Yesterday I received a letter in the mail from XM regarding updates to their service.
Beginning April 2, 2005, we will expand the basic service package to include two premium services at no additional charge — the High Voltage channel (previously $1.99/month) and XM Radio Online (previously $3.99/month). The monthly subscription price for our new expanded basic service will increase to $12.95 beginning April 2, 2005.
At first I wasn’t too happy, but then I saw that I could lock in my current rate by paying for a whole year. I plan to do that in the next few days. I’m also glad that I’ll be able to use the XM Radio Online service and will get the High Voltage channel.
Could this be the start of a merge with Sirius? I’ve read rumors of XM buying Sirius and this seems like it could be a first step in that process. Sirius has already given their users an online option and included premium stations, so maybe XM is just stepping up to the plate in an attempt to get more of the market.
Nick Momrik 
I was listening to one of the Sirius comedy channels and heard an ad for a debt counseling service and I was thinking it must be a joke because satellite radio is commercial free. Wrong. The music channels are commercial free. I really object to paying for commercials but Sirius is better than regular radio. Deceptive advertising on Sirius’ part I think.
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Yeah, that’s one thing people don’t understand about satellite radio. It’s not commercial free. They told me that right away at Best Buy when I bought mine. Most of the channels have some short commercials related to the satellite radio service you’re listening to and a minority have some regular commercials. It’s more than worth it though if you ask me.
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