CD Radio Announces Agreement with Alpine Electronics

Last week, satellite-to-car radio broadcaster CD Radio announced an agreement with mobile electronics manufacturer Alpine Electronics for the design and development of satellite radio receivers. Under the terms of the agreement, Alpine says it will design and develop three-band (AM/FM/CD Radio) audio receivers for installation by car manufacturers. The company also plans to design and develop satellite radio receivers for sale directly to consumers in the electronics aftermarket.

According to CD Radio, the company is building a digital satellite radio system that will broadcast up to 100 channels of music and other programming to motorists throughout the US. The company plans to offer 50 channels of commercial-free music and up to 50 channels of news, sports, and entertainment programming for a monthly subscription fee of $9.95. Other contenders in the market for satellite-to-car broadcasting include XM Satellite Radio (see previous story).

CD Radio recently announced an agreement with Ford Motor Company to install CD Radio receivers in Ford vehicles as early as the first quarter of 2001. CD Radio has also announced content agreements with National Public Radio, Bloomberg, and SpeedVision, as well as manufacturing agreements with Delphi Delco Electronics Systems and Recoton. The company claims that commercial operations are scheduled to commence at the end of the fourth quarter of 2000.

Alpine's Akira Kurihara states that "Satellite radio will revolutionize in-car entertainment. We look forward to providing auto manufacturers and drivers with the receivers that will enable them to listen to this exciting new service."

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