Sirius SDAR Video On Track For '06

NEW YORK — Sirius said it is running field tests for its future satellite video service and states that it is on track to deliver video by mid-2006, the target date announced at the International CES last January, according to Sirius' retail operations senior VP Bob Law.

The test trails are currently “all going according to plan,” Law said, noting that the video service will likely be initially offered through the aftermarket and eventually through OEM.

Law said the receivers for the video service may take the form of combination Sirius audio and video tuners that are designed to work with after-market video screens and DVD players. He said that pricing for the equipment will not be exorbitant. “The circuitry required for us to do video is the same as we re-broadcasting over today. You have to add the capability to process the video signal, but the basic receiver is essentially the same. We're not expecting it to be a tremendous premium.”

XM Satellite Radio also demonstrated satellite video last January at CES, but has not set a launch date nor committed to offer the service. A spokesman said the company “is still evaluating a video offering down the line. Recently we acquired WCS, which owns spectrum in many markets, and we will be able to utilize that potentially to offer additional services such as video.”

Supplier Audiovox said it is not yet working on a satellite video receiver for either XM or Sirius. “We're waiting to see which of the two companies will introduce a format that is affordable and makes sense with some fairly robust content,” said mobile electronics group senior VP, Tom Malone.