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]
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.
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.”
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.
SIRIUS XM Adds Over 583,000 Net Subscribers in the Second Quarter
Some really positive news from Sirius XM has been released today. According to Sirius XM, 583,249 net subscribers were added in the second quarter of 2010, compared to a net subscriber decline of 185,999 in the second quarter of 2009.
In the first half of this year, SIRIUS XM added 754,690 net subscribers compared to a loss of 590,421 net subscribers in the first half of 2009. The Company ended the second quarter with a record-high 19,527,448 subscribers, an increase of more than 1.1 million subscribers from June 30, 2009.
SIRIUS XM also announced the following additional second quarter 2010 subscriber metrics:
* Gross additions increased by 46% and deactivations decreased by 8% compared to the second quarter of 2009;
* Self-pay churn improved to 1.8% for the second quarter of 2010 from 2.0% for the second quarter of 2009; and
* The conversion rate from a trial subscription included in the sale of a vehicle to a self-pay subscription improved in the second quarter of 2010 to 46.7%, up from 44.3% for the second quarter of 2009.
In addition, SIRIUS XM announced its third increase this year in subscriber guidance; the Company now expects net additions of approximately 1,100,000 in 2010.
“Our subscriber results mark the best quarter of gross additions, deactivations and net additions since the merger of SIRIUS and XM in July 2008. The strong execution in both adding subscribers and retaining them resulted in our record-high 19.5 million subscriber milestone, despite continued economic uncertainty,” said Mel Karmazin, the Chief Executive Officer of SIRIUS XM. “The further improvement in our guidance reflects the attractiveness of satellite radio but maintains a cautious outlook for continued improvement in the economy.”
SIRIUS XM plans to release full second quarter 2010 financial results in August 2010.
Russell Brand Coming to Sirius XM Radio?
According to The Sun, Sirius Radio is said to be offering actor/comedian Russell Brand a multi-million dollar deal, reuniting him with his former radio host Jonathan Ross. “Sirius Radio, a huge satellite broadcaster, has been chasing him for months with chequebook at the ready”
A source told the tabloid: “Russell has been itching to get back on radio for a while now. He has been off doing other things but radio is the one thing that still really tickles him.” “He is desperate to do something with Jonathan Ross again. Jonathan will be free for more fun and games when his BBC contract ends next month.
They added: “Russell’s sidekick Matt Morgan is also keen to get writing and broadcasting again. The Sirius deal is in its infancy but Russell is well up for it. He has been given the hard sell about how they could make him the new Howard Stern.”
Look for an update if this becomes official.
Father’s Day: Part Deux
The boyfriend’s dad is a Pharmaceutical Rep. On paper, it sounds like an amazing job… Getting to drive around the country seeing The World’s Biggest Ball of Yarn, the Ripley’s Believe it or Not Aquarium, trying Chili Cheese Fries in all time zones, you know… Awesome, right?! Ryan’s dad says that misses two things: his bed and his television. While I can do little to advise Ryan on a Father’s Day gift on how to ship his dad’s bed around the country, I can recommend the Slingbox.
The chief complaint of Dan, Ryan’s dad, is that he constantly misses his shows. At dinner last week, Dan was complaining about how he had to cover his ears every time he entered a room in case people were talking about the LOST finale. Apparently, Dan had the last four episodes on his DVR at home and had yet to watch them. The Slingbox will allow Dan to watch his DVR’ed shows and his television anywhere in the country from his laptop! And, while I love the thought of Dan running down corporate hallways with his fingers jammed in his ears, I think the Slingbox would be a great Father’s Day gift so the doctors offices on his route can not think he’s insane.
TSS-Radio just dropped their price on it by a whopping $30 and there’s always Free Shipping on Slingbox orders so Ryan can even wait til the last minute, as he did last year with the Obama Chia Pet Head, and still get it in just a few days. The best part of it, though, is that there is no monthly fee! The Slingbox is a one-time purchase!!
karen [at] tss-radio.com
SIRIUS XM Increases 2010 Guidance
SIRIUS XM Radio today issued revised guidance on its subscribers and certain financial metrics for 2010.
The company now expects net subscriber additions for the full year to be approximately 750,000, pro forma revenue to be approximately $2.75 billion, and pro forma adjusted income from operations to be approximately $575 million. In addition, the company expects free cash flow for 2010 to exceed $100 million.
“Our continuing strong operating performance, the recovering economy, and improving auto sales support our increase in guidance today,” said Mel Karmazin, Chief Executive Officer, SIRIUS XM.
SIRIUS XM Radio Reports First Quarter 2010 Results
SIRIUS XM Radio today announced first quarter 2010 financial and operating results, including $670.6 million in pro forma revenue, up 11% over first quarter 2009 pro forma revenue of $605.5 million; and $157.8 million in first quarter 2010 pro forma adjusted income from operations, an increase of 45% over first quarter 2009 pro forma adjusted income from operations of $108.8 million.
“Continued positive subscriber growth, double-digit growth in revenue, and a sharp focus on costs resulted in the highest quarterly adjusted operating income in the company’s history,” said Mel Karmazin, Chief Executive Officer, SIRIUS XM Radio. “As the leader in audio entertainment, these results show the tremendous appeal of our service and the strength of our business model. The continuing recovery of the automotive sector and expanding signs of increased consumer spending are encouraging signs for the company’s growth prospects.”
SIRIUS XM ended first quarter 2010 with 18,944,199 subscribers, up 344,765 from 18,599,434 subscribers at the end of first quarter 2009. Net subscriber additions of 171,441 in the first quarter of 2010 improved significantly from a loss of 404,422 subscribers in the first quarter of 2009. In the first quarter 2010, pro forma average revenue per subscriber (ARPU), which includes the U.S. Music Royalty Fee, was $11.48, an increase of 10% from pro forma ARPU of $10.48 in the first quarter 2009. The company’s self-pay monthly customer churn rate was 2.0% in the first quarter 2010, as compared with self-pay monthly customer churn of 2.2% in the first quarter 2009.
Free cash flow in the first quarter 2010 was ($127.2) million compared to ($3.6) million in the first quarter of 2009. Net Income plus non cash operating activities increased by $43.7 million, or 89%, to $93 million in the first quarter of 2010 from $49.3 million in the first quarter of 2009. This increase was offset by changes in operating assets and liabilities as a result of the early repayment of approximately $61 million deferred in 2009 that was scheduled to be repaid, at 15% interest, in monthly installments from April 2010 through March 2011, a lump sum programming payment in the first quarter of 2010 that was paid over the course of the year in 2009 and the payment of 2009 bonuses in cash as opposed to stock in the prior year resulting in an increase in net cash used in operating activities of $104.6 million. In addition, capital expenditures in the first quarter of 2010 increased by $28 million over the prior quarter period primarily due to increased satellite spending.
The company previously announced it will redeem all of the remaining $114 million of XM’s outstanding 10% Senior PIK Secured Notes due 2011 on Tuesday, June 1, 2010. “Our strong cash position, strong year-to-date subscriber growth and the improving outlook for the economy have put us in position to retire $175 million of high cost obligations a year ahead of schedule,” said David Frear, SIRIUS XM’s Chief Financial Officer. “The early retirement of the PIK Notes and the deferred payments will reduce interest expense and increase our free cash flow.”
On a GAAP basis, first quarter 2010 revenue was $663.8 million, and first quarter 2010 net income was $41.6 million, or $0.01 per share.
SIRIUS XM to Retire $114 Million of Debt a year ahead of schedule
More positive news from Sirius XM Today. SIRIUS XM Radio announced that on June 1, 2010, XM Satellite Radio Inc. will redeem all of its outstanding 10% Senior PIK Secured Notes due 2011, CUSIP Nos. 983759AE1 and 983759AH4, at a redemption price of 100% plus accrued interest. As of the redemption date, $113,685,000 of 10% Senior PIK Secured Notes due 2011 will be outstanding. XM issued the related notice of redemption to the trustee today, who will notify noteholders of the details of the June 1 redemption.
“Our strong cash position, strong first quarter subscriber growth and the improving outlook for the economy have put us in position to retire these notes a year ahead of schedule,” said David Frear, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of SIRIUS XM. “The early retirement of these notes will reduce interest expense and increase our free cash flow.”
This announcement is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation to buy any of these securities, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.