XM Satellite comes out of orbit to land online-entertainment deals

摘要

With 4.4 million subs, XM Satellite Radio is the largest satellite radio operator in the U.S., though smaller rival Sirius has been the market pacesetter and the one to make the edgy moves — such as recently signing so-called shock jock Howard Stern. XM has been better known for solid - but perhaps unexciting -deals, such as the one it cut with auto manufacturers to have XM receivers installed in new vehicles. Radio on the road is very 20th century, after all. But XM is suddenly tuning in to new possibilities. The company, which offers more than 150 digital-radio channels across the U.S. — including 67 commercial-free music channels, 64 spoken-word channels and 21 city traffic and weather channels - has recently unveiled a raft of partnership agreements that have put it firmly at center-dial.