By Brandon Matthews
Despite the media’s attempt to quell enthusiasm regarding Sirius XM’s (SIRI) new application for Apple’s (AAPL) iPhone and iTouch devices, and despite a short selling attack that occurred on the news, Sirius XM has never looked better, as witnessed by the initial number of downloads of the new app.
According to iTunes, the free Sirius XM App for the iPhone and iPod touch today became the No. 1 most downloaded free music App, leapfrogging other apps such as Pandora and Slacker in just this, its first official day. It was also the 6th most downloaded of any free App on iTunes. .
For those that are fortunate enough to have been born with a brain that allows them to think for themselves, and took the time to read the company’s press release rather than the onslaught of negative press regarding Howard Stern, a unique opportunity has evolved. That opportunity lies in the fact that Sirius XM has now extended itself globally.
Yesterday, Sirius XM was only heard in the continental United States. Despite being available online, the company required a U.S. address in order to subscribe. I just called the phone number for international subscription access, and was told that Sirius XM Radio is in fact now able to be received anywhere in world, with no residency restrictions. The call center went on to say that they have been busy all day setting up new users.
For those that may complain about the current absence of Howard Stern, rest assured he will be added in my opinion as the demonstration presented at the annual Sirius XM investor conference last month showed an iPhone that was tuned into the Howard 100 channel. Regardless of what may or may not occur, the one fact remains that as of today, whether you live in England, Europe, Asia, India, Alaska and Hawaii, South America or in the middle east,wherever an Internet hookup exists you can now stream Sirius XM Radio to your laptop, desktop or iPhone. All you need is an Internet connection of any type, including wi-fi.
For information about setting up an account outside of the United States, the company asks consumers to call the following number at (toll): 469-221-5200. Howard Stern may be popular, but the 120 channels that are being offered at this moment to the entire world make this application a stronger asset to the company.
Another hidden gem in all of us, lies in what appears to be a true partnership with Apple; the details of which have yet to be released. Let the lemmings focus on what is not in the press release. The smart money will no doubt focus on what is.
Position: Long SIRI
Brandon….good job. The truth needs to be published…not all this negative nonsense created by NAB bashers in my humble opinion to allow the shorting of SIRIUS to continue. There can be no doubt after today that naked short selling does exist with this stock.
Brandon – the FAQ URL on Iphone sign up says it is only avail in United States. Please explain further.
LOVE your style Brandon! Especially, “those that are fortunate enough to have been born with a brain that allows them to think for themselves.”
Many of us (not too proud to admit . . . ME!) may have lost a substantial amount of money last year on the market. Possibly due to “investors” (read: “How high can we make you jump?!”) that are less “fortunate” or lack the capacity to “think for themselves.” E.g. I had an acquaintance who was employed with a major corporation (Fortune 100) who informed me that managers (yes, educated? folk) would respond to the market based on headlines alone. A very true story – a very common practice evidently.
While I made a promise to never go back into SIRI stock again (because of these less “fortunate”), we just couldn’t resist at this level (it does, however, help that we are also a happy Sirius-XM user group!).
Another on the money article Brandon. Once the IMO unfounded disappointment subsides those that see the big picture will be heard. This company is on track to become one of the biggest most dominant companies in the history of media.
@asm610
Nothing humble about your opinion, ASM610 – just fact. It was evidently clear, according to documented paper trails and “certain” FCC staff, that democrats wanted to destroy this industry at any cost.
Large Financial, Oil, energy, etc mergers (drastically affecting our lives to a much GREATER degree than a harmless entertainment medium) took a FRACTION of the time to approve. And we are all aware of the status of those industries (banks, oil, etc).
Call the number…you can sign up from anywhere in the world…
Understood, I did call and it went right to music. No annoucement that you’ve reached Sirius/XM. Just think the FAQ should have answered the question differently – i.e., Yes – please call the following numbers per region SA, EMEA, Asia-PAC. Call is terminating to Dallas Tx area. Had to hang up since I was calling and I assume it is 6:30PM CDT and possibly after hours. Wonder how EMEA, SA, and Asia-PAC customers will be able to speak to reps in US call center. Seems to be a break down in customer service. SIRI – LONG
Job well done Brandon! I always look fwd to your articles. This one is no exception. And as burnout stated about Sirius eventually becoming the dominant media company….I think its very possible. Many media forces are against that of course as they do not want that to happen.
Sooner or later the SP will get out of this funk and move up considerably. Just think if this iPhone thing takes off fairly well and then it goes global. Imagine what that would do. Other plans may be in the works with Apple that are not yet disclosed and only the future will reveal those possibilities. The car market should return to decent levels by next year. Toyota offering Sirius in the US’s top selling car now will add a small positive punch. Within a couple years all auto manufacturers could be be installing the sat radios in all of their cars. So much potential exists that its scary. Scary enough that all the worlds media wants to see it fail.
Good luck all and hang in there!
So many errors and totally misleading comments in this article I dont even know where to start.
It doesnt suprise me that all the shareholders love this piece as it ignores realities.
JohnWills
Why don’t you enlighten us with some of these “totally misleading comments” If not…shut the F up and go away a-hole!!!!!
We’re anxiously awaiting hearing your words oh great one!@JohnWills
sorry Brandon…almost forgot…good work!
John Wills:
Hello??? There is not 1 single error or misleading fact in this article! If you took time to do your research, as Brandon does, you would see that. One can only wonder what your motives are for writing that comment.
Brandon: Great job!
As usual Brandon, fantastic article. Mel and Co. should be very happy with your newsworthy articles, something their PR Dept. SHOULD be doing in a BIG way. Keep doing what your doing we investors so appreciate it.
Rest assured? Hardly – I canceled my 3 radio subs today due to the exclusion of Howard from the lineup. Enough already – not having Howard from day one is a tremendous mistake. You only get one chance to make a first impression. As cancellations mount, this will only strengthen Howard’s bargaining power. Enough with the mindless cheerleading – they had a chance to make a splash today and the market responded appropriately – 15% drop and the short sellers are anything but dismayed.
What I don’t understand is what all this hype is about Stern? I mean really. Sure he has a following of quite a few out there but really! I can’t understand people who would become a subscriber just because of this guys show! I mean really, go to a strip club once in a while to get your jollies or stop by and do a few hits at a crack house to see what its like. But to worship Howard enough to base a sub cost is nuts!
Sirius will thrive just as well without him. Drop him and save half a billion and yeah lose a few million subs but in the end Sirius survives.
There’s alot more willing talent out there that would work for a quarter of a million or less a year. $25 SP within 5 years is on the way.
Hmmmmm let the media bash and play all their cards then shove it up their asses by adding programs.
@Sirius Lee
I don’t fully understand electricity, but that doesn’t mean I shun those who use it. Without Howard’s channels, what are you left with that’s not available elsewhere? Martha Stewart?
I don’t begrudge Howard one bit – is he well paid? Without a doubt. Sirius crafted a contract with some now apparent holes. You’d think a 500mil contract would have locked up all rights – apparently that’s not the case.
I’ve been an increasingly disgruntled subscriber since Dec 05 – first was the 4 day work week, next was losing BTLS sans terrestrial restraints. There’s been a storm brewing, for me anyway, and today was the final straw. I’m not alone – look around.
GUYS GROW UP IT’S ONLY THE BEGINNING THIS IS GONNA HELP THE BOTTOM LINE DRAMATICALLY
Yes….good article. But…and it’s a HUGE BUT….not including Howard at the launch was a major miscalculation of epic proportions. How they could not have anticipated the inevitable backlash is beyond me.
Of course the bashers would have found a way to bash Sirius even if Howard was included with the launch of the iphone app. But because he wasn’t, it was like throwing the shorts a friggin softball…they hit it out of the park. Mel and company HAD to know this would be the reaction. Wether or not Howard is offered at a later date is moot. Sirius shareholders once again got F’d.
You have to admit, this stock is cursed. NOTHING ever seems to go right. When things are bad, they are REALLY bad and when they are good….they somehow are even worse. LOL.
Oh well, what can a long do, but continue to hold?
@mike
Your exclusive use of caps lends credibility to your fact laden post. And the “GROW UP” statement always puts you miles ahead.
SANTA CLAUS IS REAL!!!!! SIRI TO TRADE AT 80 TIMES CURRENT PRICE IN 5 YEARS!!!! YAY!!!
Laughable.
YoodWe
How long have you been a subscriber…did you have Howard on any of your three subs…do you even listen to Howard…Cancelling 3 subs because Howard is not on Iphone doesn’t make sense if you are a Howard fan!!! BTW-agree not having Howard from day 1 is a mistake…Not sure how that really affects you though!!!@YoodWe
My bad
Just saw your next post…basher just like I thought!!!@YoodWe
Seriously. The app is great. 120 something channels, anywhere, worldwide (?), in your pocket. And all because of 1 channel everyone is whining their little asses off. There is a ton more to Sirius than Howard, great commercial free music, original talk radio, sports, etc. The app itself loads fast, finds the best audio stream per your cell connection or wifi network, and people want to overlook that and give it 1 star. All because of Howard? HOWARD?! I wouldn’t base my rating of an app on weather a washed up radio personality was on it or not.
Bubba
agreed. Stock is cursed…However, all wounds appear to be self inflicted!!!@bubba-ho-tep
Josh
Do not believe the 1 star rating…All bashers are downloading the app and then giving it the F…ed up rating. Rating of apps at Apple now have zero credibility!!@Josh
The app will do fine… We need to remember that the shorts include many of us who day trade the stock and feel like catching a nickel pop and reloading is worth doing. I am not criticizing, it may indeed be worth doing if your a trader. The pullback seems like a sure thing with this stock… but short term trading has its risks and limits, and what we do does effect the climate that the share price moves in. In some ways we hold ourselves down.
@bubba-ho-tep
Good post bubba – I feel your pain if you’re long on SIRI – been there, done that, just not with this company.
The only stock in SIRI I’ve ever owned is the 3 radios that will go dark on the 26th. I’ll be happy to donate ‘em to anyone who needs additional subs.
A sad day for all the subscribers and stockholders. Pardon my bitterness, but today I ended I 3 1/2 year relationship with a company I once admired.
1. My work now requires that I travel more frequently than in the past – the utility of my car sub is zero while it sits in the airport parking lot.
2. The wife travels with me, so her car radio is also useless when we travel.
3. Ditto for the home radio that I stream through my Sonos system.
4. For me anyway, instead of being able to listen to Howard on my Iphone, which carries considerable less bulk than my laptop, was the final straw.
Feel the need to pry further into my specific situation? I’ve made my case, unlike most of the posters in this thread. Sometimes it’s not solely about the money, it’s about the value. $400 a year in subs is now available for other endeavors.
Nice piece, Brandon. Your hard work and dedication to the cause are appreciated.
I have come to the conclusion that some people prefer to be miserable.
They always look for the negative, you know glass is always half empty.
Take a step back and look 2 years out at the huge advantage Sirius has in place today.
Take a deep breath and relax, I am not a day trader so the day to day is of little importance.
Just be patient, I have been waiting since 2004 and accumulating shares as I go.
Considering another 20,000 dollar investment in this puppy, that will soon be a big dog in the world!
Great article Brandon.
I give you & this website praise for being one of the first blogs to report the release date of this new app. That being said, I’d like to hear more details about this possible new partnership that you suggested with Apple. Hopefully, you can shed more light on this subject!
YoodWe
Now that you explain it that way…makes sense…but your earlier posts made it sound like Howard was reason!@YoodWe
It’s not about “Howard” or even his “salary” , although that is what the Sirius-Xm detractors want you to believe in order to turn you against trying this truly great service. Any subscriber knows it’s true value, and the low cost for that value. That the secret to their success. Look at the sources of the critical arcticles written… and you will see where the highly biased competition is comming from. The truly amazing thing is that the Sirius-Xm story continues to thrive and grow in the midst of this onslought.
Cursed for sure that was hilarious.
What we need is a witch doctor to get the short voodoo out of our hair.
Seems that HS is coming anyway so why all the comotion. I can’t stand listening to him myself but very glad that he part of the line-up. the music is what drives most of the sales anyway…
patience… did you guys see the lines to buy the new iphone? people were camping out, stores opening early,
Good to have our foot in that door finally.
SIRI long and getting longer.
I really think there could also be an issue with too much traffic, especially if S-XM goes global. Big internet pipes cost lots of dollars.
@YoodWe
Something tells me you do not have an iPhone. You probably never had any subs. Enjoy your HD radio. You must be that one guy listening.
Stern will be on the iPhone shortly. The mistake here is yours.