WASHINGTON (XM Satellite
Radio PR) - XM Satellite Radio, the nation's leading provider of satellite radio, today announced that it finished the third quarter 2004 with more than 2,500,000 subscribers. XM added more than 415,000 net new subscribers in the quarter and is on pace to exceed 3,100,000 subscribers by year's end. The XM subscriber gain during the quarter is 75% higher than the 237,000 net new subscribers added in the third quarter of 2003.
"We continue to be pleased with the cost-efficient growth of our subscriber base and the continuing strong demand for XM's products and programming in both the new car and aftermarket channels. Aftermarket sales during the third quarter would have been higher, but for a temporary reduction in Delphi XM Roady2 receiver production during a four-week period in the quarter while a low-yield component was being replaced. Roady2 production returned to normal capacity in late August," said Hugh Panero, President and CEO of XM Satellite Radio.
"The second half of the year is shaping up very well, with third quarter subscriber gain reflecting consistent progress towards exceeding our 2004 year-end guidance of 3.1 million subscribers," added Panero. XM's product picture for the fourth quarter is very attractive -- both in volume and variety. SKYFi2, with the first ever satellite radio 30-minute replay/pause feature, as well as a built-in FM modulator and individualized sports and stock updates, is now in production and will be available in significant quantities at retail during the quarter. Audiovox will also introduce a new XM plug-and-play radio during the quarter.
New Exclusive Programming Debuts Monday, October 4th
Also driving consumer demand in the fourth quarter are the availability of major ACC, Big Ten and PAC-Ten football and basketball games on XM, plus several new content initiatives debuting Monday, October 4, including The Bob Edwards Show (XM Channel 133) and The Opie & Anthony Show (XM Channel 202). On October 11, the company is launching XM Radio Online, a premium Internet music service being marketed to the digital home in partnership with Dell.
"XM's strong foundation of subscriber growth during the first three quarters coupled with our new feature rich Roady2, SKYFi2 and Audiovox radios and the launch of exciting new content in the fourth quarter should produce an outstanding Holiday Season. Buy early (and often) while there's plenty of choice in the market!" concluded Panero.
XM Satellite Radio Products Available in Fourth Quarter 2004
1. Delphi XM SKYFi satellite radio
2. Delphi XM SKYFi2 satellite radio
3. Delphi XM Roady satellite radio
4. Delphi XM Roady2 satellite radio
5. Audiovox XR9 satellite radio
6. Cambridge SoundWorks PlayDockXM
7. Terk XM Commander vehicle stereo receiver
8. XM Direct universal vehicle tuner and smart digital adapters compatible with Sony, Alpine, Pioneer, and Kenwood car stereo units
9. Polk XRT12 XM Reference home tuner
10. Audiophase Skybox portable boombox
11. Eton tabletop and portable multi-band radios
12. Antex XM-3000 Triple Play multizone tuner
13. Crestron C2N-TXM multizone tuner
14. Russound ST2-XM multizone tuner
15. ADA TuneSuite multizone tuner
16. Elan Homesystems multizone tuner
17. Control4 multizone tuner
