XM Satellite Radio Service

XM Satellite Radio Company was originally established in 1988 as American Mobile Radio Corporation, the satellite service by the company was formally launched on September 25, 2001. XM Satellite Radio Holdings (XM) (NASDAQ: XMSR) is a famous Satellite Radio service in North America and is one of two satellite radio (SDARS) services in the United States and Canada, along with Sirius Satellite Radio. XM provides pay-for-service radio, similar to cable television. Services of XM Satellite Radio include 73 different music streams, 39 news, sports, talk and amusement channels, 21 local traffic and weather streams and 23 play-by-play sports channels. XM channels are recognized by Arbitron with the brand name "XM" (e.g. "XM142", "XM7", and “XM32"). To receive satellite radio programming, a customer first needs to purchase a receiver. After mail-in rebates, these receivers can cost anywhere from US$20 to $400. In some situations, it's even possible to get a free receiver with a service commitment.

XM Receivers are available in a number of forms: an XM Ready home theater system or car stereo system can be outfitted with a radio tuner and antenna. Further choices are the "plug and play" receivers, such as the Roady, Sportscaster, or SkyFi receivers for satellite radio. These satellite radio receivers connect to car or home audio systems and usually use a docking station at every place they will be used. Also, a number of real portable satellite radio models now available: with built-in antennas, these portable satellite radios can be used everywhere that the satellite signal is accessible. Certain XM Satellite Radio models offer satellite recording, MP3 playback, and pause and rewind. XM also provides the service of downloading music through XM+Napster. This service is being incorporated with XM Online and the latest MP3 capable XM satellite receivers, such as the Pioneer Inno or the Samsung Helix. A division of the XM programming can also be accessed on the DirecTV satellite system. To listen to XM Satellite Radio on DirecTV, no XM payment is necessary, but you must have paid a DirecTV subscription. XM Radio Online, XM's internet radio product, presents lots of of XM's music channels and can be listened from any Internet connected Windows or Macintosh computer. This online music stations service is available free to all XM Radio subscribers, or at a US$7.99 a month to only internet subscribers. Also, some of XM Satellite Radio’s more general music channels are presented free of charge via AOL Radio and Winamp. XM Satellite Radio service also gives data services such as local weather information for pilots and weather spotters through its XM WX Satellite Weather datacasting service. XM Satellite Radio service also has devoted many channels to traffic and weather that cover a lot of main metropolitan regions. These weather information channels play a continuous loop of local weather information and detailed traffic data. XM has also many sports channels to provide latest sports updates and news relating to particular sport.