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Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 11:36 pm
by Leisher
XM and Sirius radio.
XM sent out this to its members:
Statement to XM Subscribers - The XM Nation
Everything we've done at XM since our first minute on the air is about giving you more choices. We provide more channels and music programming than any other network. We play all the music you want to hear including the artists you want to hear but can't find on traditional FM radio. And we offer the best radios with the features you want for your cars, homes, and all places in between.
We've developed new radios -- the Inno, Helix and NeXus -- that take innovation to the next level in a totally legal way. Like TiVo, these devices give you the ability to enjoy the sports, talk and music programming whenever you want. And because they are portable, you can enjoy XM wherever you want.
The music industry wants to stop your ability to choose when and where you can listen. Their lawyers have filed a meritless lawsuit to try and stop you from enjoying these radios.
They don't get it. These devices are clearly legal. Consumers have enjoyed the right to tape off the air for their personal use for decades, from reel-to-reel and the cassette to the VCR and TiVo.
Our new radios complement download services, they don't replace them. If you want a copy of a song to transfer to other players or burn onto CDs, we make it easy for you to buy them through XM + Napster.
Satellite radio subscribers like you are law-abiding music consumers; a portion of your subscriber fee pays royalties directly to artists. Instead of going after pirates who don't pay a cent, the record labels are attacking the radios used for the enjoyment of music by consumers like you. It's misguided and wrong.
We will vigorously defend these radios and your right to enjoy them in court and before Congress, and we expect to win.
Thank you for your support.
Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 9:55 am
by mbilderback
I bought my wife the Sirius S50 for X-mas last year. The only reason I spent over $300 on a satellite radio was to get my wife a combo sat radio/MP3 player. The RIAA has been going to far for years and needs to be stopped.
Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 11:27 am
by Malcolm
How in the hell does the RIAA expect to win this shit? How many times do they think they can jam their fist up the collective ass of their customers?
Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 11:29 am
by GORDON
I like that letter.
Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 12:08 pm
by TPRJones
Damn. After that, I have to maybe go buy their product. I don't really want a satellite radio, but how can I not reward such a beautiful letter?
Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 12:13 pm
by mbilderback
I fully support the satellite providers. I have 2 Sirius units now.
Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 12:16 pm
by Malcolm
They keep mentioning TiVo. Brings an interesting thing to mind. I don't hear the TV networks or MPAA rallying to fight the evils of TiVo. But I can keep those episodes FOREVER as long as I pay my TiVo bill.
Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 12:27 pm
by TPRJones
You don't even need to pay any TiVo bill. That monthly bill is just for the scheduling service, the hard drive is yours (unless you're leasing it, but that would be silly).
But there has been some fighting over those. Used to be TiVo was able to record TV and skip the commercials during the recording process. That was changed after some sort of judicial judgement against them, wasn't it? I can't remember now why.
Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 1:36 pm
by Leisher
I have heard rumblings about TiVo. Mainly because the networks are examining the potential of selling repeats of their shows online. Not to mention DVD sales. Plus, they are wondering if TiVo cuts into their potential profits from syndication.
Thus a battle between TiVo and the networks could be looming.
And didn't someone just link an article about ABC or someone trying to sue TiVo so sports couldn't be recorded...or was it so their customers couldn't fast forward through commercials?
Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 1:38 pm
by GORDON
It's amazing how so many companies make money and can't figure out what their customers want.
Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 1:56 pm
by Leisher
I fully believe most sales these days are based on convenience not on the quality of a product.
Look around the store next time and you'll see lots of items being sold that are based more on just getting in your home rather than being any good.
Most shoppers are ill informed of the products they buy anyway. Console gamers think their shit looks better than a PC. PC gamers buy crap titles at WalMart and such without reading reviews. People think the McRib is the peak of BBQ.
Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 2:18 pm
by DoctorChaos
It's amazing how so many companies make money and can't figure out what their customers want.
As I'm fond of saying, 'Companies make money in spite of themselves'
Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 2:59 pm
by Malcolm
It's amazing how so many companies make money and can't figure out what their customers want.
As I'm fond of saying, 'Companies make money in spite of themselves'
Bah, companies make cash cos most people are fuckwits.
Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 4:03 pm
by GORDON
A salesman would say, "We TELL people what they want."
Posted: Sat May 20, 2006 12:45 am
by Malcolm
A salesman would say, "We TELL people what they want."
A salesman will say anything to push their product. If Satan walks the earth, it's a fucking certainly he words in sales or marketing.
Posted: Sat May 20, 2006 12:53 am
by TPRJones
But even Satan himself wouldn't lower himself to telemarketing.
Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 10:50 am
by Malcolm
But even Satan himself wouldn't lower himself to telemarketing.
Satan don't need telemarketing. How many people say some variant of, "I'd sell my soul for...?"
Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 1:34 pm
by Leisher
Just got a new email from XM:
Congress is considering legislation that would be harmful to XM Satellite Radio and we need your help.
The big record companies are pressuring Congress to prevent XM listeners like you from having access to more music choices and new technologies. If these powerful special interests get their way, it will be much tougher for satellite radio to keep bringing you the unique and innovative artists you find on XM. We are asking you to help us by calling 800-303-3263 to tell your Senator you support XM Radio.
Let me explain: With 69 commercial-free digital music channels, XM provides an outlet for recording artists of virtually every musical style and genre.
XM has been a good friend to the music industry and, more importantly, to artists and songwriters. XM helps listeners discover new artists and rediscover forgotten favorites, stimulating CD and concert ticket sales.
We make sure artists and songwriters are fairly compensated for their music: XM pays a portion of your subscription fee to them and their record labels for the music you hear. Satellite radio has already paid tens of millions of dollars in royalties -- and over the coming years it could pay hundreds of millions more. By contrast, conventional AM and FM radio stations pay nothing to recording artists or their record labels.
In fact, satellite radio, including XM, is now the largest payer of digital performance royalties to artists and record labels in the country.
But the big record labels want more -- a lot more -- and are trying to use Congress to stand in the way of the future. They are pressuring Congress to pass legislation called the PERFORM Act to prevent XM listeners like you from being able to use your new radios. These radios allow XM subscribers to record music they hear on XM for personal use so you can listen later - in the same way TiVo allows you to record TV for later viewing.
You'd get fewer music choices and less new technology for you in years to come. Those who stand in the way of consumer choice never prevail and they won't this time, if you and the other 6.5 million members of the XM Nation act today.
I hope you will call 800-303-3263 to tell your Senator that you oppose The PERFORM Act, and that you ask they do as well.
Please call between the hours of 9 am & 6 pm
Talking points:
1. I'm calling to urge the Senator to oppose the PERFORM Act and other legislation that would harm satellite radio.
2. I'm an XM Satellite Radio subscriber who lives in (your state).
3. Please ask my Senator to oppose the PERFORM Act.
Please visit us at www.xmradio.com/grassroots if you want to learn more about this issue.
Thank you for being a part of the XM Nation. With your support, XM Satellite Radio will continue to bring you the highest quality music, talk, sports, news and innovation.
Best Wishes,
Hugh Panero
CEO of XM Satellite Radio