Home » Entertainment » Radio » Satellite Radio

Satellite Radio

Ranked #9,560 in Entertainment, #106,358 overall

Satellite Radio

When is the last time you tuned into radio that was worth more that a few mintues of listening? Most often you can't locate the music you love, there are constant commercial interruptions, or a bad signal creates poor quality audio.

If you're searching for a better listening experience it's time to investigate satellite radio.

Be sure to use the expandable Table of Contents below to help you find what you want quickly on this page.

See Sirius Satellite Radio Accessories for more products.

If you decide satellite radio is right for you, which of course you will, come back here to get started with SIRIUS Satellite Radio

Advantages of Satellite Radio

So what is so great about satellite radio?

  • The satellite radio signal is far reaching and the quality signal can be maintained even as you travel across the country. Because it is broadcast by communications satellite; the channel can be heard virtually anywhere. (Learn more about how this works below)

  • The sound quality of satellite radio is superior. Static, fading, and signal breakup are virtually eliminated.

  • Listening with satellite radio is commercial free leaving you to enjoy your chosen entertainment undisturbed.

  • There are fewer restriction on the entertainment that satellite radio makes available to listeners. You can hear things on satellite radio that you won't hear elsewhere because, simply put, it is free from many of the regulations that limit traditional radio broadcasts.

  • The diveristy of programming available on satellite radio with over 160 stations is unparalleled. The options cover almost every genre imaginable.

    • How Satellite Radio Works

    Here are the resources you need to learn more

    Space.com
    A one page article about how XM and Sirius get the signals to you. Basic information, not too technical.
    How Stuff Works
    A video presentation describing how satellite radio began and how it works. Very basic, not too technical.
    Informit.com
    More details about the satellites themselves.
    Wikipedia
    A little more detail from Wikipedia.

    Comparing the Alternatives to Satellite Radio

  • Regular radio:

    Regular broadcast radio has the advantage of having no subscription fee. The cost for a radio receiver with antenna is minimal. However, the area for quality listening is limited as you often cannot travel more than 50-100 miles from the station without losing the signal. The diversity of programming is much more restricted as compared to satellite radio's 160+ channels. In addition, there are frequent commercial interruptions and the overall sound quality is often compromised.

  • HD radio:

    HD radio requires the purchase of a special receiver but requires no subscription fee. However, the diversity of programming and number of stations isn't much greater than with traditional radio. Some HD radio stations are currently commercial free but the future is uncertain regarding this. The opportunity for listening to a single station while traveling over distances is also not an option with HD radio.

  • Your MP3 Player:

    MP3 players obviously allow you to listen to your favorite music uninterrupted, with great audio quality. They are also portable and perform equally well almost anywhere. However, there is no opportunity to listen to news, a favorite talk radio personality, or to discover new favorites.

    • Satellite Radio Stations

    What's on satellite radio?

    There were two satellite radio providers in the US until 2008 when they merged:
  • XM satellite radio
  • Sirius satellite radio.

    With well over 160 stations there isn't enough space on this page to go through the details but there is talk from Deepak Chopra to Howard Stern, Bill O'Reilly to Oprah Winfry as well as Politics and Religion to Sports and Health, and then there is the music, and lots of it. Check out the offerings on SIRIUS Satellite Radio here or go to XM here.

    • Disadvantages of Satellite Radio

    There have to be some.

  • Satellite radio isn't free in the US. There is a subscription fee of approximately $13 per month. Subscribers must also purchase any receivers and pay a small one time activation fee.

  • As with any service there are occasions when the signal is lost. Cables get cut, cell towers go down or are too sparse, or, in this case, satellite transmissions can get lost due to tunnels, etc.

  • You will not receive local traditional broadcast radio stations via satellite radio.

  • And, well, ...that's about it.

    • What Do You Say?

    Do you 'gotta have" satellite radio?

    Loading Fetching blurbs now... please stand by

    Yes, it's got the listening I want and NO commercials!

    hlkljgk says:

    i've had it, sirius, for years and love it! no matter where we've moved to or traveled we've had our favorite channels.

    Posted September 08, 2010

    rms says:

    I LOVE my satellite radio. It is well worth paying for the music I want to hear. I will never go back to free radio again!

    Posted February 16, 2008

    Never mind! It goes against nature to pay for radio!

    ElizabethJeanAllen says:

    I rarely have the radio on at home and I use my driving time to think. My husband is another story. He wants an HD radio, but then he'd use it.

    Posted April 27, 2008

    clouda9 says:

    I listen on my Sirius music on DishTV, don't need another bill to worry about paying.

    Posted February 18, 2008

     

    How to Get Satellite Radio

    The process of getting satellite radio is quite simple.

  • Check out the services by going to one of the two sites: SIRIUS Satellite Radio here or go to XM here.

  • After selecting the service, a satellite radio receiver will be required. Home receivers, car stereos, plug-and-play type devices and small personal listening devices are among the options. (Sirius equipment is shown below)

  • Installation of car or boat receivers can be done professionally or handled as a do-it-yourself task. (a video demonstration of installation can be found on the Sirius site but there is also a tutorial below)

  • Once installation of the antenna and receiver is completed, service can be activated on line or via telphone.

    • How to Install Sirius Satellite Radio

    Sirius Satellite Radio Installation
    by IBSM | video info

    12 ratings | 35,432 views
    curated content from YouTube

    Satellite Radio via the Internet

    For those who want satellite radio but don't want to invest in the additional equipment there is another option. Both XM and Sirius satellite radio offer Internet Radio giving consumers the option of listening online. Subscription fees are under $13/month.

    Sirius even offers a 3 day free trial allowing consumers to try it on for size before making a committment. Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.

    Learn More About Satellite Radio

    Loading

    Free Sirius Satellite Radio?

    Well, not exactly, but for Dish Network customers Sirius Satellite Radio channels are available within their programming packages. Thus, listening to Sirius at home won't cost any more for Dish customers. See Dish Network Channels for more.

    Satellite Radio in the News

    Sirius XM Hits Higher Ground
    By Rick Aristotle Munarriz | More Articles Citigroup analyst Jason Bazinet is raising his price target on the satellite radio service provider, while also making an argument that Sirius XM can beat the market's historical returns on valuation alone.
    Sirius Stock Gets Dumped by Wall Street Bigwigs
    Investment managers such as Steven Cohen of SAC Capital, Paul Tudor Jones, and George Soros all reduced their positions in the satellite radio company in the fourth quarter. Shares of Sirius jumped during the period, gaining 20.5%, compared with a 7.9% ...
    Canadian Satellite Radio posts $3.4-million Q1 loss on revenues of $63.1 million
    By The Canadian Press | February 15, 2012 TORONTO - Canadian Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. (TSX:XSR), the parent of broadcasters XM Canada and Sirius Canada, reported a first-quarter loss of $3.4 million or three cents per share and revenues of $63.1 ...
    Pro-7th Amendment Broadcaster Now On Sirius Satellite Radio
    I'm pleased to announce that this pro-7th Amendment broadcast, by a noted social conservative and Christian broadcaster, is now also heard on Sirius satellite radio on Channel 131, Family Talk Radio. Now the entire nation can hear periodic reports on ...
    Powered by Google

    Sirius Satellite Radios with Gift Cards

    Click on pictured items to learn more or shop

    Starmate 4 Dock & Play Radio with $30 Subscription Card

    Sportster 5 Dock & Play Radio with $30 Subscripton Card

    Stiletto 2 Portable Satellite Radio and $30 Subscription Card

    Straus Dock & Play Radio plus $30 Subscription Card

    Free Stratus Dock and Play Radio with $49.99 Subscription Card

    Stiletto 100 Portable Satellite Radio with $49.99 Subscription Card

    Sportster 5 Dock & Play Radio with $49.99 Subscription Card

    Starmate 4 Dock & Play Radio with $49.99 Subscription Card

    Sirius Satellite Radio Tuners

    SIRIUSConnect Home Tuner Pro Kit with 8-pin SSP Cable

    SiriusConnect Home Tuner Pro Kit w/RS232 cable

    Audio Design Associates Sirius Commercial Tuner

    Sonos Digital Music System

    SIRIUS SRH550 Home Tuner with Antenna

    Tivoli's SIRIUS table radio

    Antex Multizone Home

    Niles Sirius Tuner Module

    ADA Tune Suite

    Russound ST2S Home Tuner

    SiriusConnect Home Tuner

    Sirius Satellite Radio: The Stiletto Portable Radio

    Click on pictured items to learn more or shop

    Stiletto SL100 Portable Satellite Radio

    Stiletto 10 Portable Satellite Radio

    Stiletto 2 Portable Satellite Radio

    SIRIUS S50 Radio with Car Kit

    Listen in on Sirius XM Satellite Radio

    Loading

    Sirius Satellite Radio: Stiletto Gear

    Click on pictured items to learn more or shop

    For more accessory items go to Sirius Satellite Radio Accessories

    Stiletto Slim Battery

    Stileto Standard Battery

    Stiletto Ruggedized Case

    Stiletto Protective Overlay

    Leather Case for Stiletto 2

    Stiletto Executive Leather Case

    Stiletto Portable Use Kit

    Case with Armband for Stiletto 2

    Sirius Satellite Radio Sound Systems and Boomboxes

    Click on pictured items to learn more or shop

    Sirius S50 Executive System

    Altec Lansing Desktop Audio Stystem

    Stilleto Executive System

    Universal Stiletto Boombox

    Universal Stiletto Executive Systems

    Polk Audio Designs miDock Portfolio

    Soloist Universal Sound System

    Sirus Stiletto Boombox

    Dock and Play Universal Boombox

    Sirius Satellite Radio for Your Car

    Click on pictured items to learn more or shop

    Sportster 4 Dock & Play Radio and Complete Vehicle Kit

    Sportster 5 Dock & Play Radio and Complete Vehicle Kit

    Stratus 4 Dock & Play Radio and Complete Vehicle Kit

    InV2 Radio and Complete Vehicle Kit

    Starmate4 Dock & Play Radio and Complete Vehicle Kit

    Stratus Dock and Play Radio and Vehicle Kit

    Starmate 3 Dock & Play Radio and Vehicle Kit

    Sportster 3 Dock & Play Radio and Vehicle Kit

    Dock & Play Universal Vehicle Kit

    Stiletto 10/100 Vehicle Kit

    Stiletto 2 Vehicle Docking Kit

    Satellite Radio: Was this page helpful? Let us know!

    submit
    Show All
    Photo Credits (all photos are copyrighted as indicated. No derivative work allowed.)
    Introduction: rhys-bennett.
    Advantages of Satellite Radio: downing.amanda.
    Satellite Radio Stations: Vox Efx.
    Satellite Radio Via the Internet: zulfinho.

    by

    mulberry

    This handy resource page will answer your questions about satellite radio.

    Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

    Explore related pages

    Related Tags