those with sirius/xm radio, a question

[ponky]

so i see that espn radio is one of the channels and they sometimes have nba games, etc. what kind of nba basketball games do you get on gamenight? are they one of the five espn stations or what? thanks.

also, are there international stations?

[Shelly]

With Sirius, it depends. When we were driving from CA to TX, the Spurs game was on Bloomberg's station. I also know that when I was here in town, Sirius didn't have it and I had to get if from WOAI. Not sure how that works.

[1369]

If you have Sirius (Which I don't, I have XM), you get the home feeds of all NBA games.

As far as ESPN on XM, here's their game lineup for 2006/2007:

2006/2007 Schedule
Tues 31-Oct 7:35PM Chicago @ Miami

Thurs 2-Nov 7:35PM San Antonio @ Dallas

Thurs 9-Nov 10:00PM Dallas @ Pheonix

Thurs 16-Nov 7:35PM Chicago @ Houston

Thurs 30-Nov 7:35PM Detroit @ Miami

Thurs 7-Dec 10:00PM Miami @ Sacramento

Thurs 14-Dec 9:00PM San Antonio @ NO/Okla City

Thurs 21-Dec 7:35PM Detroit @ Cleveland

Mon 25-Dec 2:00PM LA Lakers @ Miami

Thurs 11-Jan 10:00PM Cleveland @ Pheonix

Thurs 18-Jan 9:00PM LA Lakers @ Dallas

Sun 21-Jan 12:35PM Dallas @ Miami

Thurs JAN 25 10:00PM New Jersey @ LA Clippers

Sun 28-Jan 12:35PM Pheonix @ Cleveland
Immediately Follows San Antonio @ LA Clippers

Sun 4-Feb 2:00PM Detroit @ Cleveland

Sun 11-Feb 12:35PM San Antonio @ Miami
Immediately Follows LA Lakers @ Cleveland

FRI 16-Feb TBD Rookie Challenge

SAT 17-Feb TBD Meet the All Stars

SAT 17-Feb TBD All Star Saturady Night

Sun 18-Feb TBD All Star Game, Las Vegas

Sun 25-Feb 12:35PM Chicago @ Detroit
Immediately Follows Cleveland @ Miami

Sun 4-Mar 3:00PM LA Lakers @ Pheonix

Sun 11-Mar 3:00PM Chicago @ Boston

Sun 18-Mar 3:00PM Dallas @ Detroit

Sun 25-Mar 3:00PM Pheonix @ Sacramento

Sun 1-Apr 12:35PM Miami @ Detroit
Immediately Follows Dallas @ Pheonix

Sun 8-Apr 12:35PM Cleveland @ Detroit Immediately Follows Pheonix @ LA Lakers

Sun 15-Apr 12:35PM San Antonio @ Dallas
Immediately Follows New Jersey @ Indiana

[shelshor]

Sirius pre-emts the regular peogramming on which ever channel it is they're going to broadcast an NBA, NFL, NHL, NCAA or English Premiere League soccer game, then when the game is over goes back to the regular programming
They are like NBA lleague pass--most of the time they give you the home team's radio braodcast---wish they'd do what they do for NFL games: give ya a choice of either teams broadcast; and in the playoffs, they've also been giving a national neutral crew
They are very good about sending a weekly schedule to your PC if you ask for one; very useful since otherwise ya have to drive down the road while checking every single station for the game you want
Or you can go to NBA.com's schedule page and go to the "Choose Broadcaster" dropdown for Sirius--they don't seem to have the listing for XM
The only international channel I use often is BBC News

[AlamoSpursFan]

That's because the NBA isn't on XM. They only have MLB.

Everything posted above about Sirius is correct as I have experienced it, except that during the NBA playoffs they do have both teams' broadcasts.

I had to listen to Utah's broadcast last night occasionally, because OAI's signal kept fading in and out as I drove through the Metroplex. Why the hell is Hot Rod Hundley always called a "broadcasting legend"? His call was horrible.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

1369 had the schedule right for XM and you can register for Sirius' Sports Weekly e-mail which tells you every broadcast and station. It's rare, but Sirius won't have every game on certain days, but that's rare.

Also, while you will usually get home broadcasters, it varies. There have been Spurs road games where I've had the 'OAI feed and I specifically remember listening to two Clippers game in December that had the visiting team's broadcast.

As far as both home/away on Sirius (unlike the NFL with fewer games and usually on Sundays where there's less original or necessary programming from the pre-empted stations), it would require too many channels of bandwidth to accomplish that (which is why you usually have just home team broadcasts on XM's MLB coverage).

[shelshor]

This is the link for Sirius' sports schedule for the upcoming week
http://www.sirius.com/wo/sportsweekly/index.html

[ponky]

thanks all, this really helps me in my decision!

[Guru of Nothing]

Sirius subscriber here. Their sports content is great, except for the morning drive to work. A 10 minute drive nets me 5 minutes of commercials on the NFL channel; and three minutes of Randy Cross boring the fuck out of me.

Regarding music, Sirius is VERY New York centric. They think Patti Smith is a goddess, while I think of hairy armpits.

[ponky]

Sirius subscriber here. Their sports content is great, except for the morning drive to work. A 10 minute drive nets me 5 minutes of commercials on the NFL channel; and three minutes of Randy Cross boring the fuck out of me.

Regarding music, Sirius is VERY New York centric. They think Patti Smith is a goddess, while I think of hairy armpits.

yeah, i think i'm going with sirius for the sports...i have my nano and 6 cd in-dash changer for music...i love new york and until last year lived in brooklyn but i don't like hairy armpits, haha!

[AlamoSpursFan]

Musically, I'm usually on HairNation 23 or Buzzsaw 19. Occasionally I flip to Outlaw Country 63 (which occasionally plays a Reckless Kelly tune or other Texas music) or Roadhouse 62 for Classic Country.

I'm also a RawDog 104 and Blue Collar 103 addict.

The only thing that sucks with both the music and comedy channels is they play the same crap over and over and over. Every once in a while they slip in something from off of the heavy rotation charts, but you gotta wade through the same shit you've heard 14 times already that day to get to it.

[AlamoSpursFan]

Oh yeah, and if you don't already have a stereo with an auxilliary input, get one. Nothing sucks worse than having to keep switching fm transmitter freqs because of the static from land based stations.

[leemajors]

Oh yeah, and if you don't already have a stereo with an auxilliary input, get one. Nothing sucks worse than having to keep switching fm transmitter freqs because of the static from land based stations.

my sirius fm transmitter works perfectly in my mazda and saturn, but in my old car, a 95 chevy blazer i would get a lot of static. i wanna keep the factory players in my car so i don't have to worry about aftermarket stuff being stolen, which has happened to me before. it worked so well i got a griffin iTrip for my iPod, and it works great in both cars as well. i had even got a new pioneer cd player and a new antenna for the blazer but it still had static problems on the station i always use, 87.9. i recommend the sportster replay, they have a new sleeker version out too than the one i have.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

http://fmchannel.sirius.com/

Best open frequency finder based on zip code.

[Shelly]

Oh yeah, and if you don't already have a stereo with an auxilliary input, get one. Nothing sucks worse than having to keep switching fm transmitter freqs because of the static from land based stations.

yeah, that's a pain. We have the transmitter in our truck, but our cars came with Sirius, so we don't have to deal with that.

I'm a big fan of Chill, but when my 14 year old is in the car, it's metal all the way, baby!

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Backspin 43.

[leemajors]

Backspin 43.

backspin is usually pretty good. kinda miffed they took away the stones station for the who station though.

[shelshor]

...The only thing that sucks with both the music and comedy channels is they play the same crap over and over and over. Every once in a while they slip in something from off of the heavy rotation charts, but you gotta wade through the same shit you've heard 14 times already that day to get to it.
That's the same problem I have with the Classical channel on Sirius--they seem to think folks quit composing after Brahms
On the other hand, Directv subcontracted their music channels to XM, and their Classical selections are great--even daring enough to play 20th Century composers and a few who are still alive

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

That's the same problem I have with the Classical channel on Sirius--they seem to think folks quit composing after Brahms
On the other hand, Directv subcontracted their music channels to XM, and their Classical selections are great--even daring enough to play 20th Century composers and a few who are still alive

Since people have a ton of differences in musical tastes (and mine are pretty basic), the thing to remember is that XM is great for hardcore music fans as they'll play stuff you won't normally hear. I have both and I barely listen to XM for the music (I got it for baseball and have kept it as a secondary music option).

Use the online trials of both XM and Sirius before you buy the cow.

[midgetonadonkey]

I upgraded my receiver from a Vizor to a Sportster 4 and I am now having problems with static. I was being a lazy ass and didn't want to switch antennas. I think that have something to do with it.

[AlamoSpursFan]

I hope that's not a problem generally, because I got the bottom of the line Sirius receiver for free as a prize at the company Christmas party and I've been considering upgrading it because I'm hooked now...

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

I upgraded my receiver from a Vizor to a Sportster 4 and I am now having problems with static. I was being a lazy ass and didn't want to switch antennas. I think that have something to do with it.

Are you using the FM tuner? If so, the earlier devices (both XM and Sirius) had much stronger FM receivers. When I finally activated my Roady2, XM sent me a device to attach that would reduce the strength of the FM signal to comply with FCC regulations.

I had the same problem you did when I changed from my Visor to a Sportster Replay.

Go with the tape adapter if you can.

[AlamoSpursFan]

I bought an additional car kit so I could permanently mount one in my car and have one to use in whatever truck happen to get assigned at work. The car kit came with some kind of fm antenna attatchment that I haven't had an occasion to use yet because my car has a front aux input. Anybody know what that is supposed to do? My receiver didn't come with one. It's some kind of cable that you're supposed to attatch near the vehicle's FM antenna. I assume it deadens the antenna's signal for the freq you decide to use...but I could be wrong.

[midgetonadonkey]

Yeah I installed that FM tuner. It runs along the top of my windshield. I think I am going to switch to a tape adapter.

[Shelly]

Honestly, I don't think XM is going to survive in the long run. Howard Stern is a big pull and now that Sirius has NASCAR along with everything else besides MLB, I think it's the beginning of the end for XM. If you look at their subscriptions, Sirius killed XM in new subscribers.

And yes, I own Sirius stock...:lol

[AlamoSpursFan]

XM ain't going anywhere as long as Clear Channel owns a buttload of its' stock, IMO.

[Shelly]

XM ain't going anywhere as long as Clear Channel owns a buttload of its' stock, IMO.

I dunno...

Of course, my stock is worth less than I paid for it, but I'm holding out!

[midgetonadonkey]

I think Jamie Foxx's new channel will help bring more subscribers. Maybe not as many as Stern but he will make a bigger difference for Sirius than Oprah did for XM.

[Spurminator]

I have Sirius and I haven't even listened to any of the talk stations yet. I flip between about 15 different music stations.

I hope they improve the audio quality at some point, but regardless, I'm a fan.

[leemajors]

I bought an additional car kit so I could permanently mount one in my car and have one to use in whatever truck happen to get assigned at work. The car kit came with some kind of fm antenna attatchment that I haven't had an occasion to use yet because my car has a front aux input. Anybody know what that is supposed to do? My receiver didn't come with one. It's some kind of cable that you're supposed to attatch near the vehicle's FM antenna. I assume it deadens the antenna's signal for the freq you decide to use...but I could be wrong.

if it's a wired fm modulator that eliminates the need for a transmitter entirely - it attaches to the antenna part at the back of the deck and the antenna cord goes into it. works just like the old school after market cd changers did that had antenna adapters. there should be no static when using one, it transmits the signal directly to the antenna port. an fm modulator is a separate purchase, so i doubt it came with a car kit.

[AlamoSpursFan]

This came with the car kit and it says to install it as close to the FM antenna as possible, but the directions aren't clear as to what it actually DOES. It plugs into the FM-in port which is supposed to be for the optional antenna splitter. I'll try it soon enough and figure out just what the hell it is exactly.

[midgetonadonkey]

I've decided to just go with a tape adapter. I'm tired of hearing the fucking static in the background of the music. It annoys the piss out of me. About how much do they run at wal-mart? I want to pick one up after work for my drive home.

[leemajors]

I've decided to just go with a tape adapter. I'm tired of hearing the fucking static in the background of the music. It annoys the piss out of me. About how much do they run at wal-mart? I want to pick one up after work for my drive home.

if you happen to have an old cd player car kit lying around it's the same thing. my brother found his old tape adapter from a cd car kit and uses it for his iPod. shouldn't be too much, just a cassette with a wire coming out of it.

[leemajors]

you just need the cassette part of this:

http://i.walmart.com/i/p/00/02/66/16/92/0002661692051_215X215.jpg

this complete car kit is $15 at wal-mart, you could probably find a cheaper one.

[AlamoSpursFan]

The only thing I found at Wal Mart was the home kit adapter.

I got my extra car kit at Best Buy. I don't remember seeing the tape adapter there, but I wasn't looking for it, so I might have overlooked it.

(Edit...I didn't read leemajors' response before I posted that...that would work. The auxilliary output is just a standard 3.5 mm earphone jack style plug)

[leemajors]

the satellite radio companies really stick it to you with accessories - i tried to buy a new antenna for another car once, and the antenna itself costs more than a car kit with antenna included. the best thing i bought for my car was the cheap cupholder stand they sell on eBay - works like a charm.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

If you want to make sure you have antennas, go to Target and buy up the Visors for $28.

[davi78239]

Yea, the fm transmitters have been weakened dramatically on Sirius and completely taken out on XM tuners I believe. I have a front aux input on my stereo so of course it works like a charm for me. Now, before I had bought a belkin II fm transmitter from wal-mart and it worked pretty damn good in my opinion.

[Das Texan]

XM has Oprah.


That will drive in a ton of the female listeners. Maybe not yet, but I think ultimately it will pay off.


XM and Sirius will eventually merge though, they almost have to do that if they really want to be successful in the market against FM ultimately.


And baseball probably brings in more than NASCAR could ever imagine. XM has lead to a renainasse (sp) for baseball fans in many ways. That alone will continue to keep the XM subscriber base constant and in many ways growing.

[Shelly]

XM paid Oprah a shitload and she didn't draw the subscribers like Howard Stern did. Oprah is hardly on that show.

I thought XM and Sirius tried to merge or Sirius tried to buy XM, but the FCC shot it down. This was just a few weeks ago.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Yeah, apparently merger talks were true, but like Shelly said, the FCC killed it.

And I'm kind of happy about it, competition will keep the prices down.

[Shelly]

What are you paying a month for XM?

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

$13, I think.

[Shelly]

yeah...it's the same $12.95

[shelshor]

With Sirius, if you pay for a year in advance, you get an additional 3 months free

[AlamoSpursFan]

And baseball probably brings in more than NASCAR could ever imagine.

:lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao

Throw in a few "fucks" and you could probably get some of your stuff on RawDog 104.

:lol

[Das Texan]

:lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao

Throw in a few "fucks" and you could probably get some of your stuff on RawDog 104.

:lol



huh?


and ya the oprah experiement has not been a great success to this point, you make mistakes sometimes, hopefully at some point they are able to turn it around, i think its also a great example of bad marketing.


the cost between the two is virtually nil, even if they merged, dont expect to see the cost rise. Satellite radio competes with regular on air radio. I wouldnt be shocked if the FCC shot down this merger largely due to the money they recieve from various lobbyists. No fact, just thoughts. Its not like competition is really all that important, when you see oil companies merge constantly, banking companies and telephone companies. That and the FCC is already narrow sighted as it stands, so they probably dont even think that satellite radio competes with on air radio and see it as satellite v satellite.

I've never really listened to Sirius that in depth. So I cant compare the two that much.

But I do know that baseball is what keeps XM rolling more than anythign else. And thats a pretty big thing to have.

[AlamoSpursFan]

I just found your gross underestimation of the NASCAR audience comical.

I guess you could leave the "fucks" out and get played on whatever the hell they call channel 105.

:lol

[leemajors]

i don't like nascar, but it is HUGE money.

[midgetonadonkey]

But I do know that baseball is what keeps XM rolling more than anythign else. And thats a pretty big thing to have.

Baseball is the only thing XM has. Sirius will be the king of satellite radio before the end of this year. If XM doesn't merge with Sirius, which I don't think it will if Sirius is smart, they are done. Sirius shouldn't merge with XM because XM will go the way of Delphi with a year or two.

[midgetonadonkey]

Sirius is going to dedicate channels to a lot of Nascar drivers. Listeners will have exclusive access to the driver/cockpit radio. No other television or radio station has that kind of access. It will be huge. Do you know how many dirty rednecks follow Nascar? It's bigger than baseball.

[leemajors]

Sirius is going to dedicate channels to a lot of Nascar drivers. Listeners will have exclusive access to the driver/cockpit radio. No other television or radio station has that kind of access. It will be huge. Do you know how many dirty rednecks follow Nascar? It's bigger than baseball.

i wouldn't be surprised if it was #2 in fan following behind the NFL.

[Das Texan]

I just found your gross underestimation of the NASCAR audience comical.

I guess you could leave the "fucks" out and get played on whatever the hell they call channel 105.

:lol


the baseball audience is bigger than the NASCAR audience. Period.

[leemajors]

the baseball audience is bigger than the NASCAR audience. Period.

NASCAR draws more fans than MLB, period.