|
| But "Sirius"-ly, folks... | | Date Created: Dec 11, 2005, 01:04 PM |
With the departure of one of my favorite morning radio shows from the airwaves this week, I had been contemplating trying out Satellite radio.
When Howard announced he would jump to Satellite radio, I really had no intention of following him there. With the advent of the iPod and Podcasts, with the downloadable audiobooks and content I get from audible, and with the amount of things going on in my life, I really couldn't see the purpose in going to another source for more information and input...
But then it dawned on me... When I get home most nights in the winter, I usually search through some internet radio stations for music to calm me. I commute with my iPod, and use it for low background music during the day, and am enjoying the recent benefit of watching video content on it. I used to love listening to the radio, especially during the ten years I spent working out in the field, in which I desperately needed something to get me through some annoying traffic and long drives. But radio hasn't been the same for a while, which is why I love listening to the iPod. But once I'm home, I usually give the device a rest (or fill it up with more content to take with me on the commute).
With Satellite radio, there exists another option. With the wide variety of programming available, you can instantly search for music, talk, news and entertaiment at the touch of a button, and the content is commercial free and unexpergated. Plus, there would be a guarantee that there would always be something to listen to.
Though XM Radio has been around longer, has more listeners, and a few more options, I had a few things in mind before making my decision, I chose Sirius after much consideration. As the "underdog" of Satellite radio, I think it's choices were more varied and much more suited to my tastes. I also enjoyed the ability to "try before buying" by listening in for a couple of days via online. I made my decision after switching between a few channels for an hour and finding all of the content interesting, exciting, and up my alley.
To make the story short, I found an amazing deal on the kind of radio kit I was looking for (perhaps I'll post a separate story on that), and have signed up with Sirius for a year. To say I've found a new toy is to not say much. I feel as if I've found a new world. A "Narnia" of sorts. I've been listening at every free moment to a wide variety of programming: Local News and Traffic, Christmas songs, Stage Standards, Rock hits,even a tribute to late comedian Richard Pryor, presented in its full unadulterated glory. It's been great fun to be able to turn on the radio and actually find lots of choices, not just one or two.
In fact, the thing that convinced me more than anything to subscribe was the quality of the Classical music station that I listened to online. Who knew radio could be that good? And I've gotten a few chores done on the way! |
|
|
|
|
|
