Sirius App Debuts Without Stern
By Amy Gilroy -- TWICE, 6/18/2009
New York — Sirius XM’s new iPhone application launched Thursday on the Apple App store, offering access to most Sirius XM programming, but lacking access to Howard Stern.
The App, a free download, marks the first time Sirius XM will be available on the iPhone and iPod Touch, creating a new potential user base for the service. Apple has sold more than 40 million iPhone and iPod Touch devices combined worldwide to date.
Subscribers must pay for an Internet subscription in addition to their standard subscription (unless they already have an online or Premium subscription) and then can access 120 channels, including Oprah Radio and MLB Home Plate, plus extra Internet-only channels.
The Sirius XM app also allows users to purchase a Sirius XM song while it is playing or tag favorite songs for purchase at a later time on iTunes.
Programming that is excluded from the iPhone App includes MLB Play-by-Play, NFL Play-by-Play, Sirius NASCAR Radio and Howard Stern.
Extra Internet-only programming on the app includes music, talk radio and comedy showcases offering “multiple plays” of programs featuring Barbara Walters, Oprah Winfrey and Jamie Foxx, as well as special shows from Blue Collar Comedy and Raw Dog Comedy, selections from the Artist Confidential series and exclusive live Sirius XM music performances.
The App offers a “Lookaround” feature that lets users see what’s playing on all channels plus the channel playing. User can also mark favorite Sirius XM channels. The iPhone’s multi-touch display also allows quick surfing through all the 120 channels by flicking a finger.
Sirius will offer a free trial service to new users who may then sign up as a paid subscriber via the iPhone.
