"Satellite radio is the future of music and audio entertainment. And SIRIUS is satellite radio. We offer over 120 channels of satellite radio: 65 devoted to commercial-free music, in almost every genre imaginable, plus 55 channels of sports, news and talk. From our futuristic studios in NYC’s Rockefeller Center, to our fleet of satellites over the continental US, to a full line of SIRIUS satellite radio products — the future of music and audio entertainment has arrived." -Mission Statement

More Information:  Sirius.com

Sirius Satellite Radio, Inc. is a digital satellite radio service that provides a large variety of static free music, news, sports, weather, and talk channels that have engulfed the idea of specialization. A few examples of this include : Sirius Sports Action, E! Entertainment Radio, and Radio Disney. These stations focus their broadcasts on sport fans, popular culture junkies, and kids/teens. 

Subscribers to Sirius Satellite Radio pay on average a monthly fee of $12.95. As of January 2005 the current number of Sirius Subscribers has reached 1.24 million.

Sirius provides convenient and portable types o f satellite radios in which broadcasts can be heard in your car, at home, at work, on a plane, and even lakeside on your boat. The main headquarters of SIRIUS is located in New York, NY. However, "broadcasts also are conducted from Los Angeles, Memphis, Nashville, New Orleans, Houston and Daytona – bringing SIRIUS listeners in touch with the centers of music, entertainment and information across America." 

Main products Sirius provides include : Plug & Play radios, FM Modulated Radios, Three-band Radios, the SIRIUS boom box, and more. These products are all manufactured by leading electronics brands. Some brands include Alpine, Jensen, Kenwood, Panasonic.

Main Subsidiaries :
Satellite CD Radio, Inc. (holds FCC's license for Sirius)
Agere
Partners:  Just A few
Penske Automotive Group
NFL
Radio Shack
 

Sirius Satellite Radio presents evidence of globalization, media synergy, and vertical integration, and lack of localism. 

Globalization is defined by Dr. Mike as, "the tendency for media corporations to have interests in countries across the world." Sirius is currently providing satellite radio service to subscribers in the United States and Canada, but with the developments in technology and the growing popularity of commercial free music Sirius and competitors will put their focus around the world. 

Vertical Integration is defined by Dr. Mike as, "concentrating ownership by acquiring companies that are in related businesses, such as production and distribution." Although Sirius has not acquired companies, they have made contractual agreements with electronic manufacturers, automotive groups, and Sports and Entertainment artists that all have the same goal of broadcasting on and producing and satellite radios. 

Media Synergy is defined by Dr. Mike as, " cooperative interaction among the subsidiaries or parts of a media corporation, that creates an enhanced combined effect."  Celebrity endorsements and advertising from a variety of mediums, as well as, support from automakers and electronics stores has created this combined effect. "SIRIUS retail distribution will expand to more than 20,000 locations by the end of 2004. They range from Best Buy, Car Toys, Circuit City, Good Guys, Sears, Tweeter and Ultimate Electronics to RadioShack, Wal-Mart and DISH Network outlets." Sirius provides a variety of radio products, and partners along with subsidiaries aid in the growth of this companies popularity. 

Localism is defined by the American Heritage Dictionary as, "Devotion to local interests and customs."
Broadcasters of AM/FM radio are worried that satellite radio operators like Sirius will create radio broadcasts that are homogenized. Satellite radio has added a few localized weather and news broadcasts for it's subscribers, and this can create a lack of support for local news and events broadcasts in listeners' own communities. 

Annual Income: Sirius had a total revenue of $66. 9 million for the end of 2004
Number of Employees: 375 is the current number as of March 5, 2004
Ticker Symbol: SIRI
Stock Exchange:  NASDAQ
Current Stock Price, Stock Chart, and Current Market Cap: YahooFinance!

Sirius Satellite Radio's SEC 10-K

Your Assessment:  I believe that the current overall financial condition of Sirius Satellite Radio, Inc. is promising economically. Sirius stock is currently selling at a reasonably low price, and the increasing partnerships Sirius forms with influential corporations will continue to expand satellite radio into mainstream America. Experts say, "Satellite radio is expected to generate revenue of over $2 billion by 2005; satellite radio could have more than 21 million U.S. subscribers by the year 2006. "

However, a negative factor involved with satellite radio is the extreme expense of sending satellites into space and repairing them on a routine basis. Sirius is happy to just break even financially with these types of costs. The issue of paying for radio when consumers can receive free broadcasts on AM/FM could also be a determining factor on whether satellite radio will succeed, and even take over as the dominant radio service. It's up to the public to keep Sirius and it's competitors in business. 

Dr. Mike says, "Two companies bid a combined  $173 million at a federal auction for licenses to offer nationwide radio delivered satellite," in 1997. 

These two companies are:
Sirius Satellite and XM Satellite Radio.

Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. was created on November 18, 1999, and was originally incorporated in the State of Delaware Satellite CD Radio, Inc. on May 17, 1990. The logo and name for Sirius Satellite Radio, Inc., was inspired by the Dog Star, Sirius, "the brightest star in the heavens."

Three satellites were sent to Sirius by manufacturer, Space Systems/Loral on July 31, 2000, September 29, 2000 and December 20, 2000.  The satellites orbit in figure eight patterns around the equator from altitudes ranging from 15, 200 miles - 29,280 miles above the Earth's surface. Since 1999, Sirius satellites have provided cross-country digital radio signals that are currently evolving the face of radio. More Info on Satellites

     Joseph P. Clayton (age 54): President and Chief Executive Officer                     $  1,099,248
     Patrick L. Donnelly: Executive Vice President, General Counsel                        $     580,700
     David J. Frear (age 47): Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer  $     405,898
     Mary Patricia Ryan: Executive Vice President, Marketing                                 $     499,200
 
 

Biographies of Top Executives: (according to Sirius Management Bio's)

Joseph P. Clayton -   Joined Sirius in Nov. 2001 as President and CEO
-   Also, Chairmen of  the Board of Directors for Sirius Satellite
-   Earned MBA from IU in Marketing and Management
 

Mel Karmazin: current CEO of Sirius Satellite Radio -   President and CEO of Viacom (May 2000 - June 2004)
-   President and CEO of CBS Corp. (January 1999 - May 2000)
-   Inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame 

Mary Patricia Ryan: -  Joined Sirius in the summer of 2002
-  Manages relationships with Sirius partners: NASCAR, House of Blues, Madison Square Garden
-  Previous positions include management of IMAX, Ltd., Lifetime Entertainment Services, and U.S. Satellite 
   Broadcasting 

New Channels added to Sirius: Marine Weather Service, Nascar Racing Broadcasts

Satellite Radio is constantly becoming more accessible while traveling. According to Sirius.com, "Genmar Holdings (the world’s largest manufacturer of recreational boats), Formula Boats and Winnebago (the leading supplier of recreational vehicles and motor homes), also incorporate SIRIUS receivers in their products. For rental cars, Hertz has SIRIUS radios installed in a full range of rental vehicles available at more than 50 major locations around the country."

Sirius also provides a number of radio interviews with famous celebrities, musicians, and bands. More recent guests include Beenie Man (reggae rapper) and Papa Roach (popular alternative rock band).

Facilities:

 - Sirius Satellite Radio's Control Center where the three satellites are monitored.

Recent Plans and Agreements:

Howard Stern recently joined Sirius Satellite Radio. Stern will join the Sirius team starting January 2006. He has been offered a multimillion dollar contract with Sirius, and due to the recent FCC crackdowns on broadcasting indecency (i.e.: Janet Jackson/Superbowl) Stern feels satellite radio will let him broadcast his show without the numerous restrictions on public radio. 

Sirius Satellite Radio has recently joined up with Microsoft to produce in-car video service. The service's focus is toward the little backseat drivers, or kids, and will provide,"2-3 channels of premium video content." This new development is a way to break Sirius Satellite Radio into Sirius Satellite Video. 

Letter to Shareholders

VW to add Sirius Radio to New 2005 Jetta

Volvo Offers Sirius Satellite Radio

Rapper 50 Cent Joins Sirius (Shady Channel)

Sirius Adds Replay to Sportster Receiver to Product

Want to find more current news releases about Sirius Radio?
Sirius News Releases
 
 

Other Relevant Websites:

TechZone Sirius Review XM vs. Sirius

"Sirius-ly Bitchin"

National Association of Broadcasters