NYU Child Study Center

• Leanne Chukoskie, Ph.D., Assistant Director Science Communication and Special Projects, Autism Speaks; Assistant Project Scientist, Institute for Neural Computation, University of California, San Diego

• Joseph Buxbaum, Ph.D., Director, Seaver Autism Center, Mount Sinai School of Medicine. His research on the molecular mechanisms of a gene associated with autism show how altered genes impact learning in brain cells and also reveal a potential new therapy for autism.

• Stanley Nelson, Ph.D., Professor of Human Genetics and Psychiatry at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He is the lead investigator on an ambitious and innovative project funded by Autism Speaks to establish and validate a method for recruiting large numbers of participants in autism genetics studies.

• Katharina Boser, Ph.D., President and CEO of Individual Differences Learning Association of Howard County, Maryland and the Chair of the Innovative Technology for Autism initiative at Autism Speaks.

• Karrie Karahalios, Ph.D., Associate Professor in computer science at the University of Illinois, head of the school’s “Social Spaces Group.” Karahalios’ work focuses on the interaction between people and the social cues they emit and perceive in face-to-face and mediated electronic spaces.

• Denise Bianchi, Autism Speaks staffer, mother of two children, one of whom is on the autism spectrum.

Doctor Radio features live, call-in shows hosted by leading NYU Langone Medical Center doctors from a vast array of fields including: child psychology; sexual health; plastic surgery; emergency room medicine; cancer; heart health; women’s health; dermatology; pediatrics; men’s health; diet and nutrition; sports medicine; psychiatry; and more. For sample audio clips and a complete programming lineup visit www.sirius.com/doctorradio.

Star Wars Celebration Radio to Launch on SIRIUS XM Radio

SIRIUS XM Radio announced that it will launch Star Wars Celebration Radio, a four-day channel broadcasting live from Star Wars Celebration V at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL, starting Thursday, August 12 at 6:00 pm ET on SIRIUS channel 108 and XM channel 139.

Star Wars Celebration Radio will premiere on the first day of the official Lucasfilm event that celebrates the popular Star Wars series. The limited-run channel will feature interviews with stars from the Star Wars movies, as well as behind-the-scenes talent and celebrity fans. SIRIUS XM listeners will also be able to listen in on panel discussions from the Orange County Convention Center.

“Star Wars has some of the most dedicated and passionate fans you will find anywhere and we are proud to give them their own radio station,” said Jeremy Coleman, Senior Vice President, Talk and Entertainment Programming, SIRIUS XM Radio. “Whether it is a play-by-play of droid races, a colorful account of Jedi Training, or just hearing Obi-Wan and Yoda on their radios, we know fans nationwide will be hooked.”

The Star Wars Celebration Radio channel will be hosted by SIRIUS XM Radio on-air personalities Raw Dog Comedy’s Mark Says Hi and Cinemagic’s Dave Ziemer.

Star Wars Celebration Radio will air Thursday, August 12 through Sunday, August 15 on SIRIUS channel 108 and XM channel 139 exclusively on SIRIUS XM Radio.

To learn more about Star Wars Celebration visit http://www.starwarscelebration.com/

SIRIUS XM Radio Reports Second Quarter 2010 Results- Double-Digit Revenue

Strong Double-Digit Revenue Growth Year Over Year – Adjusted EBITDA of $154 million, Up 17% Year Over Year – Company Raises Financial Guidance

SIRIUS XM Radio today announced second quarter 2010 financial and operating results, including:

• $705.6 million of adjusted revenue, up 16% over second quarter 2009 adjusted revenue of $607.8 million; and
• $154.3 million in second quarter 2010 adjusted EBITDA, an increase of 17% over second quarter 2009 adjusted EBITDA of $132.2 million.

The discussion of adjusted operating results excludes the effects of stock-based compensation and certain purchase price accounting adjustments. Financial measures and metrics previously reported as “pro forma” have been renamed “adjusted.”

“The sharp subscriber growth and double-digit increase in adjusted revenue and adjusted EBITDA show that we continued to execute on our business plan during the second quarter,” said Mel Karmazin, Chief Executive Officer, SIRIUS XM. “Compared to the year ago quarter, gross additions increased by 46%, deactivations declined by 8%, and customers paid us on average 11% more each month – clearly showing just how much subscribers love our service. Free cash flow in the second quarter 2010 was $108.3 million compared to $12.7 million in the second quarter of 2009. Our business has improved substantially in the past year, and we look forward to a strong second half and 2011.”

SIRIUS XM ended second quarter 2010 with a record-high 19,527,448 subscribers, an increase of more than 1.1 million subscribers compared to the end of second quarter 2009. Net subscriber additions of 583,249 in the second quarter of 2010 improved significantly from a net loss of 185,999 subscribers in the second quarter of 2009. In the second quarter 2010, average revenue per subscriber (ARPU) was $11.81, an increase of 11% from ARPU of $10.66 in the second quarter 2009. The company’s self-pay monthly customer churn rate was 1.8% in the second quarter 2010, as compared with self-pay monthly customer churn of 2.0% in the second quarter 2009.

In June, the company completed the redemption of all of the $114 million of XM’s outstanding 10% Senior PIK Secured Notes due 2011. “We will continue to examine deleveraging opportunities as they arise with the objective of decreasing interest expense and improving free cash flow.” said David Frear, SIRIUS XM’s Chief Financial Officer. “The combination of increased adjusted EBITDA and lower debt has improved our leverage ratio to approximately 4.6x, a historic low for our company.”

(more…)

MusicDock for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch

Just released to the iTunes store is a new application called MusicDock.

According to the Developer:

MusicDock allows you to access your satellite radio channels directly from your mobile device. No separate portable satellite radio player required!

Features:
- Listen to satellite Radio anywhere, anytime
- Real-Time song information with Album art
- Easy Access to Favorite Channels
- Auto-Login
- Seamless access on both Desktop and Mobile device
- Use your Phone or PDA as a portable satellite radio receiver
- No account setup required. Just use your existing satellite Radio Online login
- Free

The initial reviews for the app are very positive and this app does give you the ability to listen to Howard Stern, a feature the official Sirius XM Application is missing.

I’m not positive this application will stay in the App Store long or if Sirius XM will kill it, but it’s worth the free download if you want to try it out.

You can also try the mobile version at http://mobile.musicdock.com/

App Download Here.