For all the hype and debate that is ongoing about the viability or profitability of satellite radio, I have to say that there seems to be very little positive information on what a remarkable product SIRIUS actually offers its listeners. It also seems that in the stock market discussion about the profitability of Sirius, that there is very little focus on any other market except the auto industry. Although the Auto market represents the growth market responsible for the largest acquisitions of new subscribers for the company, I feel that there is a market out there that has a huge growth potential that is being poorly, and otherwise ineffectively targeted. This elusive gem is the marine market.
In fact, I would even go so far as to say that some of the most loyal and unyielding SIRIUS XM subscribers make their livings on the sea. Whether it be commercial fishing, yacht crew, tug boats, harbor ferries or any other maritime sea-faring activity SIRIUS XM is there. I was just recently on one such vessel in Northern California for over 2 months straight at sea and on board we had n
o fewer than 8 separate satellite receivers!
As truckers well know, there is nothing that beats radio when you’re running mechanically intense operations or engaging in standing a watch for 8 hours straight. You can’t watch tv, no matter how fancy they make it, it’s simply unsafe. And you have to remember that because we are miles offshore, we are always out of FM/AM range and cell phone range as well. So what’s left for entertainment?
SIRIUS. You can catch the latest headlines on CNN with Wolf Blitzer in the Situation Room, or you can listen to the latest business news on CNBC. And if you sprung for the extra few bucks when you bought your receiver, you can even have your stock portfolio scrolled right across your screen with real time quotes letting you keep track of your investments while underway. Looking for a laugh? Raw Dog can’t be beat. Looking for some audio caffeine? Try the Strobe. Missing the playoffs at home while you’re out catching salmon in Alaska? Listen to them live right on your MLB channels!
I think I speak for all us sea-faring Sirius loyalists, that there is no better product in the world than Sirius. Hell there is nothing that has made making a living on the high seas more bearable since the invention of coffee, than the advent of Sirius.
SIRIUS also provides a Marine weather program that downloads real time marine weather information right to a compatible chart plotter. This weather service is unparalleled in the industry providing valuable and relevant marine weather warnings and information. It downloads real time and displays various types of information including wind/wave data, national buoy information and more. I unfortunately feel like SIRIUS has focused so much on the car market that it has not really developed this valuable product. I’d like to see Sirius focus more on this product and really push it out there in the marine industry where it is invaluable for safety and can truly save lives.
What would I like to see from Sirius in the future? Maybe a low cost internet solution for an extra monthly fee. Or a Gmail download function via the Sirius satellites to a tablet style receiver. I think the possibilities are endless for SIRIUS on the Sea.
Ah, This is awesome! Puts to bed
some contradictions I’ve seen