My Letter from XM Radio

PolkThug

Dear P-Thuggy,

I'm emailing you personally because XM Satellite Radio needs your help. Please click here (http://capwiz.com/xmradio/issues/alert/?alertid=8852001&type=TA) to contact Congress and learn more about this issue.

The big record companies are pressuring Congress to pass legislation that would prevent XM listeners like you from having access to more music choices and new technologies. If these powerful special interests get their way, it will be much tougher for satellite radio to keep bringing you the unique and innovative artists you find on XM.

Let me explain: With 69 commercial-free digital music channels, XM provides an outlet for recording artists of virtually every musical style and genre.

XM has been a good friend to the music industry and, more importantly, to artists and songwriters. XM helps listeners discover new artists and rediscover forgotten favorites, stimulating CD and concert ticket sales.

We make sure artists and songwriters are fairly compensated for their music: XM pays a portion of your subscription fee to them and their record labels for the music you hear. Satellite radio has already paid tens of millions of dollars in royalties -- and over the coming years it could pay hundreds of millions more. By contrast, conventional AM and FM radio stations pay nothing to recording artists or their record labels.
In fact, satellite radio, including XM, is now the largest payer of digital performance royalties to artists and record labels in the country.
But the big record labels want more -- a lot more -- and are trying to use Congress to stand in the way of the future. They are pressuring Congress to pass legislation that would prevent XM listeners like you from being able to use our new radios. These radios allow XM subscribers to record music they hear on XM for personal use so you can listen later - in the same way TiVo allows you to record TV shows for later viewing.

This could mean fewer music choices and less new technology for you in years to come. Those who stand in the way of progress never prevail and they won't this time, if you and the other 6.5 million members of the XM Nation act today.

Again, I hope you will click here (http://capwiz.com/xmradio/issues/alert/?alertid=8852001&type=TA) to contact Congress and learn more about this issue.

Thank you for being a part of the XM Nation. With your support, XM Satellite Radio will continue to bring you the highest quality music, talk, sports, news and innovation.

Best Wishes,

Hugh Panero
CEO of XM Satellite Radio

audiobliss

Interesting.

Hey, you didn't have any other responses...this is better than nothing, right?

PolkThug

audiobliss wrote:

Interesting.

Hey, you didn't have any other responses...this is better than nothing, right?

LOL! thanks.

I'm tired of the music industry panic attacks. My 1983 boombox can record the radio onto tapes as well, be scared!

ohskigod

I agree, if they spent less time freaking out about recording media and more time on producing something worth buying, there troubles would be over.

aaharvel

Have XM & Sirius yet to make a profit?

Demiurge

aaharvel wrote:

Have XM & Sirius yet to make a profit?

haha, are you one of those who thinks neither company will last, like myself?

aaharvel

Demiurge wrote:

haha, are you one of those who thinks neither company will last, like myself?

Honestly Dave, I don't know. I'm inclined to relegate them to "SACD status" (if you know what i mean)

I will say that Sirius made a mistake in shelling out millions of dollars that they don't have for Howard Stern (or anyone for that matter)

amulford

ohskigod wrote:

I agree, if they spent less time freaking out about recording media and more time on producing something worth buying, there troubles would be over.

Amen...

bobman1235

aaharvel wrote:

I will say that Sirius made a mistake in shelling out millions of dollars that they don't have for Howard Stern (or anyone for that matter)

HUNDREDS of millions, even.

Dennis Gardner

Satellite radio won't go away. They may change ownerships, like when it becomes XMGM/Onstar to make it worthwhile to own a GM car. The satellites are already in orbit, and the technology has been worked out so someone will use them, it just takes better management/ideas to keep them valid.

Skynut

bobman1235 wrote:

HUNDREDS of millions, even.

Ain't it funny.
When I first heard this I was wondering what the heck they were thinking.
He scammed them big time and screwed Sirius bad.
I'll be supprised if they make it under their current management.

Dennis Gardner

The current management/ownership will fail when investors see other parts of their portfolios going south and dump the losers, which could happen any day.
Satellite radio isn't Chrysler and won't get a bailout offer.

szhleppy

ohskigod wrote:

I agree, if they spent less time freaking out about recording media and more time on producing something worth buying, there troubles would be over.

Those "freaking out about recording media" are actually the artists and record companies who think that this new feature (created by those who should be "producing something worth buying") will diminish record sales. Two different groups.

I side with XM on this one, and the artists and record companies would as well if they would actually look at how consumers use this. You can record a song you hear and like on the fly, which leads to exposure and purchase of the CD or files online to hear the rest...it's not like you are going to be able to record the entire CD from live XM just to cheat the recording industry out of a few bucks.

bknauss

Although both companies aren't close to making a profit, I'd be shocked if either one goes away anytime soon. Too many people with too much power put lots of money and time into making these companies happen. Comparing SACD to satellite radio is apples to oranges. Satellite has the backing of the car industry, home electronics, and is seeping into other markets. SACD was available on a majority of players, but the media was very limited compared to the catalog CDs have. It also was only in the home market also and I never heard real good news about anyone putting forth a big effort to bring it to the car realm. Harman supposedly was rumored to think about it, but I haven't seen any evidence one way or another.

steveinaz

"Dear P-Thuggy"

LMAO!!!