Time to Get Sirius

After more than ten years in development, Sirius Satellite Radio announced last week that it will be officially launching its service with two events in Jackson, Mississippi beginning February 13. Sirius' competitor XM Satellite radio was able to get its service up and running last September.

Sirius had announced last November that its target date to go live would be February 14, initially in Denver, Phoenix, and Houston, and it looks like they've made good on that promise. The company has three satellites orbiting directly over the US and is set to broadcast 100 channels of "digital quality" radio to motorists throughout the continental United States.

Monthly subscription fees for the service will be $12.95, slightly more than the $9.99/month charged by XM. But Sirius promises fewer ads, with 60 original channels of completely commercial-free music in "virtually every genre," along with 40 additional channels of sports, news, and entertainment.

The company says it has agreements to install AM/FM/SAT radios in Ford, Chrysler, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Volvo, Mazda, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles. Manufacturers of satellite receivers include Kenwood, Panasonic, Clarion, and Jensen; Sirius says that models which can adapt any car stereo to receive its service are available in addition to home and portable products.

To celebrate the launch of its service, Sirius has planned a media event for February 13 featuring live performances from Randy Travis, Earl Scruggs, Tom T. Hall, Tracy Lawrence, and Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, followed on the 14th by consumer events at Jackson retailer Cowboy Maloney's.

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