XM Satellite Radio CEO Hugh Panero officially launched its digital service
on Tuesday during a press conference at its Washington, D.C., complex.
Billed as 'Radio to the Power of X,' XM offers 100 digital radio channels of
music and information nationwide - starting with its lead markets, Dallas and
San Diego, where its first retail customers were buying XM radios.
Its radio channels include 13 news and information channels (such as Cable
News Network, CNBC and Fox News Channel) as well as 71 music channels, more than
30 of which are commercial-free.
XM was forced to delay its launch from
Sept. 12, due to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New
York's World Trade Center and Washington's Pentagon. 'Today, like the federal government,
the Congress and the stock market, business needs to get back to business,'
Panero said.
'And that includes new businesses like ours.'
In three weeks, Panero said XM will roll out to both the Southwest and the
Southeast, with the rest of the United States to follow in November.
The XM radios, made by
Sony Corp. and others, are sold at such consumer electronics chains as Best Buy,
Circuit City, RadioShack and Sears, Roebuck & Co.
In addition, American Honda Motor Co. and General Motors Corp. will be
integrating XM radios into their vehicles this year.
