Sirius tops XM in new subscribers; Stern to get $220 million early stock payout

[bran987]

Sirius signed up 1.1 million subscribers in the past 3 months, XM 900,000.

First time Sirius has beaten XM, XM usually signs up about twice as many.

XM now has 5.9 million subscribers, Sirius 3.3 million.

Sirius also announced a new Playboy Channel yesterday, and has signed the terrible Martha Stewart.

Stern's deal was originally valued at $500 million when his contract has announced, but is now worth over $600 million due to increases in the stock price since the announcement of his association with Sirius.

The $220 million early bonus payout of stock will be split Monday between Stern and his agent Don Buchwald, in an unspecified ratio. They now own 2.5% of Sirius.

 

[Gymgurl]

I hate that ulgy man

 

[bran987]

he'll be a billionaire from the stock within 2-4 years once satellite radio becomes profitable.

hey gymgurl did you see the 60 minutes episode about him? a lot of people hated him before they saw that but changed their mind when they saw it. he does gross out radio but he's actually a pretty funny guy. razorguns really hates him though.

 

[Gymgurl]

He just bugs me for some reason... and I am far from shy quite and prudish lol

 

[gotmilk]

You think their stock will increase as they dilute?

I owned the stock around $1.90 to $2.40. Dumped all between $5.50 and $6.

I see SIRI as a buyout. Google radio?

 

[wutangnomo]

I bet all these lame ass radio dj's, producers, et all are all shitting their pants about their soon to be demise.

 

[bran987]

You think their stock will increase as they dilute?

I owned the stock around $1.90 to $2.40. Dumped all between $5.50 and $6.

I see SIRI as a buyout. Google radio?

dilution has slowed at XM and sirius, it was crippling the past few years. they'll continue to dilute more than the average, but doubling subscribers every year, elastic pricing in their monthly subscription rate, new products like mp3 players, and you wouldn't believe all the stuff planned, I believe each company will hit their goal of 20 million subscribers within 5 years. When cable came out, nobody thought anyone would ever pay for TV. I got a satellite radio and I just love it, it's $13/month and I'd probably pay twice that. Sirius had 5 million subscribers at beginning Q4, they signed up a million more in 3 months, now 6 million.

Both company's financials still suck, but long term these are winners. Right now Xm lower market cap and more subscribers so a better bet depending on how many people you think Stern will sign up long term.

I think TIVO is a better buyout candidate for Google (plus you can pick it up for $300 million rather than Sirius's $7 billion price tag ). You tripled your $ though, can't argue with that. I know a dude who bought XMSR at $1.30 and has held ever since, up to the current $27. good stuff.

 

[Lestat]

The 60 minutes was great, but I think the larry king live this week was even better!

Stern is an incredible talent, but I am still not convinced that he alone can make sattelite radio a profitable business.

 

[BrothaBill]

If I was to get satellite radio itd be the one without Howard Stern like most people. But seriously, I dont know why you'd pay for music. Live365 has hundreds of internet radio stations and I pay for broadband whereever I go through the cell company so I can listen to it anytime anywhere
Its all part of the data transfer. I see that as the long term trend where everyone is connected to the internet and super fast speeds allowing to get phone, tv, music, emails, all media and communications etc... much cheaper

 

[bran987]

If I was to get satellite radio itd be the one without Howard Stern like most people. But seriously, I dont know why you'd pay for music. Live365 has hundreds of internet radio stations and I pay for broadband whereever I go through the cell company so I can listen to it anytime anywhere
Its all part of the data transfer. I see that as the long term trend where everyone is connected to the internet and super fast speeds allowing to get phone, tv, music, emails, all media and communications etc... much cheaper

don't listen to the music much.
2 or 3 stations of stand up comedy bits that are hilarious, comedy all the time.
Howard Stern
CNBC
Bloomberg
ESPN
3 other sports talk stations
it's awesome.

and lestat, XM has racked up 6 million subscribers, w/o Stern. Stern will just help Sirius catch up.