By Steve Garcia
At long last with the release of the SIRIUS XM iPHONE application, investors and fans of the service have been shown the future beyond automobile subscriptions. The truth far outweighs the negative sentiment we have seen portrayed and embellished time and again in the financial and mainstream media outlets. The application released by SIRIUS XM (SIRI) allows access to some of the most exclusive content on any iPHONE or iPOD touch. This basically eliminates the need for a SATRAD specific device to listen in. It also would seem to give APPLE (AAPL) quite a few purchasers of the iPHONE they would not otherwise have gotten, as I have seen many comments regarding people willing to give up their Blackberry should the APP come out which it has. On the surface, a win, win situation for both companies. There is more to what is going on and in play than meets the eye.
With the APPLE application release, things are looking up. As I wrote in a previous article, it appears that things are also looking global for SIRIUS XM. With the Iphone application they will undoubtedly be a player with internet radio from a global perspective. The application actually leads us to the conclusion that Global expansion is in the cards. An interesting line in the registration form for new users states: Continental US only.for international registrations call (toll) 469-221-5200. Many thanks to Dave Phillips for that interesting piece of information. I tried to call that number to confirm but was stuck listening to music for about 10 minutes before actually hanging up .It would seem that SIRIUS XM is not just a taker, but also a giver to the APPLE and Liberty empires and John Malone. They get exclusive content and can leverage it over multiple possibilities….which I am sure was part of the justification for any agreements or investment stakes. Liberty global has a large subscription base already…just like SIRIUS…..APPLE has a loyal following…giving all those potential subscribers an opportunity to purchase all of the exclusive available channels including, Oprah Radio, MLB Home Plate, NFL Radio, NHL Home Ice, Mad Dog Radio, The Foxxhole comedy channel, and NPR seems like a no brainer. Users will also gain access to a variety of Sirius XM music channels, including E Street Radio, The Grateful Dead Channel, Eminem’s Shade 45, Radio Margaritaville, Siriusly Sinatra, and many others.
All told, a subscriber will be able to listen to 120 channels with possibly more to come, as well as concerts and special programs exclusive to SIRIUS XM. Additionally any music track can be purchased from iTunes while listening to it in the Sirius XM app which can only help add to the applications popularity. The Iphone app just might be a lot more important than we think. To me it seems that this all is coming together turning into global expansion without the hurdle of Spectrum licensing overseas that would be expensive and virtually impossible for SIRIUS XM to procure.
Suffice it to say there is a lot more to what is unspoken, than to what is constantly rehashed over and over again in the Mainstream Media. Let the real battle begin, as SIRIUS XM starts showing signs the company is finally using their heads when it comes to growing a subscription base not tied to the Auto industry or expensive specialized SATRAD equipment. The usual suspects will still bash the company no matter what they do, until the company takes a stand and defends itself, and they will. The day that happens alot of folks who have been laughing through the the merger to now…will be left holding their heads in disbelief!
Positions: Long SIRI
Amen! It’s about time the chains come off this company and can break the stigma of being a car radio.
There’s a lot of folks around the world that have only dreamed of having the luxury of 130+ channels of mixed content.
Good points Steve. Another excellent addition to the media information stream. Sucks there are only 3 or 4 sites that put out anything honest or useful regarding this company.
If you keep writing them, Ill keep reading them.
Even though few sites put out honest info if you keep writing the truth it will get out. Article containing the facts get picked up by the wires and bloggers all over the world just like the ones containing fiction.Keep up the good work Steve.
If the Sirius / iPhone app goes global and it works out without any issues (technical or governmental) it will be a very good thing for Sirius and its stock holders. It may take 6 months or more for this to happen and at least 6 to 12 months for the auto industry to rebound so we have a ways to go yet. In the meantime the manipulation of the stock will continue. I really can see this stock breaking the $10 barrier in 5 years or sooner. Hang in there gang!
On a personal observation, I can see the Professional teams play their games live and listen to the SIRI commentary, from their sports networks. When you add this source of revenue, and you can bet that they will have these available only on a premium basis, SIRI wins. Add to the potential spiff/Itune download revenues and we may have some long term growth. This may more than offset the expected reverse split that is talked about. With 3.8 billion shares outstanding; I would think a 30:1 reverse split will be about what they would plan on. This helps by bringing in the Institutional investors, with so many having restrictions on stock ownership below $10/share. Thanks, Rock
Why isn’t management saying these things publicly? Why are they so secretive? We have a great product….start telling (talking to) the world. OK Mel – speak up!!!!
the content speaks for itself,he is behind the scenes steering the ship.Stop crying and enjoy the service,
Rome wasn’t built in a day
AS SOON AS WE TURN A “”"”"PROFIT”"”"” NUMERO UNO WE WILL BE VALUED PROPERLY.
I have not looked into the details about the international app but being a Canadian subscriber it kinda blows. It seems that I may have to get another subsciption to access this app… On the bright side the company may be able to get a chunk of subs from the Canadian subscibers that will cancel their account here to get the app.
By the way sirius and xm have not merged in Canada yet and they are seperate companies from SiriusXm. And as so their sub count is not included in the United States totals.
Just to add….I did finally get through on that number. I asked if I could subscribe from Europe…I was told yes….I said are you sure…I was told yes again…so short of going to Europe myself and trying…I do not know how else to verify. I can also add that I came across an article from a gentleman while surfing the internet in which he stated he streamed the app from France.