Now that they've gutted the quality...

[Kimba W Lion]

...it's time to raise the prices:

http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/rumor-price-increases-to-come-for-sirius-xm.html

[Mark S.]

http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/rumor-price-increases-to-come-for-s...

"Current subscribers will be given a chance to lock-in their rates,
according to these people. You can choose to lock in the Online
Listening or $6.99 multiple radio price. Notifications to subscribers
are said to start going out on January 26th, and subscribers are
rumored to have a chance to lock in their rates by March 11th."

So, just how does one "lock-in" their rates? Prepaying a year in
advance? Then that rate will be "locked in" for the duration of the
term you pay in advance and jump after that I bet. Raise the prices
amidst a recession? Not smart. I wonder what Sirius Canada's plans
are.

[jewahe]

Post by Kimba W Lion
http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/rumor-price-increases-to-come-for-sirius-xm.html

If they need money, an easy cost-saver would be to dump the DJ's (hosts,
or whatever they are called).

I turned over to one of the comedy channels the other day...to find a
guy taking calls. Apparently, they changed the format to make the
channel more like a music channel. The only talking I want to hear is
the comedian.

Also, I also tend to listen to The Spectrum (18/45) most often. They
have extended each "show" to 6 hours, but don't have an "original" show
all the time - they re-run one from earlier in the week. I noticed it
when the woman mentioned that someone was going to be on the tonight
show that night, when they had already appeared. That's when I realized
I could remember her little spiels between sets, and could name the next
song.

Besides, since the radio displays the song/artist, the DJs are pretty
worthless. I don't pay to hear people ramble - I pay to hear
music/comedy/news.

[Kimba W Lion]

Post by jewahe
Besides, since the radio displays the song/artist, the DJs are pretty
worthless. I don't pay to hear people ramble - I pay to hear
music/comedy/news.

You'd think that they'd realize that, since one of their major whines while
getting the merger pushed through was all that nasty competition they faced
from iPods and iPod-like devices. iPods represent pure content; there's no ads
and no blather. It takes talent and a lot of hard work for a DJ to be worth
listening to; SiriusXM is not willing to pay for that.

[jewahe]

Post by jewahe
Besides, since the radio displays the song/artist, the DJs are pretty
worthless. I don't pay to hear people ramble - I pay to hear
music/comedy/news.

In most cases I agree with that, but there are a few instances where I
find the DJ (if s/he is particularly knowledgeable) interesting to
listen to. The Underground Garage is a perfect example of that.

I agree - I wouldn't have any problems if the DJs concentrated on the
music and add value to the listening experience. However, listening to
Kristin Stone blather on about her kids, the path she takes to work, and
the reason she was late is not adding value.

[Don Freeman]

Post by jewahe

Post by jewahe
Besides, since the radio displays the song/artist, the DJs are pretty
worthless. I don't pay to hear people ramble - I pay to hear
music/comedy/news.

In most cases I agree with that, but there are a few instances where I
find the DJ (if s/he is particularly knowledgeable) interesting to
listen to. The Underground Garage is a perfect example of that.

I agree - I wouldn't have any problems if the DJs concentrated on the
music and add value to the listening experience. However, listening to
Kristin Stone blather on about her kids, the path she takes to work, and
the reason she was late is not adding value.

Yeah, that's not any different from having to suffer through
commercials. Maybe worse even.

[Don Freeman]

Post by jewahe
Besides, since the radio displays the song/artist, the DJs are pretty
worthless. I don't pay to hear people ramble - I pay to hear
music/comedy/news.

In most cases I agree with that, but there are a few instances where I
find the DJ (if s/he is particularly knowledgeable) interesting to
listen to. The Underground Garage is a perfect example of that.

[John]

Post by jewahe
Besides, since the radio displays the song/artist, the DJs are pretty
worthless. I don't pay to hear people ramble - I pay to hear
music/comedy/news.

Ditto. I'm really hacked off about Top Tracks -> Classic Vinyl
and the constant babbling by Dirty Streets.

I'm looking now to drop all of satellite radio now. It isn't
what I have in mind for my monthly payment.