Satellite radio allows listeners to enjoy hundreds of radio channels provided by, you guessed it, satellites. News, sports, entertainment, talk-radio, and music are all brought to you in crystal-clear, commercial-free audio. Until recently, satellite radio had been dominated by two separate satellite radio providers- XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio. In 2007, a merger between the two companies was approved by their respective shareholders. In late 2008, the FCC approved the merger, and now Sirius XM Radio, Inc., is the holding company for the two satellite services.

Is there a monthly fee?
Yes, just as with cable and satellite TV, there is a monthly fee. XM and Sirius charges $12.95 per month. (Prices subject to change). These fees are paid directly to the satellite radio companies. For an additional $2.99 per month, subscribers receive Sirius Internet Radio.

Are there different programming "packages" with different rates?
Yes, XM and Sirius offers a family plan with up to 4 additional radios for only $8.99 each per month.

Does the programming have commercials?
XM and Sirius offer commercial-free music channels with genres like: Rock, Hits, Urban (Hip-Hop), Decades ('40s through '90S), Jazz, Blues, Classical, Christian, Latin, and more.

How's the sound?
Just like listening to a brand new CD, the sound is usually flawless and does not carry static like regular AM and FM signals. However, like a TV satellite dish on your roof, satellite radio CAN be affected by large objects directly blocking the signal. Also, traveling through a tunnel or heavily dense woods can deteriorate the signal. Things like highway overpasses and trees won't usually cause any problems.

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