Whether you’re cruisin’ down a boulevard with the windows down or driving cross-country to get to your next destination, your car stereo has become an integral part of your ride. And while listening to radio is a great way to pass the time, the FM and AM broadcasts often suffer from annoying commercial interruptions or simply don’t come in clear. That’s where satellite radio comes in.
Satellite radio is a digital broadcasting service that uses satellites in geostationary orbit to transmit radio signals directly to subscribers’ radio receivers, offering a vast array of channels and programming options including music, news, sports and talk. Unlike terrestrial broadcasts that use AM and FM frequencies, satellite radio offers higher audio quality and is less prone to interference. Because it’s subscription based, satellite radio is also generally advertisement free.
The satellite technology used by satellite providers enables them to deliver a crystal-clear signal that’s virtually uninterrupted, even at high speeds. This is accomplished by sending multiple satellites into geostationary orbit above the continental United States. The satellites then bounce the radio signals back to your receiver through a small antenna, decoding them into over 170 channels of entertainment.
Sirius and XM were two rival satellite radio services that both competed to attract exclusive talent like Howard Stern, but eventually the competing waveforms of their satellite transmissions became incompatible and the companies merged in 2008. Satellite radio is a niche market within the media industry but has gained popularity thanks to its exclusive content and ease of use, especially during long-distance travel.
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