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Sirius XM iPhone app missing Howard Stern, NFL
Satellite radio service provider Sirius XM announced the launch of an official mobile application optimized for Apple's iPhone and iPod touch, promising smartphone users access to programming including Oprah Radio, Opie & Anthony, The Grateful Dead Channel and Jimmy Buffett's Radio Margaritaville--however, many of the premium network's marquee attractions, including The Howard Stern Show and play-by-play coverage of the National Football League and Major League Baseball, will not be included. According to Sirius XM, the iPhone app is free to Sirius and XM Internet subscribers, offering 120 channels of sports, talk, entertainment, news, comedy and commercial-free music--mobile users will also enjoy access to Internet-only showcase channels including Sirius XM Bootlegs, Sirius XM Talk Showcase, Sirius XM Music Showcase and Sirius XM Comedy Showcase. In addition, users can tag favorite songs for subsequent purchases from Apple's iTunes Store, save favorite channels for more efficient access and view what's playing on other Sirius channels via the Lookaround function.
And yet, there's no getting around the fact that the Sirius XM mobile experience is missing a significant chunk of the content that subscribers tune in to hear. "Some select programming, including MLB Play-by-Play, NFL Play-by-Play, Sirius NASCAR Radio and Howard Stern will not be available on the iPhone and iPod touch," reads the press release. "Listeners will continue to be able to access that programming through the platforms they are currently offered on." Sirius XM does not offer details on why the content is not available via iPhone, although it seems a safe assumption that licensing rights are at issue.
For more on the Sirius XM iPhone app:
- read this release
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Comments
Posted by MikeinAustin | June 18, 2009 - 10:50am
I can understand MLB since they have their own app, and NFL is so greedy i can see that one too, but what part of Howard enormous multion million dollar contract is not enough to be able to put him on the iPhone? what a stupid move by Mel and Co.
They won't earn my extra $2.99 without Howard on there since he's the reason I pay $13 a month to begin with.
Posted by Anonymous | June 19, 2009 - 2:09pm
I am guessing the "No Howard" program is not Sirius' choice. I am guessing that Howard controls what technologies his product can be plugged in to. Clearly, the iPhone app was not specifically written in to his contract.
For those who DO listen to Howard, you know that he tightly controls his brand. Look at the Howard TV product. It is not available every where, and he seems fine with that. Even though he could very easily put on a pay per view computer product.
Howard is an extremely slow adopter to new technology. His website is still pretty lame for the KOAM. But, with his new contract coming up, I am sure this will be added to the list of "adds".
Don't blame Mel on this one.
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