It seems you can’t drive a car or go to the movies without hearing or seeing signs of SiriusXM. The satellite radio service has become a staple for many consumers thanks to its promise of commercial-free entertainment on the road or in the home. The service works by broadcasting clear, static-free digital audio signals from one or more satellites orbiting Earth that bounce back to specialized receivers, found in cars and homes, which then extract the audio signal. The satellite radio company’s primary customers are automobile manufacturers and dealers, who install the receivers in new vehicles, as well as aftermarket companies that produce and sell satellite radios for use in existing cars.
The origins of satellite radio date back to 1990, when ex-NASA engineers Robert Briskman and several other employees of a Washington, D.C.-based startup called CD Radio developed technology for transmitting digital audio over satellites. The firm raised $1 million from investors, including David Margolese, who had founded a pager company and later helped launch Canada’s largest cellular phone carrier.
In the early 2000s two rival satellite radio providers, XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio, competed to attract marquee talent such as talk show host Oprah Winfrey and Howard Stern. In 2008 the two companies merged into a single American satellite radio provider, SiriusXM, which continues to operate.
A good satellite radio will have an equalizer that lets you customize the audio output to your preferences. It should also have the ability to connect with Bluetooth devices for streaming music and making hands-free calls. For added convenience, look for a satellite radio that offers a USB port for charging your smartphone.
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