XM Satellite Radio

XM Satellite Radio {{nasdaq|XMSR}} is a satellite radio (DARS) service in the United States based in Washington, DC and controlled by News Corporation's DirecTV, General Motors, American Honda, Hughes Electronics, and several private investment groups.

Timeline

• In October 1997 the company obtained one of only two satellite digital audio radio service licenses offered by the Federal Communications Commission.
• In June 1999, Clear Channel Communications, DirecTV, General Motors, and a private investment group invested $250 million in XM Radio convertible debt. Both Clear Channel and DIRECTV agreed to develop services for XM.
• In July 2000, American Honda joins several private investors in a $235 million preferred stock investment in the company.
• In 2001, XM service was launched, first in San Diego and Dallas/Fort Worth and then nationwide.
• In December 2002, revenues have been lower than expected, and the company obtains $200 million in new funds and $250 million in payment deferral from General Motors.
• In July 2003 the company had nearly 700,000 subscribers.
• On February 2, 2004, XM Radio launches 100% commercial free music programming on its original channels.
• On March 1, 2004, XM Radio launches Instant Traffic and Weather Channels for major metropolitan markets in the United States.
• On August 11, 2004, XM's subscriber base broke the 2.5 million mark. The company has partnered with both luxury automakers: (Acura and Audi) as well as others: (General Motors, Honda, Isuzu, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen, and SAAB) to offer in-dash XM receivers on an OEM basis. The Acura TL was the first luxury automobile to offer XM radio as "standard" in every vehicle.
• On October 4, 2004, controversial shock jocks Opie and Anthony began broadcasting on XM Satellite Radio. They are the first major show to make the move from terrestrial radio to satellite radio.
• On December 30, 2004, XM announced that it had 3.1 million subscribers.
• As of the 2005 season, XM has exclusive satellite radio broadcast rights to all Major League Baseball games.
• On February 28, 2005, XM's third satellite, Rhythm, was launched successfully.
• On April 1, 2005, in all seriousness, XM announced that it had added 540,000 subscribers in Q1 2005, pushing their total subscriber base to 3.77 million.
• On April 11, 2005, XM announced that a deal had been reached to be the official satellite radio network of Air America Radio.
• On May 16, 2005, XM announced that subscribership topped the 4 million mark. This indicates exponential growth for the company. In 5 weeks time, they have added 230,000 subscribers — almost 50% the subscribers added in the previous quarter.
• On May 28, 2005, the Wall Street Journal reported that XM had awarded the contract for the XM 5 spacecraft to Space Systems/Loral (see also http://www.skyrocket.de/space/index_frame.htm?http://www.skyrocket.de/space/doc_sdat/xm-5.htm).
• On July 1, 2005, XM announced that it had added more than 640,000 subscribers in Q2 2005, pushing their total subscriber base to over 4.4 million.
• On August 1, 2005, XM announced the addition of popular radio hosts Ron and Fez to the XM nation. They will join Opie and Anthony on High Voltage XM 202 on September 12th, 2005.
• On September 13, 2005, XM announced a multi-year deal to carry National Hockey League broadcasts beginning with the 2005-06 season, initially sharing the coverage with Sirius but gaining satellite-radio exclusivity from 2007 onward.
• On September 27, 2005, XM announced that it recently surpassed the 5 million subscriber mark.
• On September 27, 2005, XM announced that starting on November 15th, 2005, DirecTV will carry 72 channels as part of their audio programming. This includes music channels, "Home Plate" (XM 175), and "High Voltage" (XM 202)
• On October 3, 2005, XM announced that it had added more than 617,000 subscribers in Q3 2005, pushing their total subscriber base to over 5.03 million.