New Ipod Touch
Apple has unveiled the second generation Ipod Touch. It is packed with tons of great new features along with great stuff you already love and it’s cheaper. Go on over to apple.com to watch the guided tour.
4th Generation Ipod Nano
Tuesday Apple unveiled the 4th generation Ipod Nano. I guess thin is still in… with the new Nano being the thinest Ipod ever.
Bob Dylan plays Amazon.com
Bob Dylan fans can click on over to Amazon.com to watch an exclusive new music video “Dreamin’ of You.” Tell Tale Signs: the Bootleg Series Vol. 8 is available for pre-order now and will be release on October 7th.
Happy Birthday HD Radio
ReAmped Audio extends a congratulations to HD Radio on 3 years of success. We feel that you guys bring a new dimension to broadcast radio and hope and look for many good things to come. My earlier post explains HD Radio or you can visit www.hdradio.com.
Phiaton MS 400 Headphones
Do your iPod earbuds suck? Well, Phiaton may have a solution for all of you audio snobs. The new MS 400 headphones promise to deliver unmatched sound quality and style to match. This is Phiaton’s first step into the US market with its premium line of personal audio gear. It’s a big step too. We’ll let you know if the MS 400’s are worth the $249 price tag when we get our hands on a pair. For now, check out the additional image and press release below. Read more
Get Blog Traffic
Guys, if you have a new blog visit michaelmartine.com to give your new blog a traffic boost and create some networking opportunities. If you know someone with a new blog point them over too. I’ll say it again. This is a great way to generate traffic with little effort. Hey, if you don’t know who Michael Martin is go ahead and click on over and find out he is a true pioneer in the blog world.
More New Sony Gear
Yesterday, I covered the new Sony Walkman MP3 players. Today, let’s take a look at some of hte other new audio gear from Sony.
Sony Xplod In-Dash Receivers
Sony has announced four new Xplod in-dash recievers for your car that are slated to be availabe in September. The new CDX-GT630UI, CDX-GT430IP, CDX-GT330 and CDX-GT130 receivers carry features such as HD Radio, iPod connectivity and USB ports. Check out more details on these units over at CrunchGear .
Sony SCD-XA5400ES SACD Player
It’s supposed to have the best audio quality . . . ever. For $1500, it better be. More at SlashGear .
Sony TA-DA5400ES and TA-DA3400ES AV Receivers
More ES series receivers from Sony too. The TA-DA5400ES features a 120-watt x 7 channel internal amplifier, six HDMI inputs, 2 outputs, six optical audio jacks and three sets of component inputs. Via Engadget .
The Police Final Performance…EVER!
We are now two days away from the final concert from The Police at Madison Square Garden on August 7, 2008. If you have been unable to score tickets or just aren’t able to go, Best Buy has a great solution. They are going to stream live footage via bestbuy.com so fans can take part in The Police concert event of a lifetime.
Best Buy Webcast Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS, August 4, 2008 - Thirty years after their first American tour, one of the biggest bands in rock history, The Police will play their final show at Madison Square Garden in New York City on August 7. Fans unable to obtain coveted final performance tickets will now have the opportunity to be a part of this historic evening thanks to an exclusive webcast presented by Best Buy. Fans are invited to share the band’s final moments on stage, live from the comfort of their own homes.
After fifteen months of touring, The Police will take to the stage one last time in New York on August 7, 2008 as a benefit for New York Public Television. Best Buy will be on-site to document the band’s historic final moments on stage and will exclusively stream live footage of their final encore on BestBuy.com hosted by pop culture correspondent Lauren Scala. To view the live footage, fans should log on to www.BestBuy.com/ThePolice at 10:45 PM EST.
“At Best Buy we understand how passionate our consumers are about music and we are thrilled to be able to share these once in a lifetime moments with those who do not have the opportunity to be at the concert in-person” said Gary Arnold, senior entertainment officer for Best Buy.
In addition to the live webcast, which includes three of the last four songs in the encore, Best Buy will begin the presale of an exclusive DVD/CD set, “The Police: Certifiable”. The set features the band’s entire concert from Buenos Aires as well as bonus footage, available in a 2 DVD/2CD standard format or a 1 DVD/2CD Blu-ray format. Also available is a three LP premium vinyl set with an MP3 file key (a one-time free download of entire album).
You can check out more about The Police at www.thepolice.com.
Best Buy Sells Instruments
Best Buy has announced today that the will begin selling musical instruments and recording equipment in stores nationally and online at www.bestbuy.com. Stores will begin stocking musical instruments soon all the way through December and an expanded lineup will be available August 1, 2008 online.
Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS, July 29, 2008 - Best Buy, the nation’s leading consumer electronics retailer, today announced that it will begin offering musical instruments and musical recording equipment at an additional 75-85 Best Buy stores across the U.S. and online at www.BestBuy.com. The diverse musical instrument and recording line-up will include more than 1,000 guitars, bass, drums, keyboards and recording equipment, as well as other musical instruments and accessories, all available at entry level and professional price points.
“The introduction of musical instruments is a natural progression for Best Buy,” explained Steve Hehir, senior vice president of musical instruments for Best Buy. “Consumers have always looked to us as a resource for music in a variety of formats. Now they’ll be able to rely on us for help with musical performance and creating too.”
Existing as a “store within a store” Best Buy musical instrument locations will feature trained musical instrument specialists. In addition to retail sales, Best Buy musical instrument stores will offer group and individual guitar lessons.
“Whether they’re just learning to play, or have been playing for years, customers can trust the knowledge and expertise of our trained musical instrument specialists,” said Kevin Balon, vice president of musical instruments for Best Buy. “Our musical instrument specialists can help anyone find the perfect instrument.”
Seven Best Buy stores in Southern California and Minneapolis participated in a successful pilot of the musical instruments store-within-a-store concept that launched earlier this year. The program recently expanded to Chicago and Washington D.C., bringing the current musical instrument store count to ten. The rollout to 75-85 Best Buy stores is expected to continue through late December. For consumers who are unable to visit a store location or who prefer shopping online, BestBuy.com will offer an expanded musical instrument assortment beginning August 1.
Wedding Bells for XM and Sirius
For better or worse the FCC has granted marriage license to XM and Sirius dispite an agreement to never become anticompetitive, heavy opposition, and a history of not cooperating with FCC regulation to an extent. Maybe the FCC feels that terrestrial tunes have become a staple in American culture and anything short of partnering the two sat broadcasters means the demise of an American freedom.
Lets take a look at the brief history of satellite radio. “Satellite radio” took off in 1992 when the FCC set aside a portion of spectrum, the “S” band (2.3GHz) for nationwide broadcasting of satellite-based digital audio radio service. Four companies applied for a broadcast license, XM and Sirius being 2 of them. They were given approval to broadcast in 1997. XM began broadcasting in September, 2001 and Sirius nine months later in June, 2002.
At any rate here we are. The two are united. So what does that mean for you and me. The FCC has put several restrictions on the deal. Like, a price lock for three years, minority and community based programming. Radios that receive XM and Sirius signals and a la carte programming will also be offered so we can pick and choose our channels from both. The new company is said to be named Sirius XM Radio Inc.
Press Release
NEW YORK, July 29, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ — SIRIUS Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI) and XM Satellite Radio today announced that they have completed their merger, resulting in the nation’s premier radio company. The new company plans to change its corporate name to SIRIUS XM Radio Inc. The combined company’s stock will continue to be traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “SIRI.”
SIRIUS XM Radio begins day one with over 18.5 million subscribers, making it the second-largest radio company, based upon revenue, in the country; and, based upon subscribers, the second largest subscription media business in the U.S. With under 10% penetration of the home and car market, the opportunity for continued growth is significant.
“I am delighted to announce the completion of this exciting merger between SIRIUS and XM,” said Mel Karmazin, CEO of SIRIUS XM Radio. “We have worked diligently to close this transaction and we look forward to integrating our best-in-class management teams and operations so we can begin delivering on our promise of more choices and lower prices for subscribers.”
“Every one of our constituencies is a winner. Combined, SIRIUS XM Radio will deliver superior value to our shareholders. By offering more compelling packages and the best content in audio entertainment, we are well positioned for increased subscriber growth. Our laser focus on subscribers will continue and listeners can be assured that there will be no disruption in service. We also believe that the completion of the merger will eliminate any confusion that has been lingering in the marketplace,” added Karmazin.
XM shareholders will receive 4.6 shares of SIRIUS common stock for each share of XM.
Competitive New Options for Consumers
SIRIUS XM Radio broadcasts more than 300 channels of programming, including exclusive radio offerings from Howard Stern, Oprah, Opie & Anthony and Martha Stewart, among others. SIRIUS XM Radio will offer these expanded options to consumers through arrangements with the world’s leading automakers and its relationships with nationwide retailers.
As a result of the merger, SIRIUS XM Radio will also be able to offer consumers new packages in audio entertainment, including the first-ever a la carte programming option in subscription media. In addition to two a la carte options, the new packages will include: “Best of Both,” giving subscribers the option to access certain programming from the other network; discounted Family Friendly packages; and tailored packages including “Mostly Music” and “News, Talk and Sports.” The first of the new packages will be available in the early Fall.
“One of the most exciting benefits of this transaction is the ability to offer subscribers the option of expanding their subscriptions to include the Best of Both services. Given the respective popularity of exclusive programming on both SIRIUS and XM, we expect many subscribers will upgrade their current subscription,” said Karmazin.
“The upside potential for both consumers and shareholders is huge. Consumers have the ease of adding premier programming without purchasing a new device. For shareholders, this kind of organic growth is a key part of the company’s future and the success we expect to see,” said Karmazin.
As promised when the merger was first announced, existing radios will continue to work and every subscriber has the option of maintaining their current service package.
Benefits for Shareholders Begin Immediately, Integration Already Under Way
SIRIUS XM Radio expects to begin realizing the synergies expected from this transaction immediately.
“In addition to realizing significant potential revenue growth, the management team will move quickly to capitalize on the synergies that many analysts have predicted for this combination. We expect to begin achieving those synergies without sacrificing any of the world-class programming and marketing we are known for,” said Karmazin.
The company today also reiterated guidance for the combined SIRIUS XM Radio. Based upon a preliminary analysis, the combined company expects to realize total synergies, net of the costs to achieve such synergies, of approximately $400 million in 2009; to post adjusted EBITDA exceeding $300 million in 2009; and to achieve positive free cash flow, before satellite capital expenditures, for the full year 2009. The company also expects that both synergies and adjusted EBITDA will continue growing beyond 2009.
“We have all the tools necessary to begin executing as a combined company with high aspirations for subscriber growth and greater financial performance in part from the significant synergies that we begin realizing literally today — on Day One. We are moving quickly to integrate the operations,” said Karmazin.
The corporate headquarters will be located in New York, NY and XM Satellite Radio, the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, will remain headquartered in Washington, DC.
Effective after the close of the market yesterday, trading in XMSR common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market ceased.
What can we expect in the future?
- Better programming
- More subscription choices
- Lower overall pricing
- Radios capable of accepting XM and Sirius signals
- Continued company growth
- Hopefully a profit
