SiriusXM Shuffling Channels May 4th

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Thanks to SatelliteGuys, we’ve suspected for a few weeks that SiriusXM (SIRI) intended to shuffle their channel lineup. And, the satellite radio provider has just unveiled the details:

We’re reordering our channels in a better way, to make it easier for you to find the programming you like and improve the experience for all our listeners. As a result, many of the channels you listen to will have a new channel number beginning May 4.

Both XM and Sirius radios will see many channels remapped in what appears to be the programming culmination of their 2008 merger. Well, not entirely… “some differences will remain between the Sirius and XM channel offerings due to technical reasons or agreements with content providers.” Visit www.siriusxm.com/channelupdate and choose your radio, XM or Sirius, to peruse the old and new channel positions.

In terms of programming itself, “a few channels will be combined, some content will be moving from our satellite radio lineup to the SiriusXM Internet Radio lineup.” But in return, we’ll receive a new station dedicated to weather in Pittsburgh and Minneapolis… cities that may not even share the same time zone. Hit the detailed FAQ for more info.

As for me, with XM hardware, there’s no apparent downside other than learning a few new numbers… and possibly reprogramming my car radio favorites. And even that may not be an issue as, “your radio preset buttons should automatically ‘follow’ any channels that you’ve preset to their new locations.” I still currently dwell within the rosy end of my SiriusXM love/hate spectrum and dig satellite radio in the car. Additionally, I find myself tuning in more frequently via their iPhone app. Yet, my subscription is up in about 6 weeks and I’m not sure it’s compelling enough to pay full price (>$200/yr) given all my other recurring service fees. Perhaps I’m feel more agreeable should rumored Satellite Radio 2.0 features arrive in the near future.

8 thoughts on “SiriusXM Shuffling Channels May 4th”

  3. Yeah, that’s what I’m on now. Well, plus another $36 or whatever for online streaming. Apparently I gave up that grandfathered Internet service during one of my periods of inactivity. Half price is about what I’m willing to pay. We’ll see.

  4. I used to love XM. Then they ditched channels, lowered bitrates, came out with two different decoders (oh, your car comes with the old low quality decoder? Too bad). So they had to go. Now I use my iPhone docked in my car and can listen to any streaming radio I want, including pandora and slacker, for the cost of my unlimited internet with at&t. Haven’t looked back. Good riddance to XM.

  5. I have lifetime. I enjoy their service -somewhat-.

    The playlists aren’t as good as they were 5 years ago when they were separate. Slacker does a better job there (I love Slacker).

    The big benefits of Satellite Radio now are largely:
    – it works everywhere
    – there’s a log of channels

    The sound quality isn’t as good as it used to be.

    It’s weird for me now if I rent a car and don’t have satellite in it because I end up searching for stations every 30min.

    So, I like them but see them as something that could be so much more (less channels, more variety in the channels, better sound quality). Still, even with that, satellite radio is sort of integrated into society. Think of it this way: you don’t often think to ask someone of they have FM in their car or if they have cable/satellite at home (well, maybe more with people cutting the cord, but that’s a separate issue). Basically satellite radio is ubiquitous enough that people either have it or don’t but don’t talk about it as they once did when it was new and exciting.

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