Sirius announces radio service launch plans
SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO NEWS RELEASE
Posted: November 15, 2001

Sirius Satellite Radio, the satellite radio broadcaster, announced Wednesday it will launch its service on February 14, 2002, in leading metropolitan markets Houston, Denver and Phoenix.

Interim co-CEO and Chief Financial Officer John Scelfo commented, "This is a big day for Sirius. We worked closely with our hardware and retail partners to select our launch markets based on commuter data, retail spending patterns and marketing opportunities. Our testing has shown excellent results and we know consumers will be happy with the service. With our infrastructure fully in place, strong relationships with our retail, electronics and automotive partners, and key competitive market differentiators like 100 percent commercial free music and completely original music programming, we will offer consumers a great value and a great product."

Sirius' launch markets feature large commuter bases, early adopters of technology, favorable attitudes towards mobile electronic products and strong retail environments. The three markets encompass approximately 10.5 million people, including over 1.4 million commuters who spend at least an hour a day driving to work.

Consumers will be able to purchase Sirius receivers in more than 200 storefronts, including major consumer electronics outlets like Circuit City, Best Buy, Good Guys, Ultimate Electronics, Car Toys, Audio Express and Crutchfield. Advertising, retail marketing, public relations, event marketing and online and direct marketing will support the launch plans.

"Kenwood, Panasonic, Jensen and Clarion will have units rolling off the assembly line and onto store shelves in advance of our service launch," said Doug Wilsterman, VP Marketing and Distribution.

"We view today's launch announcement and results from the company's testing as a strong endorsement of the quality of the Sirius service," said Bob Law, VP, Sales and Marketing, Kenwood USA. "We are working closely with Sirius to make satellite radio a reality for our customers."

The company expects to announce the next phase of its rollout in early January at the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas.

Consumer test results
At the end of October Sirius expanded its in-vehicle testing. This testing was designed to complete the evaluation of all aspects of the company's product and transmission, distribution and system capabilities, including retail sales support, installation, subscriber management and billing, customer service and communications.

During drive testing, Sirius was able to compile critical objective and subjective data from numerous drive routes across the country. User feedback on the quality of the service was measured by factors including sound quality, installation, reception, customer service and programming.

Scelfo commented, "The overall results met or exceeded our demanding performance criteria. We were particularly pleased with the input from a consumer standpoint because it overwhelmingly demonstrated consumers' endorsement of our 100 percent commercial-free music and strong news and entertainment line-up."

Programming
Sirius also announced that it has expanded its music lineup to include 60 channels of 100% commercial free music, all originally produced at the company's national broadcast studio. Sirius will offer its customers the richest music experience available anywhere. Sirius' channel mix also includes 40 channels of sports, news and entertainment programming, including such major brands as CNBC, CNN Headline News, Fox News, ESPNews, Discovery and A&E.

OEM relations
Over the last three months the company has made progress and advanced its position with these key partner groups.

Highlights include:

  • BMW's commitment to introduce Sirius in its most popular vehicle lines in 2002

  • An agreement that will make Sirius radios available to Porsche customers in 2003

  • Significant new senior additions, including SVP of Engineering Mike Ledford, formerly of Ford, and new member of the board of directors, former Chrysler President James Holden

From its three satellites orbiting directly over the U.S., Sirius will broadcast 100 channels of digital quality radio to motorists throughout the continental United States for a monthly subscription fee of $12.95. Sirius will deliver 60 original channels of completely commercial-free music in virtually every genre, and 40 channels of sports, news and entertainment programming. Sirius has exclusive alliances to install AM/FM/SAT radios in Ford, Chrysler, BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar, Volvo, Mazda, Dodge and Jeep vehicles. Kenwood, Panasonic, Clarion and Jensen satellite receivers, including models that can adapt any car stereo to receive Sirius, as well as home and portable products, will be available at retailers such as Circuit City, Best Buy, Good Guys, Tweeter and Crutchfield.

Apollo 11 special patch
Special collectors' patch marking the 35th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 moon landing is now available.
 Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide

Inside Apollo mission control
An insider's view of how Apollo flight controllers operated and just what they faced when events were crucial.
 Choose your store:
U.S.

The ultimate Apollo 11 DVD
This exceptional chronicle of the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing mission features new digital transfers of film and television coverage unmatched by any other.
 Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide

Next ISS crew
Own a little piece of history with this official patch for the International Space Station's Expedition 11 crew. We'll ship yours today!
 Choose your store:
U.S.

Apollo 11 special patch
Special collectors' patch marking the 35th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 moon landing is now available.
 Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K.

Current Shuttle Mission Patch
The official embroidered patch for shuttle Endeavour's flight to finish building Japanese section of the space station.
 U.S. STORE
 WORLDWIDE STORE

Hubble Patch
The official embroidered patch for mission STS-125, the space shuttle's last planned service call to the Hubble Space Telescope, is available for purchase.
 U.S. STORE
 WORLDWIDE STORE

Ares Patch
The Ares Project will develop two new rockets to launch astronauts back to the Moon under NASA's Vision for Exploration. The Ares 1 will employ a single space shuttle solid rocket booster to loft the Orion crew capsule. The gigantic Ares 5 will haul the equipment and cargo needed for such lunar voyages. This is the Ares emblem.
 U.S. STORE




Project Orion
The Orion crew exploration vehicle is NASA's first new human spacecraft developed since the space shuttle a quarter-century earlier. The capsule is one of the key elements of returning astronauts to the Moon.
 U.S. STORE


Fallen Heroes Patch Collection
The official patches from Apollo 1, the shuttle Challenger and Columbia crews are available in the store.
 U.S. STORE
 WORLDWIDE STORE

Spaceflight Now Plus
The web's best space video service! Get additional video, audio, image and virtual reality content for a low-cost monthly or annual subscription fee. Subscriptions start at $5.95/£3.50. Click here to see what's currently available.
 SUBSCRIBE (U.S. Dollars)
 SUBSCRIBE (U.K. Pounds)

Hubble Posters
Stunning posters featuring images from the Hubble Space Telescope and world-renowned astrophotographer David Malin are now available from the Astronomy Now Store.
 U.S. STORE
 U.K. & WORLDWIDE STORE

Get e-mail updates
Sign up for our NewsAlert service and have the latest news in astronomy and space e-mailed direct to your desktop (privacy note: your e-mail address will not be used for any other purpose).
Enter your e-mail address:

Station Calendar
NEW! This beautiful 12" by 12" wall calendar features stunning images of the International Space Station and of the people, equipment, and space craft associated with it, as it takes shape day by day in orbit high above the Earth.
 U.S. STORE
 U.K. & WORLDWIDE STORE

INDEX | PLUS | NEWS ARCHIVE | LAUNCH SCHEDULE
ASTRONOMY NOW | STORE

ADVERTISE

© 2009 Spaceflight Now Inc.