Satellite radio is an audio broadcast system that uses satellites to transmit digital radio programming over a wide area. While terrestrial radio has long been available, satellite radio offers a variety of channels that are free of commercial interruption and have been shown to sound better than conventional AM or FM signals. Satellite radio is a subscription service and you need special equipment to receive it.
There are two main companies that provide satellite radio services in the United States, Sirius and XM. Both were originally separate companies, but in 2008 Sirius bought XM and now operates under the name SiriusXM. Both companies offer a similar product, but they operate their own satellites, ground repeaters and radio receivers. Most of the differences between Sirius and XM are in the selection of channels they provide and their coverage area.
Most satellite radio systems work on a subscription model. The subscriber pays a monthly fee to receive the satellite signal, which is transmitted to radio receivers that decode the encrypted signal and provide the audio content. These receivers are typically in your car, and most manufacturers offer satellite radio equipped vehicles or sell their own aftermarket units.
The satellite radio providers also have a number of ground repeaters to help cover built-up urban areas where the signal might be interrupted by tall buildings or other structures. These repeaters rebroadcast the satellite signal over a larger geographic area and can help improve the quality of your music or news reception in an area where the signal might otherwise be weak or intermittent.
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