Re: XM may follow Sirius' lead

[dan.strassberg@att.net]

Allegedly the technology for inserting local content 
exists and XM and Sirius plan to use it--but not (at 
least at first) to insert local content. Because the 
multi-GHz carriers can't reach down into the canyons 
between tall buildings in the large cities that are 
Satellite radio's primary markets, both companies are 
building or have built networks of terrestrial 
transmitters in major markets. I believe that the 
terrestrial signals are transmitted on the same channels 
as the satellite signals and either because of different 
polarization or some inhernet attibute of the modulation 
system (which, I believe is COFDM, which stands for--are 
you ready?--Coded Orthogonal Frequency-Division 
Multiplexing; never let it be said that engineers don't 
have a way with words!), they do not interfere with each 
other. It should be a simple matter to add local content 
in major markets--and to sell local advertising in those 
markets too.
 
> Someone on the list made a good observation last week about the
> inherent weaknesses of satellite radio - no local traffic and weather.
> Now, if a provider can find a way....  It just seems ironic that local
> terrestrial licensees have all but tossed in the towel on locally
> originated programming and along comes a totally bird-based source to
> give it a run for its money.  Since listeners have everso gradually
> lowered its expectations of the local station, perhaps that will make
> sat-radio that much easier to accept.  It's eight before 'the
> hour'....