Similar to subscription television, which offers a wide variety of classic sitcoms, original programming and premium movies for a monthly fee, satellite radio broadcasts music and exclusive sports programs to its subscribers every day. As anyone will tell you, this feature definitely makes commuting a lot more enjoyable every day.
Currently, only Sirius and XM Radio satellite offer radio services. Although similar in many ways, each has unique characteristics that might make one of them more appealing to you than the other.
Listen before you buy
Before you commit to one or the other provider, take time and listen to both Sirius and XM radio feature programs over the Internet. Both limited liability companies offer a free trial—typically for a few days—for you to hear. what to offer There is of course something different in their programming, especially when it comes to classic and oldies.
And Sirius has become the official home of Howard Stern and Martha Stewart, while XM broadcasts play-by-play for each game Major League baseball team.
Lobby around Satellite Radio Receiver
It’s easy enough to order a radio receiver directly from the satellite provider, but you probably won’t get much from them. Retail outlets like Radio Shack and Target carry some of the most popular satellite receivers, and usually offer discount prices. Intermittent satellite receivers can also be purchased at a substantial price, and both Sirius and XM are selling their products.
It’s also a good idea to stop by an electronics specialist so you can ask specific questions about the receivers and their special functions. Some receivers mount on the window or dashboard, so it’s good to get a recommendation on which receiver to buy.
Professional Install Satellite Radio
Two years ago my girlfriend bought a Sirius satellite receiver for her car. Installing it was a bit challenging, even for two software-engineering software engineers like us. The correct position of the antenna to get the signal strong turned out to be the biggest problem, he mentioned that the radio signal went out of date several times during his daily exchange after we installed ourselves.
After a few weeks of occasional loss of signal, he took it to a car at Best Buy and had the technician work on it. He installed his satellite radio for about $130. Since this time, he has had almost no problems with massive loss and will easily switch between satellite radio and regular or his CD player listening. She has since become a huge fan of radio and Sirius.
Satellite Radio Options in New Car
In recent years, car manufacturers have begun offering satellite radio as an optional feature on new vehicles. With satellite radio in his old car, my friend recently bought a new Ford Escape with a Sirius radio package. Really loved the look and feel of the getaway and having satellite radio already installed just sweetened the deal.
Each satellite radio provider deals exclusively with their own technology, so if the car you are purchasing only offers the Sirius package and XM is your satellite radio of choice, you will need to purchase and install it in yours.
Multiple Radios
Sirius and XM Radio have fairly similar subscription rates, starting at $112.95 per month with discounts for a commitment of a year or more. If someone in your family already has satellite radio, they can add your radio to their plan for just $6.99 per month.
