Just another nail in their coffin. S/Xm is doomed to forever seek additional niche markets, markets their providers want for themselves.

Dead-pool time?

It's also an additional $2.99/month for those of us with lifetime subscriptions (which means we don't have to pay for streaming).

As mentioned in the OP, there are several other fantastic applications for streaming music to the iPhone. If I didn't have a lifetime service plan, I would go ahead and cancel Sirius.

I've always been a huge fan and supporter of the service, but with decisions like this, it's no wonder the stock is down to $.34/share...

It is likely missing Howard Stern because that would add even greater strain (millions streaming live audio) to the woefully inadequate AT&T network.

The last time I checked, you couldn't even listen to sports broadcasts using their website's online service. This doesn't surprise me.

Sirius/XM is in dire need to expanding their customer base. Offering this app for free without need for a premium subscription would have been an excellent way of potentially gaining paying customers. Oh well, since my existing Sirius subscription won't let me use this app then I guess I'll just spring for Pocket Tunes. A single $10 charge for that app which can stream Sirius (including Stern, sports, etc) along with lots of other services is an infinitely better deal than a $3/month crippled Sirius-only service.

I'm a serious subscriber and I assume that the $2.99 a month is for the fee to listen to the internet stream. It's going to cost that for non-subscribers because subscribers already pay for it. Of course a paid service is going to require you to pay to use their product.

Pocket Tunes is just connecting via Safari, the same way I connect at home to the internet stream, that's why they have Stern.

I can't even explain why Stern isn't on there though, because he is all for iPhone apps on his show and even stated that a good Sirius radio app would sway him to the iPhone.

@aristan: and by Serious I mean Sirius. That's what I get for multitasking.

@12-Inch Idongivafuck Sandwich:

When my wife bought a car with a Sirius radio installed, I called up to add her Sirius subscription to my XM subscription to get a 2 radio discount. Seemed resonable since they were the same company now.

Nope. Can't get 2 radio discount this way, even though they've merged most of their channels.

@IphtashuFitz: "Sirius/XM is in dire need to expanding their customer base."

Sirius/XM is a solution to a problem which does not exist. As the blurb above points out, there are simply too many other free ways to get news and music in this world. Other than nationwide truckers, I simply cannot imagine anyone signing up for this service.

On a SiriusXM related topic, if you call their 1-888 service for technical support, they put you on hold and their hold-music is so incredibly full of static that you think someone's on the other end just blowing into the mic on their end. (been on hold now for 2 hours total to find out why my premium login isn't working on the iPhone)

So do you guys not realize that chances are Apple would slam its ban hammer down on the app if it got a whiff of howard stern blasting from the speakers? I mean yeah it sucks that not all channels are available but I don't think it is entirely the developers fault. Then again I could be completely wrong.

I'm a long time XM subscriber with multiple radios and I can't imagine why they wouldn't create a limited 'free' or 'lite' version of the service to hook new customers. Even if you made it a limited time trial it'd be something. I don't want the company to fold but honestly this kind of thinking is going to guarantee it.

@jblake1: I think you may be over estimating Stern's draw. I've heard being on only four days a week hurts business.

@post_break: Considering you can get explicit content on iTunes, I siriusly doubt it.

They are clueless and tone deaf when it comes to customer care.

When my contract is up I will not renew.

Drop dead, Mel.

I'm trying to picture a Venn Diagram consisting of Howard Stern fans, NASCAR fans and iPhone owners and I'm drawing a blank.

@PDX909: How about a "a limited 'free' or 'lite' version of the service" for EXISTING customers.

They are idiots.

@post_break: Apple added a rating system to its wares that let developers segment, while letting parents have age-appropriate searches for kids using iTunes.
So that's no longer an issue.

I think there's a little confusion about this subscription. All Sirius (and I presume XM) subscribers have access to an Internet stream through their web site which is included with the subscription price ($12 or $13 a month, I believe). However, this is not the "Premium" stream. The "Premium" stream is supposed to be a higher bit rate, producing better audio. This "Premium" stream costs $2.99 a month, even for existing subscribers. So I, as a subscriber, would need to pay an additional $2.99 for the privilege. Nice, but no thanks.

I just got an e-mail from Sirius/XM today that they're increasing their monthly fee by $1.98 in the form of a surcharge for the escalating cost of obtaining music license rights from American artists.

I immediately called and told them don't bother renewing. I listen to Pandora in my car more than XM anyway. I only had it for the baseball, but it's not worth $20 a month.

@Steven Strell: Which service did you subscribe to before the hostile merger? I have XM, and had streaming access before. Now, it's an additional charge. Boo...

@iakoolguy: The facts just prove you wrong. Take a look at subscriber numbers BEFORE Stern and after Stern. Take a look at the sad state at testicle radio stations as well. Sirius has had issues with streaming Howard on the web site, so I can see a huge issue with an Iphone as well

@GMFish: 20 million subscribers currently use the service, and has grown to that number faster than casble TV. Were you one of those who said, why would I pay for TV when I can get it for free when cable came along? Probably

@COWser_Soze: hostile merger? maybe you need to read more as it was far from hostile, it was the only way XM could survive

@post_break: Agreed... Let us remember the one e-book reader app being initially rejected for content... I think the same is happening here. It also doesn't cost everyone 2.99/mo... I have streaming on all 4 of my accounts, as I locked in a plain a while ago.

I have to rage about this one - I've been an XM subscriber for years and I already pay $12.00 a month for my radio.... but I'm still supposed to pay MORE for this app. See, my $12 subscription doesn't include "internet streaming" anymore (it used to before the merger) so i'm expected to pay more for that "premium service".

RAGE. straight up, for xm sirius. twelve bucks a month should include EVERY OPTION IMAGINABLE

I'm just waiting for the obligatory dumb ass to blame AT&T...

My guess as to why the Sirius/XM app for the iPhone doesn't have Stern is because of Apple. Look at what happened to Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails and their NIN:access app as an example. Their update got denied because of a CD they recorded (The Downward Spiral) contained objectionable content. Having Stern on the app makes it more likely that they won't get approved. Hopefully, they will enable it in future updates.

For the Pandora and Last.fm supporters...I used to use Pandora, it was great! Then they blocked Canada. Switched to Last.fm - It was great! Then they blocked Canada :( Both of these now cost monthly to use, so options like this arent always available.

@12-Inch Idongivafuck Sandwich: I also have a lifetime subscription, but I thought you needed to register for "premium online" streaming ($3/month) in addition to the app cost...?

@Steven Strell: Wrong. They recently started charging for access to the stream. You'll be paying extra, unless you're a lifetime subscriber next time its up for renewal. Oh.. and not to mention they're going to start charging people more to cover the costs for licensing the songs.

I'm not mad that didn't include Stern, I could really care less about shock jock radio., they managed to not have my favourite station "The Verge" available for streaming!

I simply refuse to listen to or pay for watered down radio made only for the masses. That station has excellent indie music that I couldn't listen to anywhere else. Not to mention Sirius XMU just completely sucks now.

I refuse to buy a proprietary unit that is bulky and loses signal all the time just to listen to one station that I can't get online or even on the iphone anymore!

I am canceling my online only sub and I will just last.fm/pandora/NPR/MPR instead.

I love this post that it's "missing all the good stuff".

FACT: MLB, NFL, and NASCAR all have online streaming as revenue streams. Do you think they are going to give it away via the Iphone app for free? NOT BLOODY LIKELY.

MLB, NFL, and NASCAR has never been on the the computer streaming.

As for Stern, it's either a bandwidth or a money issue.

There's plenty of good stuff to listen to besides MLB, NFL, Nascar, and Stern.

I was a Sirius customer for almost 5 years. After the merger, the programming turned into a playlist and the variety of music that made it worth having disappeared. I figured I spent about $150 a year for service, so I canceled my account and bought an iPod. Satellite radio has used cutting-edge technology to become just as worthless as good old FM.

I let my XM account die, however had I not closed the mastercard account that I had used (a year ago!) they would have autobilled me to death.

My Beefs about XM, as follow;
1.) No free internet streaming for subscribers
2.) An endless series of 30 second advertisements for debt consolidation services. One after the other, all day. Depressing, repetitive. Way overdone.
3.) Tiered services now, just like cable.

I also find myself listening to my podcasts now, more than anything.

$20/month is really a lot of money, and they're really not delivering anything you can't get online. Who cares about Stern. It's over for him.

In addition to the fee for customers to get online streaming, next month Sirius/XM will be increasing their rates by $2/month and calling it a "royalty fee".

Despite the three -year "price freeze", the merger agreement said that they could pass on any increases in royalty payments onto the customer one year after merging. The royalty payments that Sirius/XM has to pay have increased by about 6 cents per customer. But somehow they think they can charge the customers an additional $2!

Hopefully enough customers will make some noise and the FCC will realize that this is a complete violation of the merger agreement.

Here's the announcement about the price increase: [www.xmradio.com]

Stern has always had an agreement to not stream anything. Even on "terrestrial" radio he was a prick about it. I see not much has changed for him except he can curse and lose millions on his stock options.

@Justin Leon: Just wanted to say that it's nice to see another fan of The Verge on here.

@nato0519: He is, however, on the internet stream. For some reason he is not included in the iPhone app, but by using the stream directly from Sirius' website... then it's perfectly easy to listen to both Stern channels.

Sirius can eat a dick. I cancelled my subscription in March when they took away my ability to listen online, and then had the nerve to charge me extra for it, and even then, it does not include Stern. I do miss the service, but I do not like how they handled this. They claimed there would be no price increase as a result of the merger..So what do they do? Take away a something you were already paying for, and then have the nerve to charge to extra for it...Fuk Mel! Hi Fred.

@gaywolverine: I probably should have put that in quotes... and XM may have needed it to survive, but I'd put money down that there were plenty of employees that thought it was not a pleasant ordeal.

Oh well. The app has the slowly improving music channels that I like (which were better pre-merger on XM) and it has Ron & Fez. Since my new truck has a piece of shit factory Sirius radio that is incapable of receiving the Best of XM, having it on my phone is the next best thing.

@m0unds: I'm confused. Didn't one buy the other out? Your truck's radio doesn't receive all the channels? Sorry, I'm confused, not questioning you.

@midniteslayr: I heard about that whole thing with Nine Inch Nails, and how Crapple didn't like the song used in the app but they sell the same song on itunes...What a bunch of dicks.

@aristan: The 2.99 a month is for a "Premium Internet access" upgrade, If you have a radio with a paid subscription, you get standard streaming. Then with that subsciption, you can get the premium for 2.99 more a month. Premium gets you a 128k feed.
The app only works if you have premium.

They are shooting themselves in the foot by not including his show on the app.
I started typing more, but I already blogged about it....might as well just repost it here....
This morning, I logged on to Sirius, to listen online. A splash page on the website got me really excited. The Sirius XM iPhone app was live! Finally I'll be able to listen to Howard on my long daily train commute!
I immediately downloaded the app, and fired it up. It was then that I found out that the app only works if you have the Premium Internet Service. Now, I'm a little annoyed. In my household, we pay for three Sirius receivers. Sirius gets a nice chunk of change from us every month.
After some deliberation, I decide that 3 bucks a month extra is worth it to listen to Howard on the train. (Even though, I should be getting this service as a value add for my normal subscription). I spend about 2 hours and 20 minutes a day on the train, so being able to listen to Howard would be a big plus.
So I signed up online for the Premium service, and I was all set to test out the app. I scroll through all of the stations, and I am confused as to why I can't find Howard. Maybe I'm not looking in the right place...A quick search on Bing, and I find out that Howard is not available on the app.
My iPhone already has music on it. I don't need the app for music, so I call customer service, and cancel the previous transaction, because of course you can't cancel it online. It is never as easy to cancel something as it is to give someone money for something.
I am extremely disappointed that the app won't let me listen to Howard. Are they worried about bandwidth? Howard is surely the biggest draw they have. Without Howard, they would not be getting any money from my family. 3 full subscriptions down the drain.

I wonder if the lack of Howard Stern on the iPhone app has anything to do with the strict rules on content that Apple has versus a clause in Howard's contract that would restrict access. As web subscribers CAN get howard.

@gaywolverine: Take a look at XM sub numbers...the rate of growth was just a steep. It had nothing to do with Stern and everything to do with changing technology, OEM integration, etc. My first Sirius unit doubled as a window defroster... now it's integrated into my nav system = more likely to use it.

Your logic is like saying that "Pets.com is why the internet is so successful. Just look at internet numbers before and after the sock puppet"