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Wednesday, November 14, 2001

By Adrian McCoy, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

The introduction of cable and satellite dishes changed TV viewing forever. Now, with the introduction of satellite radio, the same may hold true for radio listening.

Satellite radio has come to Pittsburgh. XM Satellite Radio launched the service in September in a few markets, and this week is going nationwide.

Listeners looking for more variety than what they get on commercial radio now have access to a wide array of choices, covering nearly every genre of music, plus programming targeted at specific audiences. People who want to listen to formats that commercial radio can't offer, like blues, reggae, dance music or jazz 24 hours a day, will now be able to do so.

XM offers 100 channels, including 71 music channels -- nearly half of them commercial-free. XM's 29 news, talk, sports and entertainment channels include MTV, VH1, BET, ABC News and Talk, NASCAR Radio, CNN Headline News, BBC World Service, Country Music Hall of Fame and more.

XM is primarily designed for use in the car, but there are ways to integrate the system into your home stereo.

In addition to diversity in programming, the benefits include digital sound, fewer commercials and coast-to-coast coverage, so long distance drivers don't have to change channels.

The XM signal is carried by two Boeing 702 satellites -- aptly named "Rock" and "Roll."

Pioneer users have been enthusiastic about XM's sound quality and programming. Some say they use it to augment, not substitute for, their commercial radio listening.

The price for XM is a $9.99 per month subscription fee, plus purchase of the receivers.

The competition, Sirius Satellite Radio, also was supposed to debut its service in the last quarter of 2001, but has delayed the launch until next year. Sirius will also broadcast 100 channels of digital programming, including 60 commercial-free music channels, with a $12.95 monthly subscription fee.

The delayed Sirius launch has spawned class-action litigation against the company, charging that the "impossibly ambitious" launch schedule caused the stock prices to be artificially inflated. The company will hold a teleconference today to give an update on its launch plans.

Some automakers will offer satellite receivers as options in new vehicles. Existing car systems can be retrofitted, and there's a Sony "Plug-and-Play" model for $299 that works with home or car stereos. Receivers are available at local electronics retailers like Best Buy and Circuit City.

Thanksgiving specials

Public radio will serve up several Thanksgiving specials on Nov. 22.

WDUQ-FM (90.5) will carry "The National Heritage Fellowship Awards Concert" (11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) and "Poetry Said, Poetry Sung." (1:30 to 3 p.m.)

The annual National Heritage Fellowship Awards honor 12 people for artistic excellence and contributions to the folk and traditional arts. WDUQ director of national productions Mark Yacovone recorded and produced the program.

"Poetry Said, Poetry Sung" features singer/songwriter Lucinda Williams and her father, poet Miller Williams, in a performance recorded at the International Poetry Forum here last spring.

WQED-FM's (89.3) Judi Cannava hosts a one-hour special, starting at 9 a.m. "Hymn of Thanksgiving" features traditional old-fashioned hymns performed by choirs and soloists.

WYEP-FM (91.3) will carry the first "Third Coast International Audio Festival," from 2 to 5 p.m. Hosted by "This American Life" host Ira Glass, the program presents award-winning, innovative radio documentaries and features from around the world.

WYEP will also carry a one-hour version of the "Poetry Said, Poetry Sung" special, starting at 5 p.m.

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