The Great Satellite Radio Rip-Off

[INTIMIDAT3R]

I've had XM on and off over the years as I got my new vehicles, but I never renewed my subscriptions.

Why?

Satellite radio was supposed to be commercial free, remember? Remember all the ads... "Uncensored... Commercial Free... XM!!!"?

During those 3 months of free trial, I heard more commericals on satellite than on my local FM and AM stations. Now, with the new digital hi-def transmitters being used by FM and AM stations for free, who needs $15 a month satellite?

[FirstCamaro2k10]

All the stations i listen to, are commercial free, and i love XM.

[CaniacFan]

I listen to severael stations (Classis Rewind, Boneyard, Hair Nation, Lithium, Octane) with no commercial interruption. The DJ's will sometimes talk too much, but no commercials. I've always had Sirius, new to XM - not liking their customer service much at all, I must say.

[IamJacksCamaro]

I guess it depends on the station (commercial free or not). I currently switch between Blue Collar Radio and Raw Dog. Both have plenty of commercials. None of the stations that I've listened to for any length of time were commercial free.

[OrangeFury]

Originally Posted by INTIMIDAT3R

During those 3 months of free trial, I heard more commericals on satellite than on my local FM and AM stations.

Um, that's complete bullshit and you know it.

[fastkevman]

I have never had satellite radio before so I am having a tough time with some issues.
First, the XM cuts in and out when I just drive under some trees that have branches that partially overhang the street, I can still see sky through the trees so it's not like a tunnel. FM does not cut out....normal???, I don't know.
Second, no matter what I do with my stereo settings XM sounds like it's really flat and not in stereo, I have the BA stereo and I can adjust the stereo in CD and FM mode to sound great but, not XM........normal???, I don't know.

At this point why would I ever pay for service that sounds flat and cuts out so often.

[mhood]

My XM trial period just quietly expired a few days ago. No pressure sales or automatic unauthorized renewals on my credit card so far. I wasn't using it at all.

[2002b4c]

I travel a lot. I get a lot of enjoyment from XM. I have a car kit in three cars,my motorhome and have a boombox. I just move the receiver to what I am driving.

Sports, Nascar, news, great music. I have not listened to "regular" radio in years. The five or so music stations I listen to have no commercials.

[INTIMIDAT3R]

I'll concede the fact that if I drove a truck for a living again, I'd probably get XM. It's hard to find the Old Time Radio plays on AM at night without a bunch of static.

But for my vehicles, my Zune and radio stations are good enough for me. They don't fade out when it's cloudy or when I get aorund buildings or lose their signal all together.

[formare]

I have never heard a commercial and I've had Sirius for about 5 years now.

[squat]

Originally Posted by fastkevman

I have never had satellite radio before so I am having a tough time with some issues.
First, the XM cuts in and out when I just drive under some trees that have branches that partially overhang the street, I can still see sky through the trees so it's not like a tunnel. FM does not cut out....normal???, I don't know.
Second, no matter what I do with my stereo settings XM sounds like it's really flat and not in stereo, I have the BA stereo and I can adjust the stereo in CD and FM mode to sound great but, not XM........normal???, I don't know.

At this point why would I ever pay for service that sounds flat and cuts out so often.

To solve the cutout issue get a Sirius radio/antenna.

A brief explanation: When XM launched their satellites (Rock & Roll) they put them in orbit so low that the satellites don't cover all areas of the country well. To alleviate this problem the put up hundreds of towers (over 200) as repeaters to relay the XM signal to places that aren't covered by the satellites. Unfortunately that means that if your signal is off of the repeaters it will get blocked by vertical obstacles (trees/buildings...).

The Sirius satellites are much higher in orbit so they cover the country well (Sirius only has 11 repeaters) so if you are using a Sirius antenna and have a clear view of the sky you should not have any issues.

Now, as for the OPs comment. The music stations do not have commercials on satellite radio. But when you listen to talk radio you will get some commercials (though not nearly as many as terrestrial radio). These commercials are as much to give the talk show host a break as they are to make a little extra money.

[Fogey]

If you don't like it, nobody is holding a gun to your head. If you do, get the best deal you can. There are more important things to whine about

[fastkevman]

Originally Posted by squat

To solve the cutout issue get a Sirius radio/antenna.

A brief explanation: When XM launched their satellites (Rock & Roll) they put them in orbit so low that the satellites don't cover all areas of the country well. To alleviate this problem the put up hundreds of towers (over 200) as repeaters to relay the XM signal to places that aren't covered by the satellites. Unfortunately that means that if your signal is off of the repeaters it will get blocked by vertical obstacles (trees/buildings...).

The Sirius satellites are much higher in orbit so they cover the country well (Sirius only has 11 repeaters) so if you are using a Sirius antenna and have a clear view of the sky you should not have any issues.

Now, as for the OPs comment. The music stations do not have commercials on satellite radio. But when you listen to talk radio you will get some commercials (though not nearly as many as terrestrial radio). These commercials are as much to give the talk show host a break as they are to make a little extra money.

Thanks for the explanation.

[The_Blur]

I hear more DJ chatter than I like on some stations, but I haven't heard much advertising. I'll look out for it more attentively and try to report back.