Imagine CD-quality music beamed directly into your car stereo from orbiting satellites. That’s what satellite radio offers, and it’s available with many new vehicles. You can also add satellite radio to your existing car by installing the right equipment and paying a monthly subscription plan.
Satellite radio broadcasts are digital, so the signal is free of interference caused by static or other localized noise. In addition to offering clear, uninterrupted music, most satellite services offer a variety of channels for news, sports and talk. And, they usually have few or no commercials, making it easier to find the kind of music you want to hear.
The first satellite radio service to launch was XM Satellite Radio, followed by rival Sirius Satellite Radio in 2001 and 2002. Initially, both companies competed to attract exclusive talent, including TV and radio star Oprah Winfrey and talk show maven Howard Stern. Eventually, both companies merged to form Sirius XM Radio in 2008.
All satellite-based audio services operate on the same basic principle: They send digital signals from satellites that are aimed at your vehicle’s receiver antenna. Your car or home satellite radio receives and decodes those signals into more than 170 channels.
To get the most out of satellite radio, your vehicle must be equipped with a compatible receiver and have a clear line of sight to the satellites. The most important thing to remember is that satellite radio isn’t like regular FM or AM radio, which can be broadcast from any transmitter. Instead, a satellite sends a broadcast that is unique to each subscriber. This allows you to listen to music, talk and sports stations without losing the channel as you drive.
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