Sirius might make consumer entry easier

Sirius (SIRI) seems to be planning to sell an online-only version of its satellite radio service, according to a community website: siriusbackstage.com [via Cnet news]. The service will cost $12.99 per month as a stand-alone and will be called "Sirius Internet Radio Plus." That price is comparable to the monthly price of the traditional service. It will include some, but not all, of Sirius' satellite radio content, as well as some separate programming, evidently, as the service is also priced as an add-on the a conventional subscription for $2.99 a month, but Sirius will also continue to stream its existing content selections for free to satellite subscribers. Sirius appears committed to branding this as a distinct entity; they've registered the acronym "SIR" as a trademark.

One of the serious (sorry) stumbling blocks to adding new subscribers for both Sirius and its rival XM (XMSR) is the need for special equipment: a receiver and then something to plug the receiver into, like a boombox, or converter kit for an automobile. Sirius has long offered free three-day web-only access trial accounts.

Sirius internet radio music channels stream at 128kbps and talk channels (including the Howard Stern channels) stream at a rather tinny-sounding 48kbps.