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If you already are a satellite radio subscriber, you already know which service you like best. But if you're a newcomer to the technology, how do you know which provider to choose? Despite the fact that both Sirius and XM are actually owned by the same company, there are still differences between the two - mainly in terms of on-air personalities and sports coverage.
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Sirius
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XM
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Satellites
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3 satellites
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2 satellites
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Programming
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130+ channels, including:
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69 commercial-free music channels
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18 news and talk channels
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11 entertainment channels
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11 local traffic and weather channels
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NFL football, college sports, NBA basketball, soccer, horse racing, golf and NASCAR
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170+ channels, including:
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70 commercial-free music channels
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92 news, sports, talk and entertainment channels
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21 traffic and weather channels
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Major League Baseball , NBA basketball, NHL hockey, college sports, golf and IndyCar
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Highlights
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Howard Stern
Martha Stewart
A weekly rock show with skateboarder Tony Hawk
NBA and NFL games
Three video channels
Listen on the Internet for free
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Bob Dylan
Oprah Winfrey
Opie & Anthony
Shows hosted by Snoop Dogg, Tom Petty and Quincy Jones
FOX sports radio
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Price
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$12.95 per month ($16.99, including the Best of XM)
$15 activation fee over the phone; $10 online
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$12.95 per month for basic package ($16.99 including the Best of Sirius)
$14.99 ($9.99 online) activation fee
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Availability
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The continental United States and Canada
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The continental United States and Canada
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Subscribers
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8+ million in 2008
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9+ million in 2008
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Already Installed
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Available installed in many cars, including Chrysler, BMW, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Volkswagen and Ford cars
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Available installed in a variety of cars, including Audi, GM, Honda, Nissan, Hyundai, Toyota and Porsche models
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Of course, because they are owned by the same company, in the future you will be able to order "a la carte" programming from either provider. Both companies currently offer a "Best of" package that includes some of the top channels from the competing service. Both companies offer a great range of satellite radio tuners, both portable and car-mounted, with a host of unique features.
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