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First Cars to Offer SiriusXM 2.0 Coming This Summer
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SiriusXM plans to
roll out its new 2.0 service on some Chrysler vehicle receivers this summer,
CEO Mel Karmazin said during the company
earnings call yesterday. While some of the 2.0 receivers are available
now, these are the first cars to offer the new receivers and expanded satellite
radio service.
Chrysler’s Dodge
brand 2013-model-year Ram 1500 and SRT Viper will offer the 2.0 radios,
SiriusXM previously announced.
With its
previously-announced 2.0 service, SiriusXM offers an expanded channel lineup
that also includes beefed-up online offerings such as an on-demand personalized
Internet radio service.
Think of 2.0 as a
way to super-serve subscribers, Karmazin said. “We want them to get the same
great product in a mobile environment” like on a smartphone or home computer,
as they do now in the car, said the executive.
The satcaster is
programming 33 extra channels for the new service so far, as we’ve reported.
Karmazin said the
satcaster is investing in providing more online content, especially sports
programming. “We are offering play-by-play with no blackouts,” for various
professional sports such as the MLB and NHL, he said. “Much of this content is
hard to find online.” With the company’s 2.0 service, “it’s all under one app.”
For baseball, he said, “The only other option is to go to MLB.com. Even
terrestrial radio does not have the content rights to games they broadcast
locally.”
The company
anticipates rolling out the on-demand service this summer, complete with
personalized online commercial-free music channels. All of the offerings should
drive adoption of the company’s Internet tier, he predicted, adding: “Free
competitors will have a tough time matching what we offer.”
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