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The '''Count's of Falkenstein''', were German nobility named after the [[Burg Falkenstein (Donnersberg)|'''Burg Falkenstein''']] at [[Donnersbergkreis|Donnersberg]] in what is now the [[Rhineland-Palatinate]].
{{Infobox_Company |
company_name = Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.|
company_logo = [[Image:SIRI logo.gif]] |
company_type = [[Public company|Public]] {{NASDAQ|SIRI}}|
company_slogan = The Best Radio on Radio |
foundation = 1990|
___location = {{flagicon|United States}} [[New York City|New York City, New York]], [[USA]]|
key_people = [[Mel Karmazin]], [[CEO]]<br>
[[Scott Greenstein]], [[President]], Entertainment/Sports|
num_employees = 614 (2005) |
industry = [[Broadcasting]] - [[Radio]] |
products = [[Satellite radio]] |
revenue = {{profit}}$242.245 Million [[United States dollar|USD]] (2005)|
net_income ={{loss}}-$862.997 Million [[United States dollar|USD]] (2005)|
homepage = [http://www.sirius.com/ www.sirius.com]
}}
'''Sirius Satellite Radio''' (pronounced: ''serious'') {{NASDAQ|SIRI}} is one of two [[satellite radio]] ([[Digital Audio Radio Satellite|DARS]]) services and is based in [[New York City]] that provides 68 streams (channels) of music and 55 streams of sports, news and entertainment to the [[United States]] and [[Canada]]. (The other satellite radio service is [[XM Radio]]) Music streams on Sirius carry a wide variety of music genres, broadcasting 24 hours a day, commercial free. A subset of Sirius’ music channels are included as part of the [[DISH Network]] [[satellite television]] service. Sirius channels are identified by [[Arbitron]] with the label “XS” (e.g. “XS120”, “XS9”, “XS17”).
With any Sirius-enabled radio, the user can see the artist and song information on display while listening to the stream. The streams are broadcast from three [[satellite]]s in an [[geosynchronous orbit|elliptical geosynchronous orbit]] above [[North America]].
In 1255 the family inherited by marriage land from the Count's of '''Hagen-Münzenberg'''. In this manner they came to be established in the [[Frankfurt Rhein-Main Region]]. At '''[[Königstein im Taunus]]''' they built their new Castle '''[[Burg Falkenstein (Taunus)|Burg (Neu-)Falkenstein]]'''.
Sirius headquarters are in [[Manhattan]]. Its business model is to provide pay-for-service radio, analogous to the business model for premium [[cable television]], in which music channels are free of commercials. Subscription costs for Sirius range from $12.95/mo. to $499.99 for a lifetime subscription (of the receiver, not the subscriber). A $10 activation fee ($15 if activated by phone) is also required. Sirius currently has fewer subscribers compared to competitor [[XM Satellite Radio]], with 4.7 million, less than XM's current audience of roughly 6.89 million (as of [[July 6]], [[2006]]). However, Sirius is gaining new subscribers at a faster rate than XM.
The Falkenstein's als inherited the town of [[Offenbach am Main]] from the Count of Münzenberg. They leased the town to the neighbouring town of [[Frankfurt am Main]] for 1,000 [[Gulden]].
Sirius was previously known as '''CD Radio'''. The company changed its name to Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. on [[November 18]], [[1999]]. The dog in the Sirius logo ([[Sirius]] is referred to as the "Dog Star") is unofficially named “Mongo,” a name garnered from the debut of Sirius Satellite Radio’s sponsorship on [[Casey Atwood]]’s and later [[Jimmy Spencer]]’s [[NASCAR]] entry, when the announcing cast voted on names. “Mongo” later became NASCAR driver Spencer’s nickname with the NASCAR Broadcasters in the following races.
Count [[Werner von Falkenstein|Werner III. von Falkenstein]] († 1418) was [[Archbishop of Trier]] from 1388 until his death in 1418. He is remembered for his provokation against the people of Frankfurt by developing rivalry with that town and Offenbach.
==Content==
===Howard Stern and other high profile content===
[[Image:howardstern1.jpg|right|frame|Howard Stern]]
A major component of Sirius’ business strategy has been to execute far-reaching and exclusive deals with big-name entertainers and personalities to create and build broadcast streams, from the ground up. Sirius has reached extensive deals with domestic diva [[Martha Stewart]], [[E Street Band]] member [[Steven Van Zandt]] (aka Little Steven), [[Jimmy Buffett]], and [[Eminem]] to executive produce streams on Sirius.
The Falkenstein male line died out with the death of Werner III. in 1418. Their landed estates were inherited by '''[[Herren von Eppstein]]''' family as well as the Counts von Solms.
By far the biggest of these deals was announced on [[October 6]], [[2004]] when Sirius announced that it signed a five-year, $100-million per year agreement with [[Howard Stern]] to move his radio show, [[Howard Stern Show|The Howard Stern Show]], to Sirius starting on [[January 9]], [[2006]].<ref>Contract figure is from http://www.forbes.com/technology/2006/02/10/xm-sirius-howardstern-cx_0213wharton.html.</ref> The deal, which gave Sirius exclusive rights to Stern’s radio show, also gave Stern the right to build three full-time programming channels. (Currently, Stern has two operating channels on Sirius, but still retains the right to a third.) Stern stated that his move was forced by the stringent regulations of the [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]] whose enforcement was intensified following the [[Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy|Super Bowl XXXVIII Halftime Show]]. Beginning with the announcement of his imminent departure, Stern began to complain that [[CBS Radio|Infinity Broadcasting]] was trying to make his departure more acrimonious than was necessary.
Howard Stern's first major hire for Sirius was Tampa, FL based [[Bubba the Love Sponge]]. He had previously been fired by [[Clear Channel]] due to a $750,000 fine proposed by the FCC.
In addition to the channel-programming deals, Sirius also programs a number of more conventional shows with well known personalities in a number of fields. This includes shows by high energy sports show host [[Scott Ferrell]], skateboarding legend [[Tony Hawk]], skateboarder and MTV personality [[Bam Margera]], seven-time [[Tour de France]] champion [[Lance Armstrong]], [[The B-52's]] lead singer [[Fred Schneider]], NBA Hall of Famer [[Bill Walton]] and longtime New York City DJ “[[Bruce Morrow|Cousin Brucie]]”, who was dropped by [[WCBS-FM]] after the station changed to its format from an oldies station to a “[[Jack FM|Jack]]” format. Generally each personality hosts shows that play the music they personally prefer.
[[Category:German_Nobility]]
On [[November 18]], [[2004]] the former [[chief operating officer|COO]] and President of [[Viacom]], [[Mel Karmazin]], was named the [[CEO]] of Sirius. Stern worked under Karmazin at Infinity Radio and the two appeared to always have a great deal of mutual respect. It was Karmazin who fiercely protected Stern in the wake of the [[Super Bowl XXXVIII Halftime Show]] (produced by MTV and aired by CBS, both co-owned with Infinity-now CBS Radio-until [[CBS Corporation]] split off in 2006) and the FCC crackdown on shock jocks and obscenity, in general.
[[Category:Taunus]]
On [[October 25]], [[2005]] Sirius announced that "E Street Radio", the exclusive channel of legendary artist [[Bruce Springsteen]], would air from [[November 1]], [[2005]] to [[January 31]], [[2006]] on the Bridge - Channel 10.
===Sports===
Another cornerstone of Sirius’ business strategy has been to pursue exclusive sports content. Currently, Sirius has exclusive satellite radio broadcasting rights to all [[National Football League|NFL]], [[Canadian Football League|CFL]] and [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] games. [[Sirius]] also announced in December 2005 a multi-year deal with the [[NBA]], which makes the satellite radio company the broadcaster of more live NBA games than any other radio outlet. Sirius airs [[Full Court Press]], weekdays from 12pm-3pm ET; FCP is the only all-NBA show on Sirius. The agreement also creates a 24-hour [[NBA]] Radio Channel, located on channel 127. [[National Hockey League|NHL]] games will be shared with XM for the 2005–2006 season, after which XM will have exclusive broadcast rights. Starting in [[2007]], [[Sirius]] will have full [[NASCAR]] coverage.
[[Sirius]] also has rights to a number of major college sports teams, including teams in the [[Big East Conference|Big East]], [[Big Ten Conference|Big Ten]] and the [[Southeastern Conference]] as well as schools like [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]]. Beginning in 2005 Sirius also has exclusive radio rights to cover the [[NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship|NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament]]. In August 2004, Sirius launched [[NFL Radio]], a 24-hour radio stream dedicated exclusively to covering the NFL. Sirius has also been aggressive in creating its own in-house produced studio sports radio content.
Sirius also broadcasts select [[English Premier League]] matches, in addition to airing [[World Soccer Daily]], a Monday-Friday two hour talk show dedicated to [[soccer]].
===Other content===
In June 2005, Sirius signed an agreement with [[BBC Radio 1]] in the [[United Kingdom|UK]] to rebroadcast the station to an American audience. Sirius also has exclusive satellite radio rights to [[National Public Radio]], carrying two separate streams. The deal with NPR was the first high-profile deal entered into by Sirius.
With the launch of Sirius Canada in December 2005, American listeners gained five Canadian-produced stations including [[CBC Radio One]], [[CBC Radio Three]] and [[Iceberg Radio]] in English, and [[La Première Chaîne|Première Plus]] and [[Bandeapart]] in [[French language|French]]. Iceberg Radio is programmed by [[Standard Broadcasting]], which also provides a number of additional channels exclusive to Canada; the other four come from the [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]. After a delay and outcry from Canadian subscribers, Sirius Canada added Howard Stern's Channel 100 to their lineup in early 2006. [[Howard 101|Channel 101]], Stern's other channel (featuring [[Bubba the Love Sponge]], [[Scott Ferrall]], and other personalities), were made available in late June 2006. On Channel 17, listeners can partake in "Jambands" on the all-jam station, JamOn, which features Stef Scamardo, the wife of Allman Brothers Band and Gov't Mule guitarist/vocalist, Warren Haynes.
On [[March 14]], [[2006]], Sirius added [[Cosmopolitan (magazine)|Cosmopolitan]] Radio, [[Playboy Radio]], and returned the audio simulcast of the [[Fox News Channel]] TV feed, which was previously removed during a contract dispute. The service also added Fox's satellite talk radio channel, [[Fox News Talk]].
Hard Attack is Sirius' [[heavy metal]] station. It plays all types of metal, from classic metal such as Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest, to thrash metal such as Testament, Overkill, and Kreator, to death metal such as Cannibal Corpse and Morbid Angel. It features three specialty shows: "Beyond the Pit", which is dedicated to playing death metal, black metal, and grindcore; "Contact High", which is dedicated to playing doom, sludge, and stoner metal, as well as "stoner rock" that is arguably not metal; and "Bloody Roots", hosted by [[Sound of the Beast]] author [[Ian Christe]], which features a different topic each week relating to the history of metal.
==Sirius Business Background Music for Businesses==
In August 2003, Sirius [http://investor.sirius.com/ReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=152755&cat=&newsroom= partnered with] [[Clearwater, Florida]] - based [http://www.amtc.com Applied Media Technologies Corporation], a provider of telephone "on hold" messaging. AMTC, as the exclusive marketing partner for business subscriptions, provides Sirius service in a package branded as Sirius Business. For $24.95 per month, AMTC provides all of Sirius' 67 streams of commercial-free music, and pays all performance royalties to [[ASCAP]], [[BMI]], and [[SESAC]], so that business owners may legally play Sirius' music in their establishments. Sirius Business is the corporate music solution for [[Huddle House]], [[Big Boy Restaurants]], [[Ford Motor Company]], [[Chrysler]], and [[Piggly Wiggly]].
In conjunction with the Sirius receivers and subscriptions, AMTC offers branded speakers, amplifiers, and public-address systems, including commercial-grade satellite antennas.
Unlike the music services [[Muzak]], [[Music Choice]], [[XM|XM for Business]], or [[DMX Music]], the Sirius business music services use the same channels as the consumer Sirius service. The Sirius delivery platform, on the other hand, is more reliable than any of the other services in that it is not subject to satellite dish [[rain fade]] or broadband internet outages.
==Sirius' satellites==
Sirius’ spacecraft Radiosat 1 through Radiosat 4 were manufactured by [[Space Systems/Loral]]. The first three of the series were orbited in 2000 by [[Proton (rocket)|Proton]]-K Block-DM3 launch vehicles. Radiosat 4 is a ground spare, in storage at SS/Loral’s facility in [[Palo Alto, California]]. The series of satellites from which they come, the SS/Loral LS-1300, is known to have problems with their [[solar array]] cells — a similar but more severe issue affects the Boeing satellites belonging to competitor [[XM Radio]].
[[Image:Cd radio sirius.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Sirius Satellite in space, concept drawing.]]
Sirius' satellites are called Radiosat (instead of after the company name), due to there already being a previous fleet of satellites launched also named [[SIRIUS (satellite)|SIRIUS]], launched by [[Sweden]]'s [[NSAB]] (Nordiska Satellitaktiebolaget, or Nordic Satellite AB, and known today as [[SES SIRIUS]]) and used for general telecommunications and satellite tv throughout Sweden and the rest of [[Scandinavia]].
The Sirius uplink facility is located in [[Vernon, New Jersey|Vernon]], [[Sussex County, New Jersey|Sussex County]], [[New Jersey]].
Sirius does not as yet use [[geostationary satellites]], though plans to expand their network in 2008 will add one. Currently, its three LS-1300 satellites fly in geosynchronous (24-hour orbital period) inclined elliptical orbits. Sirius says the elliptical path of its satellite constellation ensures that each satellite spends about 16 hours a day over the continental United States, with at least one satellite over the country at all times. Sirius completed its three-satellite constellation on [[November 30]], [[2000]]. A fourth satellite will remain on the ground, ready to be launched if any of the three active satellites encounter transmission problems.
Sirius has three satellites in orbit. All three of these satellites broadcast directly to the consumer's receiver, but due to the highly elliptical orbit only two of them broadcast at any given time. A third, separate signal is uplinked to the AMC-6 [[Ku-band]] satellite and received by 36-inch [[satellite dish]]es for the ground repeater network. This third signal is broadcast on a third segment of the signal. There is an intentional four-second delay between each segment of the signal. This enables the receiver to maintain a large buffer of the audio stream, which, along with [[forward error correction]] helps keep the audio playing in the event that the signal is temporarily lost, such as when driving under an overpass or otherwise losing [[line-of-sight]] of any of the satellites or ground repeater stations.
Sirius offers car radios and home entertainment systems, as well as car and home kits for portable use. The Sirius receiver includes two parts — the antenna module and the receiver module. The antenna module picks up signals from the ground repeaters or the satellite, amplifies the signal and filters out any interference. The signal is then passed on to the receiver module. Inside the receiver module is a chipset consisting of eight chips. The chipset converts the signals from 2.3 gigahertz (GHz) to a lower intermediate frequency. Sirius also offers an adapter that allows conventional car radios to receive satellite signals.
Sirius broadcasts using 12.5 MHz of the [[S band]]: 2320 to 2332.5 MHz. Audio channels are digitally compressed using the [[Perceptual Audio Coding|ePAC]] codec from [[Lucent Technologies]]. This audio codec is also used by [[iBiquity]] for its [[HD Radio]] format.
On [[June 8]], [[2006]], Space Systems/Loral announced that it was awarded a contract for the fifth Sirius spacecraft [http://www.ssloral.com/html/pressreleases/pr20060608.html]. The new spacecraft will feature a nine-meter unfurlable reflector. The first four Sirius spacecraft used more traditional parabolic reflectors. The new satellite has been designed for geostationary orbit, unlike the other satellites in the constellation; the different orbit has the stated purpose of allowing for more consistent reception for fixed ___location users (many subscribers have reported having to regularly reposition their antennae for optimal reception).
==Receivers==
[[Image:Sirius sportster reciever.jpg|thumb|160px|right|SIRIUS Sportster Boombox]]
[[Image:siriustuner.jpg|thumb|200px|right|SIRIUS Satellite Tuner for Yahoo! Widget Engine]]
As of 2005, Sirius receivers are available for various new [[Audi]], [[BMW]], [[Chrysler]], [[Dodge]], [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]], [[Infiniti]], [[Jaguar Cars|Jaguar]], [[Jeep]], [[Land Rover]], [[Lexus]], [[Lincoln (automobile)|Lincoln]], [[Mazda]], [[Mercedes-Benz]], [[Mercury (automobile)|Mercury]], [[BMW MINI|MINI]], [[Nissan]], [[Scion]], [[Toyota]], [[Porsche]], [[Volkswagen]], and [[Volvo Cars|Volvo]] vehicles, and the service plans on adding availability for portable use. Starting in 2006, all [[Rolls-Royce Motor Cars|Rolls-Royce]] vehicles sold in the United States come with a Sirius radio and lifetime subscription as standard equipment. Sirius has an exclusive contract for VW and Audi vehicles from 2007 through 2012, and with Kia from 2008 through 2014, with an optional extension to 2017.
They also make many receivers for aftermarket installs as well, including the Sportster Replay, Starmate Replay, Sirius S50 with built in 1GB MP3 player, and the Sirius One. Sirius' hardware lineup is available at ''Sirius.com''
Some popular radios from Sirius:
*SIRIUS Stiletto - the first SIRIUS radio that allows you to listen to live SIRIUS programming while walking around, the Stiletto will be available in late September or early October - [http://getsiriusinfo.blogspot.com/2006/08/new-sirius-products-info-sheet.html Stiletto news], [http://getsiriusinfo.blogspot.com/2006/08/sirius-stiletto-live-portable-unit.html Sirius Stiletto news]
*SIRIUS S50 - the first portable SIRIUS radio - which is not a LIVE portable, it has to be plugged in to a home or car dock where content can be downloaded for later listening
*SIRIUS Starmate ST1 (note: ST1C is the Canadian version)
*SIRIUS Starmate Replay ST2
*SIRIUS Sportster Exec. Docking Station Package
*SIRIUS Sportster Radio with Boombox Package
*Tivoli's SIRIUS Table Radio
*Kenwood H2EV Radio with Car and Home Kits
*Clarion Calypso SIRIUS Radio with Car Kit
*XACT XTR1 Radio with Car Kit
'''Note:''' Sirius subscribers are also able to access all of the proprietary music channels and a small sampling of the talk stations via [[Streaming media|online streaming ]] through sirius.com, although a new [[Yahoo! Widget Engine|Yahoo! Widget]] designed to look like a miniature Sportster model is gaining popularity with streaming listeners.
Each receiver must be connected to an external antenna, which is included when you buy the receiver. Antenna placement is crucial to receiving a clear signal. In some locations users have experienced difficulty receiving the Sirius programming because the signal is not consistently strong. For best reception, antennae should be placed such that they have an unobstructed view of the sky (preferably on rooftops without overhanging eaves or trees). If this is not an option, the antenna should be placed on an exterior wall.
==Radio stations==
*''[[List of Sirius Satellite Radio stations]]''
*[http://www.sirius.com/pdf/channelguide.pdf ''Official Sirius Satellite Radio Stations List''], [[PDF]] viewer required
*[http://www.dogstarradio.com/SIRIUS_Channel_Guide.pdf ''Sirius Satellite Radio Stations List from DogstarRadio ''], [[PDF]] viewer required
==Subscribers==
[[Image:Xm_sirius_subscribers.png]]
==Sirius in Canada==
{{main|Sirius Canada}}
In November, 2004, a partnership between Sirius, [[Standard Broadcasting]] and the [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] filed an application with the [[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission]] to introduce Sirius in [[Canada]]. The application was approved on [[June 16]], [[2005]]. The decision was appealed to the [[Cabinet of Canada|Canadian federal cabinet]] by a number of broadcasting, labour, and arts and culture organizations, including the [[Friends of Canadian Broadcasting]], [[CHUM Limited]], and the [[National Campus and Community Radio Association]]. The groups objected to Sirius’ approach to and reduced levels of [[Canadian content]] and [[French language]] programming, along with the exclusion of Canadian non-commercial broadcasting. After a lengthy debate, cabinet rejected the appeals on [[September 9]], [[2005]]. [[Sirius Canada]] was officially launched [[December 1]], [[2005]].
==See also==
*[[Commercialization of space]]
*[[Howard 100]]
==External links==
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===Partners===
* [http://www.amtc.com Applied Media Technologies Corporation]
===Official SIRIUS Satellite Radio websites===
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* Official United States [http://www.sirius.com/ SIRIUS Satellite Radio] website.
* Official Canadian [http://www.sirius-canada.ca/ SIRIUS Canada] website.
===SIRIUS Fan Sites===
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* [http://www.siriusbackstage.com/ SIRIUS Backstage] - #1 Forum and Online Community for SIRIUS
* [http://www.siriusfannetwork.com/ SIRIUS Fan Network]
===SIRIUS Satellite Information Links===
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* [http://www.orbitcast.com/ Orbitcast.com] - All Things Satellite Radio
* [http://www.satellitesradio.com/ SatellitesRadio.com] - Comparison guide between XM and Sirius.
* [http://getsiriusinfo.blogspot.com/ GetSiriusInfo] - GetSiriusInfo - a Sirius news and opinion blog
* [http://www.satellitestandard.com/ Satellite Standard Group] - Sirius News and Info
* [http://www.dogstarradios.com/sirasasecoma.html Sirius Service Coverage Area and Satellite Information]
* [http://www.insidesirius.com/ InsideSIRIUS] - Inside SIRIUS Alliance (Group of Sirius Related Blogs)
* [http://www.DogstarRadio.com/ DogstarRadio] - Sirius Schedules and Information
* [http://www.ItsOnSirius.Net It's On Sirius!] - It's On Sirius (Guide of Current LIVE Sirius Programming)
* [http://www.tss-radio.com/ TSS-Radio.com] - TSS Radio a SIRIUS authorized retailer
* [http://www.tss-radio.com/faq Huge Sirius FAQ] - FAQ for every SIRIUS product
[[Category:Sirius Satellite Radio|*]]
[[Category:1990 establishments]]
[[Category:Companies based in New York City]]
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