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Business
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6 Months Ended |
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Jun. 30, 2011
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| Business and Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation [Abstract] | |
| Business |
(1) Business
We broadcast our music, sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic and weather channels in the
United States on a subscription fee basis through our two proprietary satellite radio systems.
Subscribers can also receive certain of our music and other channels over the Internet, including
through applications for Apple, Blackberry and Android-powered mobile devices.
Our primary source of revenue is subscription fees, with most of our customers subscribing on
an annual, semi-annual, quarterly or monthly basis. We offer discounts for prepaid and long-term
subscription plans as well as discounts for multiple subscriptions on each platform. We also
derive revenue from activation and other fees, the sale of advertising on select non-music
channels, the direct sale of satellite radios and accessories, and other ancillary services, such
as our weather, traffic, data and Backseat TV services.
Our satellite radios are primarily distributed through automakers (“OEMs”); nationwide through
retail locations; and through our website. We have agreements with every major automaker to offer
satellite radios as factory or dealer-installed equipment in their vehicles. Satellite radio
services are also offered to customers of certain daily rental car companies.
In July 2008, our wholly owned subsidiary, Vernon Merger Corporation, merged (the “Merger”)
with and into XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. On August 5, 2008, we changed our name from Sirius
Satellite Radio Inc. to Sirius XM Radio Inc. On January 12, 2011, XM Satellite Radio Inc., our
wholly-owned subsidiary, merged with and into Sirius XM Radio Inc. All outstanding debt
instruments held by XM Satellite Radio Inc. were assumed by Sirius XM Radio Inc. in the merger.
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