Satellite radio

A satellite radio is a special radio that receives signals broadcastby satellite . This allows the listener to follow a single channel no matter wherethey are because the signal's reach is not limited by station power and curvature of the Earth.

United States

In the United States , two companies dominate satellite radio: XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio . A monthly fee is charged for both services ( As of 2004 Sirius also offers a one time fee of nearly $500 valid for the lifetime of the equipment).Originally some XM music channels had commercials , while Sirius wascommercial-free. Since February 2004 XM has commercial-free music. Bothservices also began traffic and weather reports for major cities. As of 2004 XMhas 70 music-only channels. Sirius has 61 music-only channels. XM operates on 2 geostationary satellites while Sirius uses 3 geosynchronous satellites. Both services are available mainly via portable receivers in automobiles.

Local repeaters, on the same satellite frequencies, enable XM and Sirius's signals to be available even if the view of thesatellite is blocked, for example, by skyscrapers in a large town.

Some critics of the service have expressed concerns that satellite radio will lead to a decline in the number and variety oflocal radio stations and programming and greater concentration of mass media in the hands of fewer companies, and a loss of jobs in the radioindustry.

As of June 2004 , XM claimed 1.7 million subscribers, and Siriusclaimed 400,000.

Britain

In Britain , satellite radio is delivered by Sky Television , as part of their satellite television service. As of June 2004 , there were around ninety radio stations on the Sky Digital service. Unlike in the US,where satellite radio is seen as a way of gaining additional choice, in Britain, most major radio stations also simulcast on satellite radio. Reception is currently limited to stationary receivers, andis not available in automobiles.

External Links

SIRIUS Satellite Radio (New York, USA)
XM Satellite Radio (Washington D.C., USA)
Sky (Isleworth, Middlesex, UK)
List of radio stations simulcasting on Sky Digital