XM on DirecTV = bag of suck

[IndyJones1023]

I heard about the switch over recently and thought "cool" for some reason. I don't know why. I guess I just thought XM was cool. Well, they would be - without the ads! But they put in annoying promos all over the place! What a crock of crap! :mad:

[DevilsChargers]

I suppose they should just beam down directly into your brain what's on their other shows, and when the special events are...how else will you know what's on?

[SpacemanSpiff]

Except that when I want to listen to music I want to listen to music, not invitations to listen to other music.

Personally I've run into several streams that had lousy sound quality.

[IndyJones1023]

I prefer the old music channels - commercial free.

[Hodaka]

I tried to tune in one of the children's channels for my daughter the other day (she's 18mths) and after spending about 20 minutes listening to some gal ramble on, I gave up and went and got one of her CDs out..

[ipfreely]

To me it's just a waste of bandwidth. I would rather they ditch the music and increase the bitrate.

[Mark W]

I doubt music takes up any significant bandwidth.

[Nfuego]

I tried to tune in one of the children's channels for my daughter the other day (she's 18mths) and after spending about 20 minutes listening to some gal ramble on, I gave up and went and got one of her CDs out..

But on the other hand, 7 to 13 year olds love her...

Sorry they don't have exactly what you want for an 18 mth old.

[ipfreely]

I doubt music takes up any significant bandwidth.


On what fact do you base this statement?

[TomK]

I prefer having XM over the old channels so thanks, Directv!

[Hodaka]

But on the other hand, 7 to 13 year olds love her...

Sorry they don't have exactly what you want for an 18 mth old.

it doesn't take much to make her happy.. just some music.. unfortunately that seemed to be lacking..

[turls]

I prefer having XM over the old channels so thanks, Directv!

If you like XM so much, you could have bought it any time (and gotten everything instead of what DirecTV decides to broadcast). Those of us that prefer Music Choice have no real alternative now to get it back. Pretty simple.

[dagap]

On what fact do you base this statement?

Audio makes up a small fraction of the bandwidth of a "normal" Directv audio+video channel. Most of the bandwidth is video, of course.

So you can squeeze many audio-only channels into the bandwidth that would be taken by one audio+video channel.

Hence the poster's comment implying that removing ALL of the audio-only channels wouldn't free up much bandwidth.

[Dan Collins]

On what fact do you base this statement?
How about the principles of analog to digital encoding?

A CD quality data stream (44.1KHz/16 bits) WITHOUT compression is only about 700Kbits/sec. - or about 1/4 of the average audio and video channel on DirecTV. Compressed audio can go down to to 128Kbits without any perceptible loss in quality, and down to 32Kbits with acceptable quality.

That is a rounding error in the overall data strean on a DirecTV transponder.

Let me guess...one of your DirecTV gold buddies told you otherwise???

[ipfreely]

Per my calculations. Omission of the XM channels would add bandwidth. Enough to even increase the bit rate.

[Kanyon71]

Per my calculations. Omission of the XM channels would add bandwidth. Enough to even increase the bit rate.

Then all the people who use the music channels would be yelling that they don't have them any longer ;) Can't please all the people all the time.

[Dan Collins]

Per my calculations. Omission of the XM channels would add bandwidth. Enough to even increase the bit rate.:rolleyes:

They could save MORE bandwidth (about 50 times as much) by eliminating one of the "mix" channels. Or they could save about 50 times as much bandwidth as ALL of the audio channels, combined, by moving one HD channel to a Spaceway satellite.

Since the audio channels are distributed across many transponders, eliminating them would no appreciable impact on bandwidth available for video transmission.

[topochicho]

:rolleyes:

They could save MORE bandwidth (about 50 times as much) by eliminating one of the "mix" channels. Or they could save about 50 times as much bandwidth as ALL of the audio channels, combined, by moving one HD channel to a Spaceway satellite.

Since the audio channels are distributed across many transponders, eliminating them would no appreciable impact on bandwidth available for video transmission.
damnit Dan! Stop confusing the argument with your logic and rational thinking! Can't you see that without the music channels bandwidth would be limitless! Think of all the home shopping channels they could add! Or even site to site matter transmission... that right matter transmission! Why are you trying to keep teleporters from the masses Dan?!

[GTO40]

Was the choice to switch due to Murdock owning some stake in XM? Does anyone know. I too prefer the music choice over XM.

[dtremain]

I greatly prefer XM over Music Choice in terms of programming, variety, and sound quality.

The occasional announcement or promo doesn't bother me at all. In some cases, as in the intelligent commentary offered on XM Classics by Martin Booksmith (a musical scholar, formerly of NPR), the commentary adds to the experience.

But, then, I critically listen to music and prefer good radio to mediocre aural wallpaper.

As per the unhappy 18 month old, was that Radio Disney or XM Kids? Radio Disney is what it is (it was also on Music Choice). XM Kids plays a lot more music. There was no other kids choice on Music Choice than Radio Disney (since For Kids Only was taken off years ago), and so the 18 month old has only gained by the change.

[Bob_Newhart]

I prefer the old music channels - commercial free.
I'm with you 100%. Many times we would put on a channel and listen for hours talk-free. Now there are DJs just like the radio. If I want to know the name of the song that is playing I can hit the info button on my remote. Now I have to quickly mute or turn down the volume when the DJ comes on.

And what's with the stupid channel names? Ethel? Lucy? Fred? wazzup???!

Also, will there be any Christmas music playing this year ala "Sounds of the Season" channel?

[ebonovic]

I don't know... I spend about 20 hours between Sunday and Tuesday listening to the 80's channels... Two of the people that where helping me asked if this was streaming from my computer, as they didn't hear a single commercial...

I knew there where there, but... at least the 80's channel when compared to the old one, the content is significantly better (IMHO).

[kdelande]

Yes, it's called Holly. Not at home, not sure of channel #.

I dislike the XM stuff too. The talk/ads is VERY annoying when we've had "commercial" free music non-stop for years with MC.

:down: to XM on DTV

KD

[CharlieB]

Add me to the list of those who preferred Music Choice. The volume level on XM seems to vary widely from one song to the next. If I tune to the channel I want, and set the volume level I want, the next song could be barely audible or blast me out of my seat! Why the hell can't they get the volume level constant for all songs? It was with Music Choice.

[GadgetFreak]

I suppose they should just beam down directly into your brain what's on their other shows, and when the special events are...how else will you know what's on?

Putting it on a website would be fine.


On channels that are talk oriented, announcements of guests and programs are fine. On channels that focus on a specific music genre, then they should just play music! No ads, no commercials, no announcements. Don't need to tell me what is going to be on if ALL they play is music.

[Nfuego]

it doesn't take much to make her happy.. just some music.. unfortunately that seemed to be lacking..


Yeah, but you can't have ONE channel that all kids will like from age 18 months to 12 or 14...

I'm just thrilled that XM carries the TORCH. My 13 year old likes it...it isn't carried on DTV, though.

I don't know what channels DTV is carrying from XM. I have XM (2 of them). There are actually 2 kids channels on XM. Radio Disney and XM Kids. Are they both on DTV (I have DTV, but don't listen to the stations on there TOO much...and when I do, I know what I like from having XM in the car and work for so long)?

[Nfuego]

Was the choice to switch due to Murdock owning some stake in XM? Does anyone know. I too prefer the music choice over XM.

I would imagine it was a WIN/WIN situation for DTV and XM. DishNetwork carries some SIRUIS stations. I would imagine that XM cut DTV a huge deal to carry their stations instead of MC to expose DTV's massive audience to what XM was all about.

[VoR]

The promo spots can get a little annoying, but after having XM for the past year it's a much better selection of programming IMHO. The live performances, interviews, and variety more than make up for the promos and DJ speak. I mostly listen to Ethel which had no DJ until about 2-3 mos ago. I hope adding them is not a trend.

[VoR]

XM has turned on 5 Christmas music channels. I think at least 3 are available to TC customers

[Bob_Newhart]

The promo spots can get a little annoying, but after having XM for the past year it's a much better selection of programming IMHO. The live performances, interviews, and variety more than make up for the promos and DJ speak. I mostly listen to Ethel which had no DJ until about 2-3 mos ago. I hope adding them is not a trend.
I'm sure it will be a trend to add DJs and then probably commercials (just so we can bring you even more and better content!!!) and before you know it it'll be 30 minutes of music and 30 minutes of ads just like over-the-air radio, except you'll be on the hook for $15 a month.

I may be a little cynical. :(

[IndyJones1023]

I would imagine it was a WIN/WIN situation for DTV and XM. DishNetwork carries some SIRUIS stations. I would imagine that XM cut DTV a huge deal to carry their stations instead of MC to expose DTV's massive audience to what XM was all about.
Well, their bonehead move would make me choose Sirius over them for ruining the good thing I had going on DirecTV.

[Canaima]

I was disappointed with XM as well. While it's true some stations don't have DJ's or excessive talking, some do, such as the 60's channel. It's loaded with it - all the time. I suppose they must feel that people are "nostalic" for the old DJ format. But I certainly am not.

Maybe the selection is "more varied", as some people seem to think. But who cares if you have to put up with the endless chatter? MusicChoice's selection wasn't bad, and it was babble-free.

Bring back the DJ-free tunes!

[FourFourSeven]

Hmm - someone should put up a poll!

One thing that should be made clear - the talk you hear is simply promotions for other events/music on XM. There aren't ads for outside products on any XM-run music stations. And there are much, MUCH fewer promotions and talk breaks than FM radio...

I strongly prefer XM to MC - I think the variety and the quality of the music is much better on XM. Yes, I'd prefer less talk, but frankly, most stations I listen to on XM play 8-10 songs, have a 30 second break where the DJ mentions the songs played and maybe an upcoming program, then it's back to music again. I doubt most stations have more than 2 minutes of talk an hour. 1-2 minutes of talk is worth it to get better music (again, in my opinion). And I don't mind most of it - I sometimes find out about interesting events on other stations that I wouldn't know about otherwise.

That being said, the 60s station, during request hours, is all talk between each song, and I find that annoying. But thankfully, that's only two hours a day.

[Bob_Newhart]

Hmm - someone should put up a poll!

One thing that should be made clear - the talk you hear is simply promotions for other events/music on XM. There aren't ads for outside products on any XM-run music stations. And there are much, MUCH fewer promotions and talk breaks than FM radio...

I strongly prefer XM to MC - I think the variety and the quality of the music is much better on XM. Yes, I'd prefer less talk, but frankly, most stations I listen to on XM play 8-10 songs, have a 30 second break where the DJ mentions the songs played and maybe an upcoming program, then it's back to music again. I doubt most stations have more than 2 minutes of talk an hour. 1-2 minutes of talk is worth it to get better music (again, in my opinion). And I don't mind most of it - I sometimes find out about interesting events on other stations that I wouldn't know about otherwise.

That being said, the 60s station, during request hours, is all talk between each song, and I find that annoying. But thankfully, that's only two hours a day.
It is VERY annoying when you're in your backyard with the music cranked up and some DJ cuts in and starts talking. What a buzzkill

[tomo_kun]

My relatives where complaining about the same thing. The DJ's just annoy them. To me it makes no difference, I'd rather watch TV with my TV and listen to music with my iPod.

[jrinck]

So, wait, XM adds commercials for the DirecTV feeds?

[Kanyon71]

I'm sure it will be a trend to add DJs and then probably commercials (just so we can bring you even more and better content!!!) and before you know it it'll be 30 minutes of music and 30 minutes of ads just like over-the-air radio, except you'll be on the hook for $15 a month.

I may be a little cynical. :(

Well except for the small facts that you have nothing to back this up and it's not $15 a month. Outside of tha facts that people would switch to Sirus if they did that.

[killerdc]

I was excited when I bought my Car this summer as it had the XM radio built in. Little did I know its not all that. They expect someone to pay 12.99 a month to get COMMERCIALS? Hell, I can listen to the regular radio for that, and thats FREE. I like XM over what they had, but I rarely listen anyway, I just like the content better. What about SIRRIUS. Arent they commercial free?

WHERE ARE THE COMEDY CHANNELS? I listened to this ALL the time before I let the 90 day trial expire in my car. I laughed my ass off. Good thing they didnt cancel my internet version of XM, so I can listen at work.

[JimSpence]

I suspect that keeping Music Choice would have eventually increased your subscription. By having XM with the ads it is probably less expensive for DirecTV. In fact, they may even pay for themselves. Similar to the shopping channels we all complain about. :)

[tony touch]

One thing I don't like about MC or XM on directv is that the screen is black and you have to hit a button to get the song title/singer, etc.

MC is also on Comcast Cable and they have constant song information on the screen- it never goes black.

[Bob_Newhart]

I suspect that keeping Music Choice would have eventually increased your subscription. By having XM with the ads it is probably less expensive for DirecTV. In fact, they may even pay for themselves. Similar to the shopping channels we all complain about. :)
Good deal. That means Directv will be lowering the monthly subscription price. I take it all back. XM rules!!! ;)

[Bob_Newhart]

One thing I don't like about MC or XM on directv is that the screen is black and you have to hit a button to get the song title/singer, etc.

MC is also on Comcast Cable and they have constant song information on the screen- it never goes black.
Yeah, or at least have an option to toggle it on or off

[Dkerr24]

Listened to a couple of XM channels for about 10 minutes... which was about 9 minutes too long. Thinks to self that it's a good thing subscription rates didn't increase.

[dtremain]

So, wait, XM adds commercials for the DirecTV feeds?No. There are no commercials. Just promos for XM. Some folks just don't know the difference, or care I suppose.

[dtremain]

I suspect that keeping Music Choice would have eventually increased your subscription. By having XM with the ads it is probably less expensive for DirecTV. In fact, they may even pay for themselves. Similar to the shopping channels we all complain about. :)Et tu, Jim? What ads? There are just promos for XM. Taht wouldn't represent any revenue.

[IndyJones1023]

No. There are no commercials. Just promos for XM. Some folks just don't know the difference, or care I suppose.
I know the difference. But does it matter if they're advertising for Viagra or themselves? It's still people talking about something that's interrupting the "commercial free" music.

[dtremain]

Yeah, or at least have an option to toggle it on or offThat's just with the TiVo. They don't toggle off with regular receivers.

[dtremain]

I know the difference. But does it matter if they're advertising for Viagra or themselves? It's still people talking about something that's interrupting the "commercial free" music.I was responding to JRINCK who I assume is an XM subscriber. He thought that Directv was inserting advertisements since other people are saying that they were there. I was just clarifying that they are not.

Being an old radio person (in the 60's and early 70's), it is a very obvious distinction to me.

[IndyJones1023]

Being an old radio person (in the 60's and early 70's), it is a very obvious distinction to me.
Revenue-wise, yes. End user-wise, no.

[thtv01]

IMHO XM is excellent. I've had XM in my car and at home for the last 3 or 4 years and love it. I never liked Music Choice at all. It always seemed like listening to music in a department store playing in a long loop. XM blows MC away in my opinion so I love that Directv switched. XM has been growing like crazy since it started and I think Directv saw that XM would be a great competitive addition.

But obviously you can't please everyone. Anytime something changes there will always be some people who prefer what they use to have.

Only a few channels have DJ's and only a few have non music interuptions to allow the listener to know whats coming up on future programs or sometimes to let you know of some special program on one of the other XM stations. No outside advertisements though except for Nationally carried channels like ESPN.

XM is very open to customer comments as well. If you don't like something or feel that there are too many DJ interuptions then let them know via their website. I've seen them make several changes in the past due to customer request. They know they are in a competitive market and really want to be better than Sirius.

[dtremain]

Revenue-wise, yes. End user-wise, no.That's a matter of opinion. If I'm already listening to the station, I'm probably intreested in knowing what else they have to offer.

I'm probably not intreested in an advertisement's product.

[goony]

So far, I prefer the XM over the MC channels.

[krs7272]

I've had Sirius in the car for a few months due to thats what my radio supported. But am I glad compared to XM Sirius blows them away. There is barely any talking on Sirius music channels.

Plus I think even MC had a better selection of channels.

[Bryn4ne]

How about the principles of analog to digital encoding?

A CD quality data stream (44.1KHz/16 bits) WITHOUT compression is only about 700Kbits/sec. - or about 1/4 of the average audio and video channel on DirecTV. Compressed audio can go down to to 128Kbits without any perceptible loss in quality, and down to 32Kbits with acceptable quality.

That is a rounding error in the overall data strean on a DirecTV transponder.

Let me guess...one of your DirecTV gold buddies told you otherwise???

CD quality without compression is actually 720kbps/channel so for stereo music it's more like 1.44 Mbps. I won't argue perciptible and acceptable lossy encoding because it's so variable but for me 128k & 32k are a bit low for pretty much any encoder.

XM's service is far from CD quality, and I'm sure using MPEG2 through DirecTV so any receiver can decode it isn't helping at all. Hopefully XM is sending a seperate stream to DirecTV and DirecTV isn't just simply reencoding and rebroadcasting the standard XM broadcast.

XM's total available data rate through their own satellites including error correction is 3.28 Mbps. I can't imagine the room needed on DirecTV would be significantly more than that - what maybe room for one video channel on DirecTV? In fact I wouldn't be suprised if the bandwith needed for XM is significantly less than it was for Music Choice.

Bryn

[Bryn4ne]

:rolleyes:

They could save MORE bandwidth (about 50 times as much) by eliminating one of the "mix" channels. Or they could save about 50 times as much bandwidth as ALL of the audio channels, combined, by moving one HD channel to a Spaceway satellite.

Since the audio channels are distributed across many transponders, eliminating them would no appreciable impact on bandwidth available for video transmission.


Or how about getting rid of the biggest waste of bandwith - hundreds of local channels from every conceivable podunk market that are all basically identically programmed.

Bryn

[Todd1001]

Anyone having a problem with channel 818 ---"Mix" ?
The sound quality sounds like it's streaming from a computer. I emailed directv and of course I get a form email telling me to reset my reciever.

I miss my music choice!

[Bryn4ne]

Add me to the list of those who preferred Music Choice. The volume level on XM seems to vary widely from one song to the next. If I tune to the channel I want, and set the volume level I want, the next song could be barely audible or blast me out of my seat! Why the hell can't they get the volume level constant for all songs? It was with Music Choice.

That's because generally that's the way music is. Music is gerenally dynamic just like a movie. Because FM compresses the hell out of everything in order to achieve the highest average levels you'd never know it any more. Ever tune from a Top 40 station to a classical one? You can barely hear it!

Most recent albums are following the same direction as well. Take an album from 10 years ago and play it alongside a more recent one. The peak levels will be the same but the one from 10 years ago will not sound as loud. Guess which one sounds more realistic? Even from song to song on the same CD the average volume level can change dramatically.

XM uses less musical processing than most FM stations, and even less than Music Choice. Music Choice did have more bandwith, but the overall level was pulled way down. Anyone ever take the digital ouput from Music Choice on DirecTV into a DAT or MiniDisc? Not very dynamic and the level was something like -10 to -20 dB max to save on bandwith.

I'm not saying XM is better, just different. The things that really annoy me about XM are the channel names, promos and spots for their own channels, and sometimes the programming on certain channels just isn't what I'd like sometimes. The worst thing about it are the compression artifacts, though much better today than in 2001, it's still pretty bad and varies widely from channel to channel depending on the bandwith alotted. Music Choice was much better sonically to listen to, though still not quite on par with CD quality.

Bryn

[Xezoid]

OMG. XM sux in Directv. I dont want ANY commercials or talking in between songs. I want the old music channels back!!!

[IndyJones1023]

That's a matter of opinion. If I'm already listening to the station, I'm probably intreested in knowing what else they have to offer.

I'm probably not intreested in an advertisement's product.
If you're interested in what else they have to offer, hit the guide button. TV is different than radio, it has a visual element that can enhance a users ability to channel surf. They need to rely on that and give people more music, less talk. Like it used to be.

[Canaima]

I'd heard somewhere that some provider was working on eventually getting album/CD art up on the music channels which would be shown with each tune instead of a black screen & title, but can't recall where I heard it or what content provider was involved.

Haven't seen or heard any updates about this. I suppose I should stop being lazy & Google it as an update about this is probably not too hard to find.

This would be a nice feature as some of these cover images are really beautiful works of art. At least I'd have something to admire when I mute out the DJ jibberish.

[speedcouch]

I knew there where there, but... at least the 80's channel when compared to the old one, the content is significantly better (IMHO).

It sure is a matter of personal taste, I guess. I much preferred the 80s channel on Music Choice. I've had XM for about a year and a half and can only stand their 80s channel for short periods of time. It just seemed like Music Choice didn't play any rap and XM does.

While I love XM in the car and at work, I liked the different things we got on Music Choice on DirecTV. But basically, I'm not that upset about the change. Unlike a lot of people here, it seems. ;) I still can listen to 70s which was probably my favorite on Music Choice anyway, and I don't see any noticeable difference between what MC had there and XM. And while I miss Classic Country, the the various country channels on XM offer a lot of good stuff.

Cheryl

[heySkippy]

XM seems to me to be a mixed bag of suck. On the one hand, the sound quality is better than the old music channels. On the other hand, the advertisements suck big time. On the gripping hand, the selection is better...

The bottom line is the old music channels sound quality was so poor I didn't use them very often. At least with the XM I can turn it up and it sounds good at least until I have run to mute the idiot DJ/promo spot.

[dtremain]

If you're interested in what else they have to offer, hit the guide button. TV is different than radio, it has a visual element that can enhance a users ability to channel surf. They need to rely on that and give people more music, less talk. Like it used to be.XM is essentially different from Music Choice. It is radio programming rather than just aural wallpaper. The stations I have listened to have themed, pretty well produced programs. These are not reflected on the Guide which just says the station title. The promos, however, tell you about these programs.

My suspicion is that someone like me (came up in the 50's and 60's) is going to prefer XM. Our sense of music presentation on air is a radio model (I worked in radio for a while). Younger people may (and I don't mean to be disparaging, just descriptive) have more of an I-POD model of music presentation (with the video generation sandwiched inbetween).

I find XM far more interesting, offering better programming with a wide-selection of material and formats on a "narrow casting" paradigm. It appears to use less compression than Music Choice, offering wider dynamics (this seems to trouble some people here, because they actually want their music to lack dynamic content), and, in my opinion, overall, pretty good sound quality. I honestly haven't listened to stations like the "Mix" which a lot of people have complained about.

For radio, it has an extremely high ratio of music to talk.

But it is a completely different approach than Music Choice, and I can understand where some people would strongly prefer one while others strongly prefer the other.

[Billy Bob Boy]

How about the principles of analog to digital encoding?

A CD quality data stream (44.1KHz/16 bits) WITHOUT compression is only about 700Kbits/sec. - or about 1/4 of the average audio and video channel on DirecTV. Compressed audio can go down to to 128Kbits without any perceptible loss in quality, and down to 32Kbits with acceptable quality.

That is a rounding error in the overall data strean on a DirecTV transponder.

Let me guess...one of your DirecTV gold buddies told you otherwise???Hmm!! I thought Our pal Ip spent time with D* execs and was in a major Tech business. Woudnt an emmy winning ferrari-viper driver know this! well Dan I guess your viper is bigger :D . Well I have to get in my Roll's now and drive to my Chalet In switzerland. The butler forgot to polish all my oscars. :p BTW I have to work out now (to Help carry the weight of all My Bling Bling :D :D :D)


Edit: Opps!! I forgot I cant exercise today. Nasa Invited me to go to the International Space Station.

[tony touch]

When XM first started on directv a few weeks ago, there was a station called "The Heart" (played all love songs). Now I can't find it. Anyone know if they are already altering the line-up?

[The_Geyser]

Why can't these DJ's just shut up?

[Aquatic]

OT: I have XM in the car, so on the tube is handy--but the good ones I want are missing... like MLB.... and won't be broadcast I'm sure--DTV wouldn't want to cut into their MLB Package revenue. SO.. it'll be back to my XM Home unit, with FM Transmitter... :)

WAY Off Topic:

Just what does XM on DirecTV have to do with TiVo? THis thread needs to go to DBSTALK or some other place since XM is NOT AFFILIATED WITH TIVO! I mean really? Is there NO consistency in the world?

[LoadStar]

I am an XM subscriber, and I have Time Warner at home where I get MusicChoice. (I'd love to switch to DTV, but stupid non-southern-exposure apartment... grr..)

Anyway, in comparing the two: XM has a FAR better selection of music... There just isn't any comparison. I think it helps that XM stations are actually programmed by a real person, while I think that MusicChoice are just random play out of whatever is in the computer. Based on just that alone, I prefer XM to MusicChoice. (I can barely stand to listen to MusicChoice for any period of time, just because the music selection is SO awful.)

Past that point - yes, some (not all) stations do have DJs. Mix and KISS for instance have no DJs; the decades stations all have them. With the decades stations, the DJs try and inspire the feel of DJs of the decade... which of course means the 50's and 60's will have a more dynamic presentation style than those on the 70's, for instance. There are far, FAR less stopsets on XM than on regular radio - but if you're used to absolutely no stopsets on MusicChoice, I can understand how having a DJ on some stations would be a bit... jarring.

As for commercials - they have no commercials, but in addition to station identification bumpers ("XM 22 - It's in the mix" for instance) some stations do carry short promos for upcoming programming on that station. I don't think I've heard any cross-station promos in the time I've had XM. The DJs will sometimes mention some of the other streams.

Responding to the complaints about the Kids station - that station is kids programming, not necessarily strictly kids music. That's why you heard a lot of talking on that station. It's also a station designed to target a pre-teen market as mentioned above... definitely not a 18 mo. old.

[Joey303]

I've been listening nearly nonstop for a few days now and here's my summary of what I hate (mostly already mentioned by others):


Quality Sucks -- Channel 818 is like listening to music through a tin can (I'm told this is likely a "compression" problem, but why couldn't THEY fix this before going live?)
Sound Levels from song to song are WAY OFF and way distracting
Too Much Talk (I don't give a ***** if you call it Promos or Commercials, just shut the f@ck up)
Too Little Adult Contemporary (Rap/Hip-Hop-free). Pet peeve: do I really need a gazillion Country stations and Urban stations? Are we DirecTV subscribers really ALL in those demographics? XM subscribers might be, but I suspect the DirecTV/TiVo audience skews a bit older....
<Edit to add> Title/Artist Info doesn't seem to refresh quickly enough.


To the poster asking about The Heart -- it's been changed to Holly (for Christmas) and will return on Dec. 26th. Just another example of lack of Adult Contemporary.

[IndyJones1023]

Just what does XM on DirecTV have to do with TiVo? THis thread needs to go to DBSTALK or some other place since XM is NOT AFFILIATED WITH TIVO! I mean really? Is there NO consistency in the world?
I'm a member of this board. This forum deals with DirecTV. I posted here. Simple.

[JimSpence]

Et tu, Jim? What ads? There are just promos for XM. Taht wouldn't represent any revenue.No revenue? How many new subscribers do you think XM will get just because XM is now available on DirecTV? Seems to be a good business practice to get your name out there.

[LoadStar]

I've been listening nearly nonstop for a few days now and here's my summary of what I hate (mostly already mentioned by others):


Quality Sucks -- Channel 818 is like listening to music through a tin can (I'm told this is likely a "compression" problem, but why couldn't THEY fix this before going live?)
Sound Levels from song to song are WAY OFF and way distracting
Too Much Talk (I don't give a ***** if you call it Promos or Commercials, just shut the f@ck up)
Too Little Adult Contemporary (Rap/Hip-Hop-free). Pet peeve: do I really need a gazillion Country stations and Urban stations? Are we DirecTV subscribers really ALL in those demographics? XM subscribers might be, but I suspect the DirecTV/TiVo audience skews a bit older....


To the poster asking about The Heart -- it's been changed to Holly (for Christmas) and will return on Dec. 26th. Just another example of lack of Adult Contemporary.

Good stations for Adult Contemporary listeners might include:
- The Mix (818), XM's Hot A/C station
- Sunny (820), which is A/C with a heavy skew toward a "Beautiful Music" format
- The Blend (821), which is actually XM's pure A/C station
- XM Cafe (832), playing "coffee house" style music
- Lucy (838), an Adult Album Alternative station
- The Loft (836), playing the best songs from singer/songwriters
- The Village (813) - folk songs

[Billy Bob Boy]

Anyone else notice the titles go away if you dont touch the remote for a time. Not even with new songs.

[dtremain]

No revenue? How many new subscribers do you think XM will get just because XM is now available on DirecTV? Seems to be a good business practice to get your name out there.Agreed. I meant direct "sales."

[dtremain]

Anyone else notice the titles go away if you dont touch the remote for a time. Not even with new songs.The same thing happened with a DVR with Music Choice.

[Trebor1]

"Seems to be a good business practice to get your name out there."

Not if people are trashing your product to potential consumers...like i am.

I would never advise anyone to try XM........but on the lighter side......i got to hear it on DTV before i invested(threw away) any money on their equipment.

[mike_k]

Well, their bonehead move would make me choose Sirius over them for ruining the good thing I had going on DirecTV.

I don't know that Sirius is any better. I've not listened to the XM feeds, but am about to cancel my Sirius subscription. After every two or three songs they do a station promo - it's a commercial in my book - so much for commercial free. Do they really think that I've forgotten what station/provider I was listening to since they told me five minutes ago?

(It's like our local ABC affiliate - during Lost and Alias (and I'm sure others, these are the only two ABC shows I watch) they have to pollute the screen with a big orange box with their call letters - twice during each broadcast. Just in case us moron viewers forget that we are watching ABC and don't notice the national ABC bug in the right hand corner and the local one in the left hand corner.)

The DJs talk too much - I'm tired of having to listen about some DJ's drive into work that day, or about his boss or girl friend... - actually I'm tired of listening to the DJs all together. Why can't they understand that people want talk-free, interruption-free music?

[ipfreely]

Hmm!! I thought Our pal Ip spent time with D* execs and was in a major Tech business. Woudnt an emmy winning ferrari-viper driver know this! well Dan I guess your viper is bigger :D . Well I have to get in my Roll's now and drive to my Chalet In switzerland. The butler forgot to polish all my oscars. :p BTW I have to work out now (to Help carry the weight of all My Bling Bling :D :D :D)


Edit: Opps!! I forgot I cant exercise today. Nasa Invited me to go to the International Space Station.

I'm not sure what your point is? As I stated I did the math and ommision of the audio channels does provide bandwidth.
And Yes I do have an Emmy for my work with the IRL for 2002. I do have several exotic motorcars. I do know many coprorate folks in my day to day work.
Viper is the same size across the board V10 adapted from the truck line. I think you may be confusing another car or something?

[Aquatic]

I'm a member of this board. This forum deals with DirecTV. I posted here. Simple.

Hey Indy... I wasn't ripping on you....I forgot to put up the [sarcasm] tag I guess. My bad, really. mea culpa.

However.. The boards as a whole are about TIVO, which in most of our cases also happens to include DirecTV--least those who use DirecTV unit--hence you posted in this particular forum. However I would think that (proven by OTHER threads that have been yanked from this very forum) that DTV programming would not be in TiVo's best interest to have discussed--it had nothing to do with TiVo units per se. So, I'm really waiting for TiVo Inc to jump in and have this thread removed as well.

[bidger]

However I would think that (proven by OTHER threads that have been yanked from this very forum) that DTV programming would not be in TiVo's best interest to have discussed--it had nothing to do with TiVo units per se.
DirecTV programming has everything to do with the two D-TiVos I own since there's nothing else I can record with them...other than OTA HD signals on the HR10-250.

Sorry, can't follow your logic here.

[Kanyon71]

DirecTV programming has everything to do with the two D-TiVos I own since there's nothing else I can record with them...other than OTA HD signals on the HR10-250.

Sorry, can't follow your logic here.

Some people (including Tivo) got mad because a NON Tivo product (now a competing product) was being discussed in this forum. Think he was just messing with him based on that.

[MikeekiM]

Okay, I am confused a little...

Is the issue that DirecTV is adding additional commercials to plug XM radio?

Or is the issue that XM Radio has commercials?

We are getting the unaltered XM feeds, that normal XM subscribers get, right?

[SpacemanSpiff]

DTV isn't adding anything to the feed.

The complaint is the fact that regardless of how much or little there may be of it, there are items being broadcast on the streams that aren't non-stop, continuous music. They may be on air "personalities", they may be station identifiers (which I find confusing because I'm not listening to XM stream 50, I'm listening to DTV channel 8xx), or they may be plugs for another stream.

[Bob_Newhart]

The bottom line is Music Choice was Music ONLY. No talk at all. Thus better.

[Mr. Soze]

Well since I NEVER listened to the Music Choice stuff, and have been listening to the XM stuff, I would consider this an upgrade.

[bidger]

Some people (including Tivo) got mad because a NON Tivo product (now a competing product) was being discussed in this forum. Think he was just messing with him based on that.
I understand the suppression of the R-15 discussions, but how does discussing programming on DirecTV coincide with that?

[MikeekiM]

DTV isn't adding anything to the feed.

The complaint is the fact that regardless of how much or little there may be of it, there are items being broadcast on the streams that aren't non-stop, continuous music. They may be on air "personalities", they may be station identifiers (which I find confusing because I'm not listening to XM stream 50, I'm listening to DTV channel 8xx), or they may be plugs for another stream.

OK...thanks... I understand now...

So the complaint is not with DirecTV per se (though their choice to switch is probably the crux of this whole mess)...

The complaint is that XM content is not satisfying many of us TCFers...

Personally, I am in the camp of folks that like the switch to XM radio... When I listen to "radio", I expect a DJ and (unfortunately) commercials... So it really doesn't bother me... My favorite is "The Groove" (XM 64...not sure what the DirecTV equivalent is)...

However, I understand the folks that are not happy with the switch...

[Billy Bob Boy]

I'm not sure what your point is? As I stated I did the math and ommision of the audio channels does provide bandwidth.
And Yes I do have an Emmy for my work with the IRL for 2002. I do have several exotic motorcars. I do know many coprorate folks in my day to day work.
Viper is the same size across the board V10 adapted from the truck line. I think you may be confusing another car or something?Everything provides bandwith. Our point is that it wouldnt be enough to even add one channel if they removed the MC's so whats the Point of removing them. How about removing several home shopping networks and replacing them with 1 0r 2 Free commercial free and unedited movie channels such as fox movie. There has to be more out there like FMC and IFC that run Un edited movies that are free. ;) I bet there are several husbands here that woudnt cry at the loss of a shopping channel. ;)

[xtra]

MLB-xtra innings is in my package. I would choose XM over MC just for that. I absolutely love it. The local sports talk on radio abolutely sucks.

I prefer XM to MC for music too. More choices and fewer repeats of songs. MC repeated songs alot on the channels I listened to. The talk doesn't bother me on the channels I have heard on XM.

My only complaints are programming ones. I would like a big bands channel not just a 40's channel that plays a big band tune once in awhile. I would also like a 60's-70's album rock channel that was like the early FM rock stations that would play entire album sides. That was so great.

[dtremain]

We are getting the unaltered XM feeds, that normal XM subscribers get, right?Right.

[nickg2]

I would also like a 60's-70's album rock channel that was like the early FM rock stations that would play entire album sides. That was so great.

that's why i like "Deep Tracks" -- classic rock band stuff that you haven't heard since 1969 or whatever year, and some live concerts by these bands too. it's nice to actually listen to seldom if EVER played classic rock bands/tunes WITHOUT being force fed:

free bird
sweet home alabama
old time rock and roll
stairway to heaven
hotel california
born in the usa
or
fill in the blank of any other classic rock song of the last 35 years rammed up your behind on the radio 20 times a day. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[funeral]

Add me to the list of those who preferred Music Choice. The volume level on XM seems to vary widely from one song to the next. If I tune to the channel I want, and set the volume level I want, the next song could be barely audible or blast me out of my seat! Why the hell can't they get the volume level constant for all songs? It was with Music Choice.

After the first few days of not liking XM, I tried listening throughout the long weekend while doing some patching/painting. The deep tracks and boneyard channels are the closest approximation to what I listened to on Music Choice. The selection sucked and the volume varied wildy. I will be calling DirectTv to let them know my opinion. Altough it probably wont matter, I will give them feedback. Most of the changes in the 8 years I have been a customer have been positive, this is a definite downgrade in service in my opinion. I used to use the classic, jazz, classical & holiday channels throughout the house - now I will stick to HMO (another service I cannot get through D).

[tim99]

XM seems to have a nice selection so I've tried to like it but every time I start to someone interrupts. This morning at 5am some chucklehead starts reading poetry between songs.


Try to imagine someone just randomly interrupting you between songs while you're listening to your new CD or the songs on your IPod (where you have absolutely no expectation of that happening). That's exactly what it's like for those of us who replaced FM radio with Music Choice years ago.

Consider that we went from not ONE single interruption in 10 ENTIRE YEARS to 3 or so an hour. From our POV that's a heck of a step backwards.

peace . . .

[Aquatic]

Some people (including Tivo) got mad because a NON Tivo product (now a competing product) was being discussed in this forum. Think he was just messing with him based on that.


Pretty much Kanyon, cept I wasn't trying to "mess" with Indy--as I was enjoying this thread it occured to me that DirecTV programming doesn't have anything to do directly with TiVo--all TiVo is, is a small computer system designed to record things--DTV asked for and got a receiver melded in with a TiVo box and so you now have DTV with TiVo. If you only had a receiver--no TiVo capabilities--the topic would be the same--DTV's programming re: XM discussion, but would it be apropos for Tivo Community ?

There are several other threads that are in the same ballpark here...Absolutely nothing to do with TiVo directly, only DirecTV Stuff. Since the R15 was "only DirecTV" as well, I was fully expecting the admins to come down on those other threads as well, as they don't apply to TiVo. Apparently there is some "suggestive" (errrr... "Selective") editing going on.... Anyone for a good conspiracy? :)

Indy.. again, my aplogies for the Off Topic comments in this thread--just randomly happened to be in this thread. :)

[dtvrox]

Everyone keep in mind that XM only took over on November 15th so its super new..... I think it will take a few months before Directv reviews customer feedback and alters features and "channel names" etc more to their liking. I have noticed that they do make alot of changes over time per customer feedback. If your unhappy with XM call Directv and voice your opinion...... things tend to change faster the more feedback they get.......

Now I'm not suggesting you call them daily or "stalk" them over this issue, but simply calling in and voicing your opinion about your likes dislikes will make changes happen faster.

I like XM, but I do not like the Channel names........ lucy, ethel, Fred...... boggle..... I have voiced my opinion to them and they told me they had a customer comments thing they can post to their corporate office i guess thats where your comments would be sent and maybe something would be changed in the near future.... who knows how it works, just saying... if you want to see change...... make a commitment to try to get it changed..... rather then sitting here griping about other changes....

[BEP]

Actually I am glad that they did this, well at least for a day.

Now I know I DO NOT WANT IT IN MY CAR, and I will put my money towards an iPod for commercial/promo free music.

Thanks again, now go back to Music Choice

[SpacemanSpiff]

Since those are the channel names XM uses, I highly doubt they will change the names to suit D* subscribers.

Regarding the OT'ish'nesh of this thread vs the R15 thread. As it is not a competitor with TiVo I think it falls into a different category.

[lindsay001]

I was considering buying/subscribing to XM as a Christmas gift to myself. After seeing the dreck offered by XM on DirecTV I am now buying a new receiver for the car that reads MP3's on DVD instead of subscribing to XM. 100 hours of music on one disc, no commercials, no monthly fees, and a better selection of music. Thanks DirecTV and XM, you saved me a bundle!

PS If I'm feeling left out of the mainstream, I will just label my music DVD's TOM, or BOB, or maybe BILL. Won't that be cool!

[davebaum-md]

Strangely, my father in law STILL gets music choice channels as well as the XM channels. Anyone know how to swing this? The channels are listed with the same numbers as the new channels, e.g., 834 appears twice in the guide, once as classical music and once as (I think) 'Ethel.'

db

[kdmorse]

Add three more DirecTV families to the 'We hate the change to XM' category (in case anyone's keeping a tally). All for the same reason - the loss of interruption free music. After you get used to listening to nothing but Music all day, XM's constant promo's and incessant inane 'DJ' yammering makes you want to just turn the damn thing off and go somewhere else.

-Ken

[Dan Collins]

I'm not sure what your point is? As I stated I did the math and ommision of the audio channels does provide bandwidth... Yeah, and so would eliminating stereo audio on the movie channels, or the few DD audio transmissions, or the background program guide data feed. The POINT is that all of the audio channels COMBINED wouldn't even equal one shopping channel. Therefore, it would have no visible effect on PQ or any other aspect of the service.
...And Yes I do have an Emmy for my work with the IRL for 2002. I do have several exotic motorcars. I do know many coprorate folks in my day to day work....So, what exactly is YOUR point??? I used to be assigned to NORAD. Is any of this supposed to MEAN something?
...Viper is the same size across the board V10 adapted from the truck line. I think you may be confusing another car or something?This is my nominee for Clueless Response of the Year. :rolleyes:

[bsnelson]

Add three more DirecTV families to the 'We hate the change to XM' category (in case anyone's keeping a tally). All for the same reason - the loss of interruption free music. After you get used to listening to nothing but Music all day, XM's constant promo's and incessant inane 'DJ' yammering makes you want to just turn the damn thing off and go somewhere else.

-KenMake it four. Big :down: to XM on DirecTV. I don't have either Sirius or XM in any format, and it's likely to stay that way. I'll probably work on some big playlists for my 9,000+ song MP3 library and just listen to it through "M&P" on the DTiVo instead of XM. The DJs just totally turn me off.

Brad

[bcushman]

Add me as another one who is happy with the addition of XM. The channel I listen to about 99% of the time is Real Jazz. I appreciate the infrequent announcements by the 2 DJs since I listen solely on my stereo receiver and am glad to hear what has been recently played. MUCH better than Music Choice IMO.

[serial_port_me05]

Opie and Anthony make XM on DTV worth somthing...

[Bob_Newhart]

As long as they don't add the insufferably bad Stern show, it's all good

[bidger]

He will be on Sirius.

[Bob_Newhart]

He will be on Sirius.
Praise the Lord.

[crkeehn]

Gotta add another to the Love XM group. We are listening to the music channels more than we ever have. In fact when I come down in the morning, my wife has the music channels on every day, she never listened to Music Choice.

We love the 40's channel, the music and the vintage newscasts.

I might add that now that Holly has played Santa Baby, my wife is ready for Christmas.

[amory]

Another big fan of XM here, though I have subscribed for over two years now. Think not of the DJ's as just that, but programmers who actually tell you something about the music. I have learned a lot from the DJ's. They are all pretty much tops in the field for their respective genres. And also consider the live music recorded at the XM studios and the interviews with artists.

When is the last time you heard a complete concert recorded at the Royal Albert on Music Choice?

Give it a chance . . . .

[jrinck]

that's why i like "Deep Tracks" -- classic rock band stuff that you haven't heard since 1969 or whatever year, and some live concerts by these bands too. it's nice to actually listen to seldom if EVER played classic rock bands/tunes WITHOUT being force fed:

free bird
sweet home alabama
old time rock and roll
stairway to heaven
hotel california
born in the usa
or
fill in the blank of any other classic rock song of the last 35 years rammed up your behind on the radio 20 times a day. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

This list will always get preference over the "deep" tracks. They were the most popular back then, and it stands to reason that they would be today, too.

The "deep" tracks can uncover gems, but it's really the perceived freshness of the songs that are the main attraction.

[PaJo]

Thanks, although it did take a while into this thread, I found that my Tivos are not the only ones that no longer update the music information correctly on the music channnels since XM is supplying the music - I was afraid it might have been a problem related to series 1 Dtivos.

I hate to admit it, I preferrred Music Choice - I think XM has a better selection of music but the talking over songs really annoys me. One guy hit three songs in the a row, started yapping as the one song was finishing up and kept on well into the next. On one of the older channles they played a Kellogs Corn Flakes commercial from the 60's -70's not sure which channel it was. Sure, some consider it part of the old time radio or it could just be a clever way to advertise on older music channels. I do think the Christmas music is better this year.

[Billy Bob Boy]

Yeah, and so would eliminating stereo audio on the movie channels, or the few DD audio transmissions, or the background program guide data feed. The POINT is that all of the audio channels COMBINED wouldn't even equal one shopping channel. Therefore, it would have no visible effect on PQ or any other aspect of the service.
So, what exactly is YOUR point??? I used to be assigned to NORAD. Is any of this supposed to MEAN something?
This is my nominee for Clueless Response of the Year. :rolleyes:I have been posting here 1.5 years and coming here over 2 years Of the thousands of posters and posts I have read this guy is the only one I have ever seen( IPfreely) that does nothing but put people down and Brag his butt off! :down: He talks about saving bandwith. How about saving Tivo community bandwith. Lets look at the figures. Of all my posts 95% are contributive and 5% are just for Fun and humor. Ip is 5% contributive 95% drivel( Insults and bragging) So who is wasting bandwith!! Sorry Dan to reply to your reply. You are 98% contributive and 2% responding to Idiots!! ;)

[TonyD79]

What whiners.

First, MOST of the music channels just say "This is XM XXX" or whatever. Big deal. Ooooh, it is "talking" and a "commercial." Geez, I didn't know your brains were that fragile.

The decades channels are not music on XM as much as a time machine experience. They mix in the FEEL of the decade into them. So you get some DJs. Not a lot. Whine! Whine! Whine! I just want MUSIC and nothing else. Well, go try some other channels.

I stopped listening to Music Choice a long time ago. The music was repetitive and bland and had no character to each channel. I have XM in my car and in a portable and am very happy.

For those of you who want your iPod world. You are welcome to it. And all the work it takes to maintain and choose songs to play.

Such whining I have never heard.

I don't really care if XM is on DTV or not. I will probably listen on my XM rather than my TV (since TV is for WATCHING) but for those of you who are getting it free, what a bunch of whiners.

Go to your elevators.

[Bob_Newhart]

What whiners.

First, MOST of the music channels just say "This is XM XXX" or whatever. Big deal. Ooooh, it is "talking" and a "commercial." Geez, I didn't know your brains were that fragile.

The decades channels are not music on XM as much as a time machine experience. They mix in the FEEL of the decade into them. So you get some DJs. Not a lot. Whine! Whine! Whine! I just want MUSIC and nothing else. Well, go try some other channels.

I stopped listening to Music Choice a long time ago. The music was repetitive and bland and had no character to each channel. I have XM in my car and in a portable and am very happy.

For those of you who want your iPod world. You are welcome to it. And all the work it takes to maintain and choose songs to play.

Such whining I have never heard.

I don't really care if XM is on DTV or not. I will probably listen on my XM rather than my TV (since TV is for WATCHING) but for those of you who are getting it free, what a bunch of whiners.

Go to your elevators.

Personally, I would like some cheese with my whine

[IndyJones1023]

Wow. Talk about a whiner.

[tim99]

Speaking of fragile brains your tolerance of other points of view is impressive.

Its hard to seperate all your whining about other people from your point, which seems to be somehow related to getting XM for free. I would expect most folks here get XM in the Total Choice package which is anything but free.

And since you don't plan to listen to XM via D*, its hard to understand why you would post here at all other than just to complain about something that apparently has nothing to do with you.

If you like a lot of noise with your music, go back to AM radio. If I want a lot of noise on the net, I'll read another one of your posts.


What whiners.

First, MOST of the music channels just say "This is XM XXX" or whatever. Big deal. Ooooh, it is "talking" and a "commercial." Geez, I didn't know your brains were that fragile.

The decades channels are not music on XM as much as a time machine experience. They mix in the FEEL of the decade into them. So you get some DJs. Not a lot. Whine! Whine! Whine! I just want MUSIC and nothing else. Well, go try some other channels.

I stopped listening to Music Choice a long time ago. The music was repetitive and bland and had no character to each channel. I have XM in my car and in a portable and am very happy.

For those of you who want your iPod world. You are welcome to it. And all the work it takes to maintain and choose songs to play.

Such whining I have never heard.

I don't really care if XM is on DTV or not. I will probably listen on my XM rather than my TV (since TV is for WATCHING) but for those of you who are getting it free, what a bunch of whiners.

Go to your elevators.

[webprofits]

I personally really liked Music Choice because they would show the year the song was released in parenthesis such as Def Leppard - Photograph (1983), etc. My wife and I are big 80's fans so we would guess what year for the song right before the scroll down on the screen would display it.

[BeanCounter1]

I dislike the XM stuff too. The talk/ads is VERY annoying when we've had "commercial" free music non-stop for years with MC.

:down: to XM on DTV

KD


Me too...but the posts to bring it back are a waste of time. There has to be a long-term contract behind all of this.

[Chris Gerhard]

As long as they don't add the insufferably bad Stern show, it's all good

I agree his show is terrible but it is really easy to not tune in any station he is on. As mentioned his deal is with Sirius so you won't even need to worry about not tuning the channel in.

I loved Music Choice, the Blues and Standards channels primarily, and I was used to it. So far I can't find what I want to listen to with XM and I absolutely don't want any DJ announcements or talk. I am assuming I will find a couple of acceptable XM channels so the change won't be a big deal for me but at this old age any change has to be something worthwhile for me to want to mess with it. So far I don't like this one.

Chris

[SpacemanSpiff]

While our dis-affection with the move to XM will most likely have zero impact on whether D* continues to carry them for the forseeable future, it does give feedback to them in regards to the fact that we don't just blindly sit back and clap our hands with glee everytime they make a change.

Drop TiVo and we don't necessarily have to jump on the happy bandwagon in regards to the R15.

Put on XM and we don't give them kudo's for that change either.

Disaffected customers are ones you have to worry about them churning. And churn is a bad thing for any subscription based company.

[IndyJones1023]

OMG.

They just interrupted music with a radio ad for the movie "The Witched of Eastwick." Yes, that movie from 1987.

:rolleyes:

[PaJo]

XM ran an ad from the Postal Service last evening on the Christmas channel. XM will get better as more and more DTV customers contact DTV with their suggestions and complaints. Up to now XM only has the "XM Fans" to get input from and as some may have already noticed the "XM Fans" believe XM can do no wrong. We had XM over a year ago, I don't remember there being as much useless talk back then. It's ironic we thought Sirius was too much talking ( drop them as well) - wow, XM sure has Sirius beat on the chatter part. I tell coworkers I am now sorry I complained about Music Choice. I can handle the chatter most of the time, but they should know enough to never talk while the song is playing, talking over the song is probably the worse offense any DJ can make - if people want to hear chatter they will listen to a talk station. It may be coincidence, but I got an ad in the mail for XM offereing me XM for $5.00 a month for 3 months to come back ( we were with XM a couple years ago)

The updating of information on our GXCEBOTs does seem to have improved since the first days of XM but the screen blanks after a short while and I must hit display to bring it up again. It's not a big thing, but becasue of the changes I have been watching more to get an idea what would channel would be best. We have background music on all day and night when we are not watching TV, the Dtivo just feeds directly to the stereo, and we turn the tv off.

[restart88]

I suppose they should just beam down directly into your brain what's on their other shows, and when the special events are...how else will you know what's on?

Change the channel, read the newsletter, go to the website.

Frankly I too am frustrated at all the music interruptions. If I wanted news I'd go to a news channel. If I wanted to go to the preview channel, I'd go there.

When I first got XM I loved Hank's Place because it was an opportunity to hear old country tunes, many of which have not been aired in years. I don't need some barker pretending to be a DJ and don't want weather updates on my music channels. Now they'll air just about any country tune on that channel even though they have plenty of other country channels to use where newer tunes would be more applicable.

And why is Southern Gospel only offered on the website when there are plenty of unused channels, not to mention stations NOBODY is listening to?

I've got my share of gripes. I was ready to pull the plug and in fact called to cancel and was given a free month to think it over. In that month I realized that for all its warts it is at least better than commercial radio - I just wish they cared more for what the subscribers want from the service.

I've recently gotten into iPods and my future audio purchases will take into account all the wonderful possibilities available from streaming & podcasts. So satellite radio had better get its act together soon before many of these other technologies catch on or they'll be out of business pronto.

[restart88]

Yeah, but you can't have ONE channel that all kids will like from age 18 months to 12 or 14...

I'm just thrilled that XM carries the TORCH. My 13 year old likes it...it isn't carried on DTV, though.

I don't know what channels DTV is carrying from XM. I have XM (2 of them). There are actually 2 kids channels on XM. Radio Disney and XM Kids. Are they both on DTV (I have DTV, but don't listen to the stations on there TOO much...and when I do, I know what I like from having XM in the car and work for so long)?


In Chicago Radio Disney is free on AM radio. Only a low-medium power station though, so the signal wouldn't make it down there where you are. They have it here in Tampa too. Who knows? It could be available to you locally in time.

http://radio.disney.go.com/mystation/index.html

BTW it is on D* channel 867, not 804 as the Disney site claims but I think you got to have Choice+.

[heySkippy]

My biggest gripe with the announcements/ads/promos/etc is this, volume. I have a volume I want the music to play and set it there and then go about my business around the house. When they start talking, it's too loud and I have to either go get the remote or endure it until the music returns.

That's not a big deal in my car where the volume knob is never out of reach. Around the house is a whole different matter.

[FlWingNut]

While our dis-affection with the move to XM will most likely have zero impact on whether D* continues to carry them for the forseeable future, it does give feedback to them in regards to the fact that we don't just blindly sit back and clap our hands with glee everytime they make a change.

Drop TiVo and we don't necessarily have to jump on the happy bandwagon in regards to the R15.

Put on XM and we don't give them kudo's for that change either.

Disaffected customers are ones you have to worry about them churning. And churn is a bad thing for any subscription based company.
Problem is, how many -- of the total D* customer base -- is unhappy or even cares about either the change to XM or to the R15? I mean really, how many people use their TV for music? And of those people, how many even know there was a change? And of THOSE, how many are unhappy? We're talking miniscule numbers, I'm willing to bet. Same with the move away from TiVo. How many D* customers have a DVR? Of those, how many are aware of the change? And of those, how many will be adding or replacing their D*TiVos soon? And of THOSE, how many will care that they're getting an R15? Again, I think we're talking very small numbers here. Certainly not enough "churn" to cause Rupert any headaches. For most, the R15 will be their first DVR, so they won't know one from another.

[craigo]

After listening to XM for the past 3 weeks on D*, I'm sure glad I picked Sirius for my car about 2 years ago. Way less chat and better music selection in my opinion.

[Bob_Newhart]

BRING BACK MUSIC CHOICE NOW!!!
BRING BACK MUSIC CHOICE NOW!!!
BRING BACK MUSIC CHOICE NOW!!!
BRING BACK MUSIC CHOICE NOW!!!
BRING BACK MUSIC CHOICE NOW!!!
BRING BACK MUSIC CHOICE NOW!!!
BRING BACK MUSIC CHOICE NOW!!!



Okay, I feel better now. :)

[Bob_Newhart]

And another thing - I don't believe xm displays the year the song came out like MC did

[heronbay1]

And another thing - I don't believe xm displays the year the song came out like MC did
Comcast has MC. Ever considered switching? Or get an ipod? XM is a done deal.
I like XM and just wrote DTV thanking them.

[restart88]

My biggest gripe with the announcements/ads/promos/etc is this, volume. I have a volume I want the music to play and set it there and then go about my business around the house. When they start talking, it's too loud and I have to either go get the remote or endure it until the music returns.

That's not a big deal in my car where the volume knob is never out of reach. Around the house is a whole different matter.

In my case, I want uninterrupted music to sleep by to drown out street noise. The frickin' interruptions are keeping me from a good night sleep for the reasons you cite!

[jfalkingham]

I am a Sirius subscriber...

I miss Music Choice. I think they updated their playlists last year when Dish picked up Sirius radio. Sirius does the talking between every few songs, however none of their stations are 'sponsored' by anyone. In the car its not so bad, but in the home, the music is to fill a void. It is nice to have in the background and having it interrupted with a talking head is very annoying. Can't wait for my Christmas party having music on to be interrupted reminding everyone that the US Postal Service sponsors it and reminds you that they will pick up your postage paid packages!

At least I can get music choice through the computer, because I use comcast as my ISP....

[chadhumm]

Xm is terrible compared to mc . There isnt a hard rock station anymore. the closest thing is a station called squizz. The profanity by the DJ is awful I can no longer pipe the music through my house when i have family or friends over. The dj on during the day swears every 3rd word. With music choice we didnt have to put up with that. I dont think its neccessary to announce the band puddle of mudd by saying this is puddle of ****'n Mudd. Its ignorance and Directv will here the complaints. If you havent yet please call DirectTV and tell them your complaints.

[rhoatson]

OMG.

They just interrupted music with a radio ad for the movie "The Witched of Eastwick." Yes, that movie from 1987.

:rolleyes:

Stop whining already and go listen to Howie on the little doggy company...jeez.

[Steve1212]

Comcast has MC. Ever considered switching? Or get an ipod? XM is a done deal.
I like XM and just wrote DTV thanking them.

me too. I personally love XM and when i moved and got Directv it was even sweeter with XM now on my tv. Thanks DTV! :)

[tlynch5]

OMG.

They just interrupted music with a radio ad for the movie "The Witched of Eastwick." Yes, that movie from 1987.

:rolleyes:

betcha $100 I can tell you the channel you were listening to was Cinemagic - you know the one where they play movie music and oh ya - movie trailers - its a movie channel

[tbeckner]

I have been with DirecTV for over 11 years now and the choice of XM over MC really sucks. I thought that the satellite music services were ad free. You can bet that I will never sign up for XM and if Sirus is like XM , then they don't have a chance of getting me to subscribe.

When I tune to a music channel, I want endless music, not talking. I noticed that the FCC wants "a la carte" selection and pricing, and if they make it happen than I will drop the music channels from DirecTV and go cable for the music channels. Funny thing, if I go cable for the music channels, maybe I will not be the only one. And if I go to cable for the music channels, then maybe I will choose cable for HBO so I can get HBO on demand. This could be the start of something big.

DirecTV, you really screwed up this time.

Additional Note:

I just checked, I can get Music Choice and HBO (with HBO OnDemand) as an "a la carte" selection on my local cable service. I am going to call them on Monday. I can again go to sleep and work to uninterrupted music.

[tbeckner]

me too. I personally love XM and when i moved and got Directv it was even sweeter with XM now on my tv. Thanks DTV! :)I believe that the people who had XM before, are use to the talking, so they likely don't understand why we don't want talking on the music channels. I find it distracting and CHEAP!

[Arcady]

I like the "Music & Photos" menu on my TiVos...

[zuiko]

Bag of suck is an excellent way to describe XM.

[restart88]

I have been with DirecTV for over 11 years now and the choice of XM over MC really sucks. I thought that the satellite music services were ad free. You can bet that I will never sign up for XM and if Sirus is like XM , then they don't have a chance of getting me to subscribe.

When I tune to a music channel, I want endless music, not talking. I noticed that the FCC wants "a la carte" selection and pricing, and if they make it happen than I will drop the music channels from DirecTV and go cable for the music channels. Funny thing, if I go cable for the music channels, maybe I will not be the only one. And if I go to cable for the music channels, then maybe I will choose cable for HBO so I can get HBO on demand. This could be the start of something big.

DirecTV, you really screwed up this time.

Additional Note:

I just checked, I can get Music Choice and HBO (with HBO OnDemand) as an "a la carte" selection on my local cable service. I am going to call them on Monday. I can again go to sleep and work to uninterrupted music.


I've been all for a la carte ever since Dish dropped "Pick 10." I found out about it too late. :(

The providers will tell you it's impractical, but if it will become law then content sellers will have no choice but to accept the changes in the law and (hopefully) drop their bundle media contracts. OTOH, I wonder how many of the barker channels are actually a part of those bundled contracts today?

I think everyone should write their legislators and the FCC in support of this proposal, unless of course you like things the way they are today.

[craigo]

You can bet that I will never sign up for XM and if Sirus is like XM , then they don't have a chance of getting me to subscribe.


Nope, Sirius does not have ads on their music channels.

[rhoatson]

Nope, Sirius does not have ads on their music channels.

Right, and neither does XM.

[Bob_Newhart]

Comcast has MC. Ever considered switching? Or get an ipod? XM is a done deal.
I like XM and just wrote DTV thanking them.
That's okay. I just wrote them to complain.

[dtremain]

That's okay. I just wrote them to complain.And, having worked for a period of time in customer service for a big corporation, guess whose letter will go on the bulletin board, and whose in the trash.

I hope this is letting you relieve your stress, anyway.

[bidger]

Hard to understand why this is so huge for people. Yeah, I liked MC better, but I'm hearing tracks that MC never would have played and given that my tastes are just a bit outside the mainstream, I like that.

I like the fact that there is a DJ giving a recap of tracks played so I don't have to turm my monitor on to see them. I also like the fact that I'm hearing tracks/performances exclusive to X-M. I realize there were specials on MC, but they weren't on the channel I listened to most of the time.

The audio channels aren't that huge a priority to me, I'm mostly interested in the video channels. All, I know is, the more time I spend with X-M, the less I miss MC. Hard to believe I'm in the minority.

[dtremain]

Hard to understand why this is so huge for people. Yeah, I liked MC better, but I'm hearing tracks that MC never would have played and given that my tastes are just a bit outside the mainstream, I like that.

I like the fact that there is a DJ giving a recap of tracks played so I don't have to turm my monitor on to see them. I also like the fact that I'm hearing tracks/performances exclusive to X-M. I realize there were specials on MC, but they weren't on the channel I listened to most of the time.

The audio channels aren't that huge a priority to me, I'm mostly interested in the video channels. All, I know is, the more time I spend with X-M, the less I miss MC. Hard to believe I'm in the minority.Why, then, did you like "MC better"?

[Chris Gerhard]

I gave it a chance Saturday night and Music Choice is still better but I can live with XM. I thought I only found the annoying talking on a few of the XM channels. Does it happen at times on all of the XM channels?

Chris

[IndyJones1023]

Stop whining already and go listen to Howie on the little doggy company...jeez.
I have no clue what you're talking about.

[IndyJones1023]

betcha $100 I can tell you the channel you were listening to was Cinemagic - you know the one where they play movie music and oh ya - movie trailers - its a movie channel
Nope, 80s channel. Want my Paypal address? :D

[crkeehn]

The point is that most likely as many people are as happy with the change as those that are dissatisfied, just less vocal.

With Music Choice, our receivers were seldom tuned to the 800 channels, when I tried to listen I could only stand the music for a few minutes.

With XM, we are listening much more. Every morning, I can count on my wife having the 40's channel on, under XM we are listening regularly.

[bidger]

Why, then, did you like "MC better"?
Seamless music, but their playlist would be repetitive if you listened for more than a couple of hours.

[IndyJones1023]

The point is that most likely as many people are as happy with the change as those that are dissatisfied, just less vocal.

With Music Choice, our receivers were seldom tuned to the 800 channels, when I tried to listen I could only stand the music for a few minutes.

With XM, we are listening much more. Every morning, I can count on my wife having the 40's channel on, under XM we are listening regularly.
Well, those who love it are just as able to post as those of us who don't.

[jfalkingham]

Right, and neither does XM.

I 'thought' XM music channels were commercial free, but having channel 819 on, Holly, here is what I hear:

"This hour of music is brought to you by the united states postal service, who reminds you that they will pick up postaged paid packages at your house for free"

That is an advertisement, you will not hear that on Sirius on any music channel.

[LoadStar]

Nope, 80s channel. Want my Paypal address? :D

Ahh, then you were hearing what they call "BetaMax Bites" - it's little sound bites from trailers from movies of the era. It's another thing they do on the decades channels (like the old-time commercials mentioned earlier in the thread) to inspire the feeling of radio in the decade.

[rhoatson]

I have no clue what you're talking about.

You're a Stern fan, hence a Sirius fan, hence a non-XM fan.

[rhoatson]

I 'thought' XM music channels were commercial free, but having channel 819 on, Holly, here is what I hear:

"This hour of music is brought to you by the united states postal service, who reminds you that they will pick up postaged paid packages at your house for free"

That is an advertisement, you will not hear that on Sirius on any music channel.

A lame excuse, but I don't think the 5 holiday channels are considered 'music' channels.

[IndyJones1023]

You're a Stern fan, hence a Sirius fan, hence a non-XM fan.
No and no and no.

Why would you think I'm a Stern fan?

[IndyJones1023]

A lame excuse, but I don't think the 5 holiday channels are considered 'music' channels.
They don't play music?

[rhoatson]

No and no and no.

Why would you think I'm a Stern fan?

You have posted on this forum about listening to Stern and what
he is talking about and are in pictures outside Letterman when
Stern shows up...that's not a fan?

[rhoatson]

They don't play music?

I don't know...

[IndyJones1023]

You have posted on this forum about listening to Stern and what
he is talking about and are in pictures outside Letterman when
Stern shows up...that's not a fan?
Gotcha. I can see your confusion.

I listen to Stern for 15 minutes or so on the way to work. That's it. Much better than the DJ blather on the local stations. But when he switches to Sirius - bye bye. I ain't following him.

And it didn't really matter who Letterman's guest was that night, I was in the neighborhood and going to take pix. It happened to be Stern.

I listen to him, but I'm not "a fan."

[dtremain]

Seamless music, but their playlist would be repetitive if you listened for more than a couple of hours.Not to be argumentative, but you said, on your other posting, that you liked the disk jockies. That's why I'm confused by your post.

[dtremain]

I 'thought' XM music channels were commercial free, but having channel 819 on, Holly, here is what I hear:

"This hour of music is brought to you by the united states postal service, who reminds you that they will pick up postaged paid packages at your house for free"

That is an advertisement, you will not hear that on Sirius on any music channel.While granting your point, in principle, this old radio guy knows that it is a PSA, not an advertisement. A PSA, or public service announcement, often announces the services of a non-profit or government agency.

[bidger]

Not to be argumentative, but you said, on your other posting, that you liked the disk jockies. That's why I'm confused by your post.

I like the fact that there is a DJ giving a recap of tracks played so I don't have to turm my monitor on to see them.

I don't read that as saying I like the DJs, rather having a rundown of tracks played. But I would say I have not heard an obnoxious or obscene DJ on the channel I listen to.

I did say I liked the seamless music the MC had, but given a more imaginative playlist vs. seamless, but repetitive playlist, I now find that I prefer the former over the latter.

It hasn't been quite a month yet, but the more exposure I've had to X-M, the more I come around to it.

[vigfoot]

While granting your point, in principle, this old radio guy knows that it is a PSA, not an advertisement. A PSA, or public service announcement, often announces the services of a non-profit or government agency.


that's no PSA! it's a paid ad.

[PaJo]

If you are watching a Movie or show on TV and the station interrupts that show air scenes from an upcoming show, is that an ad or just helpful information? If they do that repeatedly do you consider it a commercial break or do you say to yourself thanks, I am glad you stopped my show and told me what is coming on later this week? How about during your show the station has colorful graphics at the bottom half of the screen that catch your attention, telling you about upcoming shows, is that something you enjoy and are you "Thankful" they give the information or do you find it distracting? How you answer those questions is likely how you feel about XM, because it's the same thing XM does with the music channels. As I posted previously, the "XM Fans" believe XM can do no wrong, but for the majority of DTV customers it may be different and ironically, we outnumber the "XM fans" and we could have more influence than the niche group of "XM fans" A simple note to DTV letting them know you are not happy with all the talk on the music channels and word will get to XM. XM wants to please it's customers and they will respond, but as long as the only voices they hear are from the "XM fans" that can not look at it objectively, XM will not do anything. Good DJs are ok, they can add to the enjoyment by spinning a web of music to keep the mood going, but when the DJ becomes the show then it is distracting and the worst offense is talking over the music - which seems to be common on XM.

[crkeehn]

Well, those who love it are just as able to post as those of us who don't.

and they do post, just not repeatedly.

Most of the complaints here have been issued by the same few people, who have posted the same or similar information over and over again.

The fact that there are positive posts at all, is a testament to their satisfaction with a product. It is more likely for a person to complain about something AND to complain repeatedly. People tend to keep their satisfaction to themselves.

[dtremain]

If you are watching a Movie or show on TV and the station interrupts that show air scenes from an upcoming show, is that an ad or just helpful information? If they do that repeatedly do you consider it a commercial break or do you say to yourself thanks, I am glad you stopped my show and told me what is coming on later this week? How about during your show the station has colorful graphics at the bottom half of the screen that catch your attention, telling you about upcoming shows, is that something you enjoy and are you "Thankful" they give the information or do you find it distracting? How you answer those questions is likely how you feel about XM, because it's the same thing XM does with the music channels. As I posted previously, the "XM Fans" believe XM can do no wrong, but for the majority of DTV customers it may be different and ironically, we outnumber the "XM fans" and we could have more influence than the niche group of "XM fans" A simple note to DTV letting them know you are not happy with all the talk on the music channels and word will get to XM. XM wants to please it's customers and they will respond, but as long as the only voices they hear are from the "XM fans" that can not look at it objectively, XM will not do anything. Good DJs are ok, they can add to the enjoyment by spinning a web of music to keep the mood going, but when the DJ becomes the show then it is distracting and the worst offense is talking over the music - which seems to be common on XM.If XM begins to interrupt musical works in the middle with commercial messages, your analogy will make sense.

I don't believe that anyone would be happy with that.

However, what they are doing is more like a premium channel, like HBO, promoting its own future programs between movies.

[SpacemanSpiff]

Ah, so the channels are programmed to match the experience of listening to the radio during that era? Personally I listen to music to hear music, not an "experience" from some other place or time.

I guess that makes it easier to program the current channels, play the top 5 songs of the week, throw in 20 minutes of commercials, then play them again. ;)

[tony touch]

I also find it annoying that they don't include the year of the song like MC did. This would be especially useful for the Decades stations.

I have also noticed the song details are often one song behind.

[mwhip]

So far I am loving the XM channels. They sound much better than the previous music channels and I love the commercials in the 80's section, nice flashback. But one of my favorite channels is the cinema one where they play soundtracks, great stuff. :up: :up:

[zuiko]

If XM begins to interrupt musical works in the middle with commercial messages, your analogy will make sense.

I don't believe that anyone would be happy with that.

However, what they are doing is more like a premium channel, like HBO, promoting its own future programs between movies.

FM radio stations don't interrupt songs in the middle either.

HBO has filler material at the end of movies to pad out their schedule. They need to do that or their schedule would be filled with start times like 2:04 and 12:23. Not really the same thing.

[RS4]

I think the service is so bad that I let my wallet do the talking. I've been a subcriber for over 10 years the the MC was important to me. I used to have an extra receiver just for the MC channels. It was always on some MC channel. We would listen to the music anytime the tv was not playing. It was especially relaxing to enjoy the music while reading the Sunday paper. We also liked the music before going to sleep.

However, the new service is very annoying because of all the reasons mentioned here. I wrote an email to Direct and got an answer back stating their research showed most people wanted XM. So, I cancelled my HDTV package and HBO. I was planning on stopping HDTV since there is nothing on and the locals won't be here until a year from now. I decided to throw in the HBO too because I seldom watch it - only the NFL show.

I figure the best way to get their attention is with the subscriptions I pay for.

[JackS]

There are some technical and content problems that I brought to DTV's
attention last week.

A "DJ", or announcer, delivers an advertizement between songs.
If I want this I can tune into a radio broadcast. The reason I listened
to the music channels is because they were commercial-free.

Changing audio levels. Often, when the DJ speaks, the audio
level is lowered. Then a minute into the next song the audio level
goes back up to were it was. This is a nuisance.

If I want to buy the album, there's not enough information about
the song being played. I miss this feature of the old music channels.

DTV emailed me a "form letter" in reply, which basically said too bad.


On a positive note, I was listening to the 60's channel on Thanksgiving
day. They played the entire "Alice's Restaurant" song by Arlo Guthrie.
A nice treat, which you probably won't hear on AM or FM.

-Jack
DirecTV R10 70 hr.

[mwhip]

Audio level thing has been a problem to me with FX, USA, Comedy Central and so on. All of those stations commercials are way louder than the broadcast.

[Bob_Newhart]

Changing audio levels. Often, when the DJ speaks, the audio
level is lowered. Then a minute into the next song the audio level
goes back up to were it was. This is a nuisance.




On a positive note, I was listening to the 60's channel on Thanksgiving
day. They played the entire "Alice's Restaurant" song by Arlo Guthrie.
A nice treat, which you probably won't hear on AM or FM.

-Jack
DirecTV R10 70 hr.
Well, at least if they insist on having DJs talk between songs, it's good that they lower the volume in case you (like I do) have the music cranked up, some jackass doesn't immediately come on blaring.

A radio station here usually plays the long version of Alice's Restaurant in its entirety once a year in January when they play their entire catalog of music. That's usually the only time I listen to them since you won't hear the same song over and over (at least for a couple weeks).

[Bob_Newhart]

Audio level thing has been a problem to me with FX, USA, Comedy Central and so on. All of those stations commercials are way louder than the broadcast.
That is SOOO annoying. Do they really think if they blare the ads at us that will make us more likely to buy their crap... I mean stuff. No, I mean crap.

I hit the mute button (assuming I'm watching live. FF if Tivoing) and completely disregard their commercials.

[WinBear]

I'm not sure how I feel about XM vs MC. So far, I'm not feeling the love, but I've only tried out a couple of channels. The Holly Christmas channel doesn't seem to have a very deep catalog, but generally matches my interests better than any one local FM broadcaster would.

I'll keep checking from time to time. Mainly, I need to figure out what the new channel names mean and how they relate to my listening habits. Now that I've read through this thread, I'll try to keep in mind the intent behind some of the quirks of various channels, like the 'experience' to go with the decades channels.

[WillieWildcat]

Now I know why I didn't go get an XM unit or it's service in the first place. It stinks! The selections stink, the quality stinks, the DJ's (if you can call them that) stink, overall it is a stinky situation.

You know what else stinks? THERE'S NO F***ING METAL!

[sp44]

So far I am loving the XM channels. They sound much better than the previous music channels

I agree, I think the sound is much better. I can't believe people are complaining about having a service that other people pay $13 a month for. Sure it has DJ's but it's still way better than FM!

[BlankMan]

I prefer the old music channels - commercial free.
Ditto. MC was interruption free, i.e. all music. XM is not. Wish I could get MC back. Good thing I got a taste of it here, now I know I would never spend $12.95 a month for it. XM is commercial free except for the commercials... Maybe if XM would listen to MC they would know what commerical free really is...

[Draven X. Byrne]

You know what else stinks? THERE'S NO F***ING METAL!

Now now Willie the stinky Wildcat :rolleyes:

Squizz - Channel 835 on DirecTV, 45 in XM & Number 1 in our hearts has the F*ucking Metal Show Wednesday nights at 8:30 CST.

Also - if you subscribe to XM you can listen to the Liquid metal channel as well . . . . but alas no Liquid Metal on DirecTV.

:down: :down: :down:

DXB

[tbeckner]

Nope, Sirius does not have ads on their music channels.Question, does Sirius have DJ chatter? Is there continous music on Sirius music channels? If there is, then maybe Sirius has a chance. XM has no chance of coming into my home.

XM on DirecTV will be replaced by Music Choice from my local cable company by Thursday and I added HBO which automatically comes with HBO OnDemand, too. By the way, did anyone notice that Showtime really stinks; I checked out their selections via the guide, since they had a free preview, and I noticed it was not worth my time. Thank God that I have a SA TiVo to record HBO off of cable.

And now I can go on continous "The Sopranos" weekends via HBO OnDemand, HBO has all five seasons on HBO OnDemand running up to the start of season six in March 2006. Season one is available OnDemand in December, followed by seasons two through five. I can now watch all of "The Sopranos" in sequence running up to the sixth season. Real OnDemand is what I have been waiting for. Someday, that commercial about a motel having every video ever made available all the time is going to come true, but only via FTTP/FTTH (Fiber To The Premises/Home); Sorry, DirecTV you don't have a chance to compete, DirecTV does not have the bandwidth. [Note: I don't work for cable, I have been a DirecTV customer going on 12 years.]

Again, DirecTV you really screwed up this time. You opened the door for the cable company for the first time in over 11 years.

What is even worst, the best Christmas music channel on XM is not carried on DirecTV, go figure!

For those people who don't like loud commercials, most TV's have a sound limiter built in, my Sony TV's have an option called STEADY SOUND that I have been using for almost a decade now. I recommend that you check your TV options. I do have to agree that loud commercials use to be the pits.

[tbeckner]

Ditto. MC was interruption free, i.e. all music. XM is not. Wish I could get MC back. Good thing I got a taste of it here, now I know I would never spend $12.95 a month for it. XM is commercial free except for the commercials... Maybe if XM would listen to MC they would know what commerical free really is...Ditto, Ditto. I am signing up for Music Choice via my local cable company and that opened the door for HBO with HBO OnDemand. So, maybe in the next few years, DirecTV's choice of XM over Music Choice will backfire. Cable has a new foothold in my house after exiting over 11 years ago. And with HBO OnDemand which is included for free with the basic HBO subscription, maybe cable will slowly take over and in a few years I will drop DirecTV completely.

DirecTV, what a stupid short sighted choice.

[Arcady]

What is even worst, the best Christmas music channel on XM is not carried on DirecTV, go figure!

The best Christmas music channel is the one I don't have to listen to. :D

[PaJo]

tbecker:

We had both XM and Sirius subscriptions and these days both have chatter and they both have similar quality music. The major difference is when we decided to drop our subscriptions - XM was very nice about it, they offered me a few free months to stay, and even last week I got a postcard from them offering me a $5.00 a month subscription price to come back to XM. Sirius has refused to refund our money, we were always paid ahead and even though we contacted them in April and finally cancelled back in June/July they still didn't refund the money - they even suggested we owe them more money but in the end decided they owed us about 40 bucks back and keep saying the "check is in the mail " Really, they say the check must be mailed from the main office and it takes 10 weeks, well after the first ten weeks I contacted them and they said for some unknown reason my 3 accounts were not deactivated even though my request to deactivate them was documented - I was told to wait another 10 weeks for the check - well it's been well over 10 weeks since that time and still no refund. I contacted them via email last month and they confirmed the accounts were deactivated and the "check was in the mail" ( I should wait for the corporate office to mail me a check) . I plan on turning it over to state attorney generals office of consumer protection - I have had good luck using them before - I can live without the 40 bucks, but it irritates me they keep telling me the check is in the mail.

BTW: I got a reply for DTV, the same form reply as other posted but one line did catch my eye:

"Thank you for your feedback about our new partnership with XM Satellite Radio. I'm sorry to hear that you're not pleased with this new service, and am forwarding your email on to our Programming Management team. "

As I posted previously , I do believe we can make a difference if we continue to voice our opinions. I think XM could be better with less chatter

[heySkippy]

I think I'll pop over to the D* website and send a complaining email too. Can't hurt.

[dtremain]

The best Christmas music channel is the one I don't have to listen to. :DThat would be all of them. Who is making you listen?

[dtremain]

Question, does Sirius have DJ chatter? Is there continous music on Sirius music channels? If there is, then maybe Sirius has a chance. XM has no chance of coming into my home.

XM on DirecTV will be replaced by Music Choice from my local cable company by Thursday and I added HBO which automatically comes with HBO OnDemand, too. By the way, did anyone notice that Showtime really stinks; I checked out their selections via the guide, since they had a free preview, and I noticed it was not worth my time. Thank God that I have a SA TiVo to record HBO off of cable.

And now I can go on continous "The Sopranos" weekends via HBO OnDemand, HBO has all five seasons on HBO OnDemand running up to the start of season six in March 2006. Season one is available OnDemand in December, followed by seasons two through five. I can now watch all of "The Sopranos" in sequence running up to the sixth season. Real OnDemand is what I have been waiting for. Someday, that commercial about a motel having every video ever made available all the time is going to come true, but only via FTTP/FTTH (Fiber To The Premises/Home); Sorry, DirecTV you don't have a chance to compete, DirecTV does not have the bandwidth. [Note: I don't work for cable, I have been a DirecTV customer going on 12 years.]

Again, DirecTV you really screwed up this time. You opened the door for the cable company for the first time in over 11 years.

What is even worst, the best Christmas music channel on XM is not carried on DirecTV, go figure!

For those people who don't like loud commercials, most TV's have a sound limiter built in, my Sony TV's have an option called STEADY SOUND that I have been using for almost a decade now. I recommend that you check your TV options. I do have to agree that loud commercials use to be the pits.Going to cable over this? See you when you get back.

[mike_k]

Question, does Sirius have DJ chatter? Is there continous music on Sirius music channels? If there is, then maybe Sirius has a chance. XM has no chance of coming into my home.

Yes - Sirius does have DJ chatter, and it all depends on what you consider to be continuous. After every two or three songs they play a self promo. So to me, it is not continuous.

[jfalkingham]

While granting your point, in principle, this old radio guy knows that it is a PSA, not an advertisement. A PSA, or public service announcement, often announces the services of a non-profit or government agency.


Sure it's a PSA, however it is on a subscriber based private radio system that is not under the rule of the FCC. They either did this out of the good of their own hearts or the USPS paid for the spot to run.

I will give XM a big thumbs up to actually saying the unthinkable:

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

That always pissed me off about Sirius. Play away in a manger, then saying wishing you a merry holiday season. Actually, the first year Sirius had Christmas carols, they did not play religous ones, like little town of bethlehem or silent night, stuff like that. They would only play those songs on Christmas day itself.

So yeah they have talking and I miss Music Choice, but I'm won over by their balls to not be politically correct to a gross extreme!

[jfalkingham]

Guess we are not alone....

http://www.cleveland.com/living/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/living/1133448223122890.xml&coll=2

[heySkippy]

Guess we are not alone....

http://www.cleveland.com/living/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/living/1133448223122890.xml&coll=2
Nice.

[SpacemanSpiff]

Ouch.

It's feedback like that which may make D* take notice. Nobody likes bad press. Nobody really likes bad press that says they're losing customers over a business decision. If they gain more customers than they lose, then it certainly might be the right decision they made. But currently we're hearing more dissatisfied customers including at least one who dropped packages than people who upped their subscriptions or even signed up due to the move to XM.

[DevilsChargers]

Unbeleiveable...

Like the discussion on the R15 over its lack of 30second skip, I can't beleive that such an uproar is being made of such a little feature...

1. I love my XM, its on my computer, its in my car, my wife's car, etc.
2. I love my DirecTv.

Prior to the move to XM, I never even peeked at Music Choice. I never did it with cable either.

Music choice was bland and lifeless. The selection left alot to be desired as well.

Since the move to XM, I turn those channels on in the basement while I work out. I can get my XM anywhere in the house now, without worrying about the antenna's line of sight.

So what if there's some promos. Its not 20 minutes of each hour with annoying spots for your local car dealers, trying to scream over each other, as it is in terrestrial radio.

Yea, they're are some DJs. But guess what, they actually CARE about the music they're playing. And, unlike terrestrial radio that likes to make you think they'll play your request, the XM DJ's actually will.

Also, with XM you'll get CUSTOM CONTENT!!! Live performances and artist interviews available nowhere else. Something tells me Music Choice never did that.

As a DirecTv subscriber, you're now getting a service others pay $12.99 a month for included with your current service, plus you save another $2 a month for each additional receiver you have, over the cost of having XM on its own.

I think I'd wager that there were more people that went:
"There's music on my TV?! And now its XM? Cool."

Than there are the folks here are nitpicking about the service.

And going back to cable over this?....That's just ridiculous...Comcast will have to pry my dish from my cold dead hands.

[heySkippy]

Music choice was bland and lifeless. The selection left alot to be desired as well.


How do you know if you ...


I never even peeked at Music Choice.

I will agree that I wouldn't go back to cable over this issue. I just want them to shut up with the blabbering and promo garbage.

[DevilsChargers]

How do you know if you ...



I will agree that I wouldn't go back to cable over this issue. I just want them to shut up with the blabbering and promo garbage.


Ya know, even as I wrote it, I saw somebody picking up on that...

Of course, when I first got DirecTV(in 2000) I checked out Music Choice a bit to see if it was better than Comcrap's. It wasn't.

Point being, I wrote it off from that point on...I often forgot it even existed.

[Bob_Newhart]

Oh well, no matter how we feel, the XM-Dislikers (like me) are basically SOL. DirectV obviously is making more money on this deal so that's why it's being done. I may try hooking up my PC to my stereo and playing music from Pandora(dot)com through it. I've been listening to that online for a while and really like it. No commercials or talk either. And you can FF thru bad songs.

[craigo]

Question, does Sirius have DJ chatter? Is there continous music on Sirius music channels? If there is, then maybe Sirius has a chance. XM has no chance of coming into my home.

Sirius has very little chatter compared to XM

[kdmorse]

As a DirecTv subscriber, you're now getting a service others pay $12.99 a month for included with your current service, plus you save another $2 a month for each additional receiver you have, over the cost of having XM on its own.

You're perfectly welcome to enjoy the added value of XM. But please understand that the 'complainers' here have *lost* something that they felt was of value to them - commercial free[1] music. We liked it. We don't have it any more - it was taken away from us. Thus the complaining.

-Ken

[1] Yes, the commercials aren't commercials for other products, but for other XM stations, the station you're currently on, etc... Define commercial however you want. It's still an unwanted interruption in the music, which is (for many folks) why we tune to Music channels.

[WillieWildcat]

Now now Willie the stinky Wildcat :rolleyes:

Squizz - Channel 835 on DirecTV, 45 in XM & Number 1 in our hearts has the F*ucking Metal Show Wednesday nights at 8:30 CST.

Also - if you subscribe to XM you can listen to the Liquid metal channel as well . . . . but alas no Liquid Metal on DirecTV.

:down: :down: :down:

DXB

Well, WHOOPDY FRICKIN' DO! An entire show once a week dedicated to Metal. I just might poop my pants (now that stinks!).

[DevilsChargers]

Well, WHOOPDY FRICKIN' DO! An entire show once a week dedicated to Metal. I just might poop my pants (now that stinks!).

Actually, you'll find that Squizz, Liquid Metal, and the Boneyard are three full CHANNELS dedicated to heavy music. That show is just one "special" hour.

And BTW, the same treatment is given to just about every genre in music. Name any basic style of music, chances are there are 2-3 channels you can hear it on.

Me, I'm an 80's metal junkie, for 25 years. I once thought I knew every band from that era. The Boneyard has taught me how little I really did know. THAT'S the benefit of XM, depth.

[WillieWildcat]

Actually, you'll find that Squizz, Liquid Metal, and the Boneyard are three full CHANNELS dedicated to heavy music. That show is just one "special" hour.

And BTW, the same treatment is given to just about every genre in music. Name basic style of music, chances are there are 2-3 channels you can hear it on.

Me, I'm an 80's metal junkie, for 25 years. I once thought I knew every band from that era. The Boneyard has taught me how little I really did know. THAT'S the benefit of XM, depth.

I don't think that my sarcasm (or venom) was fully understood. There might be Metal available on XM, just DirecTV doesn't carry those channels. MusicChoice had an 80's Metal channel and a KICK A$$ Thrash channel. I actually went and purchased CD's after listening to the channels. I first heard the likes of Crowbar on the Thrash channel (very good Grind-Core band). There are quite a few others too, but I won't be listening to them on any of the junk that DirecTV switch over to.

[fuscob]

I can't believe that people are so pissed off about this. I love XM, it's in my car. I was happy when they switched from MC to XM on DirecTV.

People are really that concerned about the "commercials?" I think it's more like station identification. I listen to XM 46 (Top Tracks) a lot, and the only things they have are the occasional slogan and those 7 notes (the XM jingle). They also play the XM info uplink thing about twice an hour.

Honestly, WHO CARES? Does it really bother you that much that there's a 7-second interruption in the music every 10 minutes? If so, you've got real problems. XM has much better playlists and a better selection than MC ever did. I'll be staying with D* for damn sure, and anyone who switches to cable over this is petty (I'm talking to you, tbeckner - you're with D* for 12 years and you switch to cable over this?).

[tbb1226]

XM has much better playlists and a better selection than MC ever did.I agree. There is a ton more variety available to us now than there was before. For that alone, I am pleased with the change.

[DevilsChargers]

I don't think that my sarcasm (or venom) was fully understood. There might be Metal available on XM, just DirecTV doesn't carry those channels. MusicChoice had an 80's Metal channel and a KICK A$$ Thrash channel. I actually went and purchased CD's after listening to the channels. I first heard the likes of Crowbar on the Thrash channel (very good Grind-Core band). There are quite a few others too, but I won't be listening to them on any of the junk that DirecTV switch over to.

I wasn't sure if you were dissing metal or were actually upset about that.

I'm not sure I understand what you think you're missing. The Boneyard is a great channel for 80's metal.

Squizz is a great channel for the heavy of today. Mudvayne, Silvertide, Shadows Fall, etc.

Liquid Metal is the thrash channel you speak of. Unforntunately, it was taken off the sat when they signed the baseball deal. It can still be heard online, but that doesn't help you if you don't subscribe to XM. There are a few of us who have compaigned to get that channel back on the sat.

[heySkippy]

Well, I got the same "sucks to be you" reply from DTV.

I think I'll go visit my neighbor across the street tonight. He just got Dish network and their PVR and I've been meaning to check it out. I wouldn't go back to Comcast over this but that doesn't mean I wouldn't explore other options.

[Mr. Furious]

Sirius has very little chatter compared to XM

I have both services and find that Sirius has more DJ chatter than XM.

[WillieWildcat]

I wasn't sure if you were dissing metal or were actually upset about that.


I'm just disappointed that DirecTV changed over. I DON'T like XM or I would have signed up for it already and be toting around a tuner. Simple as that.

The thing I like least is the selections from XM that DirecTV chose to broadcast. Nothing against Gospel, but 3 of them?

[tbb1226]

The thing I like least is the selections from XM that DirecTV chose to broadcast. Nothing against Gospel, but 3 of them?I would restate this complaint, and say that I'm disappointed in the channels that DirecTV does NOT carry from XM. There are only a few channels that didn't make the cut, but some them are among my favorite XM channels (Fungus, XM Comedy, Liquid Metal). These are not available on DirecTV at any price.

That said, the XM channels that are available on DirecTV are still collectively superior in variety and range to the Music Choice channels they replaced.

[cowboys2002]

I got hooked on XM last fall after buying a GM vehicle.

I love the variety of channels, and yes there are some "shows" with DJ's on it.

At $9.95 at the time , I thought it was a moderate price to pay for cd-quality audio without carrying multiple cd's around. As a matter of fact, I often here a new song or artist on Xm, and buy the CD or download from Itunes, Connect, etc.

Keep in mind that you get more channels of XM if you have a higher level of service with DTV.

Even at $12.95, I get to listen to 100 XM channels on my laptop or desktop computer. Certain stations are not available "online" for whatever reason. I believe the same holds true for DTV. They "idea" is to tempt the user to get the "full blown" service that costs $12.95 a month (I pay less cause I pre-paid for 3 years). With a portable unit, you can listen at home, or in the car with a cradle. Also, you can transfer your subscription between radios. Just don't make a frequent habit of it!

There is actually a NPR and other talk radio stations that I actually enjoy listening to on XM, and wish they were available online!

For all the people who prefer Sirius, I wonder how your comments will change when "talk king of all media" Howie Stern arrives in 2006!

[tbeckner]

Going to cable over this? See you when you get back.Not going to cable, just adding cable back in. Although it could be the start of my shift towards cable, who knows. In the long run (in a decade or two), DirecTV does not have a chance to compete with FTTP/FTTH and IPTV, with real OnDemand, but then again that is just my personal option. But that option is the same opinion that made me buy into DirecTV in 1994, so time will tell all.

[tbeckner]

I think I'll pop over to the D* website and send a complaining email too. Can't hurt.Maybe both You and PaJo have an idea, although I believe that DirecTV has a different agenda today, and XM fits that agenda better than Music Choice. But one more voice may not hurt. It's really too bad the DirecTV didn't ask their customers before making this decision.

[goony]

Content of my email that I just sent to DirecTV customer support as a "Comment/Suggestion":

I applaud your decision to switch to the XM Music channels - I greatly prefer them over the previous Music Choice channels.

My only (minor) complaint is that more of the talk channels from XM should be made available - if the right ones were made available I would be willing to pay more per month in subscription fees.

[tbeckner]

I can't believe that people are so pissed off about this. I love XM, it's in my car.

I'll be staying with D* for damn sure, and anyone who switches to cable over this is petty (I'm talking to you, tbeckner - you're with D* for 12 years and you switch to cable over this?).Actually, if you read my post correctly, I said that I was adding cable, not dropping DirecTV. But then again I said that this could be the first step in my move back to cable, but I really don't believe I will drop DirecTV in the next 4 years. I will wait until the fiber in the street is moved to the house (FTTP/FTTH), and my cable company switches to mostly OnDemand and IPTV. Although the free HBO OnDemand and years 1 through 5 of "The Sopranos" on OnDemand in December, January, and February are a real additional selling point, and the lost of Music Choice and uninterrupted music pushed me over the edge to add cable to DirecTV.

Also, XM or Sirius would be fine in a car, or even in a portable to replace FM, but at home or in MY work situation, it really sucks. DirecTV should realize that most people listen to the music channels on DirecTV at home and not in a car. But then again, I would almost bet that the people at DirecTV who made this decision don't listen to music at home or are use to the XM chatter.

[tbeckner]

Content of my email that I just sent to DirecTV customer support as a "Comment/Suggestion":

I applaud your decision to switch to the XM Music channels - I greatly prefer them over the previous Music Choice channels.

My only (minor) complaint is that more of the talk channels from XM should be made available - if the right ones were made available I would be willing to pay more per month in subscription fees.Content of my email that I just sent to DirecTV customer support as a "Comment/Suggestion":

I prefer the Music Choice channels over the XM channels. The additional chatter on the XM channels has driven me away from the music channels that I have enjoyed since 1994. My only choice now is to add cable, and at the same time I will be adding HBO, since cable is offering HBO OnDemand as a free service. You understand that you are forcing the people away that can afford the additional services, because of your short sighted decision. XM would be perfect in a car but does not work in a home enviroment because of the chatter and interrupted music. And since DirecTV is almost always in the home the XM decision is one of your worse in the last eleven years.

[craigo]

For all the people who prefer Sirius, I wonder how your comments will change when "talk king of all media" Howie Stern arrives in 2006!


hmmm....I don't see that hurting Sirius in the least bit.

[craigo]

I have both services and find that Sirius has more DJ chatter than XM.

I too have both and I still think Sirius has less chatter. Maybe we listen to different stations. Anyway, both services are great and I highly recommend them compared to Terristerial Radio.

[tbeckner]

I guess that we are not alone. The silent majority on the XM issue could include people who are technically challenged, who might not post to this forum. I just hope that DirecTV gets the message. Maybe they can offer Music Choice and XM.

Decision to supplant Music Choice is costing DirecTV (http://www.cleveland.com/living/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/living/1133448223122890.xml&coll=2)

Thursday, December 01, 2005
Bill Lammers
Plain Dealer Columnist
© 2005 The Plain Dealer

"But some people loved their Music Choice channels. I heard from Jeff Luberger of Michael Technologies, a satellite and high-definition television installation expert from Euclid. He is a DirecTV dealer, and he has heard from many of his customers who are unhappy with the switch from Music Choice to XM.

"I have been inundated with calls from customers about the XM, and they all agree it's terrible," Luberger said. "I have been losing DirecTV customers to the cable companies because of it.

"Residential customers would rather pay $60 a month for digital cable just to get Music Choice," he said. "The largest complaint is the commercials and voiceovers between songs. In a restaurant that has some music playing for ambience, to have an announcer start blabbing even for a few seconds causes customers to stop, drop their forks, and the whole place quiets because they hear someone making what they thought was an announcement.""

No doubt this article included those DirecTV business customers who used Music Choice as background music, when they were not showing sports. For them the switch to XM over Music Choice has to be brutal.

[dtremain]

I guess that we are not alone. The silent majority on the XM issue could include people who are technically challenged, who might not post to this forum. I just hope that DirecTV gets the message. Maybe they can offer Music Choice and XM.

Decision to supplant Music Choice is costing DirecTV (http://www.cleveland.com/living/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/living/1133448223122890.xml&coll=2)

Thursday, December 01, 2005
Bill Lammers
Plain Dealer Columnist
© 2005 The Plain Dealer

"But some people loved their Music Choice channels. I heard from Jeff Luberger of Michael Technologies, a satellite and high-definition television installation expert from Euclid. He is a DirecTV dealer, and he has heard from many of his customers who are unhappy with the switch from Music Choice to XM.

"I have been inundated with calls from customers about the XM, and they all agree it's terrible," Luberger said. "I have been losing DirecTV customers to the cable companies because of it.

"Residential customers would rather pay $60 a month for digital cable just to get Music Choice," he said. "The largest complaint is the commercials and voiceovers between songs. In a restaurant that has some music playing for ambience, to have an announcer start blabbing even for a few seconds causes customers to stop, drop their forks, and the whole place quiets because they hear someone making what they thought was an announcement.""

No doubt this article included those DirecTV business customers who used Music Choice as background music, when they were not showing sports. For them the switch to XM over Music Choice has to be brutal.Reporting what one installer says isn't exactly a scientific study of market trends.

This is a pretty silly column.

[chadhumm]

I agree XM is a bag of suck. I loved my music choice hard rock station. It didnt get replaced. The closest replacement is Squizz and it has alternative music mixed in and also talking a DJ that swears all the time. since giving it a try a few times I got sick of hearing the constant swearing and havent listened to my music channels in 2 weeks. Its sad that its come to this. For those of you interested I did call DirectTV more than once I got a returned call from customer service the person I spoke too said he agreed and would send the complaint up to upper management. I got another call from DirectTV ..im not sure who it was...but he told me there have been a lot of complaints about the XM programming ..he said changes would be made but he admitted he didnt know to what extent. he assured me because of the number of complaints it would be taken care of and also kept saying he wanted to make sure the customers know they are being heard.. he was very nice and I felt good someone finally agreed with me . lol ... So hold on people maybe in a little time this XM crap will disappear and we will have our good clean talk free music back. I appreciate all who called DTV and sent in their complaints. THANK YOU

[Hodaka]

Thank you for your feedback about our new partnership with XM Satellite Radio. I'm sorry to hear that you're not pleased with this new service, and am forwarding your email on to our Programming Management team.

Our goal is to provide a wide variety of programming in order to appeal to the broadest audience possible, and we're very excited about the opportunity to bring XM Radio, America’s #1 satellite radio service, to our customers. With XM, most DIRECTV customers gain a minimum of 19 additional music and talk show channels, at no additional charge. While we understand that not all programming appeals to everyone, our ongoing research tells us that the majority of our customers like having many different options.

Thanks again for allowing us the opportunity to respond to your concerns, and I hope you'll give our new XM service a chance.

Sincerely,

Marion
DIRECTV Customer Service


I don't necessarily feel that they should get rid of XM.. it has it's time and place and obviously some like it. However, I do believe that they should offer MC as well or at least some other completely uninterrupted music selections..

[davebaum-md]

[QUOTE=tbeckner]Maybe they can offer Music Choice and XM.

You're not paying attention. Last week I posted that my father-in-law is getting BOTH XM and MC through Directv. I just don't know how's he's doing it. Clearly they are still providing the signal.

d baum

[BillyT2002]

Maybe D* should switch to Sirius. I'm kind of bummed about losing the MC channels too. I liked all of the disco/funk/soul channels MC had and I liked the arena rock channel too. ;)

[Mr. Furious]

Reporting what one installer says isn't exactly a scientific study of market trends.

This is a pretty silly column.

There's also this little nugget:

On XM's classic-album-rock channel, the Vault, I remember hearing the announcer explain why he was playing the 33-minute, 43-second version of the Allman Brothers Band's "Mountain Jam" after playing it just the day before. "Because I can," he said. And last week, you can be sure that you heard the long version of Arlo Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant" Thanksgiving protorap on both the Vault and Sirius' equivalent, Deep Tracks.

The Vault is a Sirius channel. Deep Tracks is an XM channel. Nice research.

[WillieWildcat]

Thank you for your feedback about our new partnership with XM Satellite Radio. I'm sorry to hear that you're not pleased with this new service, and am forwarding your email on to our Programming Management team.

Our goal is to provide a wide variety of programming in order to appeal to the broadest audience possible, and we're very excited about the opportunity to bring XM Radio, America’s #1 satellite radio service, to our customers. With XM, most DIRECTV customers gain a minimum of 19 additional music and talk show channels, at no additional charge. While we understand that not all programming appeals to everyone, our ongoing research tells us that the majority of our customers like having many different options.

Thanks again for allowing us the opportunity to respond to your concerns, and I hope you'll give our new XM service a chance.

Sincerely,

Marion
DIRECTV Customer Service

I received the same form e-mail from them today. Obviously since they have received so many complaints, they have this crap ready to go if you express your disdain. If XM is so damn good, how come no Liquid Metal?

[cowboys2002]

hmmm....I don't see that hurting Sirius in the least bit.


I didn't say it was going to hurt Sirius Radio. I was wondering if the same people complaining about the amount of TALKING on XM and claim Sirius is better feel the same way about HOWARD STERN and DR. LAURA on Sirius Radio.

IMHO, the XM channels were added. I subscribed to DTV for video programming, better reception, and mostly better CS. The 100 XM channels offered keeps me from buying a home XM tuner and paying $6.95.

As with anything, if you don't like it, tune to another channel or read a book!

[IndyJones1023]

As with anything, if you don't like it, tune to another channel or read a book!
Reading the lyrics to the hits of the 80s isn't quite as fun as listening to them. Uninterrupted!

[Bob_Newhart]

I didn't say it was going to hurt Sirius Radio. I was wondering if the same people complaining about the amount of TALKING on XM and claim Sirius is better feel the same way about HOWARD STERN and DR. LAURA on Sirius Radio.


Are you saying, please tell me you're saying, that Dr Laura is also moving over to Sirius, so that I don't accidently run across her while I'm flipping my free radio?

These pay per listen radio stations may turn out to be pretty good if they'll just keep luring away the radio "personalities" that I can't stand. Here's hoping Jim Rome & Laura Ingraham make the switch! :up:

[heySkippy]

Since all of us complainers are getting exactly the same canned email reply, I'm thinking it's time we all picked up the phone and called. Perhaps someone (or a bunch of someones) who are willing to take time to call would get more attention to the problem.

[IndyJones1023]

I'm calling tonight.

[BlindLemonLarry]

I didn't say it was going to hurt Sirius Radio. I was wondering if the same people complaining about the amount of TALKING on XM and claim Sirius is better feel the same way about HOWARD STERN and DR. LAURA on Sirius Radio.Surely you're not trying to compare a DJ talking between songs on a music channel with hosts talking on TALK RADIO channels?!? One is an unwelcome interruption of programming, the other IS programming.

[goony]

Last week I posted that my father-in-law is getting BOTH XM and MC through Directv. I just don't know how's he's doing it. Clearly they are still providing the signal.Can he actually tune them, or do they just appear in the listing? Didn't you say there were dual entries with the same channel number? Find out if if your F-I-L can really listen to them.

It's possible that the MC channels are also sold to businesses for background music and DirecTV is their distribution mechanism, thus they still remain on the DirecTV satellite but John Q. Homeuser's DirecTV account now gets fed XM instead of MC channels.

Dish Network still provides distribution for the Muzak Corp. that provides music services to many stores and businesses. I once saw a guy in a Muzak truck and he had the same Dish rooftop hardware and DBS receiver that I had at home but he was installing them at a business for their background music.

When I had Dish I used to see the Muzak channels (mono) sometimes appear in channel listings, but I could not tune them in.

[goony]

Maybe D* should switch to Sirius.Not much chance of that - Sirius may have an exclusive contract with Dish Network, who provides their customers with Sirius audio channels similar to DirecTV's XM audio to its customers.

[restart88]

Musak may be on their bird but Dish now has only Sirius on my box.

[goony]

Musak may be on their bird but Dish now has only Sirius on my box.I had a funky old Dishplayer 7200 that would show all sorts of stuff in the guide data that a "normal" subscriber couldn't get. Another Dish receiver in the house would show only a subset of the channels listed by the DP7200.

Per the Wiki entry for Muzak (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muzak) their competitors are DMX Music and Music Choice, so it's quite possbile MC uses DirecTV for one of its delivery mechanisims.

It's interesting to read about Muzak history (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muzak); excerpt: Muzak is a trademark name invented in 1922 by Major General George O. Squier when he patented a system for the transmission and distribution of background music from phonograph records over electrical lines to workplaces.

Squier was intrigued by the made-up word Kodak being used as a trademark and so took the "mus" sound from music and added the "ak" from Kodak to create his word Muzak.

[formulaben]

I've tried to like them, but I can't stand it anymore. XM SUCKS!

[IndyJones1023]

Melissa just lodged my complaint.

[heronbay1]

I'd buy into this mass consumer rejection of XM on DTV if you didn't have every other reply from the guy w/ a cigar in his mouth. Then there's that guy that looks like Cigar guy's brother. I think you guys should recruit other family members. Have Uncle Jed write to complain he gets distracted whittling with all the DJ talk. Granny's mad cuz Jethro supposed to be out huntin' for rabbit and spends all day listening to Hank's Place.

[formulaben]

You're right, it couldn't possibly be because XM's selection sucks...

[tbeckner]

[QUOTE=tbeckner]Maybe they can offer Music Choice and XM.

You're not paying attention. Last week I posted that my father-in-law is getting BOTH XM and MC through Directv. I just don't know how's he's doing it. Clearly they are still providing the signal.

d baumI would say tell us all how he did it and we all will be happy. But at this point, I would say that someone is confused.

[tbeckner]

I'm calling tonight.I called tonight, and the customer service representative that I talked to said that she had personally received many calls from customers wishing to lodge a complain about the switch from MC to XM. Interesting! But since I believe that DirecTV made the choice based upon their pocketbook and not the best choice for their long term customers, I highly doubt that DirecTV will not change back to XM and I even doubt that they will add MC as an addition. Too bad, but I had to call anyway.

[chadhumm]

i lodged my complaint with DirectTV , both by email and by phone. They actually returned my call and asked questions. Whomever i was speaking to said he would make sure my complaint got forwarded to management, he told me he was sending it right then I could hear the typing lol. I dont know if that was for effect. But I got another call the next day from DTV, this individual said there have been many complaints and something would be done but didnt know to what extent, and he said he wanted the customers to know that they were being heard. It felt good to know someone agreed with me and if enough of us voice our opinion maybe we can make a difference. I pretty much stopped listening to the XM radio i couldnt take it anymore. i gave it numerous chances. if its still there when my directv contract is up then Im gone. If enough people leave I can't imagine they could afford to keep XM around.

[SpacemanSpiff]

In a way I have to feel sorry for both XM and D*. Satellite Radio is BIG, it's big and growing by leaps and bounds. The synergy between Sat TV and Sat Radio should be perfect. You're hitting similar demographics. Unfortunately what looked great on paper has apparently not been great in reality. D* didn't properly test their subscriber base to see how closely it was attached to MC or how averse the reaction would be to XM's style of programming.

Both companies are now in an awkard position. D*'s subscribers have voiced a negative impression of the service. Does D* drop XM? Do they bring back MC so people have a choice? If they bring back MC do they completely drop XM or only part of it? What are the contractual issues involved? Where do they squeeze bandwidth to carry both services? Does D* attempt to push XM into making programming changes to match it's subscribers desires? Does XM make changes to mollify the D* subscribers? In doing so what happens to the 6 million subscriptions that were sold to stand-alone XM service? Does it torque them off?

Right now it seems to me to be a corporate nightmare. On the other hand there are people who love XM who hated MC. How do you keep them happy while fixing the other part of your customer base?

Does anybody remember "New Coke"?

[formulaben]

Well said. Count me in as one of those who thought it would be a good thing.

[WillieWildcat]

Well said. Count me in as one of those who thought it would be a good thing.


I'm the same as you. I have never had any experience listening to XM in the first place, so I went into it with an open mind. But after listening to several channels that I thought would best suit my taste, I can say I don't like it. Maybe they have to add a couple of channels that aren't currently being carried. Of course I don't think that would do any good either. I would get more frustrated than I already am. My local FM radio stations stink, so I listened to MC a lot.

[IndyJones1023]

Me three! When I heard the news I thought "kick ass, free XM!" Only to find out now that it blows.

[n6idf]

I LOVE it! MC was just too repetitive.

[BlankMan]

Ya know, this may already have been discussed here or elsewhere, I'll admit I haven't read through this whole thread, and it may be common knowledge, I haven't researched it yet, so if this is redundant I apologize, but I suspect something.

DirecTV was GM's (General Motors) baby via it's Hughes Division. XM is GM's baby I believe. So this brings up a bunch a questions and could be the underlying reason why we now have the much inferior XM instead of the much superior, no advertising, no commercials, no talking period, only music, Music Choice channels.

Did GM piggy back XM on Hughes DirecTV birds? If not, does XM use Hughes birds? (That would seem to make sense, why use someone else's equipment when you have a division that can provide it.) Did XM go with the sale of DirecTV? Does Murdock now own XM too? Is there some affiliation between DirecTV+XM+Murdock that makes it a financial advantage for DirecTV to drop Music Choice and force XM on us?

I really suspect that someplace here lies the real reason....

Mind you, I was looking forward to XM on DirecTV, I really thought it would be great, but in reality, it is not. I like to listen to music, period. Music, no talking, at all! I don't care who you're featuring this Saturday. I don't care what you call this channel, I know what it is, I chose to listen to it. etc... I was looking to get an XM radio but now I will not be, so I am so glad this happened in a way, now I know it would have been a waste.

You really don't know what you got till it's gone... ;)