In what might be a sign of things to come, “connected-car” company, USTelematics announced this morning that they will be making Sirius programming available through their Voyager product line.  Voyager provides live and downloaded wireless mobile internet protocol TV (IPTV) and audio programming for rear-seat passenger vehicle infotainment, and integrates a broad suite of features and functions, including the creation of a mobile Wi-Fi internet hotspot to enable online computer usage in the car and on the road, as well as DVD, movies, TV, Xbox and other computer games, and more.

COSMO Radio, Maxim Radio, Martha Stewart Living Radio and Candace Bushnell to devote shows to the most romantic day of the year.

SIRIUS Satellite Radio today announced that it will broadcast extensive, steamy, and seductive Valentine’s Day programming, including an entire week devoted to love, sex, relationships and dating on SIRIUS’ COSMO Radio channel 111 as well as a “Valentine’s Day Crisis Line” on Maxim Radio channel 108.

Other sexy Valentine’s Day programming spanning multiple channels and days includes: SIRIUS Stars’ Candace Bushnell talks with love experts about the importance of loving yourself and Martha Stewart Living Radio’s tips for everything from romantic dinner ideas to special Valentine’s Day baked goods.

For complete programming details about SIRIUS’ Valentine’s Day lineup, visit www.sirius.com/valentinesday.

COSMO RADIO channel 111

Wake Up! with CosmoRadio, Weekdays 7:00 – 11:00 am ET

Cocktails with Patrick, Weekdays 5:00 – 8:00 pm ET

Get In Bed with COSMO, Weekdays 8:00 – 11:00 pm ET

Interview with Laura Bell Bundy and Candace Bushnell February 14 at 4:00 pm ET

All week long the hosts of COSMO Radio will be breaking down Valentine’s Day for both single and attached listeners with tips on making the day extra special, decoding a guy’s gift, and giving (and getting) the hottest kisses.

On Valentine’s Day, COSMO Radio host Victoria Keelan will sit down with fun, fearless, female Laura Bell Bundy, the star of Broadway’s hit show Legally Blonde and special guest Candace Bushnell.

MAXIM RADIO channel 108

Maxim Radio’s Valentine’s Day Crisis Line, February 14 10:00 am – 11:00 pm ET

Sex Files, Wednesdays 2:00 pm ET

Maxim Radio’s “Valentine’s Day Crisis Line” will offer listeners 13 hours of free, expert advice for men who are stressing about the most romantic day of the year. Special guests include Carmen Electra, Christine Lakin, from the new movie “The Hottie & The Nottie,” and Maxim magazine’s sex columnist Gillian Telling. Maxim Radio will also air a special Valentine’s Day edition of Sex Files, the weekly call-in show dedicated to love and sex issues hosted by Amy Spencer and Yvonne Fulbright.

MARTHA STEWART LIVING RADIO channel 112

Morning Living, 7:00 – 11:00 am ET

Everyday Food The Radio Show, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm ET

Living Today, 1:00 – 5:00 pm ET

All week long Martha Stewart Living Radio hosts offer romantic dinner ideas, creative ideas and tips for Valentine’s Day baked goods and gifts, as well as special guest interviews.

SIRIUS STARS channel 102

Candace Bushnell’s Sex, Success and Sensibility, February 14 at 6:00 pm ET

Candace will devote her special Valentine’s Day show helping listeners learn to love themselves by finding their inner beauty. Candace and her love experts won’t let listeners cry, mope, or whine about not having a date this Valentine’s Day; instead they will give listeners tips on how to love themselves before loving someone else.

SIRIUS Stars will also air ‘love messages’ from listeners all day on Valentine’s Day. Listeners are encouraged to call 866-99-38-BOP and choose option #9 to leave a message or send an email to VALENTINE@SIRIUS-RADIO.COM.

Jenna Jameson, Bill Romanowski, Playboy Radio Morning Show team live from Playboy’s Desert Oasis and Resort Party

Live remotes from The Beach Bowl, Lingerie Bowl and EA Madden Bowl

Playboy Radio will be front and center on the red carpet for Playboy’s retro-themed “Playboy’s Desert Oasis and Resort” party the night before the big game. Jenna Jameson, NFL great Bill Romanoswki, morning show hosts Kevin Klein and Andrea Lowell to talk with Playmates, athletes, and celebrities.

Playboy Radio will also broadcast live from The Beach Bowl, the celebrity touch football game led by Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart. Hef’s girlfriend Kendra will act as referee and Playboy Radio hosts will provide play-by-play commentary and interview celebrity participants on the sidelines. Playboy Radio will also broadcast live remotes from the Lingerie Bowl and the EA Madden Bowl.

Live coverage of The Beach Bowl kicks off January 31 at 5:00 pm ET; coverage of the Playboy party starts February 2 at 11:00 pm ET on SIRIUS channel 198.

Multi-platinum and Grammy® winning artist Sheryl Crow will take over SIRIUS Satellite Radio’s The Spectrum channel. The exclusive five-day special will feature Sheryl playing her favorite music including a track-by-track preview and in-depth discussion of her new album Detours (A&M/Interscope) in stores February 5th.

Among the many tracks on the album, Sheryl discusses how “Lullaby for Wyatt,” a song about her son, “…really informed this album. There’s an urgent feeling about what’s going on in the world. This song is really about, as a parent, you just want to protect your children from the pain that they’re going to ultimately experience in their lives.

During the take-over Sheryl also performs songs from Detours and some of her classic hits at SIRIUS’ studios. Sheryl Crow’s Spectrum will kick-off on February 4th at 7 am ET and run through February 8th on The Spectrum channel 18.

Sheryl Crow catapulted onto the global stage in 1993 with her debut solo album Tuesday Night Music Club. The album sold over six million copies and won Sheryl three Grammy awards including “Best New Artist.” Since then Sheryl Crow has sold over 30 million albums worldwide, received nine Grammy awards and collaborated with renowned artists including Kid Rock, The Rolling Stones and Willie Nelson. Detours is Sheryl Crow’s sixth studio album and was recorded on her farm in Nashville.

Here it is:

Patriots team broadcast - channel 126
Giants team broadcast - channel 123
Westwood One Radio broadcast - channel 124
BBC Radio broadcast - channel 125
Westwood One Spanish broadcast (Spanish-Latin America) - channel 181
CANAL+ Spain broadcast (Spanish-Spain) - channel 110
France 2 broadcast (French) - channel 143
NHK Japan broadcast (Japanese) - channel 140
ARD broadcast (German) - channel 130
Telenet broadcast (Flemish) - channel 119
NTV Plus broadcast (Russian) - channel 122
SMG broadcast (Mandarin Chinese) - channel 121

Enjoy the game!!

Political talk programming from all corners can be found on SIRIUS Satellite Radio.

SIRIUS Satellite Radio delivers in-depth and diverse coverage 24/7 of all the action in Iowa and New Hampshire with political talk, analysis and opinion spanning liberal, conservative, African-American and GLBT perspectives.

Highlights include:

• SIRIUS Left’s Alex Bennett reporting live from Iowa and New Hampshire. Bennett goes “inside” two actual Iowa Caucuses for a firsthand account of the debate, discussion, and procedure. In Manchester, Alex Bennett broadcasts live inside the legendary Red Arrow Diner to speak with “everyday Americans” to gauge their interest, passion, and opinions. [SIRIUS Left channel 146, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm]

• Also on SIRIUS Left, Mark Thompson hosts Make it Plain, a political, human rights, and current events based program focusing on issues from an African-American point of view. [SIRIUS Left channel 146, 5:00 – 8:00 pm ET].

• SIRIUS Patriot channel 144 features the conservative voices of Bill Bennett, Andrew Wilkow, Sean Hannity, Mike Church, Mark Levin, and more. [SIRIUS Patriot channel 144, see below for full programming schedule].

• On SIRIUS OutQ, America’s first and only 24/7 radio channel for the GLBT community, Michelangelo Signorile fearlessly takes on the right wing, the media and the homophobes with hard-hitting and humorous talk. [SIRIUS OutQ channel 109, 2:00 – 6:00 pm ET]

Visit www.sirius.com/politicaltalk for the latest headlines and a daily lineup of guests for all SIRIUS political talk shows. Online media listening passcode available, please let us know if you are interested.

Complete programming lineup for SIRUS Left channel 146:

The Alex Bennett Program

∙Weekdays 9 am - Noon ET
∙”If I wanted a president who spits, wears cowboy boots, and can’t pronounce words correctly, I would have voted for a guest on Springer!” Alex Bennett is a self-proclaimed radio gadfly who brings unmistakable opinions, celebrity interviews, and great entertainment to SIRIUS Left.

The Bill Press Show

∙Weekdays 6 am - 9 am ET
∙Bill Press - former co-host of CNN’s “Crossfire” and MSNBC’s “Buchanan and Press” - brings his liberal agenda to SIRIUS for a brand new “liberal way” to start every weekday. Bill keeps the right wing in check, tells it like it is, and tackles all the hot issues with prominent and powerful guests from Capitol Hill and beyond.

The Thom Hartmann Show

∙Weekdays Noon - 1 pm & 1 am - 3 am ET
∙Thom Hartmann’s progressive approach uncovers corporate lies, rampant confusion in the offices of politicians, and exposes the “con” in conservative. Thom takes on pop culture, enthusiastically promotes democracy, and helps listeners make sense of the news.

Lynn Samuels

∙Weekdays 1 pm - 3 pm ET
∙Lynn Samuels, the fiercely liberal NYC talk radio legend, now speaks her mind five days a week…exclusively on SIRIUS Left. Lynn’s loyal audience knows her as a neighbor, the one who spouted liberal, smart opinions — with her signature Queens accent — as passionately to customers at her job at a Greenwich Village laundromat as she does to listeners on the radio.

The Ed Schultz Show

∙Weekdays 3 pm - 5 pm ET; Sundays 5 pm - 7 pm ET
∙Ed Schultz goes toe-to-toe with conservatives while injecting common sense, intelligence, and humor. Ed energizes the debate with razor-sharp views on life, politics, and people in America.

Mark Thompson’s Make It Plain

∙Weekdays 5 pm - 8 pm ET
∙Make It Plain, hosted by Mark Thompson (Matsimela Mapfumo) is a political, human rights, and current events based program focusing on issues from an African American point-of-view. Thompson passionately and provocatively moderates discussion with well-informed listeners and nationally known leaders and celebrities on pressing political, social, economic, cultural and spiritual issues.

The Stephanie Miller Show

∙Weekdays 8pm – 9 pm ET
∙Forty years after her father accepted the nomination to run alongside GOP Presidential candidate Barry Goldwater (and lost) Stephanie Miller embarks on her own crusade. With her background in stand-up comedy, political satire, even late night TV, Stephanie Miller proudly accepts the duty of balancing out the “right-wing wackos” by joining the ranks of the “left-wing wackos.”

The Mike Malloy Show

∙Weekdays 9 pm - Midnight ET; Sundays 10 pm – Midnight ET
∙Mike Malloy is a traditional Democrat – working to return the party to its historic liberal roots.

Mike Feder

∙Saturdays 5 pm – 8 pm ET
∙For Mike Feder, freedom of speech is a religious principle. In more than 25 years on the air, he has tackled everything from politics to culture to religion from a liberal-left point of view. His interviews, critiques, rants and sermons on the state of the world are personal, compelling and transforming.

Complete programming lineup on SIRIUS Patriot channel 144:

Bill Bennett’s Morning in America

∙Weekdays 6 am - 10 am ET
∙Former Secretary of Education, best selling author, and respected commentator Bill Bennett hosts a fast-paced, issue-oriented talk show that tackles news, politics, culture, sports, media, and more. From influential guests to everyday citizens, Bill Bennett is having a conversation with America.

The Mike Church Show

∙Weekdays 9 am ET; Weekends 5 pm ET
∙Mike Church fearlessly skewers liberalism and the people that practice it. Its conservative analysis of today’s top issues with a biting, satirical wit… peppered with Mike’s original parody creations.

Andrew Wilkow

∙Weekdays Noon - 3 pm ET; Weekends 9 am - Noon ET
∙Raised during Reagan – suffered through Clinton… Andrew Wilkow - the next generation of conservative talk and undisputed leader of the “new school.”

The Sean Hannity Show

∙Weekdays 3 am & 3 pm ET; Weekends 3 am & 2 pm ET
∙There’s a new generation on the right side of the political spectrum. Every day, they exert more influence on American political, fiscal and social policy.

The Mark Levin Show

∙Weekdays 6 pm ET; Weekends 8 pm ET
∙Mark Levin is one of America’s preeminent conservative commentators and constitutional lawyers. He’s in great demand as a political and legal commentator, and has appeared on hundreds of television and radio programs. Levin is also a contributing editor for National Review Online, and writes frequently for other publications. Levin has served as a top advisor to several members of President Ronald Reagan’s Cabinet - including as Chief of Staff to the Attorney General of the United States. In 2001, the American Conservative Union named Levin the recipient of the Ronald Reagan Award. He currently practices law in the private sector, heading up the Landmark Legal Foundation in Washington DC.

The Michael Reagan Show

∙Weekdays 8 pm ET; Weekends 10 pm ET
∙Michael Reagan aggressively confronts issues affecting the nation with his sharp, unyielding opinions. The eldest son of former President Ronald Reagan, Michael cuts through the spin and brings perspective to everything from news to cultural matters.

Cam Edwards’ Cam & Company from NRANEWS.com

∙Weekdays 9 pm ET
∙ Cam Edwards covers breaking stories and current events as well as lively debate and discussion with lawmakers and newsmakers engaged in the battle to preserve American freedoms.

The G. Gordon Liddy Show

∙Weekends 6 am ET
∙While others may talk about the military, the FBI, the White House, and topics ranging from government to guns — G. Gordon Liddy has been there. Hear Gordon’s smart perspectives on the world today and the fascinating stories of his life experiences.

Cigar Dave

∙Weekends 12 pm ET
∙Often referred to as the Sultan of Smoke, the Professor of Puff, the Cigar Sommelier, and the Connoisseur-in-Chief. Cigar Dave caters to cigar lovers far and wide. Loyal followers known as “Cigar Lieutenants” tune in for news and information about cigars, spirits, and other lifestyle diversions.

Political programming on SIRIUS OutQ channel 109:

Michelangelo Signorile Show

∙Weekdays 2 pm - 6 pm ET
∙Columnist and rabble-rouser Michelangelo Signorile fearlessly takes on the right wing, the media and the homophobes with hard-hitting and humorous talk. Michelangelo sits down with all the big names — authors, newsmakers, and icons from pop culture to politics — while breaking down all the stories of the day.

Normally, I try to leave the “deep think” pieces to BenDee, since he has twice the writing talent I do, but I’ve had some experiences lately that might generate some light on what’s happening in the SDARS marketplace. The data here is merely anecdotal, so don’t think it’s a complete explanation, but I don’t think it’s without value…

Scene 1: My family recently bought a used van from a major Chevy dealer in the western Denver suburbs. Like any dealer experience, there was plenty of “hold on while I check with…”, so we probably spent 3.5 hours in the dealership. Having an interest in satellite radio, I naturally wondered over to the XM kiosk on the sales floor. I thought the presentation was pretty good, but also noticed that the salesmen had switched the radio off of XM, and over to a popular FM station. I can’t imagine that these guys sell the satellite radio option very hard. It’s possible Sirius does a better job with their partners, but if they don’t, I wouldn’t be shocked. Both XM and Sirius need to be following up with their OEM partners to insure that the kiosks are helping to sell the product, not their terrestrial competition.

Scene 2: New van means looking at backseat video options. So we head over to the local blue big box, to scope out mobile video options that will support the aftermarket Sirius Backseat TV tuner. While talking to the sales associate, I turn the topic to satellite radio. He tells me that at their store, Sirius outsells XM 3-1. (As it appears from the Q2 conference call, most stores do.) I asked, “Why is that, Stern, NASCAR…?” He told me the number one differentiator in their store is the NFL. They say NFL is on Sirius and people say, then that’s the one I want. I understand that baseball is the radio game, but for selling satrad, it looks like America’s favorite sport is still top dog.

Scene 3: While waiting to get the Backseat TV tuner, we still have to have Sirius in the van! It turns out that most late model cars require expensive wiring harnesses if you want to replace the OEM radio. The OEM’s are running lots of the dash electronics, including warning lights, and safety equipment through the same wiring that goes to the radio. Everyone I talked to about getting this work done, expressed that the increased sophistication in OEM radios was making it harder for them to sell satellite radio. For the sizable number of people interested in satrad, but unwilling to clutter their dash with a PNP, this makes it more expensive for them to replace the deck with one that supports their provider of choice. And in many cases replacing the OEM radio means loosing functionality, like steering wheel controls. None of this is news of course, but hearing that sales folks think it makes satrad a harder sale might be news.

NEW YORK, May 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — SIRIUS Satellite Radio announced today that it will be the exclusive national radio partner of the first annual True Colors Tour, an historic nationwide concert tour conceived and organized by Cyndi Lauper in support of The Human Rights Campaign to raise public awareness about the issues facing the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. The tour launches June 8th.

Link Here: www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,109282.shtml

www.truecolorstour.com/main.html

As you can tell from the many announcements here on SIRIUS Backstage, SIRIUS is seeking new ways to obtain new listeners, and one of the paths of enlightenment is the automobile.

Almost 14 millions Americans have embraced satellite radio, but the key component to radio sales appears to be deals with major car makers.

To date, SIRIUS and XM have booked deals with car companies encompassing 39 different brands. Notable names on SIRIUS’s side of the ledger include Audi, BMW, DaimlerChrysler and Ford. Consumers have shown an appetite for factory-installed satellite radios, and the subscriber base built from these car deals continues to grow for Sirius.

(more…)

MINI USA and SIRIUS Satellite Radio announced on March 27th, that SIRIUS will be available as a factory installed option with a lifetime subscription on the all-new 2007 MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S hardtops produced, beginning this June. The lifetime subscription is transferable with the car from one owner to the next.