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SIRIUS To Raise Monthly Sub Rates?
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| SIRIUS To Raise Monthly Sub Rates?
- Click HERE to go to the original thread with graphics
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| NotRalph |
As Sirius eyes expensive new expansion plans, some investors have started to see rate hikes as the best way to bring losses under control.
Fans of the New York pay radio shop were told in February that the tide of red ink could turn by year-end. But that goal seems even more distant now that capital spending is expected to double to $110 million this year, as the company prepares a massive upgrade of its repeater antenna network. The heavy investment is intended to open the way to new services like video and data.
All the spending talk has investors bracing for yet another heated debate over whether satellite radio is a perpetual cash furnace or if it has emerged as a popular consumer service on the verge of profit.
One possible solution being discussed by Sirius executives seems to please investors: raising subscription fees.
Industry watchers expect Sirius and rival XM (XMSR:Nasdaq - commentary - research - Cramer's Take) to impose another increase in monthly radio charges as the two players try to cash in on their popularity and slow their runaway losses.
Apparently, one of the options Sirius is considering is a two-tiered system where users would be charged a premium price for added features, according to a report last week from Bear Stearns analyst Bob Peck.
The higher prices would be an attempt to pass along to users some of the costs for more expensive radios that include multichannel recording features. These radios allow users to record programming or even individual songs. Analysts say Sirius is on the hook for a portion of the royalty payments attached to the additional music recorded by users.
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NOTE FROM MUTT: This is not offical. I'ts just some guys opinion of what Sirius might do and we see this same kind of article/rumor every couple of months for the past year now. I've heard no plans to change the rate.
The full article here. |
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| AnfKid |
| great they don't make a profit and they're spending all their money on talent and now come to us for more money |
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| ChronoSkooma17 |
Im sure that Blue Collar Comedy Channel was worth the money :rolleyes:
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| jrinck |
Greed before it's time has killed many a company.
Let's hope Mel isn't this dumb. |
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| SteelRat |
This same speculation has been coming up every couple of months for a while now. It will happen eventually, but we don't know that it will be any time soon.
I would think they'd want to solidify their customer base more before seriously considering a hike. |
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| Boston Red Sox |
| I wonder if everyone who currently has subscriptions will be grandfathered in. Isn't it considered a contract where they just can't blindly raise the rates for existing customers? |
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| thoroldjames |
why would it surprise anyone that sirius would raise their prices?
they're a business who answer only to their shareholders.
That's the way the world of business works, i don't completely love it myself, but what are we gonna do?
gotta listen to Stern. :( |
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| BARNZsongwriter |
| It's all good, instead of $13 a month, now I'm paying $15, okay.... it sucks, but I love this shit! :D |
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| jrinck |
Quote: Originally posted by Boston Red Sox
I wonder if everyone who currently has subscriptions will be grandfathered in. Isn't it considered a contract where they just can't blindly raise the rates for existing customers? |
No, because you can always cancel if you don't like it, with no obligation. |
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| AnfKid |
Quote: Originally posted by ChronoSkooma17
Im sure that Blue Collar Comedy Channel was worth the money :rolleyes:
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worst fucking channel. yea we needed a whole channel devoted to a man with a failed sitcom (Jeff Foxworthy) and another with a shit ass movie about farting and armpit stank (Larry the cable guy) not even close to the level of the Beverly Hillbilly's remake and that's sayin sumthin |
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| jrinck |
Oh, and XM can no longer tout that they have 100% commercial-free music channels anymore.
The times, they are a changing! |
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| AnfKid |
Quote: Originally posted by Boston Red Sox
I wonder if everyone who currently has subscriptions will be grandfathered in. Isn't it considered a contract where they just can't blindly raise the rates for existing customers? |
no rent control. they will send you a notice in the mail a few months before.. they wont do shit for you because you signed up before the change and what company would? cablevision? pshh yea right.. never did for me. i went from 39-85 in a summer |
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| norton |
| well look at it this way, it wasn't going to stay at 13 bucks forever. how about gasoline? when the fuck are they going to stop raising that shit? |
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| terradsux |
Quote: Originally posted by jrinck
Greed before it's time has killed many a company.
Let's hope Mel isn't this dumb. |
I've noticed commercial breaks getting longer too. I wonder how long before they're up to 20 minutes again? |
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| johnincleveland |
| Blue collar comedy isn't that great. I'll keep it unless it goes over $15.00 then forget it I work to hard for my money to pay more then that. Not worth it. |
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| Fa-Fa-Fo-Ha |
Quote: Originally posted by Boston Red Sox
I wonder if everyone who currently has subscriptions will be grandfathered in. Isn't it considered a contract where they just can't blindly raise the rates for existing customers? |
I can see that happening with people who have yearly or lifetime subscriptions but not the monthly ones. Humm, now that lifetime subscription is beginning to sound as something that can protect you from future rate hikes. |
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| Boston Red Sox |
Quote: Originally posted by Fa-Fa-Fo-Ha
I can see that happening with people who have yearly or lifetime subscriptions but not the monthly ones. Humm, now that lifetime subscription is beginning to sound as something that can protect you from future rate hikes. |
Yeah but don't forget, it's only for the lifetime of your radio. They always have a loophole. |
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| AnfKid |
| if they raise it to 19.95 a month? will we cancel NO why? cuz we're addicted to stern and will just have to bitch |
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| Rotund |
I'd understand a rate increase of $1 or $2 a month. Either way, I'll be paying for another year in the next month or two, hopefully the cost increase won't hit before I get that done.
And if they actually do manage to incorporate video into the channel.. well, I'm an over the road trucker and I'd prefer paying one bill instead of two. The Dish costs about 30 bucks a month.. give me good content and I'd pay $40 to sirius if I had video of the Stern Show streaming and other video feeds available. |
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| terradsux |
Quote: Originally posted by Boston Red Sox
Yeah but don't forget, it's only for the lifetime of your radio. They always have a loophole. |
maybe the radios are programmed to self destruct after 2 years? ;) |
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| deidler |
| No different than pay tv. They will raise rates. |
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| SteelRat |
They say one possibility is only adding a premium if you want extra services like data and video feeds. That would be good because people who just want the same service would pay the same, and people who are using the new infrastructure would carry the burden.
They're not saying they're doing anything YET. |
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| Fa-Fa-Fo-Ha |
Quote: Originally posted by Boston Red Sox
Yeah but don't forget, it's only for the lifetime of your radio. They always have a loophole. |
Yeah I would take damn good care of that freaking radio :D |
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| Hubcap626 |
| better fucking not. |
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| Miller |
Quote: Originally posted by Boston Red Sox
Yeah but don't forget, it's only for the lifetime of your radio. They always have a loophole. |
Your statement is doesn’t tell the entire story. While it’s good for the life of your radio, you can also transfer that subscription to a new radio 3 times. However it does cost $75 per transfer. |
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| Cheri |
| I think even if it went up to $20.00 a month I'd pay it. I'll just stop supporting that kid in Africa. He doesn't need food that badly. |
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| dcjispimp |
Hope its not soon. I would think at the rate they are adding new subscriptions and the positive word of mouth they should be back in the black within a couple years. The last thing they need is the negative influence a raise in monthly fees would cause. Consumers are already sick of paying increases in everything. Not to mention XM and FreeFM will have a field day with this.
Please don't do it Sirius. :( |
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| jrinck |
Raising rates right now would severely curtail the roll they're on with attracting new subs.
They'll probably wait until their subscriber growth levels and then hammer in an increase.
People are less likely to cancel than they are to not sign up. |
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| Tankazz |
| $15 would be fine but probably no more than that. I cant afford to take a contract for X months or years so im forced to pay monthly. |
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| ELECTRIC-MAN |
| If they hike the prices, I dont think i'll pay. But it'll be hard not to listen to Howard. |
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| Incogneto |
| If they raise the price i want stern every friday not every third |
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| norton |
Quote: Originally posted by Incogneto
If they raise the price i want stern every friday not every third |
i agree, i don't mind paying but if it's going to keep going up then i want more bang for the buck, as they say. |
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| SternRocks |
| it is bound to happen eventually...just depends on when...do they add the services now to attract more consumer, because they think the service will out weigh the price...or keep it low...so they do not turn off new and existing customers....either way...it will cone in time |
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| NotRalph |
| I paid a for a year's subscription in advance (with a month free that's $9.99/mo.). I wonder if they implement the proposed rate hike if they'll allow current subscribers to re-up at the old rate before the increase? |
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| mikeec |
As a stockowner and subscriber, I don't care. As an investor it makes perfect sense, companies have to show a profit to succeed. I want Sirius around just for the entertainment.
As a sub, I signed up for a year already, they can't hurt me until next Jan. And if they do raise their rates, I'll just purchase the lifetime subscribtion then. If they go out of business we lose Howard and all the great stuff it offers. |
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| Chrisell |
| Before they raise the price on this supposed 2 tier system (for people with radio's with recording capabilities), they'd damned well better make sure that these unit's work without a flaw. Also it wouldn't hurt if they got Howard's show to stream finally. |
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| devogal |
Quote: Originally posted by terradsux
I've noticed commercial breaks getting longer too. I wonder how long before they're up to 20 minutes again? |
Damn, I AM right -- I thought commercials were longer, too. |
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| chip_n_chicago |
Lock it in! Go for that lifetime subscription. You gotta beleive!
:puke: |
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| lspencer |
| I doubt they will raise their prices while still competing with XM. |
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| HolyGhost |
I think Satellite radio better watch out how they treat their customers, less they become just like the Cable companies.
if Satellite radio starts screwing around and raising rates weekly like cable i'll end my sub immediately |
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| dcjispimp |
Quote: Originally posted by HolyGhost
I think Satellite radio better watch out how they treat their customers, less they become just like the Cable companies. |
Thats it exactly. Who here actually likes their cable company? I bet there isn't many. We just have to pay because we need it. |
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| LIFAN12 |
| Two words -- Lifetime Subscription, oh yeah!! |
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| LIFAN12 |
Quote: Originally posted by mikeec
As a stockowner and subscriber, I don't care. As an investor it makes perfect sense, companies have to show a profit to succeed. I want Sirius around just for the entertainment.
As a sub, I signed up for a year already, they can't hurt me until next Jan. And if they do raise their rates, I'll just purchase the lifetime subscribtion then. If they go out of business we lose Howard and all the great stuff it offers. |
You better not wait. They are phasing out the Lifetime Sub soon.
They will give you credit for the rest of the year you have pre-paid. That's what I did in January. |
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| BonswanaMiliken |
I don't think it would be a good move for Sirius to raise thier prices at this juncture. They are competing with XM and still tyring to appeal to new subscibers.
If Sirus does rasie the price I would hope it would only be to $15 per month. 20 bucks is just too much for fucking radio.
I love Howard but Im starting to hate Sirius. |
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| deidler |
| Howard is so in favor of pay tv pricing per channel. Maybe he should be so outspoken towards satellite. |
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| NWSternGirl |
| Lifetime Subscription! Shhhtraight up...thank ewww!!! |
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| ShawnT |
| Good thing I got a lifetime subscription. |
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| p411 |
| once it goes over 15 bucks, I will drop there service. thats just me though. |
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| johnincleveland |
Quote: Originally posted by p411
once it goes over 15 bucks, I will drop there service. thats just me though. |
I agree. I don't mind paying but there is know why I'm paying 20.00 a month for anyone. |
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| rockamaniac |
What would be really cool is if they offered a pay per channel option or pay per package option so that you can just pay for a limited amount of channels you want much like Howard has been campaigning for on the Cable TV side.
So in Sirius Terms, you can get the Stern Network Package with a option of a couple other channels for whatever amount.
Sports fans can pay a premium to have the vast sports package added on to their account for x amount of dollars per month.
Cunty Women package featuring Martha Stewart channel and others and so on and so forth.
Unfortunately i doubt they go there and probobly just raise it to 15 for a while, then a year down the line we'll hear how they want to raise it to 17, its life.
Im a huge sports fan, so right now 13, 15, or 17$ a month is worth it for both Sterns network and all the sports broadcasts i can get. |
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| fan777 |
Quote: Originally posted by p411
once it goes over 15 bucks, I will drop there service. thats just me though. |
Not just you. |
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| BeerPal |
You gotta be fuckin' kiddin' me. What a bunch of pussies. I'd pay $50/month if they asked me to. I listen to Stern and Stern-related shows for hours, every fuckin' day. Nonstop entertainment. When I get tired of that, there's music, news, sports, whatever. Where the fuck else do you get so much entertainment for so little money? Your momma's pussy, maybe, but no where else.
You little shitbag whiners need to man up. You ain't Stern fans. |
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| gasface |
How about better music?
Sirius rides Howard's coat tails. |
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| saturninus |
If they raise their rates they better add some more fucking satellites so my receiver doesn't crap out at the same exact times of day.
If not I'm not renewing next year. |
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| manny75586 |
I would bet they would add another commercial per break on the talk channels.
I think it was FMQB.com (in Jan or Feb) that said the commercials from Stern alone would generate nearly $100 mil/year (that's also assuming the rates back when subs were sub 4 million, they are sure to rise). If they added 1 minute more per hour it would be WAY over $100 Mil.
It would give me more "bathroom break" time too. :) Everyone wins. :) |
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| manny75586 |
Quote: Originally posted by saturninus
If they raise their rates they better add some more fucking satellites so my receiver doesn't crap out at the same exact times of day.
If not I'm not renewing next year. |
Sirius is currently expanding their repeater network and they are planning on launching another satellite soon so your prayers are being answered. :) |
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| TuKuuL |
| Awesome. They are spending more money than they can make. Two Thumbs Up. :rolleyes: |
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| bomba |
On the backs of the working proletariate.
Sirius is the opium of the masses. |
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| TattooQ |
| I pay monthly now; debited from my credit card so I don't notice it. If a rate hike were announced, I'd stop the monthly debit and pay for a lifetime subscription. Testicular radio doesn't hold a candle to Sirius,even with the annoying "acquiring signal" crap. |
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| Lingtime |
| bunch of shit if they raise it. Instead of worrying about that the should be working on a better mobile device. I can only catch the replays because I cannot string out 100 ft of cord to get a signal at work. I have been extremely dissappointed with Sirius thus far, although Ive still been a subscriber for over a year. |
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| Siri |
So what's the big issue? If you're worried about a price hike simply purchase the life-time membership. Then you're locked into a contract for a set price over the life of your unit. Problem solved.
The best thing for someone who thinks it's going to be a rediculous price hike is to just buy a one or two-year plan. Again, then you're locked into the earlier price. It's like an apartment lease. If the landlord raises rent while you're still under your current lease, he can't raise the rents on you. You and he most likely signed a legally binding agreement where everything is set. |
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| beavis1234 |
Quote: Originally posted by jrinck
Greed before it's time has killed many a company.
Let's hope Mel isn't this dumb. |
How is trying to actually make money instead of losing money considered greed? |
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| BillnLegs |
| It is still the best "Bang" for any buck I have ever spent....... |
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| clumpy |
| for 2 more dollors a month,they need get that streaming shit on line ASAP. |
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| Spize |
Well... I wonder...
Who the fuck needs video? It is radio, not tv.
would it be funny if these rumors were out and XM jacked their rates and Sirius said, naw I think we're fine.. and screwed XM. |
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| paisano0724 |
| I couldnt care less if they raise the rates. The service is worth every cent |
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| jasondylan |
| Charge the new subscribers.. Not the old ones... I really dont care tho that why i paid for lifetime. |
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| sundance |
| I'll pay a premium for Howard. The other content i could care less about. |
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| Slayer |
I think this was a big mistake to even hint at a rate hike at this time. It's going to generate a huge amount of negative press about Sirius, and it may make people think twice before signing up for it now if they think it will increase in the near future. This is not just someones idle speculation either:
"FUTURE FEES: As for future price hikes, Karmazin said to expect them but he didn’t say when it would happen. He did point out that at the current rate of 43-cents-a-day, Sirius is “a steal.” "
http://www.radioink.com/HeadlineEnt...3&pt=todaysnews
It needs to be a "steal", its a new format trying to get new listeners.
Also, it's just too easy to get Howard's show for free right now from the internet.
Even though I have Sirius, I can't listen to it live, so I just download a commercial free version off the internet and listen to it at my liesure. No need for an S50 or any other device. If the rates go up too much I won't re-up. |
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| ottoa2000 |
keep in mind
sirius eventually plans to offer things like mobile video, album downloads, streaming graphics and stock quotes.
these will be additional features that will probally be subscription based.
heck, i would pay for satelite tv in my car. |
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| PlasticWorks |
| I bought the yearly subscription at about $142., I think. So if they raise it next year to say, $160-170., big deal. What are we talking about.....$25 bucks more? Per YEAR!!! |
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| chckeeper |
| ya im sick of everything crying about and extra $25 a year. if you don't like it then don't subscribe we don't want you. if you want a cheap subscription go to xm and pay $2 a month. |
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| digglerama |
| A lifetime subscription might be the ticket to avoid any hikes but it ends the minute you get a differente receiver. As technology changes and more features evolve, most people will want to upgrade their hardware. Change hardware = end of your "lifetime" subscription. |
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| Ridin' the Bus |
| I don't mind paying more. I don't think I could ever go back to "old-fashioned radio". I'm hooked. |
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| BroccoliRob |
| Quote: purchase the life-time membership. Then you're locked into a contract for a set price over the life of your unit |
Subscribe for life before July and you can even change units 3x |
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| boombox |
Quote: Originally posted by digglerama
A lifetime subscription might be the ticket to avoid any hikes but it ends the minute you get a differente receiver. As technology changes and more features evolve, most people will want to upgrade their hardware. Change hardware = end of your "lifetime" subscription. |
You can change your receiver on a Lifetime subscription upto 3 times. So it doesn't end the minute you get a different receiver. |
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| Limo~Sir |
| what are they going to do if howard does not re-up in 5 years--do you want to be the sat radio company to raise prices first |
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| bigwillyfreeze5 |
| Get the life time sub! |
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| QueenBee |
Quote: Originally posted by Boston Red Sox
I wonder if everyone who currently has subscriptions will be grandfathered in. Isn't it considered a contract where they just can't blindly raise the rates for existing customers? |
Only if you pre-paid a multi-term subscription. (Like $120 a year or whatever.) When you renew your subscription, you'll pay the increased rate.
A $2/month increase wouldn't bother me. I haven't listened to T. Rex radio in four months because I think that satellite radio is worth the money that I'm paying.
I may bottom out out $20/month though. It depends on what services, sound quality, technology, and talent that they are offering along with the price increase.. |
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| QueenBee |
Quote: Originally posted by boombox
You can change your receiver on a Lifetime subscription upto 3 times. So it doesn't end the minute you get a different receiver. |
No, but technology changes (to the point where it's necessary to upgrade your equipment) every three to five years. I can't see a lifetime sub being useful for more than twenty years by the time you upgrade. |
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| Froggy |
| I already pay $20/month (have 2 radios); if they raise the monthly price, I'll probably cancel the InDemand service to make up the difference (so far the editing on InDemand has been amaturish anyway - Doug needs to go back to school). If they continue to raise the costs after that, I'll probably cut back the second radio. It's not that the costs would be excessive (43 cents/day or 86 cents / day is still the cost of one bottle of water); it's that the increased costs would be insulting: eg. HBO & SHO charge half as much and they provide more programming. |
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| ladj925 |
I haven't listened to testicle radio hardly at all since Howard's been on H100 24/7. Only listen to Tom Leykis once in a while. If only Tom's show came to H101....that would be the shit!
The lifetime sub is a good deal....five years comes out to be about $780 vs. paying $499.95 one time. I also have a second receiver on an annual for about $84 per year. |
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| got1toburn |
Quote: Originally posted by ladj925
I haven't listened to testicle radio hardly at all since Howard's been on H100 24/7. Only listen to Tom Leykis once in a while. If only Tom's show came to H101....that would be the shit!
The lifetime sub is a good deal....five years comes out to be about $780 vs. paying $499.95 one time. I also have a second receiver on an annual for about $84 per year. |
Most Definately! |
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| saturninus |
| They can only raise the price so much. There's a limit to how much people are willing to pay for a medium they can only hear. |
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