XM raises monthly rates

R32 JUhl · 03-06-2005, 11:03 AM

It was bound to happen, I suppose! XM announced a rate increase to their customers. The $9.95/mo rate expirse 4/1/05 and will be $12.95/mo. The extra receiver rates on a primary account will not increase. If you're in hte middle of a billing cycle on 4/1, the rate change won't effect you until the end of your billing cycle. So of course, they want you to call before then and extend the length of your contract with payment due in advance!

Just thought everyone who is trying to decide between XM and Sirius would like to know. That's one less reason to go with XM, although I will not be leaving the XM family any tie soon.

WebDog · 03-06-2005, 11:17 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by R32 JUhl

It was bound to happen, I suppose! XM announced a rate increase to their customers. The $9.95/mo rate expirse 4/1/05 and will be $12.95/mo. The extra receiver rates on a primary account will not increase. If you're in hte middle of a billing cycle on 4/1, the rate change won't effect you until the end of your billing cycle. So of course, they want you to call before then and extend the length of your contract with payment due in advance!

Just thought everyone who is trying to decide between XM and Sirius would like to know. That's one less reason to go with XM, although I will not be leaving the XM family any tie soon.

I'm a customer and they never told me about i... Where did you find that out?

Dudes99 · 03-06-2005, 11:25 AM

OK, don't go to battlestations just yet... Quote: Beginning April 2, XM's expandedbasic service will include the Internet service XM Radio Online, which offers more than 70 channels of XM music and talk programming (previously $3.99 per month), and the High Voltage channel, featuring the talk radio duo Opie & Anthony (previously $1.99 per month). look at it here

They're basically adding the premium channels sans playboy. No skin of my back.

TruckinMP3 · 03-06-2005, 11:58 AM

That is what happens when you rent your music

WebDog · 03-06-2005, 12:17 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Dudes99

OK, don't go to battlestations just yet... Quote: Beginning April 2, XM's expandedbasic service will include the Internet service XM Radio Online, which offers more than 70 channels of XM music and talk programming (previously $3.99 per month), and the High Voltage channel, featuring the talk radio duo Opie & Anthony (previously $1.99 per month). look at it here

They're basically adding the premium channels sans playboy. No skin of my back.

So they are giving the internet XM included?

R32 JUhl · 03-06-2005, 02:01 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by WebDog

I'm a customer and they never told me about i... Where did you find that out?

I got a letter in the mail from XM dated Feb 23, 2005. The first two paragraphs explain how much XM has expanded their service since it came out. Then in the third paragraph they explain since they now include more features than they used to (crap I don't use), their rates will increase. But, they're essentially eliminating their "basic" level of service. The Opie et al. talk show is no longer an option which will delight some even though thy're paying $3 more per month instead of $2.

The good news in this is that XM radio online is no longer an additional fee. Not that I really cared, since there are VERY good internet radion stations out there, already, IMO that are free. http://alternative.beonair.com

Personally, I'd rather save the money. But, hey, this will simply increase the value of my XM stock.

R32 JUhl · 03-06-2005, 02:04 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by TruckinMP3

That is what happens when you rent your music

Right, cuz the stuff you purchase never increases in price.

Gotta look at it this way - $13 a month is still less than what one CD costs. And Timetraxx makes it oh so easy to own that "rented" music in digital quality.

R32 JUhl · 03-06-2005, 02:05 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by WebDog

So they are giving the internet XM included?

Giving? No you're paying for it.

Tekmazter · 03-06-2005, 06:40 PM

Hmmm, perhaps I'll wait for HDFM to take off if the rates are going to go up like this now.

frodobaggins · 03-06-2005, 06:51 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Tekmazter

Hmmm, perhaps I'll wait for HDFM to take off if the rates are going to go up like this now.

They probably won't rise any more for a long time.
And it is still worth the money.

R32 JUhl · 03-06-2005, 08:00 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Tekmazter

Hmmm, perhaps I'll wait for HDFM to take off if the rates are going to go up like this now.

If that is the only reason you don't like your local broadcasts, then do wait. But our radio in Atlanta stinks so bad you can smell it halfway across Alabama. XM is worth EVERY penny I pay them. Besides that, when we travel to car shows, we stay tuned into XM's offerings. I don't have much tolerance for bumpkin music and the religious programming that seems to be the norm "down here".

khemical · 03-06-2005, 08:05 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by R32 JUhl

Just thought everyone who is trying to decide between XM and Sirius would like to know. That's one less reason to go with XM, although I will not be leaving the XM family any tie soon.

Just so you know, this does make XM more expensive now. For the old 9.95/month that XM was, all you got was a satellite feed. For the 12.95/month that Sirius is, you for the satellite feed and internet feed. The quality of the internet feed isn't the best (good enough), but XM would have cost you the same for both satellite and internet. I guess I am too much of an analyst....

Don't think XM won't raise their prices anymore either. There will be newer premium channels to pay for, newer services to add (weather and such). They are just paying for cutting corners in the beginning and passing the bill onto you.

I am not saying that Sirius won't do the same. i will pay for their video service if I deam in useful. I only listen to like 10 channels anyway....given that some have disappeared, others have re-appeared....i still like them better. And I have listened to both extensively (my roommate has XM), and I think SIRI quality is better (but we don't have comparable car audio).

steve

R32 JUhl · 03-06-2005, 08:09 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by khemical

Just so you know, this does make XM more expensive now. For the old 9.95/month that XM was, all you got was a satellite feed. For the 12.95/month that Sirius is, you for the satellite feed and internet feed. The quality of the internet feed isn't the best (good enough), but XM would have cost you the same for both satellite and internet. I guess I am too much of an analyst....

steve

I apologize if I have caused confusion... for $12.95 XM is including XM Online with their satellite feed and their previously "premium" High Voltage station. They're raising their rate by $2.96 and "giving" you the $3.99 XM Online and the $1.99 High Voltage station.

Dudes99 · 03-07-2005, 07:36 AM

Multi year plans:
1yr old- 119.88 new- 142.45 difference- 22.57 price increase per month- $1.88
2yr old- 214.99 new- 271.95 difference- 56,95 price increase per month- $2.37
3yr old- 314.99 new- 359.64 difference- 44.65 price increase per month- $1.24
4yr old- 410.99 new- 479.52 difference- 68.53 price increase per month- $1.43
5yr old- 499.99 new- 599.40 difference- 99.41 price increase per month- $1.66

$2.96/month increase for monthly subcribers like me.........