Sirius XM joined the iPhone apps bandwagon with its Sirius XM app for iPhone and iPod Touch, but some of the most popular content on Sirius XM's satellite radio network -- namely, Howard Stern and in-depth coverage of Major League Baseball and the National Football League -- won't be included, according to a press release from Sirius XM. What gives, Sirius?
"Users of iPhone and iPod Touch with an Internet subscription to Sirius or XM have access to exclusive sports and entertainment programming from Sirius XM's satellite radio service, including Oprah Radio, MLB Home Plate, Martha Stewart Living Radio, Sirius NFL Radio, NHL Home Ice, PGA Tour, Opie & Anthony, Mad Dog Radio with Chris Russo, Playboy Radio, The Foxxhole comedy channel presented by Jamie Foxx, Blue Collar Comedy Radio, CNN, Fox News Talk and NPR," reads the release.
Well, hey, Sirius XM, sounds good. And that's a heck of a lineup for my Sirius XM iPhone app. But where's the stuff for which I'd, y'know, pony up more money for Sirius XM in general?
"Some select programming, including MLB Play-by-Play, NFL Play-by-Play, Sirius NASCAR Radio and Howard Stern, will not be available on the iPhone and iPod Touch. Listeners will continue to be able to access that programming through the platforms they are currently offered on," according to the Sirius XM release.
Rumors of a Sirius XM app for iPhone had been circulating heavily in recent days, and on Wednesday, Sirius XM more or less confirmed that Thursday would be the app's launch day. According to Sirius XM, premium Sirius Internet radio subscribers can download the app from Apple's App Store for free, and those who have basic online service need to upgrade to the $2.99 a month Sirius premium plan to get the app. If you don't have satellite radio, you can pay $13 a month for a stand-alone package.
Hitching its wagon to the iPhone star might be a great way for Sirius XM to expand its customer base. But with some of its top-tier content unavailable, converting new listeners to Sirius XM won't be a slam dunk, iPhone capability or not.
