We happy few, we S-band of brothers
The more I think about it, the more I like XM's strategy on sports. It hints at their marketing strategy. Whether it wildly succeeds or not, well, that's the beauty of the marketplace.
XM felt like it shouldn't overpay for the NFL, and for NASCAR. Sirius has the NFL now, and will have NASCAR in 2007. Both sports have devoted followings, obviously. Sure it would be nice for XM to have, but has Sirius overpaid for these? Are the NFL and NASCAR sports that translate well to listening on the radio? Most fans would probably want to see those events on TV. (Yes, there will be those on the road who want the events available on radio.)
In getting baseball though, XM has a sport that translates very well to radio. Baseball and radio have been intertwined for decades.
Ano now, with XM signing a long term deal with the PGA, XM goes after a demographic that traditionally has more disposable income. XM's press release said "Beginning this summer, the PGA TOUR Network (XM Channel 146) will air live tournament coverage each week, plus daily programs designed for golf enthusiasts. XM is partnering with the programming company PureGolf, Inc. to produce dedicated programs for the new channel."
I'm a golf fan, and I look forward to their golf coverage, and being able to listen to tournaments online at work on Thursdays and Fridays when I can.
XM seems to be going after a specific market, without paying through the nose for everything.
In its music programming, XM seems to have a target in mind as well. XM's playlists tend to be much deeper than Sirius. Sirius seems to be trying to bring the FM strategy to satellite radio. That is, have a more shallow playlist, where popular songs are played more often. This strategy has worked in radio markets. Oldies stations, for instance, can succeed by playing only 200 or 300 songs over and over.
(To be sure, there are folks who like some of Sirius's music stations more than corresponding ones at XM. Different strokes for different folks. There's something for everyone between the two.)
XM has a different approach. Their playlists look to create variety, interest. Sirius doesn't have as much DJ introduction, where XM seeks to have listeners build relationships with their DJs. The XM DJs don't talk a lot, but are more visible than at Sirius. And all that is what appeals to me. Listening to music in the car is fun again. I haven't been excited about that in years. XM is introducing me to music I've never heard, or rarely get to hear anymore.
XM could beef up their talk lineup a little more. But overall, I'm hooked.
XM felt like it shouldn't overpay for the NFL, and for NASCAR. Sirius has the NFL now, and will have NASCAR in 2007. Both sports have devoted followings, obviously. Sure it would be nice for XM to have, but has Sirius overpaid for these? Are the NFL and NASCAR sports that translate well to listening on the radio? Most fans would probably want to see those events on TV. (Yes, there will be those on the road who want the events available on radio.)
In getting baseball though, XM has a sport that translates very well to radio. Baseball and radio have been intertwined for decades.
Ano now, with XM signing a long term deal with the PGA, XM goes after a demographic that traditionally has more disposable income. XM's press release said "Beginning this summer, the PGA TOUR Network (XM Channel 146) will air live tournament coverage each week, plus daily programs designed for golf enthusiasts. XM is partnering with the programming company PureGolf, Inc. to produce dedicated programs for the new channel."
I'm a golf fan, and I look forward to their golf coverage, and being able to listen to tournaments online at work on Thursdays and Fridays when I can.
XM seems to be going after a specific market, without paying through the nose for everything.
In its music programming, XM seems to have a target in mind as well. XM's playlists tend to be much deeper than Sirius. Sirius seems to be trying to bring the FM strategy to satellite radio. That is, have a more shallow playlist, where popular songs are played more often. This strategy has worked in radio markets. Oldies stations, for instance, can succeed by playing only 200 or 300 songs over and over.
(To be sure, there are folks who like some of Sirius's music stations more than corresponding ones at XM. Different strokes for different folks. There's something for everyone between the two.)
XM has a different approach. Their playlists look to create variety, interest. Sirius doesn't have as much DJ introduction, where XM seeks to have listeners build relationships with their DJs. The XM DJs don't talk a lot, but are more visible than at Sirius. And all that is what appeals to me. Listening to music in the car is fun again. I haven't been excited about that in years. XM is introducing me to music I've never heard, or rarely get to hear anymore.
XM could beef up their talk lineup a little more. But overall, I'm hooked.
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