Remember all the hub-bub about the merger between XM and Sirius? Well, unless you've been out of the country out of touch, you know that this merger did go through. And recently the new entity - Sirius/XM - so clever! - announced their new "combo" - the "best of" packages. It is also know as "a la carte" programming.If you're a Sirius subscriber and want to upgrade your service to include the "best-of" XM it will cost you $16.99 a month. For a mere $4.04 more a month you will be able to listen to Oprah and her buddies, I mean "friends", the NBA, Opie & Anthony, the NHL hockey), the PGA (golf), Bob Edwards - XM pubic radio and "college sports."
If you're an XM subscriber you can also upgrade your service for $16.99 (also $4.04 more a month) to get the "best-of" Sirius. You will now be able to hear both of the Howard Stern channels - 100 and 102 - which includes "Bubba-the-love-Sponge" and wild-man Ferrell (sports), NASCAR, Martha Stewart and the Playboy Channel.
Honestly it is the XM subscribers who are getting the best of the deal. Who cares about Oprah? I've never listened to Opie & Anthony and don't care to. How can anyone listen to golf on the radio? It's boring enough on television. And I personally don't need another NPR type station - Sirius already has two.
As far as new equipment is concerned, TSS Radio is offering the Starmate 5 ST5TK1 for $129.99. It supports all this new Sirius/XM "a la carte" programming that I just described. I still use an old Sirius Streamer GT that I bought with my T/A points for $49.99. I have no plans to replace it. And I am NOT "upgrading" my service to get the XM "stuff." If you need a new radio to listen to Sirius/XM you're on your own. Here are some links you can go to for more information:
** the photo is of who else? Oprah and her "close" friend Gale King.
